The 3 Engagement Ring Trends That Will Dominate in 2020

Although everyone might currently be focused on Christmas and the holiday period, there is another relatively important cultural movement that happens at this time of year, which you may not be aware of: engagement season.

According to Bridebook.co.uk, approximately 40% of proposals take place between the beginning of December and Valentine’s Day, with an estimated 15% of total proposals happening on either Christmas Day or Christmas Eve. In fact, last year alone the website estimated that around 125,000 engagements would take place over the Christmas period. And that’s a lot of new jewellery.

Given these statistics, we figured now would be the time to take a look at engagement rings trends and conduct some research into the most popular options on the markets. Of course, with a query like this, we had to go to the experts.

Speaking to five jewellery brands who specialise in engagement rings—including Michelle Oh, Shaun Leane, Messika, Shahla Karimi and Meadowlark—we learned that coloured stones, three stone rings and contemporary solitaires are high on the agenda for 2020. Call it the royal effect, but it seems the engagement rings of Kate, Meghan, Eugenie and Beatrice have certainly influenced the trends we are seeing today. 

Keep scrolling for 2020 engagement ring trends prediction, as well as a few of the brands' most popular styles. 

According to Michelle Oh and Meadowlark, engagement rings featuring coloured stones are predicted to maintain their popularity for 2020. 

Michelle Oh explained, "Whether it's a single pop of colour or an entirely colourful arrangement of stones on the ring, I think more and more people will choose to express their love with colour in 2020. Pantone just released its colour of the year prediction for 2020, which it named Classic Blue. In the jewellery world, we see this colour and immediately think of sapphires." 

The team behind Meadlowlark agree: "For 2020 we think there will be an even stronger trend towards coloured stones in engagement rings. We are seeing people being more open to coloured sapphires; it's less about diamonds."

Following the recent high-profile engagement of Princess Beatrice, three-stone rings are set to continue their prominence into 2020, according to our experts.  

Shaun Leane, the designer behind Princess Beatrice's ring, explained, "I think three-stone contemporary rings are going to be a key trend for 2020. I feel that jewellery nowadays is so much more aligned with fashion and that women curate their jewellery collection in line with their personal style." 

Michelle Oh explained that she's also seen an increase in demand for three-stone rings. "Three-stone rings, and rings with tapered side stones, have been most popular for my bespoke requests this year. There is something really flattering about the tapering silhouette which gathers towards the centre to enhance and accentuate the centre stone."

While a diamond solitaire ring is an eternal classic, next year many of our experts are predicting we'll see this style with a contemporary update. 

Shahla Karimi explained, "Solitaires with a twist are going to be big in 2020. A brilliant or oval stone set in a nontraditional way have been gaining popularity, and we are seeing more requests for these unique settings right now more than ever." 

Jeweller Valérie Messika of Messika added, "For 2020, custom-made engagement rings will continue to be a big trend. I find myself always going back to making classic solitaires with my own contemporary twist—something I foresee will continue in 2020.” 

Michelle Oh agrees, stating customers are "looking for new ways to reinvent classics." For example,  "rings that on first glance look like the traditional solitaire but when you look closer reveal little details, whether in the setting or the shape of the band itself, which gives a classic silhouette a modern edge."

Next up, see the S/S 20 trends you need to know.