Engagement ring styles rise and fall in popularity year by year — take a look back at the top trends over the over the last century with this fun video from Mode!
Plus, check out this handy timeline with a breakdown of the featured rings:
1890 – 1900: The classic solitaire.
Featured ring: Round old European-cut diamond set into a six-prong mounting with 14k yellow gold.
1900 – 1920’s: The Edwardian period.
Featured ring: Round old European-cut diamond set into a pierced openwork mounting highlighted by round diamonds with milgrain detail.
1920 – 1930’s: The Art Deco period.
Featured ring: Round early modern brilliant-cut diamond set into a platinum mounting highlighted by round diamonds.
Related: 30+ Vintage-Style Engagement Rings
1930 – 1940: The introduction of white gold in the late 1920’s becomes the popular metal of the period, along with the filigree mounting, which heralds back to the Edwardian period.
Featured ring: Round old European-cut diamond set into an 18k white gold filigree mounting.
The 1940’s: The 1940’s saw a shift to the use of yellow and rose gold, with an increase in the scale of the jewelry.
Featured rings: Round old European-cut diamond set into an 14k yellow gold wirework mounting. Round brilliant-cut diamond set in 14k white and yellow gold.
1950 – 1960’s: In the post-war era, white gold and platinum became the metals of choice, and round side stones were popular for settings.
Featured ring: Round brilliant-cut diamond flanked by trios of round diamonds set in 14k white gold.
1960 – 1970: There was an uptick in fancy-shaped diamonds, including emerald, pear, marquise and heart. Platinum was the preferred metal of choice.
Featured ring: Emerald-cut diamond set in platinum.
1970 – 1980: This period was all about yellow gold. Round or fancy-shaped diamonds were worn in channel-set mountings with accompanying wedding bands.
Featured ring: Marquise-shaped diamond set in yellow gold with channel-set round brilliant-cut diamonds.
1980 – 1990: The solitaire reigned supreme during this decade, as did baguette settings.
Featured ring: Round brilliant-cut diamond flanked by rectangular baguettes mounted in platinum.
1990 – 2000: The radiant cut was the preferred fancy-shaped diamond of the period, typically set with triangular side stones.
Featured ring: Radiant-cut diamond flanked by triangular shaped diamonds and mounted in 18k white gold.
2000 – 2010: The princess cut was the preferred fancy-shaped diamond of the period.
Featured ring: Princess-cut diamond highlighted by round brilliant-cut diamonds set in the ring band.
2010 – Present Day: The halo is currently the most popular type of setting. There has also been an increased demand for fancy-colored diamonds.
Featured ring: Fancy yellow rectangular cushion cut diamond set into a platinum “Halo “ mounting highlighted by round brilliant-cut diamonds.
Tell us: What’s your favorite ring style and decade?
—Stefania Sainato
