Solitaire, Halo or Trilogy – taking you through the essential styles of diamond engagement rings

Are you looking for a diamond engagement ring and unsure of what you want?  A great place to start – once you’ve picked the diamond shape you love – is with the three basic styles: solitaire, halo and trilogy. 

Less is More

For the elegant woman, we begin with the solitaire, where a single, central diamond is the star of the show.  The most understated and classic of all styles, a solitaire ring is timeless.

The distinction of a solitaire comes from the way the diamond is set.  The solitary stone may be enhanced by details in the gallery of the setting, like in our Signature MS Solitaire or Petal engagement ring, or perhaps by the number of claws that hold the stone, such as in our 6-claw Solitaire.  It could also be a minimalist tube setting where the diamond is surrounded by a rim of metal, or a contemporary tension setting where the diamond appears to float, held securely in place by the spring compression of a precision-engineered metal shank.

A timeless and elegant six-prong solitaire engagement ring, showcasing a brilliant round diamond in a highly polished white gold setting.

Whilst a truly classic solitaire is simply one central diamond on a fine band, setting it with sparkling little diamonds creates an elevated and mod variation that is bang on trend.  Our chic oval-cut ring with a delicate micropavé diamond band is an elegant choice, as is this marquise diamond ring in the same style.

But wait… More can also be More!

For the woman who wants more, an exciting style that has been enjoying a lot of attention lately is the three-stone ring.  Also known as trilogy or trinity rings, the three stones traditionally represent the past, present and future. This makes it a sentimental choice that celebrates the entirety of a couple’s journey together.  The three stones have also been interpreted as friendship, love and fidelity. That said, you are ultimately the one who decides what they mean to you! 

Trilogy rings are an inspired choice for an engagement ring. Getting creative with a combination of different shapes, as well as with the proportions of the stones, is a great way to make such a significant piece unique to you.  You could choose a large centre diamond with much smaller side stones, or one where all three stones are a similar size. 

This elegant three-stone ring features a striking marquise-cut diamond centre, beautifully complemented by two sparkling pear-shaped diamonds.

More ways to put your stamp on a trilogy ring include incorporating interesting bands, fancy cuts and even the inclusion of coloured gems as the accent stones. How about a row of three fancy shapes, like our stunning Rectangular Cushion Diamond trilogy ring? Or three baguette cuts for an entirely different look altogether, with clean lines and parallel edges. 

Whichever way you go, three-stone rings are proof of the fact that good things come in threes! 

The Halo

Last but by no means least, the halo ring.  For the romantics out there, how can one not be charmed by a crown of diamonds surrounding the centre stone? Sparkle on top of sparkle!

A striking round-cut diamond halo ring set on a bold, polished yellow gold band.

Diamonds in a halo can be set in a variety of styles, such as pavé or claw settings. The halo itself can simply follow the outline of the centre stone, or get fancy with different patterns and shapes. The most romantic of our three essential styles, halo rings bring delicate vintage beauty to your everyday.

With a vast and varied range of fine jewellery, one of the largest selections of loose diamonds in Cape Town and master goldsmiths on our premises, Mark Solomon Jewellers will help you find the perfect engagement ring to suit your style. Contact us for a quote or to make an appointment for an obligation-free consultation to discuss your design.