Put a (Colorful) Ring on It: The Alternative Engagement Ring

We’ve all seen impeccable diamond solitaires—those classic, elegant engagement rings that gracefully tow the line. But what if you’re looking for something slightly less uniform? Something unexpected, maybe even a little irreverent? Enter the rare, but nonetheless dazzling modern-day solution: an engagement ring infused with color.

For fine jewelry designer Delfina Delettrez, the shade of the stone can be informed by the most outlandish of references. “I was inspired by UFOs,” she explains of her whimsical Magic Triangle Bing Piercing Ring. “This piece reflects my love of contrasts in colors, shapes, and cuts, and the balance of a macro and micro stone floating on your hand. It feels like an object that has arrived from outer space.” The Fendi heir's otherworldly, giant, emerald-cut purple and green topaz ring is not the only jeweled concoction outshining the traditional Tiffany's six-prong settings. Add an aquamarine stunner from Jack Vartanian and a bright, candy-hued blue sapphire-topped band from Ellagem, and you get quite a few sparkling choices that veer away from the expected. Maison Martin Margiela’s new take on its classic Pompadour—the house has removed the sapphire stone and placed it parallel to its setting—gives the bauble an almost futuristic, sculptural feel. “It was important to me to design and create pieces that highlight the distinct nature of each diamond,” said Monique Pean of her ethically sourced, wildly colorful stones. “I was inspired by my search for the perfect engagement ring for my nuptials.” No doubt a bevy of prospective brides will also be inspired by the plethora of prismatic options. As Delettrez suggests, all the best examples of this new trend in rings "delve into the fascination of the unknown."