13 ultra-cool contemporary engagement rings.

I was browsing the Greenwich St. Jewelers website the other day to see what was new (they’re always a great place to find interesting but wearable modern pieces) and I found myself captivated by the bridal section. There’s some really exciting things happening in contemporary engagement rings right now, and I haven’t been doing the category justice here on Diamonds in the Library in recent months.

Bridal is becoming a more and more open-minded field of design, with a wide range of styles that guarantee that anyone on the quest for a contemporary engagement ring will be able to find one that feels just right. I think that’s just wonderful and these great new designs deserve our attention.

Here’s a baker’s dozen of the coolest contemporary engagement rings I encountered in my recent browsing:

I love this setting from Sylvie Collection because it embodies so many of the recent important engagement ring trends in a beautiful, wearable way.

With warm rose gold, a simple halo, and an elegant oval diamond – this ring is rocking the “I’m on trend now, but I’ll still look good in 30 years” approach. Bonus: how cool are those thorn-like prongs?

This is the Trellis ring by Megan Thorne. I think it’s fantastic: it reminds me of bridges and skyscrapers.

I love how it involves all the traditional elements of an engagement ring but uses them in such a unique way, with the wide, openwork band and bezel-set center stone that’s the same width as the ring shank. It occupies space on the finger in an unusual way, while still feeling very engagement ring-like.

One of the things I hear the most frequently from women looking for engagement rings is that they want something easy-to-wear that won’t interfere with their daily activities: namely, they want a low-profile ring (that sits low on the finger) that won’t get caught on things as they go about their busy lives.

This Jennie Kwon ring is proof that a ring can be low-profile and high style. It looks like it’s about as comfortable and easy as a ring can be, while still bringing plenty of style.

Jade Trau’s engagement rings really caught my attention over the summer, when I attended the Forevermark Bridal Academy event. Jade Trau herself is a fellow fan of antique jewelry, and her designs incorporate some of the things I love most in antique jewelry in a thoroughly modern way that feel fresh, edgy, and completely irresistible.

Just look at the Clara setting above: have you ever seen a simple solitaire that felt this edgy? No, you haven’t. The octagonal bezel, thornlike prongs, and tapered shoulders combine in just the right way to make this piece incredibly compelling.

This modern setting by Sholdt is actually identical in silhouette to my 1930’s hand-engraved platinum engagement ring, but opposite in design. While my ring is rife with dainty designs and elegant openwork, this sleek Sholdt setting is nothing but smooth, clean lines.

I love the way the oval center stone appears to be rising seamlessly out of the band of metal. There’s something almost aquatic about it, don’t you think?

Here’s another ring by Megan Thorne (she does quite a few really cool contemporary engagement rings).

I love the way this setting combines dazzling modern design – like that starburst bezel setting – with textured yellow gold that reminds me of antique jewelry. Such a great mix of clean lines and rich detail.

If you’re worried about sacrificing drama for simplicity, I invite you to feast your eyes upon this Rebecca Overmann double rose-cut pear diamond ring.

Zero fussiness, but wow-factor for days. I also love how the outline of the two back-to-back pear shaped diamonds calls to mind heart shapes, but isn’t actually a heart.

Here’s another beauty by the fabulous Jade Trau.

Simplicity mixed with electrifying edginess. I can’t get enough of that smooth, geometric bezel and the precise attention to detail – look how the inner edges of the setting echo the lines of the center diamond. Yes, yes, and yes.

Another perfect example of the “simple with a twist” approach from Sholdt.

This straightforward setting for an emerald-cut diamond is made interesting by its wonderfully textured shank. No fuss, but plenty to love.

You already know I love Erika Winters’ designs – we’ve looked at her rings a few times before.

Here’s a newer one from her; all luscious, smooth rose gold bezel with perfect detailing. So modern, so clean, so lovely. It’s available in white and yellow gold as well, but I love the wide expanse of pink in the rose gold version.

This Mark Schneider setting is the polar opposite of the super-simple Erika Winters deign above – this rolling, scrolling setting draws the eye up, down, and around the center diamond in a visual dance of modern design. Extremely cool.

This ring from Polly Wales is probably the most outside-the-box pick here. The center stone is a single, yellow East-West set baguette diamond, flanked by two tiny white sparklers.

It’s simultaneously minimalist and organic, thanks to Polly Wales’ signature style. This is one of those rings that isn’t for everyone, but that you can just tell is going to be somebody’s ultimate dream come true.

And one more glorious Jade Trau design to end on. This big, juicy slanted pear-shaped diamond in rose gold feels simultaneously so glamorous and laid-back – it’s an unusual combination of styles. Like every Jade Trau style we’ve looked at today, it’s simple but unique.

Okay, my darlings – you know what I’m going to ask. Which of these gorgeous contemporary engagement rings is your favorite, and what do you love about it?

All of these fabulous contemporary engagement rings are currently available at Greenwich St. Jewelers. All images c/o Greenwich St. Jewelers. 

PS: I highly recommend Greenwich St. Jewelers for pretty much any contemporary shopping jewelry need. My own beloved Mr. DitL’s wedding band is from them, and they’re a go-to of mine when people ask for recommendations for jewelry gift-buying. Everyone I’ve ever sent there has given them rave reviews.