22 Custom Engagement Ring Ideas From Our Master Jewellers
Choosing a custom engagement ring opens up a world of possibilities.
Whether it is a traditional diamond solitaire, halos design or a coloured sapphire, fancy diamond or tension settings and even Mokume Gane metal, the most minuscule design decision can completely change the character of an entire ring.
Our jewellers at MDT DESIGN have spent decades designing and creating engagement rings by hand in our Melbourne workshop. Our extensive collection of engagement rings cover timeless design, through to ambitious custom creations all the way to award-winning artistic jewellery design pieces.
If you are seeking custom engagement ring ideas, these MDT DESIGN rings are a great place to start.
Gather inspiration from one. Combine elements from a few. Or use them to innovate your entirely own idea.
From classic to out of this world, this is what handmade makes possible.
Classic Diamond Engagement Ring Ideas
Classic engagement rings are classic for a reason. But just because you select a traditional ring style- it doesn’t necessarily mean that your ring needs to look the same as everybody else’s.
Tailoring the diamond shape, proportions, metal colour and style of setting can create something absolutely individual.
1. Round Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring
Theres nothing like a classic round diamond solitaire engagement ring, it has been an enduring style that has lasted throughout the years and remained a strong stable in engagement ring design.
Pairing a round brilliant-cut diamond with a traditional six-claw setting and a 18ct yellow gold band, This option is a refined, clean design that is centred entirely around the diamond, it demonstrates with ease why exactly the solitaire remains one of the most popular designs to consider when looking for a custom engagement ring.
Featured ring: Round 6 Claw Solitaire Diamond Engagement Ring in Yellow Gold
2. Oval Diamond Engagement Ring With a Hidden Halo
For a classic appearing design with a subtle personal detail, consider an oval diamond engagement ring with a hidden halo.
Rather than surrounding the centre diamond from above, a hidden halo places smaller diamonds beneath it or around the setting itself, resulting in additional sparkle that can be viewed from the side -while maintaining the clean aesthetic of an oval solitaire from above. The MDT DESIGN C560 features 16 round brilliant-cut diamonds in its hidden halo. Alternatively you can consider customising this design, removing the hidden halo, to create a classic oval solitaire engagement ring.
Featured ring: Oval Diamond Engagement Ring with Diamond Hidden Halo C560
3. Pear-Shaped Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring
A pear-shaped diamond engagement ring honours the traditional brilliant cut with its soft curve, however its distinctive apered point adds a slight edge.
A setting simple allows the unusual shape of the pear-cut diamond to become the highlight of engagement ring for those looking for something classic, but edgy.
Featured ring: Pear Shape Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring C363
4. Marquise Diamond Engagement Ring With Side Diamonds
The elongated silhouette of a marquise diamond engagement ring creates a very distinct presence on the hand.
Adding diamonds on the band introduces more brilliance while keeping the marquise diamond as the centre focus.
Jewellers tip: A blanket rule for any diamond that comes to a point- is that it is essential to protect these points with the type of claw used to house it- this design uses prominent ‘V’ claws to ensure your diamonds safety for everyday wear.
Featured ring: Marquise Solitaire Diamond Engagement Ring with Side Diamonds
5. Emerald-Cut Diamond Trilogy Engagement Ring
For something with clean lines and strong symmetry, an emerald-cut diamond engagement ring offers an elegant alternative to brilliant-cut diamond shapes.
Pairing an emerald-cut centre diamond with baguette side diamonds in white gold creates a beautifully balanced three stone engagement ring design.
Featured ring: Emerald Cut Diamond Trilogy Engagement Ring with Baguette Sides
6. Princess-Cut Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring
A princess-cut diamond engagement ring introduces sharper lines and geometry to the simplicity of a solitaire.
The square profile of a princess cut diamond creates a distinctly different look from any rounded or elongated diamond shapes, while retaining the timeless appeal of a single centre stone. Paired with a diamond set split band to accent its shape and add extra sparkle, this design is a great unique way to accent the angular symmetry of a princess cut diamond.
Featured ring: White Gold Princess Cut Diamond Ring C960
Three-Stone, Toi et Moi & Halo Engagement Ring Ideas
Altering the amount of, shape of or arrangement of the gemstones you choose, opens up an entirely different direction for an engagement ring.
From the iconic trilogy engagement ring style to contemporary Toi et Moi designs, these styles allow multiple diamonds or gemstones to become a feature of design. Often playing off asymmetry, different pairings or patters to enhance the individuality of the particular engagement ring, these designs are a great way to create a one of a kind style for your ring..
7. Oval Diamond Trilogy Engagement Ring
A three-stone or ‘trilogy’ engagement ring places a centre stone between two side stones.
Choosing an oval centre diamond creates elongated proportions while maintaining symmetry and balance, something that defines a traditional trilogy design. MDT DESIGN features the C380 in platinum, yellow gold and rose gold variations, all the while retaining its classic appeal.
Featured ring: Oval Diamond Trilogy Engagement Ring C380
8. Toi et Moi Sapphire Engagement Ring
Toi et Moi- comes from the french language and quite literally translates to ‘You and Me’. Romantically this design quite literally symbolises the of two people.
A Toi et Moi engagement ring brings two centre stones together within one design. Often asymmetry is a big part of the appeal for this type of design. Something unexpected is a part of the appeal.
Rather than using traditional white diamonds, this particular custom MDT DESIGN piece uses two sapphires, to create a more symmetrical take on a Toi et Moi design. This concept can be personalised through gemstone, colour and shape.
Featured ring: Custom Toi et Moi Sapphire Engagement Ring
9. Pear-Shaped Diamond Halo Engagement Ring
A diamond halo engagement ring design surrounds the centre stone with smaller diamonds, adding brilliance while emphasising its shape, often creating the illusion of a larger stone.
For example, this pear shaped diamond halo engagement ring, features an array of smaller diamonds that follow the distinctive outline of its centre pear-shaped centre diamond, creating a more detailed interpretation of the pear diamond engagement ring and of course adding bonus sparkle to the piece.
Featured ring: Pear Shape Halo Diamond Engagement Ring C1017
10. Diamond Engagement Ring With Diamond-Set Shoulders
Adding diamonds through the band is another way to build upon the simplicity of a solitaire.
This design combines a six-claw centre diamond setting with diamond-set shoulders, adding brilliance across the finger without competing with the centre stone.
Featured ring: Six Claw Diamond Engagement Ring with Diamond Band C961
11. East-West Marquise Diamond Engagement Ring
An east-west engagement ring turns convention on its side, quite literally.
A classic style- with a unique twist. The east-west style engagement ring usually features an elongated diamond shape- such as Oval, Emerald or Marquise.
Rather than positioning an elongated marquise diamond vertically along the finger, this custom MDT DESIGN ring positions it horizontally. The result is a contemporary engagement ring that reimagines a familiar diamond shape in a completely different way.
Featured ring: Custom East-West Marquise Diamond Engagement Ring
Yellow Gold & Rose Gold Engagement Ring Ideas
Simply changing the precious metal can change the character of an engagement ring just as significantly as its diamond.
While platinum and white gold create a cooler appearance, yellow gold and rose gold engagement rings introduce warmth and contrast that can become an important part of the overall design.
12. Yellow Gold Diamond Engagement Ring
Yellow gold engagement rings create a beautiful contrast against white diamonds and can work across both traditional and contemporary designs.
Here, a diamond-set knife-edge band gives the yellow gold itself a stronger role in the design rather than simply acting as the metal beneath the setting.
Featured ring: Diamond Ring with Diamond-Set Knife Edge Band in Yellow Gold
13. Rose Gold Diamond Engagement Ring
The warmth of of an 18ct rose gold engagement ring offers a distinctive and modern alternative to yellow gold, white gold or platinum.
Paired here with a six-claw diamond setting and twisted diamond band, the rose gold becomes an integral part of the finished design.
Featured ring: 6 Claw Diamond Ring with Diamond Twisted Band in Rose Gold
Sapphire & Coloured Diamond Engagement Ring Ideas
A custom engagement ring doesn’t have to centre around a traditional white diamond.
Sapphire engagement rings and coloured diamond engagement rings offer an enormous range of colour, shape and design possibilities, whether colour becomes the centrepiece or an unexpected personal detail.
14. Blue Sapphire Engagement Ring
A blue sapphire engagement ring provides deep colour whilst still offering enormous flexibility in custom design.
This Ceylon sapphire ring uses a diamond set split band to create a contemporary silhouette around the coloured centre stone, for an individual, interesting overall style.
Featured ring: Split Band with Ceylon Sapphire Ring C1200
15. Pink Sapphire Trilogy Engagement Ring
For a softer approach to colour, consider a pink sapphire engagement ring.
This design pairs an oval pink sapphire with diamonds in a trilogy arrangement, combining the individuality of a coloured gemstone with the balance of a classic three-stone ring.
Featured ring: Oval Pink Sapphire and Diamond Trilogy Engagement Ring C1202
16. Fancy Yellow Diamond Engagement Ring
If you want to utilise colour without straying from the use of a diamond, a fancy yellow diamond engagement ring offers an entirely different direction to explore.
The use of an elongated marquise shape makes the vibrant yellow colour even more distinctive in this design, while white diamonds set into a split band, provide angular contrast around the centre stone.
Featured ring: Australian Marquise-Shaped Fancy Yellow Diamond Ring C987
Men’s Engagement Ring Ideas
Engagement rings don’t always need to follow traditionally dainty proportions or settings.
Exploring men’s engagement rings can mean that they can be designed around broader bands, signet forms, diamonds, coloured gemstones or unconventional settings- the most important thing is that it represents it wearer.
17. Men’s Diamond Signet Engagement Ring
A signet-style ring offers a strong starting point for a men’s diamond engagement ring.
Rather than elevating the diamond above the band, this MDT DESIGN piece incorporates a round brilliant diamond into the face of the ring with a distinctive star setting.
Featured ring: Men’s Gold Signet Ring with Star Set Diamond C258
Tension Set Engagement Ring Ideas
If you are looking for somethiing unmistakably contemporary, consider a tension set engagement ring.
Tension setting is one of MDT DESIGN’s specialties. Rather than relying on conventional claws to hold its centre stone, a true tension setting uses precisely controlled pressure within the ring to securely hold the diamond or gemstone, creating its distinctive suspended or ‘floating’ appearance.
18. Platinum Tension Set Diamond Engagement Ring
Stripped back to its essential elements, a tension set diamond engagement ring allows the centre diamond to remain remarkably exposed, allowing a lot more light to flow through the diamond- creating the appearance of a brighter more radiant diamond.
Handmade in platinum, this design demonstrates the clean, architectural appearance that has made tension setting such a distinctive part of MDT DESIGN.
Featured ring: Platinum Tension Set Round Cut Diamond Ring C957
19. Pink Diamond Tension Set Engagement Ring
Tension setting can also become the foundation for something considerably more elaborate.
This design combines tension setting with pink diamonds, bringing rare colour into one of MDT DESIGN’s signature contemporary setting styles.
Featured ring: Tension Set Pink Diamond Ring C950
20. Split-Band Tension Set Diamond Engagement Ring
The band itself can become part of both the engineering and visual language of a tension set ring.
This design combines a split band with a tension-set diamond, creating an architectural engagement ring where the precious metal and centre stone work together as one form.
Featured ring: Split Band Tension Set Diamond Ring
Mokume Gane Engagement Ring Ideas
For an engagement ring where the precious metal becomes just as important as the gemstone, consider Mokume Gane.
Meaning “wood grain metal”, Mokume Gane is a traditional Japanese metalworking technique characterised by distinctive layered patterns. MDT DESIGN’s collection combines the two tone metal technique with diamonds, varying diamond shapes and contemporary ring designs.
21. Six-Claw Mokume Gane Diamond Engagement Ring
Mokume Gane doesn’t require an unconventional diamond setting.
Pairing patterned precious metal with a classic six-claw diamond solitaire creates a striking contrast between traditional engagement ring design and distinctive handmade metalwork.
Featured ring: 6 Claw Diamond Mokume Gane Engagement Ring C1258
22. Mokume Gane Marquise Diamond Engagement Ring
Changing the diamond shape allows Mokume Gane to take on an entirely different character.
Here, the elongated proportions of a marquise diamond meet the flowing pattern of Mokume Gane, allowing both the gemstone and the precious metal to become defining features of the design.
Featured ring: Mokume Gane Ring with Marquise Diamond C724
Beyond the Ordinary: Award-Winning Jewellery Design
Custom jewellery doesn’t have to end with merely choosing a diamond shape, setting or precious metal.
For decades, MDT DESIGN’s jewellers have used their craft to create unique, award-winning pieces that explore how far precious metals, gemstones, engineering and traditional jewellery-making techniques can be taken.
Three Wise Men
Three Wise Men fuzes together coloured diamonds and contrasting precious metals within an original award-winning MDT DESIGN piece.
It demonstrates what becomes possible when the gemstones, colours and metals themselves become part of the creative concept.
Three Wise Men is also impressively an award-winning design, winning the Australasian Jewellery Award in 2006.
Xenya
Xenya merges contemporary jewellery engineering, yellow diamonds and tension setting into award-winning design.
Winning a Jewellery Award in 2019, rather than treating the setting simply as a way to hold a gemstone, the tension set construction becomes fundamental to the architecture, symmetry and identity of the entire piece.
Arûm
And then there is Arûm.
An award-winning MDT DESIGN piece that brings together coloured diamonds, precious metal and highly detailed craftsmanship. Arûm remains part of MDT DESIGN’s current collection of award-recognised jewellery.
It represents the furthest end of the spectrum explored throughout this article.
Not simply choosing an engagement ring. Creating jewellery that didn’t exist before.
Arûm – 2017 Jewellery Award Winner
How to Choose a Custom Engagement Ring Design
If you’re considering a custom engagement ring, you don’t need to arrive with the entire design resolved.
Start with the elements you’re naturally drawn to.
You might love the simplicity of a round diamond solitaire but prefer yellow gold. You might want an oval diamond with a hidden halo, a sapphire instead of a diamond, an east-west setting, or the distinctive pattern of Mokume Gane.
You can begin with an existing MDT DESIGN ring and personalise it, combine elements from different designs, or start entirely from scratch.
The purpose of custom design isn’t to make an engagement ring more complicated.
It’s to make it yours.
Custom Engagement Rings Handmade in Melbourne
At MDT DESIGN, our custom engagement rings are designed and individually handmade in our Melbourne workshop.
Working with our jewellers gives you the freedom to explore diamond and gemstone shapes, precious metals, setting styles, proportions and details to create a ring around the person who will actually wear it.
From a beautifully refined solitaire to something nobody has seen before, the same principle applies:
Your idea. Our expertise. One ring made entirely for you.
