Engagement Ring Trends 2026: The Timeless Appeal of Oval Engagement Rings & Solitaire Designs

While we love timeless jewellery at MDT DESIGN, like any fashion industry, popular styles and engagement ring trends often lead the way.

And 2026 is no exception, with one particular style combination that many of our clients keep coming back to:

Oval diamond engagement rings and solitaire engagement rings. 

If you have been spending time on social media over the last few years, and your feed is filled with beautiful jewellery pieces, you might have noticed the same shape and style prominently featured over and over again: an elegant, elongated oval diamond.

What’s more, this beautiful diamond usually sits on its own in a clean, simple band- in what we call a solitare design.

Whilst oval diamonds and solitaire rings are aesthetically gorgeous, especially when this diamond cut and classic style are combined together, there are a few additional reasons driving the trend.

In this article, we’re diving into what’s behind this trend, why oval and solitaire rings continue to take over in 2026, and how MDT DESIGN can help you find the perfect engagement ring for your partner.

The Incredible Rise of Oval-Cut Diamonds

The fact that oval-cut diamonds are becoming increasingly popular isn’t just something we’ve experienced in our Melbourne boutique. Fascinatingly, there is data to back this up, and not just in Australia.

For example, in the UK round cut diamonds have dropped from occupying 59% of sales in 2022 down to just 36% in 2025. On the other hand, oval cut diamonds have climbed from around 21% to 33% over the same period. This is an incredibly fast shift for an industry in which the round-cut diamond was the default choice when considering engagement rings for decades.

Another example of the rise of the oval cut diamond is from the US, round-cut and oval-cut diamonds are now almost neck and neck, occupying 26% and 25% respectively. This tells an undeniable story: the round diamond’s long reign as the undisputed favourite may finally be facing a worthy contender, as the oval diamond takes an increasingly prominent place in modern engagement ring design.

And it’s not just an overseas trend. 

As mentioned prior, specifically at MDT DESIGN, we have noticed a clear shift from round brilliant cut diamonds with a rapidly growing demand for oval, pear and marquise cuts. Now, you might be wondering what’s driving the change. Well, there are a few reasons for that, one of the main ones being that these cuts flatter the finger and make diamonds look larger than their actual carat weight suggests.

Speaking more specifically about engagement ring trends, one of the biggest trends we’ve seen in Australia engagement rings is the pairing of an oval or elongated cushion-cut diamond with a yellow gold band. This trend doesn’t stray far from a classic engagement ring design, it simply utilises a slim yellow gold band under a beautiful oval-cut diamond, creating an elegant and sophisticated look, whilst conveying a classic warmth that white gold simply cannot.

The Social Media Trends; Underpinning the Oval-Cut Diamond Trend

Celebrities have been shaping engagement ring trends significantly over the last few years, and this is only becoming more prominent. A classic example of this is Hailey Bieber. When the American celebrity showcased her now-iconic oval solitaire engagement ring back in 2018, she set a trend that would endure for years to come. But Hailey Bieber isn’t the only one who fuelled the demand for oval-cut diamonds. Plenty of other celebrities, including Ariana Grande and Blake Lively, whose 12-carat, blush-coloured diamond engagement ring has garnered over 1 million pins on Pinterest, contributed to the trend, too. Between them, these rings have helped solidify the oval cut as more than just a single viral moment on the internet; they have turned oval-cut diamonds into a modern classic.

Now you might be wondering whether this is just another trend that will fade away soon. Well, as prior mentioned, oval-cut diamonds are very popular in 2026, and the trend isn’t going anywhere. If anything, the oval trend isn’t fading; it’s evolving. And Hailey Bieber is the perfect example of this: the celebrity swapped her original engagement ring for an even more elongated stone in 2024, sparking even more interest in elongated-cut diamonds.

What’s more, celebrity influence isn’t the only reason behind this trend. One of the main appeals of oval-cut diamonds for couples looking for an engagement ring is that the cutting process retains more of the original rough stone. And because of that, ovals typically cost 10 to 15% less per carat than an equivalent round brilliant cut diamond. And of course, as discussed above, a well-cut oval can appear larger than a round of the same carat weight, which is another bonus for couples. 

The Timeless Appeal of the Solitaire

Now while diamond shapes have been shifting in and out of fashion over the last few decades, the solitaire engagement ring style is the style that remains consistent. Long before any of these trends took hold, the solitaire had already established itself as the most timeless way to showcase a diamond. And that hasn’t changed in 2026. 

But let’s step back in history for a minute.

In 1477, Archduke Maximilian of Austria proposed to Mary of Burgundy with a diamond ring. According to historians, this ring is the first diamond engagement ring ever recorded. Travelling to meet her with little money to his name, he gathered gold and silver from villagers along the way so he could afford a diamond for the woman he loved. The ring was a thin gold band (marking the birth of the solitaire setting), and featured diamonds shaped into the letter M, for Mary. This event started a tradition that European nobility would follow for centuries. 

But it was only in the late 1800s that diamond engagement rings became popular among the general public. This success was driven by a De Beers marketing campaign that emphasised the rarity and value of diamonds through its now-famous “a diamond is forever” ad. This slogan alone has turned the solitaire diamond ring into a universal symbol of love and commitment. 

Now, as mentioned before, the style of solitaire couples are after is evolving a bit in 2026. 

Decorative settings such as ornate claws or thick halos are being replaced by slimmer and more refined bands. Popular solitaire rings now feature finer prongs and fine detailing with a clear focus on the diamond.  

Your Engagement Ring, Handmade, Right Here in Melbourne

At MDT DESIGN, every engagement ring we craft is individually handmade in our Melbourne workshop, by a team of expert jewellers. Our goal is to turn your vision into a custom engagement ring that represents your indivudual love and that you will cherish for years to come. Whether you’re after an oval-cut diamond or something entirely different, we’d be happy take you through all of the necessary considerations before making such a significant decision.

Browse our current collection or book an appointment at our Melbourne Boituqie and Workshop on Collins St, so we can begin the discussion.