Engagement & Wedding Ring Trends To Watch In 2025

The festive period is often filled with happy and romantic moments, which makes the time between Christmas and New Year the ideal window for heartfelt proposals. October and November are due to be two of our busiest months in the run-up to Christmas.

This trend aligns with our proposal survey, which found December to be the most popular time to propose, along with the preference of many individuals to secure engagement rings ahead of the bustling Christmas season. This advance planning allows ample time for selecting the perfect ring, which usually requires 4–6 weeks to craft, and preparing a heartfelt proposal.

Our Quickship collection is particularly popular in November and December, as it provides Christmas proposers with a ring in just 1 week. In a usual month, Quickship rings account for around 8% of our engagement ring sales. But last November and December, this figure swelled to 29% due to Christmas demand!

Winter may traditionally dominate engagement ring sales, but summer proposals are gaining momentum, with a noticeable increase in ring purchases around May. Our Proposal Survey found that nearly a quarter (23%) of people buy their engagement ring about 2 months before proposing. So, for those planning to pop the question during summer getaways in June or July, May is the ideal time to make that purchase!

Uncover the most popular engagement ring styles of 2024 and the trends set to dominate in 2025, starting with the timeless solitaire design.

Solitaires are more popular than last year, and lab diamonds have a lot to do with this rising popularity. Senior Gemmologist & Design Expert at Queensmith, Eddi, explains, “Ring buyers can afford and access larger lab diamonds at a fraction of the price of natural diamonds — so instead of enhancing the size of their ring by choosing a halo style, they’re able to keep things simple with one, large lab diamond.”

“Solitaire rings are thriving in popularity. In 2024, we’ve seen fashion mirroring the simple silhouettes of the 1990s, and this has resonated with ring buyers,” Eddi explains. While classic solitaire ring designs are making a comeback, people are getting more adventurous with diamond shapes. Cushion and emerald cut solitaires are growing in popularity, though round and oval diamonds continue to be the top choices.

As well as diamond shapes, we’re seeing a few modern twists adding personal flair to solitaire rings. 10% of buyers choose to include hidden embellishments in their solitaire designs, adding a unique touch to these timeless rings.

The average solitaire ring features a 1.45 carat diamond, with buyers spending around £4,915 for this classic style.

Notably, lab grown diamonds are now the top choice for solitaire rings, selected by 73% of buyers, blending tradition with sustainability and value.

It’s not just the gorgeous design that has created a high demand for solitaire rings. Celebrity engagement rings have had a huge influence on trends and buying decisions. Major 2024 celebrity engagements, such as Emma Roberts and Phoebe Dynevor, appear to have solitaire engagement rings.

Hailey Bieber, engaged in 2018, continued to be a major influence in 2024. Her stunning second engagement ring – a breathtaking 12 carat oval cut solitaire set on a delicate gold band – has notably impacted the preferences of ring buyers.

In 2025, we predict solitaire engagement rings will continue their trend with a classic and timeless look that won’t go out of style.

Best-selling solitaire diamond shapes

1. Round

2. Oval

3. Emerald cut

4. Cushion

5. Pear

The allure of a diamond-embellished band offers a luxurious, sophisticated appeal, drawing in those who seek something beyond a traditional solitaire setting.

Many buyers are opting to add a personal touch to these rings: nearly one-quarter (24%) of diamond band rings feature a hidden diamond embellishment, with hidden halo rings being the most popular.

The average diamond band engagement ring boasts a substantial 1.53 carat centre stone, with an average spend of £6,371.63, showing the investment couples are willing to make for this elegant style is significantly higher than what they’d spend on any other ring style.

Lab grown diamonds are also a major choice in this category, with 75% of diamond band buyers selecting lab diamonds driven by their ethical appeal, value and visual quality.

Best-selling diamond band diamond shapes

1. Round

2. Oval

3. Cushion

4. Princess

5. Pear

On average, trilogy rings feature a 1.32 carat centre diamond, complemented by two side stones, creating a striking, balanced appearance. The average spend on trilogy rings is £5,861.53.

Lab grown diamonds are also a significant choice in this category, with 65% of trilogy ring buyers opting for them. The appeal of lab diamonds – offering exceptional quality and ethical sourcing at a more accessible price – aligns well with the trilogy ring’s narrative of lasting love and sustainability.

A trilogy ring offers endless possibilities to match your personal style, whether you prefer delicate designs with round diamonds or bold, geometric shapes. Tapered diamonds set horizontally, such as pear or tapered baguette shapes, blend seamlessly into the band and beautifully frame the centre stone.

For a more traditional look, round diamonds are the most popular and classic choice for a timeless trilogy engagement ring.

At Queensmith, our gemmologists will guide you through selecting the ideal diamonds or gemstones for your three-stone engagement ring. Whether you choose diamonds or gemstones, the side stones must complement each other in size, cut, colour and clarity.

While each diamond is unique, selecting the most similar stones ensures a harmonious and visually stunning design. Our experts will take care of the details, presenting you with the best matching pair of side diamonds to complete your ring.

Best-selling trilogy diamond shapes

1. Round

2. Oval

3. Emerald cut

4. Cushion

5. Pear

Despite the dip, halo rings still hold an appeal for those seeking added brilliance and a dramatic appearance, thanks to the sparkling halo of smaller diamonds surrounding the centre stone. We may see the popularity of halo rings rise slightly in 2025, due to the Old Money Aesthetic wedding trend. Halo rings are the only style that sees oval diamonds outperform round diamonds in popularity, which also plays into this trend.

On average, halo rings feature a 1.20 carat centre diamond, with buyers spending an average of £5,812.89. That’s a significantly smaller centre diamond than any other style, showing halo rings are often chosen to enhance the overall look of an otherwise lower-sized diamond.

Halo ring buyers are the least likely to choose a lab diamond than those choosing other styles, with just 58% of halo ring buyers opting for them. While halo rings have experienced a decline in popularity, the combination of luxury and visual impact still makes them a strong option for those seeking a statement piece.

Best-selling halo diamond shapes

1. Oval

2. Round

3. Cushion

4. Emerald

5. Pear

When it comes to pairing the stones, the most popular combinations feature pear diamonds paired with either an emerald or radiant cut diamond. These shapes work beautifully together, offering a striking contrast that adds depth and visual interest to the design.

Diamond and sapphire combinations have emerged as the most common gemstone pairing in toi et moi rings. This combination blends the timeless brilliance of diamonds with the rich colour and elegance of sapphires, making it an ideal choice for couples seeking a ring that is both timeless and personal to them.

Discover the most popular diamond shapes for engagement rings, each offering its own unique brilliance and character. From timeless classics like the round diamond to modern favourites such as the oval, explore the styles that will continue to capture hearts and define elegance in 2025.

A standout trend in 2024, which we expect to grow even more in 2025, is the rise of mixed metal rings, particularly yellow gold bands paired with platinum collets.

These rings are quickly gaining popularity due to their striking aesthetic and practical benefits. While the majority of the ring is crafted from warm yellow gold, the platinum collets (the metal that holds the diamond in place) help preserve the diamond's bright, icy sparkle.

The platinum claws prevent the warm tones of the yellow gold from reflecting into the diamond, maintaining its brilliance and enhancing the overall appearance of the ring. This combination of yellow gold with platinum accents is appealing to couples who love the warmth and richness of yellow gold but still want to retain the bright, timeless look of a diamond.

Lab grown diamonds have contributed significantly to this trend, with buyers choosing an average carat weight of 1.53 carats. Lab diamonds offer greater size and quality for a comparatively lower price, allowing buyers to opt for larger diamonds without drastically increasing their budget. Learn more about lab diamonds vs natural diamonds.

In contrast, the average carat weight for natural diamonds in 2024 stands at 1.17 carats. Though smaller than lab diamonds on average, this figure still reflects the desire for meaningful, significant stones among natural diamond buyers.

The rise in carat weight reflects shifts in our client's preferences, with couples increasingly seeking striking diamonds that offer a balance of size, quality and value. As lab diamonds make larger carat weights more attainable, we expect this trend to keep growing in 2025.

In 2024, the most sought-after diamond grade among buyers was a D colour with VVS2 clarity, paired with Excellent or Ideal cut quality (only applicable to round diamonds), polish and symmetry.

The majority of diamonds purchased at Queensmith were D grade, the highest available colour grade, showcasing a clear preference for top-quality, colourless stones.

Interestingly, 86% of these D grade diamonds were lab grown, further highlighting the accessibility and affordability lab grown diamonds bring to higher-grade selections.

Lab created diamonds allow clients to access premium grades that might otherwise fall outside their budget, offering a high-quality option that meets their aesthetic preferences and financial needs.

Sales of diamonds outside the colourless range (D-F) were notably low, which aligns with our guidance to avoid these grades due to the unwanted yellow, brown or green tints that can appear in diamonds graded G or lower.

Nearly all diamonds sold in the G-I range were natural, which suggests that clients preferring natural diamonds may be more willing to compromise on the colour grade to meet budget constraints while still achieving a desirable look.

We also saw that nearly all fancy-coloured diamonds sold, including yellow and pink, were lab created. Natural fancy yellow and fancy pink diamonds are extremely rare and come with a substantial price tag, with a natural 1 carat fancy yellow diamond costing over £10,000 compared to around £2,000 for a lab grown counterpart.

In fact, 97% of VVS2 diamonds sold in 2024 were lab grown, emphasising the appeal of this grade among lab diamond buyers. Similarly, lab grown diamonds dominate other top clarity grades, with 84% of IF (Internally Flawless) and 88% of VVS1 diamonds being lab created. This availability and affordability in high-clarity grades underscore the role lab diamonds are playing in shaping customer preferences toward premium-quality stones.

While lab grown diamonds hold a strong presence in high clarity grades, natural diamonds still attract clients at the very top of the clarity spectrum. Notably, 16% of the IF diamonds sold were natural, indicating that some buyers are still drawn to the exclusivity and perceived investment value of top-grade natural diamonds. For these clients, a natural diamond with impeccable clarity represents a premium choice, adding both rarity and value to their purchase.

Lower clarity grades have sharply declined in popularity, reflecting this shift toward higher grades. In 2023, over half of the diamonds sold were VS1, whereas, in 2024, only 13% of diamonds fall into this category as VVS2 has surged ahead.

Diamonds with SI clarity grades remain rare, and most of those sold were natural; given the affordability of lab grown diamonds in high clarity grades, there is little demand for SI clarity in the lab grown market, allowing buyers to prioritise quality without compromise.

Joanna, Senior Gemmologist & Design Expert at Queensmith at Queensmith explains, “As awareness and education around lab diamonds have increased, so has consumers' familiarity with this option. With information about lab diamonds now widely accessible, most buyers appear to have a clear preference by the time they’re ready to purchase their ring.

As a result, we anticipate this 80/20 split to remain consistent moving forward, with buyers drawn to lab diamonds for their quality, value and ethical appeal, while a dedicated segment still seeks the rarity and investment value of natural diamonds.”

The demand for ethical and sustainable diamonds, particularly lab grown and carbon-neutral diamonds, has been rapidly increasing. Key drivers of this demand include value for money (55%), sustainability (43%) and the environmental impact (41%) of purchasing such diamonds.

“While round diamonds are still the most popular, their dominance may continue to decline slightly as alternative shapes gain more attention. The desire for unique, standout stones will likely push buyers toward these more distinctive cuts, as lab grown diamonds make larger and more diverse options more accessible.

“The popularity of mixed metal designs, particularly yellow gold bands paired with platinum collets, is likely to rise in 2025. Expect to see more creative combinations of yellow, rose and white gold, as well as platinum, allowing for greater personalisation.

“The trend toward larger carat weights is expected to continue as lab grown diamonds offer an attractive and more affordable option for buyers who want to increase the size of their stone without a significant price increase. As people continue to seek larger diamonds that make a statement, 1.5 carat or larger diamonds may become more common, especially among those choosing lab grown stones.”

Queensmith’s 2024 best-sellers showcase a blend of classic and modern styles. The Bardot and Bardot Scallop lead in solitaire and diamond band sales, while trilogy rings like the Hendricks, Leigh and Lamar offer refined elegance and balance. Sleek designs like the Temple, Portman and crown-like Fontaine highlight understated brilliance, with the Blondell Scallop adding unique, light-enhancing appeal. The Loren blends classic and modern curves for maximum sparkle. While halo rings don’t make the top 10, the Classic Oberon remains a standout, accounting for 1 in 4 halo sales.

When we examine sales by gender, we found that women’s wedding rings were purchased 1.3 times more frequently than men’s. This slight disparity suggests that not all men choose to wear a wedding ring, which may reflect broader societal trends and individual preferences.

Among couples, 39% chose to engrave their wedding rings, with an additional 20% opting to return later for engraving once they were certain of the fit or had decided on a message. Engraving, at an average cost of £75, continues to be a popular choice for adding a personal touch to wedding bands.

The data also revealed that 19% of wedding rings sold were shaped wedding rings designed to fit perfectly alongside engagement rings.

An interesting finding from our analysis is that 71% of wedding ring buyers had previously purchased an engagement ring from Queensmith, demonstrating strong customer loyalty.

In terms of diamond coverage, over half of all diamond-set wedding rings featured 60% diamond coverage, with the remaining 40% of the band left plain to allow for resizing.

The second most popular choice was the 100% diamond-covered band, which made up one in four of all diamond wedding rings, reflecting a growing preference for more intricate and continuous sparkle.

While yellow gold has seen a small uptick in men's wedding rings, platinum still holds the majority share in this category, indicating that men continue to prefer more traditional choices for their wedding bands. However, the surge in yellow gold engagement rings in 2024 is expected to have a ripple effect, leading to increased sales of yellow gold wedding rings for both women and men in 2025, as many couples look to coordinate the metals across all three rings.

For women, the average cost of a wedding ring, whether plain or diamond set, is £1,500. Men's wedding rings are slightly lower, with an average cost of £1,230.

Traditionally, couples used to buy wedding rings apart, however nowadays, more couples favour shopping for the rings together so that they complement each other.

Whilst there’s no rule or set time to buy your wedding rings, you should leave enough time for it to be engraved or personalised. Preparing in advance will make sure your rings are ready for the memorable day.

On the other hand, men’s wedding rings tend to be broader, with an average width of 4mm. This wider band reflects a desire for a bolder look, in line with the traditionally masculine aesthetic. The larger width is also a practical consideration, as it can enhance the comfort and feel of the ring for men, who often prefer something more durable and noticeable.

Additionally, the wider band allows for greater surface area, making it easier to incorporate design elements such as engravings or subtle texturing, which have become increasingly popular in men’s wedding bands. The preference for a wider band in men’s rings suggests a trend toward stronger, more distinctive styles, offering a contrast to the typically more delicate designs chosen by women.

In 2025, wedding ring trends are set to embrace a blend of timeless elegance and subtle individuality. From slim, classic bands inspired by the ‘old money aesthetic’ to the rising popularity of shaped wedding bands and yellow gold men’s rings, couples are redefining tradition with refined, personal touches.