Barclay's Jewelers

Actor David Charvet gave his then-girlfriend Brooke Burke an elegant eternity band instead of a showy engagement ring.

Finding a unique engagement ring can be a daunting task since many of the pieces feature similar characteristics. To create something different, think outside of the box and consider substituting non-traditional jewelry, diamond cuts, gemstones and designs to create a one-of-a-kind engagement ring.

Embrace Simplicity

In a world where a 20.5-carat diamond secured a measly 72 days of wedded bliss for Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries, bigger definitely doesn’t mean better. Buck the “bling” trend by choosing a simplistic, understated piece that is classy and sophisticated.

Actor David Charvet illustrated the beauty of simplicity by giving then-girlfriend, Brooke Burke an elegant eternity band instead of a showy engagement ring. You can follow Charvet’s lead by proposing with a graceful diamond-encrusted eternity band. For something more traditional, a solitaire ring with a modest-sized diamond and polished metal band is a top choice. Remember, an understated ring will retain its beauty long after bling-fad has passed.

The Diamond Potpourri

Most engagement rings feature white diamonds in princess, marquise, emerald or brilliant round cuts. The standard cuts only hint at the variety of diamond shapes to choose from. A brilliant cut, triangle-shaped diamond is a rare and distinctive cut that will give the ring an eye-catching allure. If you prefer to spruce up a standard cut, the center stone can also be surrounded by a bevy of swirled, channel-set, or micro-pave diamonds.

Diamonds are also offered in a wide range of colors, such as black, chocolate, green, yellow, cognac, purple and pink. Each color has a significant meaning which will give the engagement ring more symbolism.

Choose Gemstones

Forego diamonds altogether and use alternative gemstones. Create an engagement ring with your significant other’s birthstone as the focal point. An additional option is using sapphires and rubies, which symbolize loyalty and passion, respectively. A natural pearl ring is another uncommon engagement ring choice. During the 19^th century, pearls were regularly used for engagement rings in the U.S. and the United Kingdom. Today, pearl engagement rings are simple and exceedingly elegant symbols of loyalty, harmony and perfection.

Designers

Designers tend to have the most unique engagement rings because this is what differentiates them from other brands. Our amazing jewelry store carries a large selection of designer engagement rings from the world’s top designers.