What Is a Unique Engagement Ring?

A unique engagement ring is one built to break the standard template: a round white diamond, held in four or six prongs, on a plain metal band.

That combination is what most engagement rings are. "Unique" is defined against it, change any part and the ring stops looking like everyone else's. There are four parts you can change:

• Shape: Change to marquise, pear or heart instead of a round
• Setting: Asymmetric, east-west, or two stones rather than one
• Metal: Mixed metals, or a band that isn't a smooth circle
• Color: A blue, pink or yellow diamond instead of white

Change one and the ring reads as distinctive. Most unique engagement rings change at least two, and unique diamond engagement rings often change three.

Popular Unique & Non-Traditional Styles

• East-west: The stone turned sideways across the finger
• Asymmetric: Deliberately off-center, with uneven accents
• Toi et moi: Two diamonds side by side
• Cluster: Several small stones arranged as one form
• Open or split bands: The band parts rather than closing

East-west is the easiest way to make a familiar shape feel new. It changes nothing about the diamond and everything about the ring.

Unique Diamond Shapes to Consider

Shape is the cheapest route to a unique ring, you're choosing, not commissioning:

• Marquise: Known as the longest-looking per carat, dramatic and rare
• Pear: Distinctive in profile, flattering on the finger
• Heart: The least common of all
• Asscher: Geometric and architectural
• Radiant: A round's brilliance in a squared outline

Marquise and heart are the two you'll rarely see on anyone else's hand.

Colored Lab Diamonds for a Unique Look

This is the biggest departure you can make, and lab-grown is what makes it possible.

Natural colored diamonds are among the rarest stones on earth, a natural pink runs into six figures per carat. Grown in a lab, the same color costs a fraction of that.

We offer colored lab diamonds in blue, pink and yellow. A colored center stone changes a ring more completely than any setting choice.

Design a Fully Custom Ring

Custom design is free at Precious Carbon. For unique ring designs, it's usually the right route.

"Unique" and "in stock" pull against each other by definition. If you have something specific in mind, we'll design it before anything is made. Start a custom design when you're ready.

Unique Engagement Rings at Precious Carbon

We supplied the diamond trade for over 20 years before selling direct, which is why custom work costs nothing extra.

Lab-grown unique engagement rings are IGI or GIA certified, up to 70% below natural, with 50% off. Natural versions are GIA certified.

Every stone is graded on the 4Cs and ships with its certificate, free shipping and 30-day returns. See our engagement ring guide.