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Engagement Rings

38 Engagement Rings for the Indie Bride

By
Lauren Frankfort
Published on July 10, 2015
From rough-cut diamonds to oxidized gold, these alternative rings are super unique.
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Illustration: Christina Park

Not every bride in the world wants a round-cut halo diamond set in a pavé band. And that's OK! The fine jewelry industry offers more options than ever, with a variety of rough-cut stones, oxidized metals, and intricate, abstract design work in the setting that will make any non-traditional bride jump for joy.

To make an engagement ring alternative, turn one traditional element on its head. Usually, this is done with the center stone, which is some cut of a shimmering white diamond. More and more jewelers opting to work with rough-cut or raw diamonds that create their own unique color and shape. Others may choose to go for a different gemstone entirely, with sapphires, emeralds, even moonstones popping up in popular designs. Black and gray diamonds, too, are a hit with the indie set.

The setting, too, is a great place for off-beat brides to play. Leaf motifs, abstract waves, even claw-style prongs are fun features to make your ring standout. If you don't want one larger center stone, try a mosaic-like cluster ring, which features a number of stones coming together to create a work of art right on your finger.

Your engagement ring should be a reflection of your personal style, which is why these alternative options are so great!

Ready to find the non-traditional ring of your dreams? Click through to see all of our favorites!

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Courtesy of Anna Sheffield

"Bea" three-stone black diamond ring, $4,900, Anna Sheffield

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Courtesy of Twist

"Stream wave" pale brown diamond ring, $6,196, Fernando Jorge available at Twist

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Courtesy of Lauren Wolf

Three-stone ring in 18K yellow gold with black diamond and a clear black center diamond, $5,600, Lauren Wolf

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Courtesy of Heidi Gibson

"Leda" ring, $2,350, Heidi Gibson

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Courtesy of Twist

"Ziggurat" halo moonstone and diamond ring, $2,020, Brooke Gregson available at Twist

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Courtesy of Catbird

"Citadel" ring, $2,710, Claire Kinder Studio available at Catbird

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Courtesy of Digby & Iona

"Harkirk" 18K recycled yellow gold and 1 carat round rose-cut white diamond, $2,260, Digby & Iona

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Courtesy of Erie Basin

1910s Art Nouveau ring, $1,085, Erie Basin

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Courtesy of Polly Wales

"Polaris" halo ring, $7,790, Polly Wales

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Courtesy of Jemma Wynne

Diamond pear and emerald engagement ring, price upon request, Jemma Wynne

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Courtesy of Karen Karch

"Intrique Crown" black diamond rose gold ring, $8,750, Karen Karch

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Courtesy of Twist

Rustic diamond leafside ring, $4,570, Cathy Waterman available at Twist

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Courtesy of Mociun

Two shield-cut grey diamonds with white diamonds set in 14K yellow gold, price upon request, Mociun

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Courtesy of WWAKE

Micropavé triangle and nestled opal diamond pairing, $1,230, WWAKE

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Courtesy of Trumpet & Horn

"Holly Hill" ring, $4,500, Trumpet & Horn

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Courtesy of Todd Reed

Style TDR405-RG, 18K rose gold brown fancy diamond ring, price upon request, Todd Reed

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Courtesy of Anna Sheffield

"Hazeline" solitaire rose gold gemstone ring, $2,200, Anna Sheffield

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Courtesy of Stone Fox Bride

Custom raw diaomnd 4-prong ring, $2,975, Vale Jewelry for Stone Fox Bride

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Courtesy of Digby & Iona

"Markl" ring, $1,220, Digby & Iona

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Courtesy of Twist

Triple natural diamond ring, $4,900, L Frank available at Twist

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Courtesy of Jemma Wynne

Prive emerald-cut diamond ring, price upon request, Jemma Wynne

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Courtesy of Twist

"Sensu Fan" ring, $1,985, Michelle Fantaci available at Twist

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Courtesy of Karen Karch

"Belgian Tiara" ring, $3,800, Karen Karch

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Courtesy of Twist

Amorphous top inverted diamond ring, $3,040, Todd Pownell available at Twist

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Courtesy of Melissa Joy Manning

Clear yellow rough diamond ring, $13,600, Melissa Joy Manning

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Courtesy of Polly Wales

Light grey ombré diamond ring, price upon request, Polly Wales

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Courtesy of Twist

Gold and chain diamond ring, $1,684, Scosha available at Twist

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Courtesy of Vale Jewelry

Diamond pavé staple ring, $350, Vale Jewelry

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Courtesy of Single Stone

"Katie" black pear-cut diamond ring in 18K oxidized white gold mounting, $24,000, Single Stone

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Courtesy of Anna Sheffield

"Rosette" black diamond oval ring, $5,000, Anna Sheffield

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Courtesy of Twist

"Duchess" natural diamond ring, $4,170, Xiao Wang available at Twist

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Courtesy of Twist

Uncut diamond crystal and inverted diamond ring, $3,440, Twist

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Courtesy of Todd Reed

Style TRDR481-RG-P9, 18K rose gold black fancy-cut diamond, price upon request, Todd Reed

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Courtesy of Trumpet & Horn

"Barrington" ring, $2,950, Trumpet & Horn

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Courtesy of Trumpet & Horn

"Kadinsky" ring, $1,530, Trumpet & Horn

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Courtesy of Vale Jewelry

Paveé circle ring, $525, Vale Jewelry

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Courtesy of Single Stone

Square "Cobblestone" diamond ring in 18K oxidized yellow gold, $7,500, Single Stone

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Courtesy of WWAKE

Diamond triangle ring, $408, WWAKE

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TOPICS:

Engagement Rings FeatureEngagement RingsEngagement Ring DesignsVintage Engagement RingsWhite Gold Wedding RingsAffordable Engagement RingsHalo Engagement RingsRose Gold Engagement RingsYellow Gold Engagement RingsPlatinum Engagement RingsAlternative Engagement Rings
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