5 Engagement Ring Brands Couples Should Consider

Shopping for an engagement ring feels different than buying any other piece of jewelry. There is weight behind the decision, both literal and emotional. The ring will sit on someone’s finger for years, maybe decades, and it will carry meaning that goes beyond its price tag or carat weight. Couples who start this search often find themselves overwhelmed by options, unsure of where to begin or which names they can trust.

GOODSTONE has earned a reputation as a top choice for couples who want something handcrafted and personal. The Los Angeles-based brand builds each ring from scratch, working with clients to design pieces that feel genuinely theirs. 

This guide breaks down 5 brands worth considering. Some prioritize tradition and prestige. Others focus on customization, price, or sustainability. Understanding what each one offers will help you figure out which direction makes sense for your relationship, your values, and your budget.

GOODSTONE: Bespoke Craftsmanship With a Personal Touch

GOODSTONE operates differently from most jewelry companies. Rather than selling rings from a pre-made inventory, the brand creates each piece by hand in its Los Angeles workshop. A team of generational artisans handles the work, and the result is a ring built specifically for the person who will wear it.

The process begins with a conversation. Customers can browse designs on the website and select something they like, or they can collaborate directly with designers to create something original. This flexibility appeals to couples who have a specific vision but need help bringing it to life. The brand assigns a personal concierge to guide clients through the entire process, from understanding preferences to selecting diamonds.

Speaking of diamonds, GOODSTONE offers both natural and lab-grown options. Their team helps customers work through the 4 Cs, which refer to cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. The goal is to find a stone that matches what the buyer actually wants, not to push the most expensive option.

The brand uses high-quality gold and platinum alloys, chosen for durability. They want the rings to last for generations, not years. Before crafting begins, GOODSTONE sends a complimentary ring sizer to ensure accurate measurements.

One of their popular offerings is the 3 stone engagement ring. The design features a center stone flanked by 2 smaller stones, with each gem representing a different chapter of the couple’s story. The center stone symbolizes the present moment, while the side stones represent the past and future.

For couples who want direct involvement in the design process, GOODSTONE delivers a level of access and personalization that larger brands cannot match.

Tiffany and Co.: The Name That Defined Engagement Rings

Few brands carry the cultural weight of Tiffany and Co. The company introduced the modern engagement ring in 1886, and the design they created then, the Tiffany Setting, remains iconic. The 6 prong setting was engineered to lift the diamond above the band, allowing maximum light to pass through the stone. The result is a ring that appears to float on the finger.

Tiffany takes diamond cutting seriously. The company offers what it calls a triple excellent cut, the highest grade available in the industry. They measure diamonds to 1/1000th of a carat and cut each stone to maximize beauty rather than carat weight. This approach means some material gets lost during cutting, but the final product reflects more light.

The brand sources diamonds ethically, with integrity and social responsibility baked into their procurement process. Every diamond comes with documentation, and Tiffany maintains strict standards for the stones that earn a place in their signature blue box.

Beyond the Tiffany Setting, the company offers several collections. Tiffany True features a modern, architectural design. Tiffany Harmony emphasizes smooth, flowing lines. Tiffany Soleste surrounds the center stone with a halo of smaller diamonds. Jean Schlumberger designs bring artistic, sculptural elements to engagement jewelry.

Tiffany makes sense for couples who value heritage, prestige, and meticulous craftsmanship. The brand has been doing this for nearly 140 years, and their expertise shows in every detail.

Cartier: French Luxury and Royal Pedigree

Louis-François Cartier founded his company in Paris in 1847. Within years, the brand had attracted royalty, celebrities, and collectors who recognized Cartier’s dedication to fine craftsmanship. That reputation has held for nearly 2 centuries.

Cartier treats engagement rings as works of haute joaillerie, the French term for high jewelry. The brand selects diamonds with little or no fluorescence and sources most stones from companies certified by the Responsible Jewellery Council. Each stone undergoes careful evaluation before being set into a ring.

The Set For You by Cartier service allows couples to choose their diamond and setting separately, creating a ring tailored to their preferences. This customization option brings a personal element to a heritage brand.

Cartier’s collections include several distinct lines. The 1895 collection offers classic solitaire designs. Cartier Destinée features pavé diamonds along the band. The LOVE collection, recognizable by its screw motifs, has become a modern icon. Trinity Ruban incorporates the brand’s famous interlocking bands. For couples who want color, Cartier works with rubies, sapphires, and emeralds, stones they consider perfect for marking important moments.

Pricing at Cartier starts around $5,000 for white gold and diamond rings. Diamond engagement rings with larger or higher-quality stones can exceed $100,000.

Cartier appeals to couples who want French luxury, royal associations, and designs that have been refined over generations.

Blue Nile: Online Shopping Done Right

Blue Nile changed the engagement ring market when it launched in 1999. The company proved that buying diamonds online could be easy, transparent, and far less expensive than traditional retail.

The model is simple. Blue Nile carries a massive inventory of loose diamonds, both natural and lab-grown, in every popular shape. Round, princess, cushion, oval, emerald, pear, Asscher, heart, radiant, and marquise cuts are all available. Customers select their diamond, choose a setting, and Blue Nile assembles the ring.

Because the company operates primarily online, it avoids the overhead costs of physical stores. There are no commissioned salespeople pushing customers toward pricier options. This structure allows Blue Nile to keep prices lower than competitors. The company also offers a diamond price-match guarantee.

Lab-grown diamonds have become a major part of Blue Nile’s business. These stones share the same physical and chemical properties as natural diamonds but cost 20% to 40% less. Every lab-grown diamond sold by Blue Nile comes with grading documentation from the Gemological Institute of America or the International Gemological Institute.

The browsing process is designed to be low pressure. Customers can compare dozens of stones side by side, filter by price and specifications, and take as much time as they need. There are no closing tactics or artificial urgency.

Blue Nile works well for couples who want value, selection, and a straightforward buying process. The brand takes the stress out of ring shopping and puts control in the customer’s hands.

Brilliant Earth: Ethics and Sustainability First

Beth Gerstein and Eric Grossberg founded Brilliant Earth in 2005 with a specific mission: make the jewelry industry more sustainable and ethical. The brand has grown into a global leader in responsibly sourced fine jewelry.

Brilliant Earth uses what it calls Beyond Conflict Free diamonds. These stones are traced back through the supply chain to ensure they meet ethical standards that go beyond industry minimums. The brand works with natural diamonds, recycled diamonds, and lab-grown diamonds, giving customers multiple options.

One of their newer offerings is The Renewable Collection, which features lab-grown diamonds created using 100% renewable wind and solar energy. The Truly Brilliant collection is curated for traceability, sustainability, cut, color, and clarity. Some of their diamonds are classified as carbon capture stones, created using carbon pulled from Earth’s atmosphere.

Sustainability extends beyond the stones themselves. Brilliant Earth strives to use 100% recycled precious metals across its jewelry lines. Their ring boxes are made from wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. Packaging uses recycled paper. Gold and silver content is more than 95% recycled.

The brand offers comprehensive customization options, allowing couples to design rings that match their preferences. Proprietary designs give Brilliant Earth a look distinct from competitors.

For couples who care about environmental impact and ethical sourcing, Brilliant Earth provides transparency and accountability that most brands cannot match.

How to Choose the Right Brand for You

Each of these 5 brands serves a different purpose. Understanding your priorities will make the decision easier.

• Heritage and prestige matter to some couples. Tiffany and Co. and Cartier offer traditions that span more than a century. Their names carry weight, and their craftsmanship reflects decades of refinement. These brands cost more, but you receive history and recognition alongside the ring itself.
• Personalization appeals to couples who want involvement in the design process. GOODSTONE provides direct collaboration with designers and bespoke craftsmanship that larger brands cannot replicate. Every ring is built from scratch for a specific customer.
• Budget-conscious shoppers often gravitate toward Blue Nile. The online model eliminates overhead costs and commissioned sales pressure. Lab-grown diamonds offer additional savings without sacrificing beauty or durability.
• Ethical and environmental concerns drive many modern couples toward Brilliant Earth. The brand has built its entire identity around responsible sourcing, renewable energy, and recycled materials.

Natural and lab-grown diamonds deserve consideration regardless of which brand you choose. Both share the same sparkle, beauty, and durability. Natural diamonds formed over billions of years underground. Lab-grown diamonds are created in controlled laboratory environments. All 5 brands now offer lab-grown options, reflecting growing consumer interest.The right engagement ring is one that fits your relationship, your values, and your financial situation. No single brand works for everyone. Take time to understand what matters most to you as a couple, then find the brand that aligns with those priorities.

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