Three-Stone Engagement Rings

Three stone rings feature two side stones and a center stone. Together, the three stones are said to symbolize a couple’s past, present, and future. It is one of the most popular styles for engagement rings. The style started trending following the display of Meghan Markle’s gorgeous three-stone engagement ring, which features a 3-carat cushion cut center diamond and two round diamonds on either side.

You can find a wide range of three-stone engagement rings in a variety of precious metals, including yellow gold, white gold, rose gold, and sterling silver. Choose a three-stone diamond ring if your bride-to-be prefers the traditional look, or opt for a three-stone engagement ring with vibrant gemstones for an unconventional way of celebrating your love. With so many unique designs to choose from, you’re sure to find something to suit her tastes.

A Brief History of Three-Stone Engagement Rings

Three-stone engagement rings have been on the market for quite some time but only skyrocketed in popularity after a campaign by De Beers. The campaign cemented the suggestion of the symbolism around the past, present, and future of the couple. The campaign ran back in 2001, and its impact is clearly still felt today.

As much as the classic solitaire setting is timeless and familiar, a three-stone ring offers some extra sparkle to the wearer. A three-stone ring is, therefore, more striking than a traditional solitaire ring and will appeal to those looking for a flashier look. 

Three-stone rings even hold religious significance for some couples. For example, Christian couples may opt for a three-stone engagement ring to represent the threefold bond between God, the Holy Spirit, and themselves. Thus, three-stone engagement rings can serve as a representation of a couple’s love and commitment to both one another and their faith.

On Diamond Engagement Rings

It is undeniable that the diamond takes center stage in most engagement rings, whether there is only one stone or a collection of them. While diamonds are revered today for their elegance and beauty, they were revered more for their incredible strength and durability in their early days of discovery. Uncut diamonds are dull and clunky but were nonetheless featured in jewelry and rings for many years before we learned how to cut and polish them. 

This says something meaningful about these precious stones and the durability and longevity that they represent, along with their timeless beauty and elegance. 

However, diamonds are notoriously expensive and do not appeal to every taste. The more adventurous or unique woman might find herself yearning for a splash of color that is not offered by a traditional white diamond. 

Luckily, there is no hard and fast rule preventing the expression of every unique taste. There are a variety of metals, both precious and otherwise, available to choose from, along with a long list of gemstones in varying degrees of opaqueness and an abundance of vibrant or muted colors. For example, pearl, emerald, sapphire, topaz, aquamarine, tanzanite, garnet, and citrine to name a few.

It is also worth noting that alternative gemstones and metals tend to be more affordable than the traditional gold or platinum diamond engagement ring. 

On Gemstone Engagement Rings

Recently, there has been a shift away from the traditional. Although there is still an expectation that an engagement ring should be spectacular, more emphasis is being placed on its personal significance rather than its visual impact. This has led to the use of some semi-precious stones in the place of their more expensive and revered cousins. There has also been a rise in the popularity of the lab-created diamond and diamond lookalikes such as moissanite. 

The world is changing, and we must change with it. Not everyone, especially when they’re young, can afford a diamond engagement ring, and this has led to many choosing to save the money they would have spent on diamonds and investing it elsewhere in their future. Does this mean that an engagement ring featuring an alternative center stone (or stones) means less than a diamond engagement ring? Not in the slightest!

Remember, all gems can hold significance for reasons other than their monetary value. For example, most gems have certain spiritual and religious connotations, and there is no reason why an engagement ring should not include this significance if the couple should so choose. 

Ultimately, the stones you choose to display in your three-stone engagement ring are a personal and powerful choice. 

Metal Choices For Three-Stone Engagement Rings

Directly following a discussion of stones should be a discussion on precious metals. As with other jewelry collections, couples can choose between platinum, silver, yellow, rose, or white gold for an engagement ring or wedding band.

When selecting a metal, there are a few factors to consider. Platinum is the most durable option but also the most expensive. While pure silver is a dazzling and more affordable option, it is usually not suitable for engagement rings because it is quite soft and tends to get damaged easily when worn daily. 

Sterling silver is a better and still more affordable alternative to pure silver. As an alloy, it is a much stronger and more suitable metal to use in rings. 

Lastly, there is gold. It is a popular and age-old choice that is offered in three distinct shades: yellow, rose, and white gold. Yellow gold is the most familiar of the three, and the most widely used for wedding and engagement rings. Aside from the ever-popular and widely revered yellow gold, there is the option of going with the more daring and romantic rose gold. Even still, if you prefer to steer clear of a colored metal, you can opt for the classic and durable white gold. 

What is Most Important When Choosing A Multi-Stone Engagement Ring?

What truly matters when choosing a three-stone ring, or any other engagement ring for that matter, is that you choose something you like. If a diamond is what you prefer, then you should, by all means, buy a diamond. But if you’re looking for something a little less mainstream or modern, then another gem or crystal may be more your style. Or, if you like diamonds but want to steer clear of the traditional round cut diamond, then consider an alternative stone shape like an emerald, oval, or radiant cut.