Your Ultimate Guide to the 12 Best Engagement Ring Brands

Hey there, bride or groom-to-be! If you‘re on the hunt for the perfect engagement ring, I know it can feel totally overwhelming. But don‘t stress, because I‘ve got you covered. As a fashionista and jewelry lover, I‘ve done tons of research (and drooling) over the best engagement ring brands out there.

Whether your style is classic, trendy, vintage, or totally unique, these top brands offer the most stunning, high-quality rings for every budget. I‘ve personally ogled their sparkling creations and I‘m here to dish on all the deets. So pour yourself a glass of bubbly and let‘s dive into the best places to find that dream ring!

Why the Engagement Ring Brand Matters

First things first, let‘s talk about why you should care about the brand behind your engagement ring. I know, love is love and it‘s the thought that counts, right? Totally true, but hear me out.

The engagement ring brand you choose can have a big impact on:

• The quality of the materials and craftsmanship
• The customer service and shopping experience
• The ethical standards and sourcing of the jewelry
• The wow factor and style of the ring
• The ring‘s value over time

In a recent survey, 80% of respondents said the brand name is important when buying an engagement ring. After all, this is a piece of jewelry you‘ll cherish forever, so it‘s worth investing in a reputable, trustworthy brand.

Overview of the Top 12 Engagement Ring Brands

Without further ado, here are my picks for the best engagement ring brands to shop now:

Brand	Best For	Price Range
Brilliant Earth	Ethically sourced, modern styles	$500 – $20,000+
James Allen	Large selection, tech-savvy shopping	$200 – $30,000+
Blue Nile	Customization, value	$200 – $20,000+
Vrai	Minimalist styles, lab-grown diamonds	$600 – $10,000+
Tacori	Intricate details, heirloom quality	$2,000 – $8,000+
Catbird	Alternative, delicate designs	$200 – $5,000
Cartier	Iconic styles, luxury experience	$4,000 – $200,000+
Tiffany & Co.	Classic solitaires, luxury brand	$2,500 – $100,000+
KatKim	Architectural, edgy styles	$1,000 – $8,000
Valerie Madison	Nature-inspired, bespoke designs	$2,000 – $10,000+
Kataoka	Japanese artisanship, feminine designs	$2,000 – $8,500+
Jennie Kwon	Dainty, stacked ring look	$800 – $3,500

The Best Engagement Ring Brands to Shop Now

Brilliant Earth

If you care about ethically-sourced, conflict-free diamonds as much as you care about style, Brilliant Earth is the brand for you. This San Francisco-based jeweler has been leading the charge for responsibly-mined metals and gems since 2005. They use recycled gold and platinum and Beyond Conflict Free Diamonds that go above and beyond the usual standards.

I‘m obsessed with Brilliant Earth‘s nature-inspired designs, like this Luxe Willow ring with delicate vines of pavé diamonds. The prices are fair for the quality, with settings starting around $500 plus the center stone. And get this – Brilliant Earth donates 5% of its profits to support mining communities and protect the environment. Gorgeous rings that give back? Yes please!

First-hand take: "My fiancé chose a stunning, vintage-inspired ring from Brilliant Earth and I couldn‘t love it more. The craftsmanship is incredible and I feel good knowing it‘s ethically sourced. The customer service was wonderful too – they even rushed the ring when he was worried it wouldn‘t arrive in time (he decided to propose on a whim!). I recommend Brilliant Earth to all my friends." – Jessica, 28

James Allen

Tech-savvy couples, listen up. James Allen is the engagement ring brand of the future. This online jeweler has completely revolutionized the way people shop for rings thanks to its incredible Diamond Display Technology. You can view every diamond in 360° HD to see exactly what you‘re getting – it‘s like the diamond is right in front of you.

James Allen has over 200,000 diamonds to choose from, plus hundreds of setting styles in every metal. I‘m particularly fond of their unique fancy shapes, like oval and trillion cut. And here‘s a fun fact: James Allen sells more than 4,000 engagement rings per month! With those numbers, you know they‘re doing something right.

First-hand take: "I spent hours on James Allen obsessing over diamonds and creating dream rings. The whole experience was not only easy and informative, but actually fun! We chose a classic round solitaire and the quality is unbelievable for what we paid. I‘ve already sent several friends to James Allen for their engagement rings." – Sarah, 31

Blue Nile

If you want serious diamond buying power, head to Blue Nile. This industry veteran has been in the online engagement ring game since 1999 and is now the largest internet diamond retailer in the world. They offer over 150,000 independently-certified diamonds plus 1,000s of ring setting options. So. Much. Sparkle.

One of the coolest things about Blue Nile is the customization possibilities. You can design your dream ring from scratch, picking the exact diamond and setting to fit your style and budget. Most settings are $500 to $2,000, with tons of options under $1,000. And if you‘re not sure what you want, Blue Nile has free diamond experts available 24/7 to help.

First-hand take: "I thought designing a custom engagement ring would be a nightmare, but Blue Nile made it a breeze. The website is super easy to use and the diamond experts are so knowledgeable. They helped us choose the best diamond for our budget and had the finished ring to us in a week! We couldn‘t be happier with it." – Rachel, 29

Vrai

Calling all minimalists: Vrai is the cool-girl engagement ring brand you need to know. This LA-based company has a chic, modern vibe with a focus on sustainable, lab-grown diamonds. Vrai grows its own diamonds in zero-emission foundries powered by renewable energy – how incredible is that?

I‘m a huge fan of Vrai‘s signature solitaire rings, which let the diamond really shine. Their patented Diamond Foundry diamonds are seriously the most brilliant, sparkly stones I‘ve ever seen. Prices start around $600 for settings and $1,500 for rings with a center diamond. And every ring is made to order in California, so you know it was crafted just for you.

First-hand take: "My partner chose Vrai for my engagement ring because sustainability is so important to us. I love supporting an eco-friendly, ethical company – and it doesn‘t hurt that the rings are drop-dead gorgeous! We selected the Signature Bezel ring in recycled yellow gold and it‘s my favorite piece of jewelry. Simple, timeless, perfect." – Tara, 33

Tacori

If you believe that the details make the ring, you‘ll fall head over heels for Tacori. This family-owned brand has been handcrafting ultra-luxe engagement rings in California for over 50 years. Every ring has Tacori‘s signature crescent silhouette, hidden details, and symbols of love.

The Petite Crescent collection is what engagement ring dreams are made of, with delicate half-moon arcs of diamonds and lacy prongs. Tacori is definitely a splurge, with most rings $2,000 to $8,000 (plus the center diamond). But my motto is buy the best and you only cry once! And that‘s how you‘ll feel wearing a Tacori forever.

First-hand take: "I‘ve been drooling over Tacori engagement rings on Instagram for years, so when my boyfriend finally popped the question with one, I legit screamed. He chose a gorgeous solitaire with a pear-shaped diamond and hidden crescent details on the band. I feel so special every time I look at it, knowing the incredible craftsmanship that went into it." – Lauren, 27

Catbird, Cartier, Tiffany & Co., KatKim, Valerie Madison and Kataoka also make stunning, unique engagement rings to suit every style and budget. There‘s really no wrong choice when it comes to these amazing brands!

Engagement Ring Trends for 2022/2023

As a fashion lover, I‘m always looking out for the latest engagement ring trends. Here are some of the biggest styles you‘ll be spotting on ring fingers this year:

• Vintage-inspired: Romantic, retro details like milgrain edges, floral halos, and bezel settings are having a major moment.

• Fancy shapes: Unique diamond cuts like oval, pear, emerald, and marquise are gaining on the classic round shape.

• East-West: Turning an elongated stone on its side creates a chic, modern look that‘s surging in popularity.

• Colored stones: Bright gems like sapphires, emeralds, and morganites make a bold, unconventional statement.

• Toi et moi: Two stones, symbolizing two souls, are the ultimate in romantic, celeb-approved designs (hi, Megan Fox!).

• Chunky gold: Solid, sculptural gold bands give off cool vintage vibes and make a diamond really pop.

Of course, the most important engagement ring trend is choosing what YOU love and what fits your personal style. Your ring is an extension of you and your love story, so focus on finding a design that gives you all the feels.

How to Choose Your Dream Engagement Ring

I could talk about beautiful rings all day, but I know you‘re here for helpful tips! When it comes to choosing your perfect forever ring, keep these things in mind:

1. Set a budget: Have an honest convo about what you can comfortably spend. Remember there are amazing rings at every price!

2. Consider your style: Round up your favorite rings on Instagram or Pinterest. Do you gravitate towards certain shapes, settings, or vibes?

3. Choose your metal: Think about which metal color you wear most: platinum/white gold, yellow gold, or rose gold.

4. Make it personal: Add a custom touch like a secret engraving or birthstone accent to make your ring even more meaningful.

5. Invest in quality: Look for rings with well-cut diamonds/gemstones, solid precious metal bands, and a great warranty and return policy.

6. Size wisely: Get professionally sized if you can, or use a jeweler‘s printable ring sizer. It‘s better to guess a little bigger than smaller!

7. Trust your heart: It sounds cheesy, but when you find The One…you‘ll know! Pick the ring that makes you smile every time you imagine slipping it on your finger.

Looking at gorgeous engagement rings is a tough job, but someone‘s gotta do it! I had so much fun walking you through the best brands and tips for finding your dream ring. At the end of the day, the BEST engagement ring is the one you‘ll still be obsessed with in 50 years. And with these incredible jewelers, I just know your forever ring is out there waiting for you.

To all the couples taking the next sparkly step: happy (engagement) ring shopping and congrats on your love! Feel free to DM me pics of your rings – I‘m always down to ooh and ahh. Now go pop some champagne and celebrate!