your guide to alternative engagement rings

your guide to alternative engagement rings

A classic white diamond solitaire is undoubtedly beautiful. But it’s not the only option for an engagement ring, and it’s not the right option for everyone. In fact, white diamond engagement rings weren't even the standard until the 1900s. We think that's worth remembering.

For a lot of couples, a non-traditional ring can feel more true to themselves, more meaningful, and more unique. There are endless possibilities when it comes to choosing your engagement ring—your forever ring—whether that’s a colored stone that holds meaning, an unconventional cut, a setting built around symbolism, or simply a ring that looks cool and better fits your personal style.

That’s the whole idea behind Til Death World: jewelry without rules. We believe in pieces that matter because they mean something to the person wearing them. Til Death World is a space to explore love, identity, and self-expression through a darker, more expressive lens, offering a bold alternative for the modern jewelry wearer.

what is non-traditional engagement?

Anything that breaks from the classic white diamond solitaire is considered non-traditional. This can mean onyx or black diamonds instead of white, a toi et moi setting instead of a single center stone, two-tone metal instead of one, or a design crafted to carry a story instead of just a stone.

here's our guide to doing engagement differently. find the one that says forever, your way.

for the bride who loves a story: the sempre ring

The Sempre doesn't look like a traditional engagement ring, and that's the point.

Created in collaboration with Sammi Jefcoate, the design borrows inspiration from the traditional Claddagh ring. The meaning carries into the band itself: the heart-shaped stone rests inside two hands and "Life" and "Death" are carved and oxidized onto the band—these elements a reminder to cherish love, friendship, and the connections that shape us.

The diamond Sempre is the closest thing to a traditional engagement ring in this collection. The white diamond keeps it familiar, but the setting breaks from expectation. Perfect for the brides who want to ride the line between traditional and unconventional.

For something softer, the opal Sempre trades the diamond's clarity for something more unexpected: iridescent, romantic, and light enough to feel bridal.

for the bride who loves color: alternative gemstone rings

Swapping the white diamond for a colored stone is an easy way to make your engagement ring feel non-traditional, without overthinking it. Choose a stone for what it means to you, or simply because you love how it looks.

Maybe you have an colored heirloom ring that you want to rework so you can carry the generations of meaning and tradition into your new chapter. Maybe you want a ring set with both your birthstones, side by side, forever.

Opening the door to colored gemstones allows you to play with meaning more than you could with white diamonds, and we love the significance of doing this for an engagement ring.

Or maybe it’s as simple as you've always loved color, and you're not about to set that aside for the one ring you'll wear the longest. Our one-of-a-kind gemstone Sempre rings carry the meaningful design in a stone that's entirely yours: blushy and warm or rich and vivid, we have something as unique as you.

Building a stack around a colored stone is half the fun. Try the garnet mixed shape milgrain band, which pulls the same red as the ruby Sempre, for a stack that stands out in the best way.

for the bride with an edge: black onyx rings

If black is your color, why wouldn’t your engagement ring be too? White diamonds and colored stones aren't for everyone. Black diamonds and onyx make the same statement, while being perfectly alternative and remaining true to your personal style.

The Noelle Ring sets a black onyx stone in a marquise cut: edgy, but still a solitaire, bold enough to stand alone and just as easy to stack. With our black diamond stacking bands you get the wedding classic look, just with a darker twist.

Sweet Melissa and Mini Sweet Melissa take a softer angle: a black onyx pear accented with sparkling white diamonds along the shank. Stack it with black diamond bands to bring out the darkness of the center stone, or add white diamond stacking bands to brighten up the whole hand.

However you build the stack, the black Til Death Band belongs in it. It's our most-loved piece for a reason, and it’s perfect for the edgy bride.

For the bride who can’t decide: mixed-metals

When you love mixing metals why should you choose between tones for your engagement ring—a ring that will be in most stacks you wear.

We love our Ophelia ring as a unique way to mix metals. The white gold claw prongs let the diamond's smoky color shine while the yellow gold shank warms up the ring and contrasts in the most beautiful and unexpected way.

Our rhodolite gold & silver sempre is a more overt way to mix metals—yellow gold hands holding the stone with a sterling silver band creating a beautiful contrast.

A two-tone setting is a perfectly wearable way to make your engagement ring non-traditional. No need to commit to one metal when you can wear them all.