written by Jessica
Art Deco Engagement Rings: A Complete Guide
Published September 12 2025
Key Takeaways
- Definition: Art Deco engagement rings are defined by bold geometry, symmetry, and architectural inspiration! Think step cuts, bezel frames, clean lines, and precise metalwork.
- Engagement Ring Design Elements: Shapes (emerald, asscher and more), the cut (step-cut, antique cut/old mine brilliant cut) structural details (milgrain, halos, baskets), and colour accents (sapphires, green emeralds) create the unmistakable Art Deco look.
- Art Deco Engagement Ring Design Process: Start with a mood board (include those art deco buildings!), then build the ring from the center stone out—stone → shape → setting → side motifs.
If you’re drawn to a ring that feels clean, confident, and a little architectural, chances are you’re an Art Deco person. The Art Deco era of the 1920s–1930s took its cues from the skyscrapers and grand theaters of the time. Linear, stacked, symmetrical, and bold. After 64 years of the Victorian era, with its ornate details and strict social codes, Art Deco burst onto the scene as the complete opposite: geometric, streamlined, and loud. Think Gatsby.
At Engage Studio, we love taking that design DNA and tailoring it to you: the geometry you crave, the proportions that flatter your hand, and the kind of sparkle that looks considered, not busy.
This guide merges our in-studio process with a full overview of Art Deco engagement rings (check out our Youtube video!) , what defines them, how to design one, and all the things to consider.
What makes an engagement ring Art Deco?
Short answer: clean lines, symmetry, and structural details that nod to architecture. Art Deco engagement rings tend to feature (but are not limited to) emerald and asscher cut stones, baguette or trapezoid side stones, bezel settings, geometric halos, and metal details like milgrain and engraving.
Here’s the big picture. The Art Deco engagement ring isn’t about subtle hints or quiet mystery. Its design makes a statement: bold and direct, not suggestive.
That being said, there’s no finite definition of what classifies as an Art Deco engagement ring. If you just love a more structural, clean aesthetic, this article is for you too.
From our benches: we often start by asking, What about Art Deco speaks to you? Is it the stacked, tiered look? The linear rhythm of the rectangular or square shape? Pinpoint the feature, and we’ll design everything around it.
Shape and symmetry
Art Deco is a geometry-forward style, so symmetry is often the goal. Common layouts include:
- Emerald, Princess or Asscher cut center stones with that super linear “hall of mirrors” step-cut
- Geometric Side Stones like the baguette or trapezoid
- Three‑stone designs for that symmetrical “tiered” look referencing architecture
Check out our three‑stone engagement ring guide to see how symmetry plays with scale and proportion!
Architectural inspiration
Bring your Pinterest boards!
We mean it. Don’t be afraid to throw in inspo pics that feel “unrelated” to rings, like buildings! Art Deco design began with buildings, so your favorite facade can absolutely fuel the design of a ring. Do you gravitate toward linear stacks, or tiered steps? These map directly to halos, shoulders, and baskets. Bezel set engagement rings also read very Art Deco. They frame the centre stone, both clean and intentional.
Common motifs
- Halos: even if you love a round or oval centre stone, the halo can really bring in the architectural reference.
- Baguette choreography: straight or tapered baguettes can be great to create texture and layered for that architecture look
- Milgrain & engraving: The Art Deco reference isn’t limited to the stones. We can incorporate the design into the band, the bridge, the setting, sky’s the limit!
- Color accents: sapphires, green emeralds, and other classic gemstones can really wring in that vintage touch.
How do you incorporate Art Deco into your ring design?
This is where Engage’s unique process comes in.
Step 1: Build a mood board (don’t hold back!)
Start wide: collect architecture, theater entrances, typography, staircases, tiles, plus engagement rings you like. Narrow down what pulls you in. Is it those linear stacks on the buildings? “Sunburst” motif? Is it more about the materials and textures used? The clearer your favourite elements, the faster we’ll translate them into metal and stone.
We’ll help narrow down what pulls you in. This will help us translate your inspirations into stone, metal and design.
Step 2: Choose your center stone (the anchor)
The center stone sets the tone for your engagement ring. Decide between diamond, moissanite, or gemstone.
If this sounds overwhelming, or you feel like you’d be stuck in decision paralysis, don’t you worry. Our stone viewing appointment allows you to compare several stones side by side, curated to your budget and preferences, so you can try them on in different lighting conditions.
Each stone is a different design path:
- Diamond: the classic sparkle
- Moissanite: rainbow sparkle at a great price point
- Gemstone: Colourful sapphires, “Kelly” green emeralds, morganite, tourmaline, we love working with colour at Engage.
Check out this custom-cut lab grown purple sapphire! It’s got such saturated colour paired with that architectural Art Deco design.
Then pick a shape. Emerald, Princess, and Asscher cuts feel Art Deco thanks to their step-cut faceting style, but don’t feel limited to just the rectangle and square shapes. Rounds and ovals or any other shape can also achieve that Art Deco look, we can play around with the side stones and motifs, such as pairing with baguettes or angular halos. Check out these examples below.
Step 3: Consider the whole ring (four angles, not just one)
The top‑down view gets all the glory, but your ring actually has four perspectives: top, profile, sides, and the basket. We can make the basket have that stepped motif like a ziggurat, carry that Art Deco “sunburst” pattern, knife‑edge the band for a sleeker feel, and so much more. Small structural choices here can change the entire aesthetic of the ring.
Step 4: Pick your Art Deco elements
- Halo: go square or geometric; add milgrain to give some texture to the silhouette
- Side stones: straight/tapered baguettes, trapezoids
- Setting style: bezel, strategically placed prongs
- Basket & Shoulders: incorporate the “sunburst” motif, structure the basket to emulate building elements! There’s so much opportunity here to get creative.
Step 5: Proof of concepts (digital rendering → 3D printed resin → final masterpiece)
Things are getting exciting! Once we narrow down your centre stone and design, we’ll translate that into the digital rendering, then into a 3D printed resin for you to try on. We’ll use these proofs of concepts to ensure the ring reads Art Deco, and is tailored for you.
Popular styles of Art Deco engagement rings
Geometric halos
Octogonal, square, rectangular, framing halos. Play around with baguettes, and migraine for added texture play.
Three‑stone
The cut
Step cut, antique cut (or old mine brilliant cut) are excellent choices.
Bezel‑forward styles
That bezel framing adds a thin layer of gold around the stone, giving a clean texture contrast. Choose from full bezel and half bezel settings.
Gemstone statements
Bring some colour to it! The Art Deco era wasn’t shy with colour. (Curious about color-driven looks? Check out our green engagement rings roundup.)
Design your own art deco statement piece
We strive to involve you deeply in the process, by keeping you in the know, so you can truly enjoy designing the ring.
When you’re ready, get in touch and craft the Art Deco engagement ring of your dreams.
Visit us at our downtown Toronto location or virtually online!
FAQ
What center stone shapes are most “Art Deco”?
Emerald and Asscher cuts are popular choices, but the look is totally doable with all kinds of shapes. Rounds and ovals can even look Art Deco when paired with tapered baguettes or framed in geometric halos.
Do I have to choose a diamond to get an “Art Deco” look?
Absolutely not! Moissanite can give the look an elevated rainbow sparkle and effervescence (check out this emerald cut moissanite below!), while colourful gemstones can also bring a touch of vintage bounce to the design.
Is the bezel or prong more “Art Deco”?
Both work! Bezels feel architectural and clean; prongs keep the silhouette of the stone nice and airy. It completely depends on the design. There’s so much room for creativity!
