written by Jessica
Three-Stone Engagement Rings (Trilogy): Meaning, Styles, and Design Ideas
Key Takeaways
- A three-stone engagement ring (also called a trilogy ring) represents the past, present, and future with your partner, a deeply personal choice for couples who want to incorporate both sentiment and storytelling in their ring.
You can mix and match the three stones for a look that can range from classic, to uniquely yours.
- Proportions matter! A lot. Even the same center and side stones will look completely different depending on the scale of the stones.
There’s just something about the power of three: the three musketeers, three little pigs, the Holy Trinity, Harry Hermoine and Ron, Napolitan ice cream (vanilla, chocolate, strawberry… how could we choose just one?), and of course, the three-stone engagement ring.
What makes this design so special? It tells your story. It’s a representation of a love that will persevere through time. The center stone represents your present, your shared life now. The two side stones nod to your past and your future. The three-stone ring is layered with storytelling.
Want to make this ring design your own? Let’s walk through the steps that turn a good three-stone ring into one you absolutely love.
What Is a Three-Stone Engagement Ring?
Let’s start with the basics. A three-stone ring features a larger center stone framed by two stones on either side. While you may be most familiar with diamond options, we’ve seen many couples choose sapphires, moissanite, emeralds, or other precious gemstones to personalize the look and tailor to their budget. How that combination comes together depends on your story, your style, and the steps we take together during our custom design process.
Three-stone rings are an ideal choice if you:
- Want to incorporate the concept of past, present, and future
- Want more coverage and sparkle than a classic solitaire
- Want to explore shape and proportion in your ring design 👩🎨👨🎨
Are Three-Stone Engagement Rings in Style?
First and foremost, we believe that whether an engagement ring is “in style” or not, if you love it, go for it.
But to answer the question: yes. Three-stone rings have had a huge resurgence (thanks in part to Meghan Markle’s engagement ring) and a renewed interest in the design. But what’s different now is the customization. Today’s couples aren’t just choosing three diamonds, they’re mixing in moissanite, colourful gemstones, even heirloom stones from family rings, as reflected in some of our recent creations
Whether your style leans minimalist or maximalist, there’s a three-stone design that can feel just right for you.
What are the most common types of three-stone engagement rings?
What are the pros and cons of three-stone engagement rings?
The pros and cons of building a three-stone ring really come down to the design process. You get to play with different shapes, proportions, and center stone styles, which can be a lot of fun! But with so many options, it can also feel a little overwhelming. That’s where we come in.
Based on your inspiration and budget, we’ll curate a selection of stones for you to explore. You’ll get to see the range of proportions and combinations in person, try them on, and get a real feel for what you love.
No pressure, no stress.
How to choose a three-stone engagement ring?
1. Start With the Focal Stone
This is the heart of your ring! It’s the stone you’ll see first and most often.
We always start with the focal stone because its shape and size will influence every other decision. Here are some of the most popular options:
Even if you’re drawn to other fancy shapes like a pear, marquise, cushion, anything else, don’t hold back! Rules are made to be broken. A pear diamond with pear sides or a cushion with round side stones can look stunning with the right proportion. In fact, we’ve made them!
2. Choose Your Side Stones (Accent Stones)
This is where we get to play. Choosing different side stone shapes can drastically shift the feel of the final design!
Some classic combinations:
- Round with round sides
- Oval with pear sides
- Round with pear sides
We’ll often show our clients some different combinations so they can see how different the final effect feels, even if the center stone doesn’t change.
3. Consider the Scale and Proportions
This might be the most overlooked but most important step in designing a three-stone engagement ring. We call it stone mapping: visually laying out the size relationship between the center and the side stones.
The same oval center with pear side stones can give an overall effect of bold, or soft depending entirely on scale.
Questions we guide clients through:
- Should the center stone feel dominant, or balanced with the sides?
- Do you want all three stones the same size for a uniform look?
- Would a graduated effect (where side stones taper out) feel more organic to you?
- How will the scale affect comfort and long-term wearability?
We’ll take your design and give you some tangible proof of concepts —a digital rendering and 3D printed resin—so you can try it on and be sure you love your ring.
Design Your Own Three-Stone Engagement Ring with Engage Studio
There’s a lot to consider. Center stone shapes, side-stone proportions, setting durability, long-term comfort, and more. This is a ring you’ll wear every day for life. That’s why buying a mass-produced ring with zero guidance is the wrong move.
At Engage Studio, we turn uncertainty into clarity:
- First, we listen to your story and preferences to reflect your style.
- Then, we curate side-by-side options—stones, shapes, metals—so you can compare sparkle, scale, and feel in person.
- Pricing is transparent, timelines are clear, and you’ll get to approve a digital rendering and resin prototype before we begin crafting the final ring.
Ready to make your story shine?
Book a consultation and let’s design your three-stone ring together.
FAQs
What do three-stone engagement rings mean?
They’re rich with meaning! Often symbolizing your past, present, and future together. Some also see them as representing friendship, love, and marriage. We love how personal the interpretation can be.
Are three-stone engagement rings in style?
Absolutely. Modern couples are all about rings with meaning and sparkle and three-stone designs offer both. Plus, they’re super customizable depending on your vibe.
Do three-stone engagement rings cost more than solitaires?
They can, depending on the stones and setting, but you also get more visual impact and more story in your design.
Ready to create your three-stone engagement ring? Let’s bring it to life.
Our process is designed to involve you every step of the way, from the initial style discovery to the final engagement ring.
It all begins with an intro call, followed by a style consultation (think real-life Pinterest!), stone viewing, digital renderings or hand-drawn sketches, a resin model, and finally, the finished masterpiece. We’re with you through each step to make sure you feel confident going into that proposal with the right ring.
