If you are looking for an engagement ring, there are several popular types, but the most common include trilogy engagement rings, which match up three different stones together. Like anything that comes in threes, this provides a wide array of possibilities.
Some couples might go for a solitaire because it is a simple, yet appealing design: a single large stone, usually a diamond. It may not be highly original, but it makes an impressive statement nonetheless.
By contrast, a trilogy offers great scope for variation. There are many ways in which you can do this:
- You might have three diamonds of the same size
- You could have a diamond flanked by two stones of the same type
- You could have three different stones
- You may have a larger stone in the middle and two smaller ones on either side
This array of possibilities opens up great opportunities for bespoke design and gives you an opportunity to think up something yourself, either as an expression of creativity or a means of including something deeply personal.
What Stones Will Go In A Trilogy Ring?
In true trilogy style, there are three precious stones that you can realistically use in a trilogy ring, this being diamonds, rubies and sapphires. These make up three of the four precious stones, the other being emeralds.
However, emeralds are not usually used in engagement rings because they are relatively soft, measuring 7.5-8 on the Mohs hardness scale, while sapphires and rubies are a 9 and diamonds are an unsurpassed 10.
Moreover, the crystal structure of emeralds makes them more vulnerable to fractures. Overall, this means they are susceptible to scratches and chips.
As we have written previously, they can be used in engagement rings, but only when the design provides extra protection. This means that incorporating them into a trilogy ring, while not impossible, would be trickier and require a design based on protecting the emerald.
By contrast, the harder gems are better able to handle the rigours of everyday wear. As the hardest substance on Earth, diamonds will come off best in any collision. Rubies and sapphires are both varieties of corundum, which is very hard.
An obvious option, therefore, might be to have a diamond in the centre, a ruby on one side and a sapphire on the other, providing the beauty of three colours. Alternatively, there could be two rubies or two sapphires.
Could You Have A Fancy Sapphire In a Trilogy Ring?
A further option with corundums comes from the fact that many corundums are neither ruby red nor sapphire blue. Indeed, apart from rubies, all corundums are classed as sapphires, but those that are not blue are termed ‘fancy sapphires’.
These can be many colours, including yellow, orange, green or pink. Indeed, we have produced jewellery featuring pink sapphires ourselves.
With the variations in sapphire colour, this adds another possibility. Indeed, a green sapphire might even offer an alternative if you like the colour of an emerald but need that harder gem.
Another approach to a trilogy ring can simply be to have three diamonds, but make the centre diamond larger than the others. This opens up the possibility of it being a large stone with a distinctive cut, such as an asscher, pear or emerald cut, flanked by two small stones.
This is an alternative to having three diamonds of the same size, or perhaps an ascending sequence of three differently-sized stones, with one small, one medium and then a large one at the end.
Such choices may be balanced with your budget, so it is worth considering the extra cost of a large diamond, but another approach could be to have two small diamonds flanking a larger gem of a different kind.
Combining diamonds with a large colour gem is popular, with one stand-out case being that of the ‘Diana Ring’, a large blue sapphire ringed by small diamonds.
Given the number of diamonds involved, this is different to a trilogy ring, but a similar principle could see two small diamonds on either side of a sapphire. You might, however, choose a ruby instead, or a fancy sapphire.
How Can A Trilogy Ring Be Personalised?
These variations show just how many possibilities there are, but it is important to note that the gems themselves are not the only considerations when it comes to the design of the ring. There are several other matters to consider when it comes to a bespoke ring:
- The metal to use, be it gold, silver, platinum or titanium
- The design features in the metal
- Possible engravings, such as a message of love, a poem or religious text
- Quirky features to make the design truly individual and unique
When making bespoke jewellery, we love working with our customers to ensure the ring ends up being something that truly makes their dreams come true. There may be constraints of size and budget, but there are also loads of possibilities.
Of course, the ideas do not have to come entirely from your own imagination. You may take some inspiration from those who have worn a trilogy ring themselves, especially celebrities.
Which Celebrities Have Worn Trilogy Engagement Rings?
A royal example would be that of Meghan Markle, who wore a trilogy ring featuring a large cushion cut diamond flanked by two smaller diamonds when she got engaged to Prince Harry. The ring came from Princess Diana’s private collection.
Other celebrity trilogy engagement rings included:
- Miranda Kerr’s ring with a large round diamond flanked by two baguette diamonds
- The ring Carter Reum gave Paris Hilton in 2021 has a large emerald cult diamond flanked by baguette diamonds, albeit with further diamond embellishments
- Amal Clooney wore a similar ring with an elongated cushion diamond flanked by two smaller diamonds, albeit, like Paris Hilton, with additional diamond embellishments
It is unlikely you will want to copy what Paris Hilton and Amal Clooney had, as these are not strictly trilogy rings in the sense of having just three stones. But the central design still uses the trilogy theme and may be considered as an inspiration, not least the choice of cuts.
If the wide range of possibilities that a trilogy ring can offer excites you, it could be that the engagement ring of your dreams will be such a design. We can work with you to bring it to life, with three wonderful, sparkling focal points that you will treasure for life.