Let’s face it: classic white diamonds are beautiful, but they’re not for everyone.
And in a world where individuality is celebrated more than ever, it’s no surprise that more and more people are rethinking tradition, especially when it comes to engagement rings.
From vintage-inspired treasures to meaningful heirlooms, celebrities have been leading the charge in shaking up ring standards.
In this guide, you’ll discover 11 famous women (and their partners) who ditched the classic solitaire for something unique, personal, and unforgettable.
Let’s take a look at the stars who proved that when it comes to love, tradition is optional.
In this article...
Princess Beatrice: A royal rule-breaker
Royal rings usually follow a few time-honored rules.
They’re made with Welsh gold.
They tend to feature sapphires or classic diamonds.
Princess Beatrice broke with both.
Her engagement ring, designed in collaboration with British jeweler Shaun Leane, was vintage-inspired with Victorian and Art Deco detail.
Princess Eugenie // PA Images
The platinum band held a 2.5-carat round natural diamond, flanked by baguettes in a geometric setting.
It was delicate. Romantic. Very her.
And most notably, it was a departure from her family’s usual designs - no Welsh gold, no sapphire.
Instead, it was a modern nod to heritage, created with intention and meaning.
Jennifer Lopez: Green with meaning
When Ben Affleck re-proposed to Jennifer Lopez (the second time around), he chose something rare.
A green diamond.
This isn’t just a unique stone; it’s incredibly rare, with natural green diamonds accounting for less than 0.1% of all colored diamonds.
The ring featured a cushion-cut green diamond, flanked by two trapezoid white diamonds.
Why green? Lopez has long considered it her lucky color, even wearing it to iconic red carpet moments.
The ring wasn’t just beautiful; it was deeply personal.
A perfect example of choosing symbolism over tradition.
Ariana Grande: Sentiment in every stone
When Ariana Grande got engaged to Dalton Gomez, her ring raised eyebrows - in the best way.
It featured a tilted oval diamond next to a delicate pearl.
The pearl is believed to have come from a family heirloom; possibly her grandfather’s tie pin.
Instagram: @arianagrande
The unique layout, with asymmetry and mixed stones, defied all traditional ring design rules.
Grande’s ring felt intimate. Meaningful. Thoughtful.
And far from cookie-cutter.
Katy Perry: A floral fantasy
Katy Perry has never been one to play it safe with style.
Her engagement ring from Orlando Bloom reflects that perfectly.
It features a pink center stone - likely a ruby or pink diamond - surrounded by white diamonds in a floral halo setting.
The shape mimics a daisy or blossom, depending on how you look at it.
It’s colorful. Playful. Feminine.
And it totally mirrors Perry’s whimsical personality.
Lady Gaga: A rosy twist
Lady Gaga’s engagement ring from ex-fiancé Christian Carino was just as fashion-forward as you’d expect.
A pink ombré diamond took center stage. Surrounding it?
A hidden halo of white diamonds that offered extra sparkle without overwhelming the main stone.
Getty Images
This subtle gradient of color was unusual - and stunning.
It moved away from tradition with softness and style.
Gaga’s ring proved you don’t need symmetry or standard cuts to make a statement.
Scarlett Johansson: Dark, daring, different
Scarlett Johansson’s ring is far from your average celebrity sparkler.
It’s an 11-carat light brown diamond set on a black ceramic band.
Designed by James de Givenchy, the piece is modern, architectural, and bold.
The color of the stone - a champagne or cognac natural diamond - adds warmth and edge.
And the ceramic band? Unheard of in traditional fine jewelry.
The ring is striking, alternative, and absolutely unforgettable.
Emily Ratajkowski: Double the drama
Emily Ratajkowski did something few brides do; she helped design her own engagement ring.
The result?
A two-stone ring, featuring one princess-cut diamond and one pear-cut diamond.
Both stones sit side by side in a toi et moi style - a French design meaning “you and me.”
Instagram: @emrata
The layout is symbolic, representing two souls coming together.
It’s ultra-modern. Highly personal. And visually unique.
Plus, it’s proof that sometimes the best designs come from breaking the mold entirely.
Halle Berry: A ring steeped in symbolism
Halle Berry’s engagement ring from Olivier Martinez stood out for many reasons.
First, the center stone was a 4-carat emerald - a bold choice in a sea of diamonds.
Second, the band featured Phoenician-inspired engravings, custom-designed for Berry.
The emerald is thought to carry spiritual energy and growth.
The inscriptions added layers of mystery and intention.
Berry’s ring was meaningful, mystical, and nothing like what you'd see in a jeweler’s window.
Meghan Markle: Royal with a twist
At first glance, Meghan Markle’s ring looks traditional. It features a center stone flanked by two smaller diamonds.
But look closer, and the story reveals itself.
The center diamond was sourced from Botswana - a country close to Meghan and Harry’s hearts.
The side stones came from Princess Diana’s personal collection.
Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty ; Zak Hussein/SplashNews
Together, the ring balances modern minimalism with royal sentiment. It’s both regal and refreshingly personal.
A subtle way to honor the past while building something new.
Zoë Kravitz: Understated elegance
Zoë Kravitz is known for her effortless, off-beat style. Her engagement ring reflected exactly that.
She wears a rose-cut diamond set in a delicate Edwardian-style setting.
Rose-cut diamonds date back to the 1500s, with fewer facets and a softer glow.
They don’t sparkle like modern cuts, but that’s the charm.
Kravitz’s ring is vintage, subtle, and romantically minimal.
It speaks to a love of history, simplicity, and nonconformity.
Mary-Kate Olsen: Auction-worthy antique
Mary-Kate Olsen’s ring might be the most unexpected of them all.
It’s a 1953 Cartier piece, bought at auction.
The ring features a 4-carat center diamond, surrounded by sapphires in a thick gold halo setting.
It’s chunky. Bold. Regal. And entirely unique.
Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen CFDA Portrait – The Row, 2014 (Getty Images)
The ring feels like a collector’s item, not a traditional engagement ring.
Which makes it a perfect match for Olsen’s boho, eclectic style.
Megan Fox: Pain and passion in one ring
Megan Fox’s engagement ring from Machine Gun Kelly wasn’t just unconventional; it was intentionally extreme.
The ring features two pear-shaped stones: one emerald (her birthstone) and one diamond (his), magnetically joined together to form a heart.
But that’s not the most talked-about feature.
MGK revealed the ring was designed with thorns inside the band, so it would “hurt to remove.”
Yes, really.
Love it or hate it, the ring combines symbolism, sentiment, and shock factor.
It’s both beautiful and brutal; just like the couple’s high-intensity public image.
Fox’s ring broke the mold in every possible way: from shape to symbolism to wearability.
And for many, it redefined what a ring could mean beyond sparkle.
Why celebrities are breaking ring traditions
There are a few reasons why A-listers are embracing non-traditional rings - and why you might want to, too.
Personalization
Modern couples want rings that mean something.
Whether it’s a stone with sentimental value or a custom-cut diamond, personal choices trump standard settings.
Celebrities have the resources to customize, but the desire for deeper meaning is universal.
Style over tradition
Not everyone’s drawn to the classic round solitaire.
Colored stones, antique cuts, and unusual settings feel more fashion-forward and expressive.
Celebs often use their rings to showcase style as much as sentiment. And fans follow suit.
Sustainability and ethics
Lab-grown diamonds, heirlooms, and vintage pieces are on the rise.
They’re more ethical. More sustainable. And often more affordable.
Stars are increasingly conscious of their environmental impact - and their jewelry reflects that.
How to choose a non-traditional ring
You don’t need a celebrity budget to get creative. Here’s how you can break tradition in a meaningful way:
Consider colored gemstones
Sapphires, emeralds, morganite, and aquamarine all make stunning engagement stones.
Choose one with personal significance or birthstone ties.
Go vintage or antique
Older rings come with character - and a story.
Whether it’s Edwardian lacework or a chunky '70s band, vintage styles offer unique charm.
Mix materials
Don’t limit yourself to platinum or gold.
Try rose gold, ceramic, titanium, or mixed metals. Unusual bands can elevate even the simplest stones.
Choose a symbolic shape
Pear-shaped, heart-shaped, and east-west settings all break away from tradition.
Toi et moi rings - like Ratajkowski’s - are rising in popularity for their symbolism.
Add meaningful touches
Heirloom stones. Custom engravings. Personal elements.
These subtle additions make a ring truly yours.
A break in tradition
Tradition is beautiful - but it’s not a requirement.
As these celebrity rings show, the most memorable designs are the ones that reflect personality, purpose, and personal history.
Whether you choose an emerald with ancient inscriptions or a rose-cut diamond in a vintage setting, your ring should speak to who you are, not just what’s expected.
So if you’re feeling the pull toward something a little different?
Go for it.
Your love is one of a kind - your ring should be, too.
Looking to design your own non-traditional engagement ring?
Explore one-of-a-kind gemstone styles, vintage settings, and custom options at Ben Garelick, where your story becomes your sparkle.
