Three-Stone Engagement Rings: How to Choose the Perfect Side Stones
Discover how shape, color, and symbolism can help customers personalize this timeless engagement ring style.
In a world where brides want their engagement ring to be bold, stand out, carry meaning, and be personalized to their unique style, three-stone engagement rings are a jeweler’s solution to doing just that.
Three-stone engagement rings pair a center stone with two side stones, creating plenty of opportunity for personalization. Through shape, color, proportion, and symbolism, side stones can complement or contrast the center while giving customers a meaningful way to make this classic style their own.
What Does a Three-Stone Engagement Ring Mean?
For many couples, a three-stone engagement ring is more than a beautiful combination of diamonds or gemstones. The design can also tell a story, with each stone representing a meaningful part of their relationship.
The most popular interpretation connects the three stones to the past, present, and future:
- The left side stone represents the past: The experiences, memories, and milestones that brought the couple together
- The center stone represents the present: Their love, commitment, and the life they share today
- The right side stone represents the future: The dreams, adventures, and experiences that still lie ahead
The stones can also represent significant milestones, shared values, family members, or concepts such as faith, hope, and love. Birthstones can add another personal connection when you factor in stone choice.
Choosing Side Stone Shapes
Once you’ve established what your customer wants their three-stone engagement ring to represent, it’s time to explore the design. Side stone shape can dramatically influence the personality of a ring, whether your customer prefers a classic and cohesive look, a bold contrast, or something unexpected. Use the following shapes as a starting point for finding a combination that feels right for their style.
Oval
Soft, classic, and elegant, oval side stones bring an elongated look to a three-stone design.
- Pairs well with: Oval center stones for a cohesive, graceful look
- Consider for customers who: Want an elegant alternative to the traditional round
Square
Clean, contemporary, and geometric, square side stones bring symmetry and structure to a three-stone ring.
- Pairs well with: Emerald-cut center stones for a crisp, architectural look
- Consider for customers who: Are drawn to symmetry and modern design
Emerald
Sophisticated, understated, and architectural, emerald-cut side stones offer a refined approach to the three-stone design.
- Pairs well with: Emerald-cut center stones to emphasize the shape and clarity of each stone
- Consider for customers who: Value the elegance of clean lines and the distinctive beauty of step-cut stones
Tapered Baguette
Sleek, geometric, and refined, tapered baguettes bring a timeless, Art Deco-inspired aesthetic to three-stone engagement rings. Their tapered shape naturally directs the eye toward the center.
- Pairs well with: Emerald-cut center stones for a sophisticated, architectural combination
- Consider for customers who: Appreciate timeless design with an eye-catching, geometric edge
Marquise
Dramatic, romantic, and vintage-inspired, marquise side stones bring movement and visual length to a three-stone design.
- Pairs well with: Marquise center stones for an elongated, coordinated look
- Consider for customers who: Want a vintage-inspired aesthetic, visual movement, and an elongated silhouette
Cadillac
Bold, angular, and architectural, Cadillac-cut side stones offer a distinctive alternative to more traditional side stone shapes.
- Pairs well with: Oval center stones for an unexpected contrast between soft curves and defined angles
- Consider for customers who: Want something unconventional, statement-making, and maximalist
Triangle
Contemporary, graphic, and directional, triangle side stones create a strong frame around the center stone.
- Pairs well with: Marquise center stones to emphasize the angular points of both shapes
- Consider for customers who: Appreciate bold geometry and a modern approach to engagement ring design
Half Moon
Smooth, elegant, and vintage-inspired, half-moon side stones create a seamless transition into the center stone. Their flat sides can sit closely against an emerald-cut center for a stone-forward design.
- Pairs well with: Emerald-cut center stones for a cohesive, seamless look
- Consider for customers who: Want side stones that enhance the center without creating a pronounced visual break
Kite
Unexpected, artistic, and contemporary, kite-shaped side stones offer an opportunity to move beyond traditional three-stone combinations.
- Pairs well with: Round center stones for an engaging contrast between curved and angular shapes
- Consider for customers who: Value individuality and want a design that feels custom rather than conventional
Trillion
Dramatic, brilliant, and wide, trillion side stones create substantial visual presence while directing the eye toward the center stone.
- Pairs well with: Round center stones for a classic foundation with a dramatic geometric contrast
- Consider for customers who: Want side stones that make an impact while keeping the center stone at the heart of the design
Diamond vs. Gemstone Side Stones
Diamonds offer a timeless, cohesive look, while colored diamonds and gemstones can introduce contrast and personal meaning. Consider whether your customer wants the side stones to blend with the center or stand out on their own.
Ideal Gemstone Options for Engagement Ring Side Stones
When recommending gemstones for an engagement ring, consider both the customer’s desired look and the stone’s durability for everyday wear. These four gemstones offer a range of colors and personalities that can complement a diamond center.
- Sapphire: Available in a range of colors, Sapphire offers striking contrast with a diamond center and can add significance as the September birthstone.
- Ruby: Rich and vibrant, Ruby side stones bring warmth and dramatic contrast to a diamond center. As the birthstone for July, Ruby can also add a personal connection to the design.
- Emerald: With its distinctive green color, Emerald creates an elegant, sophisticated contrast against a diamond center. It can be especially effective in designs that embrace a vintage-inspired or nature-influenced aesthetic.
- Morganite: Soft pink Morganite offers a romantic alternative to more traditional colored gemstones. Its delicate color pairs naturally with a white diamond center for a feminine, contemporary look.
How to Sell Three-Stone Engagement Rings
From the meaning behind each stone to the shape, color, and proportions of the finished design, every choice can help create a ring that feels personal. Use these conversations to help customers discover a three-stone design that reflects their style and story.
Use Celebrity Inspiration to Start the Conversation
When customers are looking for inspiration, familiar faces can be a helpful place to start. Several high-profile engagement rings demonstrate just how differently a three-stone design can look.
Meghan Markle: Her cushion-cut center diamond is flanked by two diamonds from Princess Diana’s collection, demonstrating how side stones can add personal and family significance to a design.
Amal Clooney: An emerald-cut center flanked by tapered baguettes demonstrates how geometric side stones can create a sleek, architectural look.
Use celebrity rings as visual references but encourage customers to take inspiration from the design rather than simply replicate it. A familiar ring can be the starting point for a conversation about what elements they love — and how those elements can be made their own.
Engage the Customer in the Design
Rather than presenting customers with a finished ring, involve them in the decisions that shape it. A few thoughtful questions can help narrow their options while making them feel involved in every facet of the design.
Consider asking the following questions:
- What center stone shape are you drawn to?
- Do you want the three stones to feel cohesive or create contrast?
- How much finger coverage would you like?
- Would you consider gemstones or colored diamonds for the side stones?
These questions can turn a broad request for a three-stone ring into a much more specific design conversation.
Use Side Stones to Give Customers the Best of Both Worlds
Side stones can help customers combine qualities they might otherwise have to choose between.
You love an emerald cut but want more sparkle.
Pair an emerald-cut center with brilliant-cut side stones to add scintillation while maintaining the clean, sophisticated lines of the center.
You want something romantic but not traditional.
Try an oval center with marquise or half-moon side stones for a softer, more distinctive interpretation of the three-stone style.
You want color without giving up a diamond center.
Introduce sapphire, ruby, or emerald side stones to bring color and contrast to a classic diamond center.
Make Every Stone Part of the Story
Side stones give customers another way to express their style and story through shape, color, and symbolism. By helping customers find the right pairing, you can create a three-stone design that enhances the center stone while celebrating what matters most to them.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Robert Krieg
Bridal Product Manager
Robert has an extensive background in product development and merchandising with experiences that include bench tools, packaging, displays, findings, and bridal. Each of these experiences helped shape his growth in the jewelry industry and drives him to be as impactful of a leader in the industry as the ones who inspired him.