Trilogy Engagement Rings

What is a trilogy engagement ring?

Often referred to as trinity or three stone engagement rings, trilogy engagement rings feature just that–three gemstones or diamonds, each one symbolising the past, present and future. Trilogy rings can represent the three pillars of a healthy relationship – friendship, love and fidelity, and from a religious angle are the literal illustration of The Holy Trinity.

The trilogy is a versatile style that most often sees a larger centre stone, with slightly smaller stones flanking either side. Typically, the side stones are around one third of the centre stone’s size, but there can be designs with very small side stones to accentuate the centre stone as well as three equally sized stones to give a fuller coverage on the finger.

What does a trilogy or three stone engagement ring mean?

Trilogy engagement rings are so universally admired because of what they symbolise. Each of the three stones represents the past, present and future–an incredibly sentimental and romantic engagement ring choice. The trilogy engagement ring is a strong symbol of eternal love.

For a truly custom engagement ring, the trilogy is a flexible style that works well with different coloured gemstones, metals, shapes and orientations.
Generally speaking, the centre stone of a trilogy ring will be larger, or set slightly higher than the flanking stones, to signify the importance of the ‘present’.

The sizes of the flanking stones are typically cut to around one third of the centre stone size, but can be increased or decreased to accentuate the prominence of your chosen centre stone and give a fuller coverage of the finger.

Stone combinations that are often seen include, three rounds, one round with two flanking pear shapes or any shape centre with interesting fancy diamond cuts to flank either side. These can be trapezoids, trilliant cuts, baguettes, tapered baguettes or bullets.

Trilogy engagement rings can be set on delicate, thinner bands or thicker, chunkier bands. For someone with a classic style, a thin band could be a stylish, contemporary choice. For someone with a bolder sense of style, a trilogy in a rub over setting could be beautiful. Trilogy engagement rings can work with any metal, from yellow gold, white gold, rose gold or platinum.

Three round diamonds is a very traditional configuration, whereas three emerald cut stones is a combination associated more with the Art Deco era. This will be reinforced by your choice of setting style – traditional rings are often set with claws, while swirl or rub-over settings can create a more contemporary look.

The great thing about the trilogy engagement ring style is that it can remain more traditional and classic, or push design boundaries with a more contemporary choice of styles and materials.

Following in the steps of contemporary trends, Meghan Markle, Ciara and Miranda Kerr wear engagement rings that feature a large centre diamond with side stones that flank either side.

The trilogy ring’s popularity peaked after Prince Harry’s proposal to Meghan Markle with a trilogy design. Meghan Markle’s trilogy engagement ring features an elongated cushion cut centre diamond, sourced in Botswana by Prince Harry, and is flanked on either side with two round diamonds from his mother’s personal collection.

While Meghan Markle’s trilogy ring is probably the first that pops into mind, Nicole Kidman’s engagement ring from husband Keith Urban is also swoon-worthy. The ring is a stunning vintage interpretation of a trinity design featuring three round diamonds, in a glittering platinum setting.

Ciara’s centre cushion cut diamond is surrounded by two brilliant cut diamond trapezoids, while Miranda Kerr has tapered baguettes either side of her three – four carat round diamond.

The concept of a ring that symbolises past, present, and future has become an engagement ring tradition that will likely continue for generations to come.