2026 alternative engagement ring inspiration

For the unconventional couples looking to commemorate your relationship with something that truly represents you… we’re here to help you search for an engagement ring! When we picture engagement rings, we usually think of a diamond solitaire ring, and while classic rings are beautiful, they aren't the only option. You don't have to follow the "rules" or go with a trending style! As a nontraditional jewelry company, we believe that any ring or piece of jewelry can be the perfect fit for your engagement. It's your engagement after all, not anyone else's. If you’re looking for something other than what's traditional, here are a few of the rings our customers recently chose as engagement rings as inspiration.

Seko wide ring, old mine cut diamond

If you love the sparkle of a diamond, but aren’t in love with modern cuts, an antique stone might be for you. One of our favorite studio designs, this version of our sculptural Seko ring was set with a 0.43 carat warm old mine cut diamond, estimated from the mid-1800s. A rustic cut, done long before modern technology, retaining some of the shape of the rough diamond, while still bringing excellent sparkle and brilliance. Merging the old and new, we crafted a modern setting in brushed gold with soft square corners, which give the piece its unique profile and double in utility, preventing the ring from spinning around the finger. With a fully solid and rounded interior, the ring feels like a comforting embrace, much like that of your love.

Art Deco pink star sapphire & old mine diamond dome ring

Chunky and fluid, this Art Deco antique delight featured a stunning 3 carat natural pink star sapphire, accompanied by two fiery old mine cut diamonds, proof that you don’t need a diamond as the main gemstone for a fabulous engagement ring. Sapphires are a 9 on the Mohs hardness scale, an excellent and durable choice for an everyday ring, and are available in every color of the rainbow. The “star” of the sapphire is a rare effect caused by natural inclusions, and appears in the light: mysterious and captivating, moving across the surface of the gem. 

Victorian old mine cut buttercup set ring 

Your engagement ring could be the “something old” at your wedding! Elegant and romantic, the prongs of this unusual antique Victorian era ring were set with glimmering little rose-cut diamonds, forming an unconventional halo around the main old mine cut stone. Buttercup (also known as belcher) prongs give the piece an airy, delicate look while allowing plenty of light to enter the diamond for maximum sparkle. The perfect finishing touch of this ring is the hand engraving, adding beautiful texture and detail to the piece. 

Victorian garnet trilogy ring

Juicy, deep red garnets, romantic seed pearls, and architectural scroll details on this antique ring fit our bride-to-be’s Gothic style perfectly. If diamonds aren’t the stone that speaks to you, they don’t need to be on your engagement ring! Romanticism heavily influenced Victorian design, and garnets often symbolized affection, love, and commitment. This ring was created prior to the cultivation of pearls: at the time, pearls were harvested from wild mollusks and were a rare find– perfectly poetic symbolism for the special someone you’re committing to. 

At molimo, we source unique vintage fine jewelry in addition to crafting our own designs with responsibly, ethically sourced materials in our Los Angeles studio. Ready to start the conversation about your engagement ring? Please reach out to us for custom or bespoke designs, or with any questions regarding vintage pieces.