What is the best engagement ring cut to buy your partner moving into 2026?

Choosing an engagement ring is one of the most meaningful decisions you’ll ever make. And while your partner’s personal style should always lead the way, it’s helpful to know which trends are shaping the year ahead. To make your choice easier, we’ve brought in one of Australia’s top jewellery designers, Talitha Cummins – founder of The Cut Jewellery, to share her top tips for finding a ring that feels timeless, deeply personal, and perfectly on-trend, ensuring your partner loves it for years to come.

Bold & Chunky Rings

2026 marks the return of statement-worthy designs. After years of thin, delicate bands dominating the market, bold, substantial rings are making a strong comeback.

Think thicker bands, sculptural metalwork, strong silhouettes and stones that command attention.

Miley Cyrus’s recent engagement ring is a testament to this shift in design with a 4–5 carat elongated cushion set with a chunky, sculptural band. These heavier designs not only make more of a statement, but they’re also more durable and built to last a lifetime.

Coloured Gemstones Are Stepping into the Spotlight

While diamonds will always remain a girl’s best friend, coloured stones are becoming one of the biggest choices for proposals in 2026. Couples are leaning into individuality, symbolism, and meaning, and colour offers all of that.

Some of the more popular gemstones we’re seeing right now for engagement rings include: Emeralds, Sapphires, Rubies & Tourmalines.

Some are choosing colours to reflect the partner’s personality, others because of their birthstones, cultural significance, or simply because they’re drawn to a unique, standout look.

Bespoke and Personalised Designs

However, the most influential trend of 2026 isn’t a specific cut or gemstone, it’s meaning.

Couples are increasingly choosing custom-made, deeply personal designs over traditional, off-the-shelf settings. These pieces tell a story and feel one-of-a-kind.

Popular personalised choices include:

• Family heirloom designs and stones
• Gemstones that are sourced from special travel destinations e.g. the location of their first holiday
• Custom settings that reflect relationship milestones
• Engravings, hidden details, or symbolic design elements
  

Couples are looking for pieces that hold memories, symbolism, and stories unique to them. Instead of choosing something that simply looks beautiful, they’re choosing elements that mean something.

Ultimately, the “best” type of engagement ring is the one that reflects your partner’s personality and your shared story the most.

Whether you gravitate toward bold silhouettes, coloured stones, romantic cushion cuts, or a bespoke creation, 2026 is all about choosing a ring that feels meaningful, expressive, and built for a lifetime.