You want an engagement ring that will look as stunning in 30 years as it does today. Three stone engagement ring designs offer exactly that, but choosing between different styles and stone combinations can feel overwhelming when you’re trying to find the perfect balance of classic elegance and personal style. The right design should reflect your relationship whilst standing the test of time, not following fleeting trends that will date your ring.

This guide walks you through five timeless three stone ring designs, from the elegant simplicity of tapered baguettes to the bold statement of a coloured centre stone. You’ll discover what makes each style enduringly beautiful, which stone pairings create the most harmonious look, and how to match your chosen design with the right setting and metal. Whether you’re drawn to geometric precision or romantic curves, you’ll find a classic design that captures your unique story.

1. A Star Diamonds bespoke three stone ring

A bespoke three stone ring from A Star Diamonds gives you complete control over every element of your design. Working directly with goldsmiths and designers in Hatton Garden, you can create a ring that perfectly balances your personal style with timeless elegance. Your consultation begins with understanding your vision, from the symbolic meaning you want the three stones to represent to the practical details of your daily lifestyle and budget.

What makes this design timeless

Bespoke design creates timeless appeal because your ring reflects your unique story rather than following current trends. You choose stones that hold personal significance, whether that’s birthstones for family members, specific diamond shapes that speak to you, or gemstones with meaningful colour. The three stone setting itself represents your past, present, and future together, giving your ring enduring emotional resonance that transcends fashion cycles. Your design team ensures the proportions work harmoniously, so your ring maintains its visual balance for decades to come.

A bespoke design allows you to create something truly unique whilst maintaining the classic elegance that makes three stone rings enduringly beautiful.

Best centre and side stone pairings

Your centre stone drives the entire design, with diamonds, sapphires, and rubies all creating stunning focal points. For side stones, you can match your centre diamond with smaller diamonds for maximum brilliance, or choose complementary coloured gemstones for contrast. Popular pairings include a round brilliant centre with pear-shaped sides, an oval centre flanked by smaller ovals, or a cushion cut balanced by round or marquise side stones. A Star Diamonds’ gemologists help you select stones that work together optically, ensuring the side stones enhance rather than compete with your centre stone.

Setting and metal options

You can choose from classic prong settings for maximum light exposure or bezel settings for enhanced security. The metal selection between platinum, white gold, yellow gold, or rose gold affects both the ring’s durability and how your stones appear. Platinum offers superior strength and a bright white finish, whilst yellow gold creates warmth and vintage appeal. Your designer can incorporate hidden halos, gallery details, or engraving to add personal touches without compromising the timeless three stone silhouette.

Budget and wedding band pairing

Bespoke design lets you control costs by selecting specific stone qualities that matter most to you whilst being flexible on less visible factors. You might prioritise cut quality over size or choose lab-grown diamonds for the side stones to allocate more budget to your centre stone. A Star Diamonds designs your ring with wedding band compatibility in mind, creating space for a fitted band or recommending complementary styles that sit flush. Their lifetime resizing and maintenance services protect your investment long after purchase.

2. Round brilliant with tapered baguette sides

The round brilliant centre stone paired with tapered baguette side stones creates one of the most recognizable three stone engagement ring designs in jewellery history. This combination emerged during the Art Deco period and remains equally popular today because the elongated baguettes draw your eye to the centre stone whilst adding geometric sophistication. The clean lines work beautifully whether you choose a simple solitaire setting or add pavé details.

What makes this design timeless

Tapered baguettes create visual balance by mirroring the proportions of your round centre stone. The step-cut facets on baguettes contrast with the brilliant sparkle of your round diamond, giving your ring textural interest without feeling busy. This design has graced the fingers of style icons for nearly a century, proving its staying power beyond temporary trends.

The geometric precision of tapered baguettes paired with a round brilliant creates a design that feels both classic and modern at the same time.

Best centre and side stone pairings

You get the most striking effect with a white diamond centre and matching diamond baguettes, creating seamless brilliance across all three stones. Alternatively, coloured sapphire baguettes in navy or blush tones frame a white diamond centre beautifully.

Setting and metal options

Platinum enhances the geometric lines of this design, whilst yellow gold adds vintage warmth. Prong settings keep the focus on your stones, though channel-set baguettes offer extra security for active lifestyles.

Budget and wedding band pairing

Baguette side stones typically cost less per carat than brilliant cuts, allowing you to allocate more budget to your centre stone. A straight wedding band sits flush against this style perfectly.

3. Emerald cut with trapezoid sides

The emerald cut centre stone paired with trapezoid sides creates architectural elegance that references vintage Hollywood glamour. This step-cut combination became popular in the 1920s and continues to attract those who appreciate clean lines and understated sophistication. The parallel facets across all three stones create a cohesive geometric pattern that feels refined rather than flashy, making this one of the most elegant three stone engagement ring designs available.

What makes this design timeless

Step-cut stones show remarkable clarity because their large, open facets act like windows into the diamond. This design demands high-quality stones with excellent colour and clarity grades, which ensures your ring maintains its beauty for generations. The rectangular shapes create strong vertical lines that elongate your finger whilst the symmetry provides visual harmony that never feels dated.

The architectural precision of emerald and trapezoid cuts creates a sophisticated design that showcases the pure beauty of high-quality stones.

Best centre and side stone pairings

You achieve the most striking effect with a white diamond centre flanked by matching diamond trapezoids. Alternatively, aquamarine or morganite centres with diamond sides create subtle colour whilst maintaining the geometric aesthetic.

Setting and metal options

Platinum complements the cool, geometric lines of step cuts beautifully. Four-prong settings protect the corners of your emerald cut whilst keeping the design minimal.

Budget and wedding band pairing

Emerald cuts often cost less per carat than round brilliants, allowing you to select a larger centre stone within budget. Straight or channel-set wedding bands complement this style perfectly.

4. Cushion cut with round side stones

The cushion cut centre stone flanked by round side stones combines romantic curves with brilliant sparkle, creating one of the most versatile three stone engagement ring designs you can choose. This pairing gained popularity because the soft, pillow-like corners of the cushion cut contrast beautifully with the perfect symmetry of round diamonds. The rounded shapes flow together harmoniously, making this design feel both classic and approachable whilst offering exceptional brilliance across all three stones.

What makes this design timeless

Cushion cuts deliver a vintage aesthetic without feeling dated because their rounded corners and large facets work equally well in modern and traditional settings. The round side stones provide familiar symmetry that balances the unique character of your cushion centre, creating visual interest that never overwhelms. This combination has remained popular across multiple decades because it offers brilliance similar to round diamonds whilst maintaining distinctive personality.

The soft curves and brilliant facets create a design that feels romantic and timeless whilst showcasing exceptional sparkle.

Best centre and side stone pairings

You achieve maximum brilliance with a white diamond cushion surrounded by round diamond sides. Alternatively, fancy yellow or pink diamond cushions with white round sides create beautiful colour contrast.

Setting and metal options

Rose gold enhances the romantic curves of cushion cuts beautifully, whilst platinum provides modern contrast. Prong settings maximize light exposure across all three stones.

Budget and wedding band pairing

Cushion cuts typically offer better value per carat than round diamonds, allowing larger centre stones within budget. Curved or scalloped wedding bands complement the rounded aesthetic perfectly.

5. Sapphire centre with diamond sides

The sapphire centre stone with diamond sides creates one of the most distinctive three stone engagement ring designs you can choose, combining royal heritage with modern sophistication. This pairing became famous through Princess Diana’s engagement ring and continues to attract those who want coloured gemstone personality balanced by the timeless brilliance of diamonds. The contrast between the rich sapphire blue and sparkling white diamonds creates visual drama that feels both classic and personal, making your ring instantly recognizable.

What makes this design timeless

Sapphires rank second only to diamonds in hardness and durability, making them practical for daily wear whilst offering symbolic meaning around loyalty and wisdom. The colour contrast creates visual interest that doesn’t rely on trending design elements, ensuring your ring remains beautiful regardless of fashion cycles.

The combination of a coloured centre stone with white diamond sides creates a design that stands out whilst maintaining the timeless elegance of a three stone setting.

Best centre and side stone pairings

You achieve the most classic look with a blue sapphire centre and white diamond sides, though pink, yellow, or teal sapphires offer beautiful alternatives. Round diamonds provide traditional balance, whilst pear-shaped sides add elegant curves.

Setting and metal options

White gold or platinum enhances the colour contrast between sapphire and diamonds beautifully. Prong settings keep the focus on your stones whilst providing secure mounting for daily wear.

Budget and wedding band pairing

Sapphires typically cost less than diamonds of similar size, allowing you to select a larger centre stone within budget. Straight or curved wedding bands both complement this style effectively.

Next steps for a ring you will love

You now understand five timeless three stone engagement ring designs, each offering distinctive character whilst maintaining enduring elegance. Your next step involves choosing which style resonates most with your vision, whether that’s the architectural precision of emerald cuts or the romantic curves of cushion stones. The right design should feel both personally meaningful and visually balanced, creating a ring you’ll love wearing every day.

Book a consultation at A Star Diamonds to explore these designs with expert guidance from Hatton Garden goldsmiths and gemologists. Your appointment allows you to see different stone combinations, compare metal options, and discuss how your chosen style works with your budget. A Star Diamonds creates your ring with lifetime benefits including free resizing and cleaning, ensuring your design remains as beautiful decades from now as the day you first wear it.