Engagement Ring Trends 2026: What Metro Vancouver Couples Are Choosing
Engagement ring trends in 2026 look noticeably different from a few years ago, and the shift is real, not just marketing. At Vanhess Jewellery in Coquitlam, BC, the rings couples ask about when they walk in have changed: more elongated stone shapes, more yellow gold, more colour, and far more lab-grown diamonds than even two years back. Here is what is actually moving, with a look at what Tri-Cities couples in particular keep requesting at our bench.
Lab-grown is now the majority choice
The biggest change isn't a style, it's the stone. Lab-grown diamonds have gone from alternative to default. According to The Knot's 2025 Real Weddings Study, reported by Rapaport, 61% of couples chose a lab-grown centre stone in 2025, up from passing the 50% mark for the first time the year before. A separate McKinsey study, covered by Fortune, found roughly half of millennial and Gen Z couples now pick lab-grown.
The reason most couples give us is straightforward: a lab-grown stone lets the same budget buy a bigger or cleaner diamond, or frees up money for a nicer setting. Whether that is right for you is a personal call, and natural diamonds still hold appeal for buyers who want a mined stone. But if you assumed lab-grown was a niche option, that assumption is now out of date.
Elongated cuts keep winning
Oval leads, and the wider family of elongated shapes follows: elongated cushion, radiant, emerald, and the marquise making a quiet comeback. The appeal is practical as much as aesthetic. An elongated stone looks larger than a round of the same carat weight because the surface area is stretched, and it flatters the finger by lengthening it. Ovals in particular have been the most-requested shape in our shop for a while now, and 2026 hasn't changed that.
Hidden halos
The hidden halo is the detail that keeps showing up. Instead of a ring of small diamonds around the centre stone where everyone can see it, the accent diamonds sit underneath, circling the base of the setting. From the top the ring reads as a clean solitaire. From the side it sparkles. It is a way to add some shine and a little finger coverage without the busier look of a traditional halo, and it photographs beautifully, which matters more than it used to.
Toi-et-moi
Toi-et-moi, French for "you and me," puts two stones side by side on one band, often two different shapes like a pear and an oval. The two-stone idea is old, but it has come back strong with younger couples who want something that isn't a single solitaire. The symbolism of two stones for two people writes itself, which is part of the draw. We have set more of these in the last year than in the previous several combined.
Coloured stones
Not every centre stone is a diamond anymore. Sapphires lead the coloured-stone request list, in blues but also the softer teals and peach-pink tones. The pull is individuality: a coloured centre is unmistakably yours, and often costs less than a comparable diamond. If you go this route, mind the hardness of the stone for daily wear, which is a conversation worth having before you decide.
The yellow gold revival
White metals dominated for years. That has flipped. Yellow gold is back in a serious way for engagement rings, especially paired with warmer stone shapes and thinner bands. Rose gold still has its fans, but yellow is the colour we are sizing and setting most often right now. It reads warmer and a little more vintage, and it suits the elongated solitaire styles that are leading.
Thin pavé bands
Bands have gotten slimmer. A thin band, sometimes with a row of tiny pavé diamonds along the top, makes the centre stone look larger by comparison and keeps the whole ring delicate. It is the opposite of the chunky settings of a decade ago. The one thing to weigh: very thin bands need a little more care over the years, and our goldsmith does see thin shanks come in for reinforcement, so it is a style choice with a small maintenance footnote.
2026 trends at a glance
| Trend | What it is | Why couples choose it |
|---|---|---|
| Lab-grown centre | Lab-created diamond, 61% of 2025 rings | Bigger or cleaner stone per dollar |
| Elongated cuts | Oval, radiant, emerald, marquise | Looks larger, lengthens the finger |
| Hidden halo | Accent diamonds under the centre stone | Sparkle without a busy top view |
| Toi-et-moi | Two stones side by side | Symbolism and a non-solitaire look |
| Coloured stones | Sapphire and teal/peach tones | Individuality, often lower cost |
| Yellow gold | Warm yellow metal returning | Warmer, vintage-leaning look |
| Thin pavé bands | Slim shank with tiny diamonds | Makes the centre stone look larger |
Key Takeaways
- Lab-grown diamonds are now the majority choice, at 61% of 2025 engagement rings per The Knot.
- Elongated cuts, led by ovals, remain the most-requested shapes because they look larger and flatter the finger.
- Hidden halos and toi-et-moi two-stone designs are the standout setting trends.
- Yellow gold has overtaken white metals for engagement rings, often paired with thin pavé bands.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the engagement ring trends for 2026?
The leading 2026 trends are lab-grown centre stones, elongated cuts like oval and radiant, hidden halos, toi-et-moi two-stone designs, coloured stones such as sapphire, a return to yellow gold, and thin pavé bands. The biggest single shift is lab-grown becoming the majority choice for centre diamonds.
Are lab-grown diamonds popular for engagement rings now?
Yes, they are now the majority. The Knot's 2025 Real Weddings Study found 61% of couples chose a lab-grown centre stone, up from passing 50% the year before. Couples choose them mainly because the same budget buys a larger or cleaner stone than a comparable mined diamond.
What engagement ring shape is most popular in 2026?
Oval is the most popular shape, with other elongated cuts like radiant, emerald, and marquise close behind. Elongated stones look larger than a round of the same carat weight because their surface area is stretched, and they lengthen the appearance of the finger.
Is yellow gold back in style for engagement rings?
Yes. After years of white metals dominating, yellow gold has returned as the leading choice for engagement rings in 2026. It reads warmer and slightly vintage, and it pairs naturally with the elongated solitaire styles and thin bands that are trending.
Sources
- Rapaport: Lab-Grown "Taking Over" Engagement-Ring Spending (The Knot 2025 Real Weddings Study)
- Fortune: Gen Z and millennials choose lab-grown diamonds (McKinsey study)
Data sourced June 2026. If you spot something out of date, let us know and we'll update the guide.
Visit Vanhess
If you want to see ovals, hidden halos, and yellow gold in person before deciding, come to Vanhess Jewellery at 2929 Barnet Highway, Unit 2424, Coquitlam BC. We design and set engagement rings on site, so we can build the trend you like into something made for your hand. Browse our engagement rings, book a virtual styling appointment, or call +1 (604) 653-6449.
