21 Unique Engagement Ring Ideas For LGBTQ+ Couples

The couple: Peloton instructor Jess King and rock star Sophia Urista
The story behind the rings: "I wanted a simple, strong statement ring, nothing too delicate or ornate," King said. "I linked with jeweler Grace Lee out of LA to create a ring that I could comfortably wear that would withstand my high-impact lifestyle but that would also sparkle. My ring is a 9mm Old European-cut moissanite, so it shines like a disco ball, and the band is solid gold. For ethical and lifestyle reasons, I wasn't comfortable running around town with a giant diamond on my finger. The intention is to create a stack — one ring for each new milestone, including our wedding, our first baby, etc. Looks like I should probably start designing ring number two being that we're expecting our first baby, due in November."

Urista also has a moissanite, but the aesthetic is totally different despite the same rainbow-like light reflection. "I sat with my favorite jewelry/clothing designer, Soull Ogun, cocreator of L'Enchanteur, and based the design on their 'Never Land' ring, representing a story that never ends," she explained. "There's an opening where the stones face each other as if looking into a mirror and reflecting off one another — the same, but still individuals. When I saw this concept, I saw our love represented. The ring is cast in 14k gold but is more affordable, which, with two pretty large stones, suits my active lifestyle. I never take it off and don't have to keep it in a safe. I still wanted a diamond, so Soull added a chocolate diamond kiss at the base of the ring. I now think I was foreshadowing our baby due this fall."

The couple: Digital creator Ivanka De Koning and photographer Victoria Matthews
The story behind the rings: "We worked with our friend Maggi Simpkins to design our special rings. I wanted something unique and different, and she specializes in special pieces that represent the couple. I was sure of a salt and pepper diamond and was obsessed with a kite-shaped diamond, as it flatters a ring finger so well! The piece also felt timeless and something I would be proud to pass down for generations," De Koning shared.

"My wife Vic knew I had a specific idea and style in mind, so she let me work with Maggi separately. Then, once the ring was ready, Vic arranged the logistics as she still wanted a surprise proposal. Even though I knew the ring was coming, I was still caught by surprise! She proposed in one of our favorite locations, Washington Square Park, surrounded by our best friends. Vic's ring is also designed by Maggi and our wedding date is inscribed inside. It's a classic gold band that fits her style and personality well. Working with a designer for bespoke wedding rings made the process more intimate and special — especially with a designer who's a longtime friend. I love that we both get to say she designed our rings!"

The couple: Makeup/skin-care digital creator Aditya Madiraju and creative director and producer Amit Shah
The story behind the rings: "In 2018, we decided to get married at City Hall in New York and discussed we would get temporary rings within a limited budget. On the day of ring shopping (the wedding was the next day), we went separate ways so we could surprise each other. Aditya was at Zales searching for a ring when there was a sudden electric power issue at home. Meanwhile, Amit went to Cartier and purchased one of their classic bands. (I guess he didn't really want to stick to our plan.) The interesting thing is we couldn't wear either of the rings at first because they didn't fit," the couple said.

"We had two wedding ceremonies because our South Asian identity has always been very important to us, so in 2019, during our Indian ceremony, we both opted for Love rings from Cartier. Every year on our anniversary, we add a new piece of jewelry to our collection, which we hope to pass along to our kids and, eventually, our grandkids."

The couple: "Mean Girls" actor, TV host, and author Jonathan Bennett and TV host Jaymes Vaughan

The story behind the rings: "When I went to propose to Jonathan last year, I was in search of a ring for a while. I couldn't find anything anywhere that fit what I wanted. I wanted something for both of us, and I wanted a tradition. That's when I realized, 'I'm just going to create it.' After we shared our proposal, people started custom ordering the ring from Kay Jewelers, so we designed and launched Our Ring on the brand's site," Jaymes said.

Bennett followed up: "Not only is this the first time people are going to be able to buy a ring like this specifically for our community from Kay, but it's also an engagement and a wedding ring in one. Having a ring that's available from a major retailer that you don't have to custom order takes away the 'otherness' of your LGBTQ+ relationship."

The couple: Trans activist and cofounder of Trace app for transitioning folks and their allies Aydian Dowling and energy healer, astrologer, MSW Jenilee Dowling
The story behind the rings: Aydian bought Jenilee a vintage-inspired engagement ring that inspired him to spontaneously propose on the beach after a meaningful day of painting their new bedroom. It was the same style she had once put on a vision board, and she said yes right away. Soon after, Aydian confessed his need for a diamond as well, so they were sure to include one in his wedding band. The couple's wedding story was documented on MTV-Logo's "It Gets Better" special, where the couple came out to family and friends as a trans and cis couple through the airing of the show.

Aydian and Jenilee's 10-year wedding anniversary rings found in a vintage antique shop — hers an opal and his a black opal, since opals symbolize passion and love.

The couple: Medical technologist Jade Paris-Robinson and sales associate Shaina Paris-Robinson

The story behind the rings: "I proposed to Shaina first at the Parthenon in Nashville, TN. The day I picked out her ring at Zales, I was also due to find out if I had landed my dream job, which would require us to move halfway across the country. As I am in Zales, I get the phone call I was anxiously awaiting and found out that I got the job! I was crying in Zales like a hot mess because this was a sign from the universe that Shaina was meant to take on this journey of life with me forever. Shaina's ring is a 1/2-carat princess cut. Shaina proposed to me in Houston on my birthday with an emerald-cut rose gold morganite ring. We won a wedding contest and were married in New York City at the Top of the Rock on March 10, 2020, right before they started shutting down the city."

The couple: Food blogger, photographer, and teacher June Hall and Rashida Joiner

The story behind the ring: "We had been discussing getting married, and Rashida asked what type of rings I liked. I have never been a basic person who wanted a diamond. I told Rashida I'd love a ring that was rose gold with a morganite stone. Rashida began researching jewelry stores that offered that type of ring but was not satisfied. She then began researching designers who could create something custom and stumbled upon Laurie Sarah, based in LA. Together, they started the process of customizing the ring, and the end result was this handmade 14k rose gold ring with a radiant-cut 3.5-carat morganite stone sitting in a diamond-encrusted halo."

The couple: Bobby Schuessler, editor and fashion director, and Robbie Shaw

The story behind the rings: "We both went for platinum bands from Tiffany & Co. to keep it classic and timeless. Now we're on the hunt for unique pinky rings to add into our rotations for when we actually get married as well."

The couple: Public health social worker Benjamin Rosado and tech recruiter Freddie Montgomery of mon.sado

The story behind the rings: "Marriage had been a discussion, but little did I know Benjamin would be orchestrating a surprise proposal for me on our upcoming trip to Thailand. I should have been clued when we went ring shopping at the Jewelers Building in downtown Boston a month before our trip. We spent three hours one Saturday 'casually' ring shopping until we stumbled upon BRAG (Boston Ring and Gem). I landed on a 14k dome gold ring with a step, which captured my classic/nonflashy style."

"Benjamin, on the other hand, was very particular. He wanted a wooden ring that symbolized our cultural backgrounds. Benjamin is Guatemalan/Puerto Rican, and I am Jamaican/African-American. By some miracle, he stumbled onto Naturaleza Organic Jewelry, a Central American-owned business that specializes in making wooden rings! He chose guayacan wood, native to Jamaica and Central America, with a recycled-gold inlay. His ring represents the fusion of both our ancestral roots coming together with elegance and pride."

The couple: LGBTQ+ travel vloggers Allie+Sam

The story behind the rings: "I proposed to Sam first, and I snuck on to her Etsy account to see if she had saved any favorite rings. Sure enough, she saved the same one, a round morganite, a few times! I was very drawn to Evorden since it's a Canadian-based company and could make the ring in time."

"I picked my ring out myself. I kept being drawn to the same pear-shape aquamarine ring, which just so happened to be from Evorden as well. Sam ordered it and proposed back to me. We both went with nondiamond center stones because it felt less typical and more 'us.' But both our rings do have diamond halos, and our wedding bands, from Hearts on Fire Co., are diamonds as well."

The couple: NYC-based Tech IT Jay Leaf-Clark and writer JJ Leaf-Clark

The story behind the rings: "Asking JJ to marry me felt like it was years in the making even though we had only officially been dating a year. When we first met in 2015, we told ourselves that it 'wasn't the right time,' and when we found each other again, we always kicked ourselves that we didn't do it then. When I planned JJ's surprise engagement, I wanted his ring to not only be beautiful but a representation of what I should have done years ago."

"The ring is a cushion-cut eternity band and is about 10 carats, set in white gold. It's not subtle by any means, but after all that lost time, neither is my love for JJ. For my ring, I looked for something simple that complemented JJ's ring and represented my personality. I settled on a gold eternity band with much smaller stones all around."

The couple: Vancouver-based travel and lifestyle bloggers behind Lezseetheworld

The story behind the rings: "All lesbian couples are different, but we both chose to wear engagement rings after Steph proposed! We have vintage engagement rings that each suit our individual styles. Katie wanted a classic solitaire setting and found a beautiful, traditional ring with a round diamond and a white gold band. Steph wanted something more intricate and chose a three-stone 'past, present, and future' setting, with round-cut diamonds and a white gold band. We both wanted vintage rings with their own character and found them on Etsy! They suit us so well individually, and we love how unique they are."

The couple: Dancer and interior designer Javontre Booker and dancer Jordan Medley

The story behind the rings: Tre found the gold ring for Jordan online, looking for something affordable that complemented Jordan's personality. It had to be simple because Jordan doesn't like flashy things. On the other hand, Jordan is a dance artist, teacher, and choreographer who was working within a budget. He decided he wanted a Tungsten ring in a simple color so they could splurge on the bigger event later on. Both rings are intended to be a reflection of the commitment Jordan and Tre have to each other: it's tough and solid.

The couple: LGBTQ+ advocates and family and travel bloggers The Baileys

The story behind the rings: "Katie and I each wanted to pick out a ring instead of being surprised by the other person. We knew exactly what we wanted — or so we thought — so we went to Fred Meyer Jewelry and were helped by a sales associate who thought we were sisters. (We're always nervous to tell people we're gay because the reaction isn't always positive.) Katie thought she wanted a ring with a diamond lined by smaller diamonds, and I thought I wanted a single, simple diamond, but we ended up wanting what the other one had. We decided against getting bands since we had a budget to stick to for our small beach wedding."

"On the night before our wedding as we were watching the sun go down in Hawaii, Katie pulled out two bands and surprised me. One band was engraved with 'Forever forever' and the other with 'and always' — our favorite saying throughout our relationship. The bands were matching, each lined with small diamonds. On the weekends when we're around the kids, we just wear the bands, but when we go to work, we wear our full ring sets."

The couple: Educators and travel bloggers Mokirah Adventures

The story behind the rings: "Monica went on a (stressful) journey to find a ring to propose, which was a total surprise. Akirah had previously shared the type of ring she liked, but after many attempts going down the engagement ring rabbit hole, Monica landed on a beautiful shop called Icing on the Ring in downtown LA, where she customized a ring for Akirah, to be given in a simple, budget-friendly proposal on New Year's Eve. The couple brought in 2017 engaged."

"Akirah spent a few months searching for a ring for Monica, but they landed at Shane & Co searching for simple band styles. Monica kept (mentally) upgrading for more bling until they settled on the most perfect blingy band."

The couple: Author Zara Barrie and Meghan Dziuma

The story behind the rings: "My wife Meghan proposed to me first on Facebook Live with a stunningly beautiful vintage diamond and platinum engagement ring from 1910! I have an extremely sparkly, wild sense of fashion and had zero interest in anything simple. And this ring is not simple; it has insane attention to detail and is very art deco, which is one of my favorite jewelry styles! I was completely floored when she proposed, and we hadn't even discussed engagement rings or any of that bridal jazz. You can imagine how wildly impressed I was that she intrinsically knew that a fabulous, one-of-a-kind, vintage engagement ring is my thing. In typical millennial style, she found it on the Doyle & Doyle Instagram (an amazing vintage jewelry shop in New York's Meatpacking District) and knew it was the one. 'Love at first diamond sight,' I suppose."

"A couple of months later I decided to propose back to Meghan. I chose a classic, sophisticated Cartier Love ring because Meghan, unlike yours truly, isn't super extra or ultra glam. She's very downtown Manhattan chic — a 'black leather pants with a black blouse' kind of girl — and I knew the gold in the ring would complement her all-black attire. The ring has a sexy, androgynous vibe to it, yet its symbolism of being 'locked up in love' is deep and romantic, like her. Purr! Lucky for both of us, we wear the same ring size, so the sizing was the easiest part of the whole process!"

The couple: LGBTQ+, travel, and photography bloggers behind Once Upon a Jrny

The story behind the ring: "I found the engagement ring I picked for Roxanne on Etsy. The ring is symbolic: Rox is my 'rock,' my raw diamond. She's not perfectly polished, and neither is the engagement ring! It was very hard to buy a ring in secret, since we were traveling full time and were together 24/7. The ring is handcrafted by Sirilak Samanasak, who has a cute jewelry store in Chiang Mai, Thailand (which is where I proposed during the lantern festival). Roxanne actually lost the diamond on her first engagement ring, but we had a new one made by Sirilak one year later. Our wedding rings are also made by her!"

The couple: Opera singer Eric Eichelberger and communications partner Gerald McLeod.

The story behind the ring: "I started searching for the ring for Eric at the beginning of the year. I knew exactly what type of ring he wanted and what would be a fit for him. I searched at a few different stores, and after attending a diamond showing at Zales, I was dedicated to working with them to find the perfect ring. When I sat down to discuss the ring I wanted at Zales, I was approached first with the ring I ended up purchasing. It's a single row of diamonds that covers three-quarters of the ring. I was impressed by the beauty and knew it was the perfect one."

The couple: LGBTQ+ bloggers behind Two Femme Gems

The story behind the ring: "I knew I didn't want an over-the-top ring. I don't really wear a ton of jewelry and was looking for something classic and minimal. Alexa and I went to look at rings together about six months before she proposed. I showed her the style I liked. What I really love about my ring is how Alexa took my direction and built off of it to put her own spin on it. She really made it the special piece of jewelry that it is. Every day I get to look down at this beautiful physical representation of our love, and to me, that's just pure magic! A huge part of our proposal was the box the ring came in, which is a Mrs. Box, so you'll see photos of that ahead."

The couple: Hospital midwife Nicolette Gressett and childcare provider and business owner Samantha Gressett

The story behind the rings: "I purchased Samantha's ring first and proposed to her traditionally while on vacation in England — one knee, musicians, beautiful view, the whole nine yards. I carried it with me at all times on that trip, and every time I had a moment away from her, I kept taking it out to gaze at it. We both think of that ring as a memento of the greatest trip imaginable. We had just seen "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" the night I proposed, so her ring, in an unplated white gold with a warm oval diamond and intricate customized details, has 'Always' engraved, a HP reference. The ring is made by Single Stone, purchased at Greenwich St. Jewelers."

"Samantha gave me my ring a couple months after receiving hers. The unplated white gold ring contains an heirloom diamond, given to Samantha by her grandmother. It also features diamonds from my mother's wedding ring. The ring was custom designed at Greenwich St. Jewelers in NYC with the same team that designed Samantha's ring. My ring is one of a kind, and I plan to pass it down as a family heirloom. So far three generations have been connected to it. Marquise was already my favorite cut, so I like to think that I was meant to wear it. It also has a bit of a medieval feel, which we are both into as cosplayers."

The couple: Travel bloggers Happily Ever Strong

The story behind the ring: "Brittini exudes class and elegance, so she wanted something timeless. The ring is a 2.2-carat cushion-cut solitaire. With the help of our jeweler at Family & Co. Jewelers in Mount Laurel, NJ, I chose and modified a strong double-pronged setting that was dainty enough for Brit's taste."