Many couples are gravitating towards the three-stone engagement ring for its symbolism. The three stones can represent the growth of your relationship from the past memories that have made you who you are to your present life together to your hopes for a future full of love and happiness. Three-stone rings also have a universally appealing natural symmetry that is flattering on almost every finger.

While solitaire and halo styles will always be classic choices, a three-stone style can provide more flexibility to create a truly unique ring by incorporating colored gemstones into the design. Three gems working together to deliver maximum brilliance also takes the pressure off finding a single flawless stone, which can help you stretch your budget a little bit further.

The most common shapes for three-stone rings are princess cut and round cut because they have smooth edges that can be set next to each other easily. Emerald cut, asscher cut and sometimes oval cut are also options for a larger center stone set between two smaller baguette or marquise cut stones.

More than any other style, a three-stone ring can come in many different shapes and sizes so working with a jeweler to come up with a custom design is the best way to narrow down your options and ensure you end up with the ring of your dreams.

As always, your budget and the style you’re going for will dictate what to look for in an engagement ring. If you have a strict budget, the flexibility of the three-stone style can help you shift your priorities and find a the best way to get a ring you love at a price that makes sense for you.

Since three-stone styles are so versatile, there are plenty of ways to add your own spin to your engagement ring. Whether you already know exactly what you want, or you’re open to new ideas, here are a few of the most popular three-stone engagement ring styles to consider.