Bollywood engagement rings have become as closely watched as the proposals themselves. Fans study photos, jewelers estimate carats, and style columns compare settings. Beyond the sparkle, these rings tell a story about each bride’s personal taste, lifestyle and practical needs. Below I look at some of the most talked-about Bollywood engagement rings — from Alia Bhatt to Kiara Advani — and explain the design, materials and purchase lessons you can take away.
Notable Bollywood engagement rings — what they look like
- Alia Bhatt — Alia’s engagement ring, as seen in public photos, reads as a classic solitaire set in a white metal. Jewelers who examined press images estimated the center stone in the ~2–3 carat range. The solitaire style and white metal (platinum or 18k white gold) keep the look restrained and wearable. Why it works: a well-cut solitaire maximizes fire and brilliance without additional diamonds, so a mid‑to‑large carat stone reads elegant rather than ornate.
- Kiara Advani — Kiara’s ring appears to favor a cushion/oval center with a surrounding halo and a diamond‑pavé band. Halo settings visually amplify size: a 1.5–2 carat center will look larger when surrounded by a ring of smaller stones. The halo also adds extra sparkle and protects the center stone’s edges, which is practical for regular wear.
- Priyanka Chopra — Priyanka’s well-publicized engagement ring from Nick Jonas was widely reported as an oval/modified cut with a notable carat size (reports around 3–4 carats). It’s mounted in a classic solitaire style by a designer jeweler, emphasizing a single substantial stone rather than heavy sidework. Larger solitary stones are a show of traditional luxury and photograph well.
- Deepika Padukone & Anushka Sharma (examples of different approaches) — Deepika has favored simpler bands and minimal accent stones in engagement/wedding jewelry, while Anushka’s ring choices have included both solitaires and subtle pavé. These contrasting approaches show two practical considerations: a minimal band is easier to stack with wedding bands and wears well for people with active hands; pavé bands add glamour but can be harder to resize.
Design elements explained: cut, setting and metal
- Cut and perceived size: A round brilliant 1 ct diamond is approximately 6.5 mm in diameter; 2 ct is around 8.1–8.3 mm; 3 ct about 9.3–9.5 mm. Ovals and cushions spread weight differently: a 1 ct oval can measure roughly 7.5 x 5 mm and therefore appear larger face‑up than a round 1 ct. That’s why many celebrities choose ovals or cushions to get a bigger visual surface without a proportionally higher carat cost.
- Settings: Solitaires (single stone) are timeless and less prone to snagging. Halo settings add perceived size and protect edges. Pavé and channel settings increase sparkle but complicate resizing and routine maintenance because of many small stones set along the band.
- Metal choice: Celebrities commonly wear platinum (often stamped 950 Pt, about 95% platinum) or 18k white gold (75% gold alloyed with palladium or nickel). Platinum is denser and more durable — a good choice for daily wearers — but it patinas and can be more expensive. 18k yellow or rose gold gives warmth and complements certain skin tones; rose gold contains more copper and is 75% gold plus copper/silver mix.
What these ring choices say about lifestyle and comfort
- Daily wear vs. occasional wear: Celebrities who work on sets and move a lot tend to choose secure settings (four‑ or six‑prong solitaires, bezel settings, or low-profile halos). High-profile events allow for larger, showier stones, but practical everyday wear favors low-profile mounting and platinum for durability.
- Stacking and wedding bands: Narrow solitaire bands pair easily with wedding rings or eternity bands. Wider pavé or channel bands may require custom wedding rings to stack cleanly. This is why several Bollywood brides-to-be later commissioned matching wedding bands to achieve a flush stack.
- Resizing and maintenance: Rings with continuous pavé around the band are the hardest to resize. If you expect size changes, choose a plain section for resizing or pick a setting that allows jeweler access without disturbing small stones.
Buying lessons from Bollywood rings
- Decide on perceived size vs. actual carat: If you want a ring that looks large in photos, consider an elongated shape (oval, marquise) or a halo. This gets a larger face-up appearance for less carat weight.
- Understand the 4Cs: Cut affects brilliance more than carat weight. A well-cut 1.5 ct diamond can look more lively than a poorly cut 3 ct. Balance carat with color and clarity: for a white metal setting, G–H color and VS–SI clarity typically look excellent to the naked eye and give better value.
- Metals and alloys: 18k gold is 75% pure gold; 14k is 58.5% and is harder (better for active wearers). Platinum 950 is favored for longevity and hypoallergenic properties. Choose based on daily use and maintenance tolerance.
- Insure and document: High-value pieces should have a gemologist report (GIA, IGI) and separate insurance. That protects you for loss, theft or damage — a practical step often taken by celebrities and advisable for anyone buying a significant ring.
Care and upkeep — practical tips
- Clean regularly with mild soap and a soft brush; avoid harsh chemicals that can damage metals or dissolve adhesives in some settings.
- Have prongs checked every 6–12 months if worn daily. Loose prongs are the main cause of lost stones.
- Store rings separately to avoid scratches. If the ring has pavé, ask a jeweler about periodic re-tipping or re-setting small stones after several years of wear.
Bollywood engagement rings vary from classic solitaires to ornate halo designs. The best choice blends aesthetic preference with practical considerations: finger size, daily activities, and willingness to maintain the piece. Study the cut, setting and metal before buying, and use celebrity rings as inspiration — not rulebooks. They show possibilities; you still need a ring that suits your life.
I am G S Sachin, a gemologist with a Diploma in Polished Diamond Grading from KGK Academy, Jaipur. I love writing about jewelry, gems, and diamonds, and I share simple, honest reviews and easy buying tips on JewellersReviews.com to help you choose pieces you’ll love with confidence.