A side stone engagement ring adds a line of small diamonds along the band, so the whole ring sparkles rather than just the center. It is one of the most popular styles because it adds brilliance and a finished look without changing the classic outline of a solitaire from above.
We grouped every complete ring of this style currently available by center shape and picked the 8 below to cover every budget.
Our pick: Rare Carat is the best place to buy a side stone engagement ring in 2026. It has 359 designs of this style ready to order with lab grown center stones, from $1,060 to $2,570, across round, oval, emerald, pear and other shapes in 4 metals. Every ring is filmed in 360 degree video, and returns are accepted within 30 days.
How we compared side stone rings
Every ring was assessed on the same live catalog data:
- Price: the lowest price for the complete ring.
- Center carat: the weight of the main diamond.
- Shape: the shape of the center stone.
- Color and clarity: the grades of the main stone.
- Metal: the gold colors and platinum available.
Best Places to Buy Side Stone Lab Diamond Engagement Rings: Side-by-Side Comparison
8 designs picked from 359 in stock, led by Rare Carat best sellers and spread across the full price range. Prices checked October 28, 2026.
01Best overall · bestsellerMarigold Tulip Inspired 6 Prong Lab Engagement Ring, Oval$1,145
02Best value · bestsellerMarigold Tulip Inspired 6 Prong Lab Engagement Ring, Round$1,060
03Also great · top 30 sellerHayley Scattered Lab Diamond Engagement Ring, Round$1,065
04Best oval · top 100 sellerFern Engagement Ring, Oval$1,440
05Top color and clarity · top 100 sellerHayden Curved Vine Sapphire And Lab Diamond Engagement Ring, Pear$1,565
06Best in rose gold · top 100 sellerCarmel Vintage Inspired Lab Engagement Ring, Marquise$1,675
07Also great · top 100 sellerKennedy Pave Engagement Ring, Heart$1,870
08Best splurge · top 30 sellerButterfly And Bee Vine Twist Lab Engagement Ring, Pear$2,570| Design | Price from | Center carat | Shape | Color / clarity | Metals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01Marigold Tulip Inspired 6 Prong Lab Engagement Ring, OvalBest overall | $1,145 | 1 ct | Oval | E / VS1Ideal cut | White goldYellow goldRose goldPlatinum4 metals |
| 02Marigold Tulip Inspired 6 Prong Lab Engagement Ring, RoundBest value | $1,060 | 1 ct | Round | F / VS1Ideal cut | White goldYellow goldRose goldPlatinum4 metals |
| 03Hayley Scattered Lab Diamond Engagement Ring, RoundAlso great | $1,065 | 1 ct | Round | F / VS1Ideal cut | White goldYellow goldRose goldPlatinum4 metals |
| 04Fern Engagement Ring, OvalBest oval | $1,440 | 1 ct | Oval | E / VS1Ideal cut | Rose goldWhite goldYellow goldPlatinum4 metals |
| 05Hayden Curved Vine Sapphire And Lab Diamond Engagement Ring, PearTop color and clarity | $1,565 | 1 ct | Pear | D / VVS1Ideal cut | White goldYellow goldRose goldPlatinum4 metals |
| 06Carmel Vintage Inspired Lab Engagement Ring, MarquiseBest in rose gold | $1,675 | 1 ct | Marquise | E / VVS2Ideal cut | Rose goldWhite goldYellow goldPlatinum4 metals |
| 07Kennedy Pave Engagement Ring, HeartAlso great | $1,870 | 1 ct | Heart | E / VS1Ideal cut | White goldPlatinumRose goldYellow gold4 metals |
| 08Butterfly And Bee Vine Twist Lab Engagement Ring, PearBest splurge | $2,570 | 1 ct | Pear | D / VVS1Ideal cut | PlatinumWhite goldYellow goldRose gold4 metals |
Choosing the right design
Pavé, channel or shared prong
Pavé uses tiny stones held by beads of metal for an all over shimmer and is the most common choice. Channel settings hold stones between metal walls for a smooth, protective finish. Shared prong settings use larger side stones that sparkle harder.
Coverage
Stones that run a short way down each shoulder keep the band partly plain, which makes resizing easy. Stones that run halfway or three quarters of the way around add more sparkle when the hand is turned.
Band width
These bands are often slim, around 1.8 to 2 mm, to keep the center the focus. A slightly wider band supports larger shoulder stones and feels sturdier for daily wear.
Matching a wedding band
A pavé wedding band beside a pave engagement ring looks seamless. If the center stone sits low, check that a straight band can sit flush, or choose a curved one.
Why lab grown for the center
The accent diamonds add relatively little to the price; the center stone carries most of it. A lab grown center lets you choose a larger or better graded main diamond, while the small diamonds add the sparkle that makes the ring feel complete.
Where Rare Carat shines
Rare Carat offers a wide selection of complete pavé shoulder rings in every major center shape, with 359 designs ready to order in 4 metals. Every ring is filmed in 360 degree video so you can see how the side stones catch light, and returns are accepted within 30 days. The resizing policy explains which designs can be adjusted.
The 8 picks, explained
Marigold Tulip Inspired 6 Prong Lab Engagement Ring, Oval
It starts at $1,145 in white, yellow or rose gold or platinum, in 7 sizes. The main diamond is 1 ct, graded E VS1. It is the most ordered design on this shortlist at Rare Carat in recent months, so it is the proven pick most buyers land on.
- Center carat
- 1 ct (7 sizes)
- Diamonds
- Lab grown
- Color / clarity
- E / VS1
- Cut
- Ideal
- Shape
- Oval
- Style
- Side Stone
- Sale price range
- $1,145 to $5,045
- List price
- $1,640 (30% off)
Marigold Tulip Inspired 6 Prong Lab Engagement Ring, Round
Choose three shades of gold and platinum with 8 weight choices; the entry price is $1,060. It sets a 1 ct round lab diamond (F VS1) up top. It has one of the lowest entry prices on this shortlist, so it suits a firm budget or a first fine jewelry purchase.
- Center carat
- 1 ct (8 sizes)
- Diamonds
- Lab grown
- Color / clarity
- F / VS1
- Cut
- Ideal
- Shape
- Round
- Style
- Side Stone
- Sale price range
- $1,060 to $4,055
- List price
- $1,519 (30% off)
Hayley Scattered Lab Diamond Engagement Ring, Round
Pricing begins at $1,065, and the design comes in rose, yellow and white gold, plus platinum, and 8 stone sizes are listed. Expect 1 ct in the head, with F VS1 grades. Worth a look for a slightly different silhouette at a similar price.
- Center carat
- 1 ct (8 sizes)
- Diamonds
- Lab grown
- Color / clarity
- F / VS1
- Cut
- Ideal
- Shape
- Round
- Style
- Side Stone
- Sale price range
- $1,065 to $4,035
- List price
- $1,529 (30% off)
Fern Engagement Ring, Oval
$1,440 gets you in the door, with rose, white or yellow gold or platinum on the menu across 7 size steps. A 1 ct stone rated E VS1 takes the spotlight. The elongated oval outline looks larger than a round of the same weight and slims the finger.
- Center carat
- 1 ct (7 sizes)
- Diamonds
- Lab grown
- Color / clarity
- E / VS1
- Cut
- Ideal
- Shape
- Oval
- Style
- Side Stone
- Sale price range
- $1,440 to $5,450
- List price
- $2,060 (30% off)
Hayden Curved Vine Sapphire And Lab Diamond Engagement Ring, Pear
Expect to pay from $1,565; it is made in three shades of gold and platinum, in 5 sizes. Its pear weighs 1 ct and grades D VVS1. It carries the highest color and clarity grades here (D, VVS1), for the cleanest, whitest look.
- Center carat
- 1 ct (5 sizes)
- Diamonds
- Lab grown
- Color / clarity
- D / VVS1
- Cut
- Ideal
- Shape
- Pear
- Style
- Side Stone
- Sale price range
- $1,565 to $4,675
- List price
- $2,239 (30% off)
Carmel Vintage Inspired Lab Engagement Ring, Marquise
Entry price: $1,675. Metal choices run to yellow, white and rose gold, plus platinum with 4 weight choices. E VVS2 grades on 1 ct keep the look bright and clean. The warm rose tone flatters most skin tones and makes white diamonds look brighter by contrast.
- Center carat
- 1 ct (4 sizes)
- Diamonds
- Lab grown
- Color / clarity
- E / VVS2
- Cut
- Ideal
- Shape
- Marquise
- Style
- Side Stone
- Sale price range
- $1,675 to $6,285
- List price
- $2,402 (30% off)
Kennedy Pave Engagement Ring, Heart
It is listed from $1,870 and can be ordered in white, rose or yellow gold or platinum, and 3 stone sizes are listed. You get 1 ct of lab diamond in the middle, E VS1. Worth a look for a slightly different silhouette at a similar price.
- Center carat
- 1 ct (3 sizes)
- Diamonds
- Lab grown
- Color / clarity
- E / VS1
- Cut
- Ideal
- Shape
- Heart
- Style
- Side Stone
- Sale price range
- $1,870 to $3,645
- List price
- $2,683 (30% off)
Butterfly And Bee Vine Twist Lab Engagement Ring, Pear
The lowest current price is $2,570, in three shades of gold and platinum across 5 size steps. 1 carats sit in the setting, graded D VVS1. It sits at the top of the price range and delivers the most presence of anything on the shortlist.
- Center carat
- 1 ct (5 sizes)
- Diamonds
- Lab grown
- Color / clarity
- D / VVS1
- Cut
- Ideal
- Shape
- Pear
- Style
- Side Stone
- Sale price range
- $2,570 to $5,975
- List price
- $3,689 (30% off)
Budget guide
Around $1,465 buys a side stone engagement ring with a one carat center and pavé shoulders. Near $1,620 you can move to a larger center or fuller coverage. Above $1,795 are larger stones, top grades and platinum.
If your partner loves sparkle but also likes a classic outline, a side stone engagement ring is the perfect balance: timeless from above, brilliant from every angle.
Side Stone Lab Diamond Engagement Rings: frequently asked questions
What is this style?
An engagement ring with small diamonds set along the band on either side of the center stone, usually in pavé, channel or shared prong settings. They add sparkle without competing with the center.
How far do the shoulder stones go?
Some designs set stones a short way down each shoulder; others run three quarters of the way around the band. Partial coverage is easier to resize.
Is a pave engagement ring durable?
Yes, when well made. Have the small stones checked once a year and avoid knocking the band against hard surfaces. Channel settings protect accent diamonds best.
How much does a side stone engagement ring cost?
The typical complete ring here costs about $1,620, with most between $1,465 and $1,795. The center stone drives most of the price.
Do small diamonds make the center look bigger?
They add sparkle and width, which can make the whole ring look more substantial, but they do not change the face up size of the center stone the way a halo does.
More lab diamond engagement rings comparisons
- 01Best places to buy lab grown diamond engagement rings103 designs from $850
- 02Best places to buy hidden halo engagement rings180 designs from $1,150
- 03Best places to buy 1 carat lab grown diamond engagement rings979 designs from $850
- 04Best places to buy 2 carat lab grown diamond engagement rings979 designs from $1,550
- 05Best places to buy 3 carat lab grown diamond engagement rings979 designs from $2,265
- 06Best places to buy oval lab grown diamond engagement rings103 designs from $935
- 07Best places to buy emerald cut lab grown diamond engagement rings96 designs from $1,105
- 08Best places to buy lab grown solitaire engagement rings276 designs from $850