There is something about fall in Colorado that just seems made for engagements. Maybe it’s the cooler evenings, the changing aspens or the fact that a weekend drive into the mountains suddenly feels a little more romantic. Whatever the reason, fall has always been a popular time for couples to start looking at engagement rings. And every year the styles change…at least a little.
For fall 2026, we’re seeing couples move away from the idea that there is one “right” engagement ring. Some still want a traditional round diamond solitaire. Others are looking at oval diamonds, yellow gold, estate rings, colored gemstones or designs that feel like they couldn’t belong to anyone else. At David Ellis Jewelry in Cherry Creek North, that’s probably the biggest trend of all. Our customers want something personal. So, what are couples choosing this fall?
What Engagement Rings Are Trending in Denver for Fall 2026?
Some of the styles getting attention this season include:
- Oval, emerald, marquise and other elongated diamond shapes
- Yellow gold settings
- Vintage and estate engagement rings
- Bezel and lower-profile settings
- Sapphires and other colored gemstones
- Mixed-metal designs
- Custom rings incorporating family or heirloom stones
There are trends within the list above, of course, but we wouldn’t recommend choosing an engagement ring simply because it’s popular in 2026. You’re hopefully going to be looking at this ring forever. It needs to feel perfect long after this fall is over.
Elongated Diamonds Will Not Be Going Away Anytime Soon
Oval diamonds have been popular for several years, and we’re still seeing plenty of interest in them. But they aren’t alone. Emerald, pear and marquise shapes are getting more attention as well. Elongated cushion cuts are another interesting option for someone who wants the softness of a cushion without the squarer appearance of a traditional cut. Part of the attraction is pretty straightforward, elongated stones tend to create a longer appearance across the finger. They can also look a little different without becoming so unusual that the design feels dated five years from now. And then there is the round brilliant. It isn’t trendy because it doesn’t really have to be. A beautiful round diamond in a simple solitaire setting looked great 30 years ago, still looks great now and will probably look just as great 30 years from now.
Yellow Gold Looks Especially Good in a Colorado Fall
Yellow gold has found its way back into engagement rings in a big way. For fall, it makes even more sense. The warmer color works beautifully with the yellows, reds and browns we see around Colorado this time of year, but there is a practical side to the choice, too. Both 14K and 18K yellow gold can work beautifully with diamonds, sapphires and other gemstones. It can also give a newly made ring some of the warmth people associate with older jewelry.
White gold, platinum and rose gold certainly haven’t disappeared. In fact, we’re also seeing couples become more comfortable mixing metals. A yellow gold band with white metal prongs, for example, can give you the warmth of gold while keeping the metal immediately surrounding a colorless diamond less noticeable.
If you’re trying to understand the differences between precious metals before choosing your ring, check out our guide to choosing wedding bands in Denver as it may offer some additional tips.
Vintage Rings Provide a Feeling from the Past
There’s a reason people stop when they see a great old ring in the case. Vintage and estate engagement rings are not perfectly uniform, and that’s part of their appeal. An Art Deco ring might have geometric lines, hand engraving, milgrain or small accent diamonds arranged in a way you just don’t see in most contemporary jewelry. An older platinum setting can have tiny details you don’t notice until you get close. Some couples want a genuine vintage ring. Others want a new ring incorporating those older design elements. Both can work. We’ve noticed that people interested in vintage engagement rings are often less concerned about what everyone else is wearing. They want something special with a history behind it…or at least something that looks as though it might. If that sounds like you, take a look at our guide to estate jewelry in Denver and what makes it valuable. It may provide some additional guidance as you look for your perfect engagement ring.
Bezel Settings Make Sense for the Way Coloradans Live
This is one trend that feels particularly at home in Colorado. A bezel setting surrounds all or part of a gemstone’s edge with metal rather than relying entirely on traditional prongs. The look is clean, but it can also provide some additional protection around the edge of the stone. That’s worth considering if you’re the person who wears your ring everywhere. Whether you hiking. skiing. cycling. camping, working in the garden or taking the dog up into the foothills your covered. Colorado isn’t exactly a sit-still kind of place.
We’re also seeing interest in lower-profile settings for similar reasons. Not everyone wants a diamond sitting high above the finger, especially if the ring regularly catches on gloves, sweaters or jackets. That doesn’t mean a bezel is automatically the right choice for an active person. It means lifestyle should be part of the conversation when choosing the setting.
Colored Gemstones Are Making Engagement Rings More Personal
Diamonds will always dominate engagement rings, but they certainly aren’t the only option. Sapphires are an obvious alternative because they’re beautiful, available in far more colors than many people realize and durable enough for everyday jewelry when treated appropriately. Emeralds and rubies can create completely different looks as well. And colored diamonds are another possibility. We’ve also seen more interest in rings that combine a colored center stone with smaller diamonds. It’s a great way to get some color into an engagement ring without moving too far away from a traditional design. And sometimes there is a more personal reason for the stone. It could be a birthstone, a family connection or simply a color someone has always loved.
Natural or Lab-Grown Diamonds? Couples Are Looking at Both
This conversation has become a normal part of buying an engagement ring. Natural diamonds, as you know, are formed within the earth over an enormous span of geological time. Laboratory grown diamonds are produced under controlled conditions using processes such as CVD (chemical vapor disposition) or HPHT (high pressure, high temperature). They aren’t the same in origin, but both are diamonds. For couples, the decision often comes down to priorities. Some people want a natural diamond and won’t seriously consider anything else. Others like the price and size possibilities offered by laboratory-grown stones. Either can be an excellent choice. The same applies to size. A bigger diamond isn’t automatically a better diamond. Cut, color, clarity and carat weight all matter, but what you see when the ring is actually on your hand matters too.
Custom Rings Are Becoming More Personal
This might be our favorite trend because technically it isn’t much of a trend at all. People are mixing ideas. Someone might like an oval diamond but want it in a bezel. Another person may want a yellow gold ring with platinum prongs. Someone else might bring in their grandmother’s diamond and ask whether it can become part of a completely new ring. That’s where engagement ring shopping gets interesting. Instead of asking, “What’s popular?” the conversation becomes, “What do I actually like?” If you’re starting with an inherited ring, it’s also worth having the piece evaluated before changing anything. Older settings and stones sometimes have characteristics that aren’t obvious at first glance.
Don’t Forget What Happens After the Proposal
Finding the ring is only half the fun. Fall gives us some spectacular places to propose in Colorado. Red Rocks, Lookout Mountain, Washington Park and Denver Botanic Gardens are all close to the city, while Aspen, Vail, Telluride and Estes Park turn the whole thing into a weekend. We’ve put together our own list of the best places to propose in Colorado if you need a few ideas. Just remember that Colorado weather has a personality of its own. A perfect 65-degree October afternoon can become a cold evening pretty quickly. Just make sure to have a backup plan.
What About Everything Else at David Ellis Jewelry?
Engagement rings are only part of what we do at our Cherry Creek store. People searching for “David Ellis Jewelry 2640 E 3rd Ave Denver” or the “David Ellis Cherry Creek location” are sometimes surprised by how broad the collection is when they actually walk through the door. You’ll find engagement and estate jewelry, precious metals, antiques and luxury watches.
We also work with people looking to buy gold or sell gold in Denver. Online searches such as “buy gold Denver CO”, “sell gold Denver CO”, “David Ellis sell gold Denver”, “sell gold near me”, and “sell gold David Ellis Denver” often bring people to us for an in-person evaluation.
And watches are another big part of the store. Collectors doing Google searches for “buy Rolex Denver”, “buy Rolex”, or even “sell Rolex” will find that our inventory contains the most unique Rolex pieces…and that’s part of what makes stopping in interesting. You may come looking for one thing and notice something completely different in the case.
Choosing a Ring That Still Feels Right Years from Now
Trends are fun, they give you somewhere to start. But an engagement ring is different from buying something you’ll replace next season. If you love an oval diamond in yellow gold, take a serious look at one. If you’ve always liked Art Deco jewelry, don’t talk yourself into a plain solitaire because someone says it’s more traditional. And if a sapphire makes you stop and stare every time you see one…maybe that’s telling you something. Then try the rings on. Look at them from different angles. See how they feel on your hand. Think about what you do every day, not just how the ring looks under jewelry store lights. Sometimes the ring you thought you wanted isn’t the one you end up loving. We see that more often than you’d think.
FAQs: Fall 2026 Engagement Rings in Denver
What engagement ring styles are popular in Denver for fall 2026?
Elongated diamond shapes, yellow gold, vintage-inspired rings, bezel settings, colored gemstones and personalized designs are all getting attention. Classic round diamond solitaires remain popular as well.
Are oval engagement rings still popular in 2026?
Yes. Oval diamonds continue to appeal to couples who like an elongated center stone, although emerald, marquise, pear and elongated cushion shapes provide alternatives.
Is yellow gold still popular for engagement rings?
Yes. Both 14K and 18K yellow gold work well for engagement rings and pair beautifully with diamonds and colored gemstones.
Are bezel settings good for active lifestyles?
They can be. A bezel surrounds more of a gemstone’s edge with metal and can offer additional protection. The right setting still depends on the stone, ring design and how you plan to wear it.
Can I use a family diamond in a new engagement ring?
In many cases, yes. The stone and existing setting should be evaluated first to determine their condition and whether resetting the stone is appropriate.
Where is David Ellis Jewelry in Denver?
David Ellis Jewelry is located at 2640 E. 3rd Ave. in Denver’s Cherry Creek North neighborhood. Stop in, look around and take your time. Whether you’re choosing an engagement ring, looking at an estate piece or simply trying to figure out what style feels right, sometimes seeing the jewelry in person makes the decision a whole lot easier.