The Greeks believed that the fire in a diamond reflected the constant flame of love. The Romans suggested that diamonds were tears of the gods. For the Indians, they were good luck charms warding off illness, thieves, and forces of evil. To others, they were stones that would heal and bestow knowledge - talismans of power and purity.

   Once reserved for royalty or the very rich, diamond rings are now an accessible luxury. Happy, pretty and loved are how diamond engagement rings make any women feel. And diamond engagement rings are proudly worn as potent symbols of commitment, devotion, celebration, wealth, and love. Nothing beats the look of a diamond engagement ring on your hand.

   It is vitally important when choosing an engagement ring that it reflects the wearer's taste, personality and also meets any practical requirements. Think about the wear and tear the ring will have and chose accordingly.

   So, what are today's styles for engagement rings? Truth is, sometimes women want to sport a brilliant, beautiful diamond engagement ring on their hand that doesn't look like a wedding band, or anniversary ring. Sometimes, women want to wear this ring on their right hand - or even the middle finger of their left to avoid tan lines or to perform some professional duties. These demands are what inspire jewellers to create so many unique engagement ring designs.

   The only hard and fast design rule is that there are no hard and fast rules! Engagement rings come in all shapes, sizes and styles. There is plenty of opportunity to have a ring that is as unique as you are.

   Some of the latest design trends for engagement rings are bold, yet feminine - many with an art deco influence. Hallmarks of the hottest engagement ring looks include:

   * Geometric, art deco shapes such as diamond circles or squares; * Wide "band" style engagement rings that are chunky, yet feminine; * Asymmetrical designs that feature an unusually cut diamond, such as princess cut; * Coloured diamonds (fancy yellow, cognac, or chocolate brown) * Mixing round brilliant diamonds with fancy shapes; * The use of open-air space within the ring design (showing diamonds against skin) to give a substantial ring a light, airy, modern look.

   Diamond engagement rings are a great choice as they are timeless and compliment any outfit or other jewellery. Remember that an engagement ring will be a ring you'll wear for a lifetime so it is worth choosing carefully. Make sure you try on all the styles that appeal to you so that you make an informed choice. Also you'll need to think about how it will sit with your wedding ring and most likely an eternity ring down the line.