Find Out Which Engagement Ring is Best for Your Lifestyle

Your career and daily habits matter when it comes to your perfect ring.
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by
Jessica Booth
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Jessica Booth
The Knot Fashion Contributor
  • Jessica is a freelance writer who covers topics such as weddings, parenting, wellness, commerce, health and food.
  • Jessica has written for sites including Cosmopolitan, Delish, Bustle, Romper, Refinery 29, Reviewed, Parents, Brides, People, Forbes, The Daily Beast and many more.
  • Jessica has a degree in journalism and lives on Long Island in New York.
Updated Jan 07, 2025

Trying to decide which engagement ring is best for you is easier said than done. There are so many gorgeous options out there that settling on just one can feel nearly impossible. But when it comes to this very special piece of jewelry, it's about more than just aesthetics. Since an engagement ring is meant to be worn every day, it needs to make sense for your lifestyle. You want a ring you can comfortably wear all the time without worrying about whether or not it will break or fall off, whether you're working with your hands constantly or wearing medical gloves for hours. Read on to learn which engagement ring is right for you and your lifestyle.

In this article:

How to Know Which Engagement Ring is Right For You

While personal style is certainly an important part of picking the perfect engagement ring (you obviously want something you love to look at), there are other things to consider as well. "Ultimately, the best engagement ring is one that balances beauty, practicality and, most importantly, your own personality and preferences," says Ashley Taylor, lead jewelry designer and co-founder of Taylor Custom Rings. Here's what to consider.

Your Job

What you do for work is an important consideration when it comes to engagement rings. If your job involves working with your hands in some way, you may want to avoid engagement rings that feel particularly delicate. Pay close attention to engagement ring settings and diamond shapes. Some careers, like those in healthcare and childcare, may call for a more low-profile ring. On the other hand, office jobs that mostly involve a computer offer a lot more flexibility since your ring likely won't be getting in the way of anything.

Your Daily Activities

When looking for an engagement ring, Taylor recommends starting by "reflecting on your lifestyle and routines." Think about how you spend most of your time, your daily habits and any hobbies you have. A very active lifestyle—spending a lot of time at the gym, swimming or running—may mean a more low-profile ring would work better.

Your Style

You want your engagement ring to work well with your job and daily activities, but you also want it to be a good fit with your personality and personal style. Look for an engagement ring that suits you, like something more trendy and elaborate if you're very stylish or something more low-key and simple if you prefer minimalism.

Which Engagement Ring is Right for You?

How do you know which engagement ring is right for you? Consider engagement rings based on your profession that also fit your personal style, budget, and your overall lifestyle. Look for one you love that makes sense with what you do daily.

Engagement rings for creatives

Artists or anyone working in a creative field that requires hands-on work will want to consider a ring that can withstand that type of daily wear and tear. "Choose a style that can easily be cleaned," Taylor suggests. "A solitaire with clean lines and a thicker band might work well." You may want to avoid styles such as a lot of pavé diamonds or cluster engagement rings, which can collect dirt and grime in little spaces that are hard to clean. A super durable engagement ring metal, like platinum, may also be the best choice here.

Engagement rings for healthcare workers

Working in the medical field means you probably spend a lot of time wearing gloves and washing your hands constantly. Look for an engagement ring for nurses, doctors or other healthcare workers that won't easily snag or tear a pair of medical gloves. Taylor recommends a flat band or low setting. "Bezel settings and low profiles are your best friend," she says. The same goes for anyone who works with children as a teacher or in a daycare—opt for something low-profile that won't snag.

Engagement rings for office workers

Working on a computer all day means you have a lot of flexibility with your ring—since you're only really using your hands to type, you don't have to worry about your ring getting in the way. "You can pick almost any style of ring," Taylor says. "Go for the one you love best. A showy center stone, plenty of accent diamonds and maximum sparkle all play well here."

Engagement rings for active lifestyles

If you're constantly at the gym, always going for a run or lifting weights on a regular basis, you want a ring that won't get damaged easily. Look for a low profile setting, like a bezel setting. A center stone that doesn't pop out too much won't snag as easily. You may want a flat, wider band here instead of something very thin or delicate. A round or oval center stone with a halo may be the better option compared to something more pointy. Taylor also recommends investing in a silicone ring to wear to the gym since she notes that any engagement ring can get damaged when lifting weights.

Engagement rings for someone who works in fashion

Whether you work in the fashion industry or you're an influencer on social media, you probably want your ring to be a reflection of your style—something that reflects your personal brand that stands out is the way to go. "You'll want to think about what makes you unique, what will go well with your look and what will get the kind of attention you want," Taylor says.

Engagement rings for a risky career

Consider whether your career puts you in risky situations—for example if you're a police officer, detective or social worker. If that's the case, you may feel a little uncomfortable wearing something large, sparkly and ostentatious. A more discreet and subtle ring may be the way to go. This might mean a smaller center stone, a low-profile setting or a ring that isn't studded with a lot of pavé diamonds.

Engagement rings for someone who travels often

When you're constantly visiting new locations and meeting new people, you may sometimes find yourself in a situation where you feel uneasy. That's why this may be another lifestyle that calls for a more subtle engagement ring. Look for something that doesn't stand out too much and won't make you feel like a target.

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