3 Subtle Ways to Add Colour to an Engagement Ring
By Clint Casmiro, Co-Founder, Smiro Studio, Toronto · Updated October 7, 2026
Short answer: There are three subtle ways to add colour to an engagement ring. Tuck small sapphires inside the tulip basket petals, on the main petals or the half petals. Set a coloured hidden halo under the centre stone, straight or curved. Or add gemstones to the bridge, the area under the stone you see from the side. None of them show from the top, so the colour stays a quiet detail.
Make sure you know this before you buy your ring. Here are three ways to add a pop of colour without overpowering the design.
Why keep the colour hidden?
A coloured centre stone is a big commitment. Small coloured stones tucked into the setting give you the colour you love while the top view stays a classic diamond. You see the colour from the side, and so does anyone who looks closely.
How do sapphires in the tulip petals work?
The first option is slowly becoming our most popular: small sapphires set inside the petals of a tulip basket. They are not visible at all from the top, and they flow right into the shape of the petals. More on this in sapphires in tulip basket petals, and see every petal style on our tulip baskets page.
Can the colour go on the half petals instead?
Yes. Half petals are the smaller petals that sit between the main ones, and they can carry their own stones. On one ring in the video we set aquamarines on the half petals for a soft pastel accent, while the main petals stayed plain.
What is a coloured hidden halo?
A hidden halo is a row of small stones that wraps the base of the centre stone, below the girdle, so it only shows from the side. Swap the diamonds for coloured stones and you get a ring of colour under the diamond. We have done a Colombian green emerald hidden halo and a curved pink sapphire hidden halo. Read more in what is a hidden halo.
Straight or curved hidden halo?
A straight hidden halo runs in a flat line around the base of the stone. A curved one dips and follows the shape of the setting, which gives a softer, more flowing look from the side. Both work with coloured stones.
How do gemstones on the bridge look?
The bridge is the part of the setting under the centre stone that you see from the side of the ring. Setting it with alternating rubies and diamonds adds a line of colour that is subtle but flows with the rest of the ring. See what is an engagement ring bridge.
Which colour should you choose?
Pick a stone with meaning, like a birthstone, or the colour you would wear every day. Blue, pink and yellow sapphires, emeralds, rubies and aquamarines all work as accents. We show you 3D renderings with the colour placed before anything is made, so you can see how much shows from each angle.
Want to add a hidden pop of colour to your ring?
A free 20 minute video call with Clint or Karina. Bring a photo, a budget, or nothing at all.
Book a free callSee our processQuestions we get about this
Can you see hidden coloured stones from the top?
No. Petal stones, hidden halos and bridge stones all sit below the centre stone, so the top view stays the diamond.
Can I use a birthstone as the hidden colour?
Yes. Any stone that can be cut small works. See hidden birthstone wedding bands for ideas on the band too.
Do coloured accents cost much more?
Usually not much. Small accent stones are a small part of the total compared with the centre stone and the setting.
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