Are you engagement-ring shopping sometime soon? As if picking out the perfect engagement ring weren’t already nerve-racking enough, read up on the four hot ring trends that will make narrowing down your pick that much harder.

Geometric Shapes
Take a trip back to high-school math class. Remember all those fun shapes you encountered while you were trying to learn your points from your intersections? They’re back! Many of today’s hottest rings are all about geometry. Pears, ovals, marquise and even heart-shaped diamonds make for an architectural engagement ring that’s both eye-catching and unique.

Custom Ring Designs
Brides are all about personalizing their wedding days, and in 2011, they’re customizing their engagement rings too. In fact, nearly 70 percent of brides get involved in the ring selection process. There’s been an increase in special orders for brides who want to combine all of the design elements they love into one picture-perfect ring. When you’re ring shopping, ask to see different diamond shapes and sizes; then, show the jeweler what kind of band you’d like designed. Today, about a third of engagement rings are custom-designed, so you’ll be right in the mix! And don’t worry, the jeweler will work with you.

Gold and Rose-Gold Bands
White metals, like platinum, will always be popular with brides, but gold bands are making a big comeback this year. This is partly thanks to the reemergence of retro-inspired elements in pop culture that have become a hit with brides. Rose-gold settings are ideal for the vintage-loving bride looking for a ring with a more nostalgic feel. Gold can also be a more budget-friendly option, depending on the market price.

Intricate Bands
An embellished band with intricate details - whether they’re in the shape, etchings, or stones - adds that extra-special something to an engagement ring. Ribbon-twist bands and split-shank bands are popular alternatives to the more traditional styles.