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Seemingly gone are the days of secret ring shopping and surprise proposals, because a recent study conducted by Diamonds Factory revealed that "quiet proposing" is the largest engagement trend of 2025.
Choosing to tie the knot with your significant other is no small decision, and traditionally, partners have kept the proposal (and engagement ring purchase) under wraps. However, the study's new data suggests that more than half of couples are now opting to pick out engagement rings together, signaling a move away from romantic surprises.
Here's why couples love quiet proposals.
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Why? Well, there are likely multiple converging factors. First of all, engagement rings represent a big financial commitment. They're also meant to be symbolic, and since spouses will wear them (hopefully) forever, it can be tough to know which style they'd select for themselves.
That's why, over the years, countless people who "popped the question" have recruited trusted friends or family members for help. In fact, the findings showed that best friends are able to predict their friend's ideal engagement ring 67 percent of the time. This is much more accurate than partners, whose success rate was a mere 25 percent.
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Still, Ella Citron-Thompkins, a jewelry expert from Diamonds Factory, detailed why many couples are opting to take a collaborative approach to engagements anyway as opposed to just relying on friends.
"Quiet proposing is a new trend where engagements are kept intimate and private, without public displays or widespread announcements, focusing on a personal, low-key moment for the couple," she said.
"More couples wanting to choose a ring together reflects a shift toward a more intentional, collaborative proposal process. Rather than rejecting romance, it shows that many modern, Gen-Z couples value communication and shared decision-making over tradition for tradition's sake."
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Ella also added that today, proposals are less about catching your partner off guard with a grand surprise and more about ensuring both the moment and the ring are reflective of the two people involved and their overall relationship.
The study, conducted from February 24 to March 25 of this year, discovered that 53 percent of engagement ring shoppers are actually joined by their own significant other. This is followed by parents at 18 percent and siblings or friends at 11 percent. Finally, in 18 percent of cases, people just shop by themselves.
"Our research found that, more often than not, partners are joining to help you choose the all-important engagement ring. Not only does this take the guesswork out of it; it ensures the ring is exactly what they want: style, fit, stone, everything," Ella explained.
"It's a practical move that takes pressure off the buyer and boosts confidence in the decision."
Photo by Amy Humphries on Unsplash
Certain celebrities, such as Lady Gaga and Selena Gomez, have already hopped on the "quiet proposing" bandwagon. And while some might view it as unromantic, the reality is that this trend can actually feel even more meaningful since the excitement is shared between both soon-to-be spouses.
In the wake of the current economy, as well as Gen Z's reputation for straying from tradition, it seems plausible that "quiet proposing" will continue to take off.
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