Leap Year: the best engagement rings for men

Irish folklore has it that once every four years, on 29 February, women can take marital matters into their own hands and propose to a man.

According to the tradition, St Patrick decreed that women could pop the question every leap year after hearing complaints that men waited too long to propose.

Fortunately we’ve come a long way since the days of St Patrick, and women can propose at any time of the year.

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So if you’re thinking of popping the question, here are some of the best engagement rings on the market.

Late Art Deco Diamond and Sapphire Ring

A French late Art Deco diamond and sapphire cocktail ring in platinum, from around 1940. The ring features an old mine cut diamond grain-set to the centre, surrounded by a halo of calibré-cut sapphires, to a squared design with fancy openwork galleries supported with open tubular cheniers, leading to a tapering D-shape platinum shank. The diamond has approximately 1.70 carats, H-I colour, and SI1 clarity. The blue sapphires are approximately 2.65 carats.

£21,000, Susannah Lovis

Men's Diamond Platinum Full Band Ring

This diamond ring with a platinum band features G/VS quality diamonds. The platinum band is set with 5.00 carat of the quality diamonds offering the perfect combination of colour, cut and clarity

£18,845, The Diamond Store

Yellow Gold Men’s Diamond Signet Ring

An 18ct yellow gold diamond signet ring. This ring has a 1.26ct diamond that is framed by a 18ct white gold square, the shank is 18ct yellow gold. The diamond has been assessed VS1/VS2 in clarity and I/J in colour. This stylish ring weighs 11.1g.

£7,950, Miltons Diamonds

Love Solitaire Ring

Inspired by 1970s New York, Cartier’s Love collection aims to “seal love that transgresses convention”. The stark screws, ideal oval shape and undeniable elegance make the ring a timeless tribute to passionate romance. Studded with diamonds from 0.23 to 0.29 carats, and available with a yellow gold or rose gold band.

Price on request, Cartier

Boucheron Quatre Classique Ring

With a polished and textured silhouette for luxury appeal, this ring from Boucheron is a “refined yet bold choice for daily wear” according to Selfridges. The 18-carat gold tones are accented with brown PVD for a flourish. The Quatre Classique features yellow-gold, white-gold and pink-gold.

£3,890, Selfridges

Tiffany True Narrow Ring

This ring features graphic angles and clean lines that blend to create the beautiful clarity of the Tiffany True narrow ring. The bold, alternating links of this ring feature the letter T traced in striking pavé diamonds. The band is 18-carat rose gold, with 0.23-carat diamonds.

£3,175, Tiffany

Talisman You&Me Ring

De Beer’s ring features rough diamonds, “untouched by man, diamonds in their roughest, purest form are a gift of nature, creating a rare and special sensation of connecting with an antique treasure”. Set into an elegant yet bold design, the unique rough diamond in the 5mm gold band can be matched with that in the 3mm band, "thus embodying the eternal union of two souls connecting forever”.

£1,475, De Beers