Creative Ring Box Ideas

Any savvy consumer knows that an item’s packaging can be as important to sealing a deal as the product itself. This holds true when you pop the big question—do you really want to keep your unique engagement ring in a mass-produced box that just says “blah”? Just like your engagement ring, the box you carry it in is an opportunity to express your individuality.

Thankfully, there’s no shortage of inspiration for unique ring boxes. Do you both love nature? Want to record the moment from your point of view? Good! We’ve found the perfect ring boxes to fit those niche interests and make your special moment even more memorable.

The Incognito Ring Box

For something that’s supposed to be a surprise, a conventional ring box is really hard to keep hidden. Unless you can stuff it in a puffy winter jacket, you’re tasked with hiding a 2” square box on your person. Don’t you already have enough to worry about?

Fortunately, some of the brilliant minds at Shapeways have created a thin ring box that discreetly fits in a pocket. At a casual glance, it looks like an RFID card case, and only reveals its true purpose when you’re ready.

If you want something a little more rustic, there are myriad thin wood engagement ring boxes as well. These designs are thicker than the 3D printed varieties, so they’ll be more difficult to conceal. However, they’re easier to customize with engraving or different wood stains, making them a more memorable keepsake than an unassuming plastic box.

The Rustic Ring Box

For lovers of the outdoors, there are plenty of options for nature-inspired engagement rings. You’ll be happy to know that there’s no shortage of rustic ring box designs out there to match your outdoors aesthetic. Many of the designs are easy to make yourself with a few basic woodworking tools.

The Geologist’s Ring Box

Many of us have cracked open a geode to reveal the brilliant crystals hidden within. Surprise a geologist with something they’d never expect to find in a rock: an engagement ring! Dozens of lapidary specialists sell clean-cut geodes with hinges that make them perfect for popping the question. Bear in mind that each geode is going to be different, so you’ll want to confirm with the seller that your ring will fit inside the geode ring box when it’s closed. In addition, the crystals inside a geode can be very hard, and may scratch the ring if it is made of a soft metal like gold.

The Puzzle Ring Box

If you’re an adventurous, treasure-hunting couple, you’re sure to enjoy solving a puzzle ring box. Made famous by the novel and film The Da Vinci Code, a “Cryptex” is a style of combination lock that requires the correct series of letters or numbers to align before being opened. Imagine the satisfaction of completing a puzzle combined with the thrill of finding what’s inside!

The Custom Engagement Ring Box

If having a bulky box bulk isn’t a problem, there are endless possibilities for creating a ring box that’s tailored to your special interests. With the advent of affordable 3D printing, almost no ring box idea is impossible to make. Paul Pape (@paulpape) of Paul Pape Designs makes some amazing, personalized ring boxes that are fantastically geeky. He’s crafted a Tardis, a golden snitch, and many more creative custom designs.

The Milkshake Proposal

Actually… don’t do this.

It may make for a romantic surprise in the movies, but slipping your engagement ring into your SO’s drink is a great way to wind up in the hospital like this unfortunate woman who swallowed an engagement ring. She was speechless for all the wrong reasons. Thankfully, she’s okay and can look back on it and laugh, but why run the risk?