This is a guest post from Sharon Genesis of Genesis Diamonds.
Engagement rings tend to have a classic appeal – you don’t want a ring you bought today to look outdated 10 or 20 years from now. After all, it is your engagement ring and, just like your marriage, you want it to be timelessly gorgeous.
But every year there are trends in engagement rings and although 2013 is still relatively new, trends are emerging. Here are a few of the more popular engagement ring trends that we are seeing this year.
2012 was all about the emerald cut. This year girls are opting for cushion, oval and pear shaped diamonds.
Halos were absolutely enormous in 2012 and show no sign of relenting this year with the Double Halo being the stand out setting.
Another favorite is big, secure and very trendy Bezel Setting, where the diamond is set much lower.
For something more romantic and delicate, the Twisted and Bypass settings continue to be a popular choice.
And thanks to a certain young royal couple, blue sapphires are as trendy as ever and are showing no signs of slowing down.
We love designers push the envelope when it comes to engagement ring designs and Etienne Perret does not disappoint with his new collection of modern ceramic rings. Combining hi-tech design with durable, eco friendly materials, these colorful rings provide a perfect (and affordable) alternative to traditional precious metal engagement rings and wedding bands for both men and women.
For more info, visit CeramicJewelry.com.
We recently polled our network of incredibly talented jewelers to find out what’s hot right now in bridal jewelry. Here are the top 2013 engagement ring trends from jewelers around the country.
1. Mircro pave rings with delicate details, like this engagement ring from Knox Jewelers.
2. Traditional designs with untraditional finishes like this eco friendly cushion cut engagement ring with a hammered edge from Laura Preshong jewelery.
3. Round brilliant center stones set in platinum & white gold: This will never go out of style like this ultra popular Tacori engagement ring.
But jewelers are also seeing a shift in preferences and are starting to see an increase in demand for more unique pieces.
4. Uncut, natural looking stones, like the beautiful pieces from Diamond in the Rough.
5. Yellow and rose gold settings: A lot of celebrities have opted for gold settings and we love the trend, like this simple yellow gold engagement ring from Gabriel & Co.
6. Sapphire and ruby center stones and accents like this 3 stone diamond and sapphire engagement ring from Joseph Jewelry.
7. Fancy shaped centers like this marquis cut diamond from Lauren B Jewelers.
At the end of the day, jewelers want to see your personality shine through, whether it be paying special attention to the setting and the little details, to working with unique cut stones to the incorporation of eras and styles, there are many ways to find that timeless look that shows off your personality.
The folks at Whiteflash.com, and online jewelry store that offers Verragio, Ritani, Vatche rings and more, were kind enough to send us their thoughts on why you should consider buying a custom engagement ring. My own engagement ring is custom made, and I love it to pieces.
When it comes to choosing an engagement ring, the options are seemingly limitless. It’s almost overwhelming. But if you think about it, you really only have two choices: buy off the shelf or go custom.
Now there’s nothing wrong with buying a ring out of thecase at your local jewelry store or online (there are so many gorgeous designer engagement rings), but there are a few great advantages to getting a custom engagement ring.
1. She’ll get a ring that no one else has. Your bride to be is one of a kind, so give her an engagement ring that’s just as unique as she is – something in the world that nobody else has.
2. You can tailor the ring to fit her style. Every girl has her own sense of style and your significant other might not be inspired by what she sees online and in stores. Go custom and you can be sure she receives a ring that matches her style and personality. You will, of course, have to do some sleuthing if you’re planning on making the proposal and the ring a surprise.
3. You can also tailor the ring to fit your budget. This is a big one. It’s a big purchase and money matters. So when you custom design an engagement ring, you have the option select different grades of diamonds, bands and embellishments that fit into your budget.
4. You can let your creativity shine through in the design. If you’re the creative type, building a custom engagementring should be right up your alley. Work with your jeweler to create something truly unique and special.
5. You can add a personal touch to the ring. At the end of the day, it’s about taking that first step towards a lifelong commitment. Why not add a personal touch to it? Incorporate family diamonds or gemstones, engrave the ring or create something symbolic of your relationship.
It can be overwhelming, but it is exciting, especially when you can work with a jeweler who can capture your (and your future fiance’s) style and personality while working within your budget. Best of luck gents!
In honor of Valentine’s day, we give you our favorite heart shaped rings.
Feminine and delicate, this Citrine flower ring in 14k yellow gold features four heart shaped citrines, available at Blue Nile.
You can’t go wrong with a simple, classic ring that shows off the unique cut of the center stone like this Heart Shape Engagement Ring from Tiffany’s.
For something a little more unique and modern, how about this Pave Diamond Heart Shaped Ring from Avianne & Co?
Because sometimes, more is more, especially when it comes to diamonds. We adore Neil Lane’s Heart Shaped Diamond Platinum Ring.
The deep red, the diamond pave setting – it’s bold, it’s romantic and oh so gorgeous. This heart shaped ruby and diamond ring is available at Nathaniel Diamonds
We’ve heard time and again that engagement ring shopping is no easy task. There are thousands of styles to choose from, but after awhile they all start to look the same. So for those of you who are looking for something completely unique, expertly made and affordable, look no further than the ultra-talented designers selling their gorgeous pieces on Etsy. Today, we feature nine of our favorite handmade Etsy engagement rings.
See something you like? Just click on the above images to be directed to the Etsy shop.
Diamond Solitaire Halo, Adam Foster Jewelry | Rose Cut Diamond Ring, Samantha McIntosh | Bezel Set Solitaire, bmjnyc | Leaf & Vine Engagement Ring Set, anjaydesigns | Tear Drop Sapphire, Eidel Precious | Asscher Cut Engagement Ring, OneGarnetGirl | Pear Shaped Diamond Ring, LaurieSarahDesigns | Rose Lotus Engagement Ring Set , beautifulpetra | Leaf Diamond Engagement Ring Set, ValerieKStudio