Love may be eternal, but trendy engagement ring styles are meant to capture the moment you fell in love. Trending diamond shapes include marquise, cushion cut and oval. Pink is in, as are two-tone halo settings.
Let’s look at these and more.
In this blog, we cover:
Trend #1: Marquise diamond engagement rings
Trend #2: Cushion cut diamond engagement rings
Trend #3: Oval diamond engagement rings
Trend #4: Morganite engagement rings
Trend #5: Two-tone halo engagement ring settings
Trend #6: Yellow gold and rose gold engagement ring settings
Trend #7: Custom engagement ring styles
Trend #1: Marquise diamond engagement rings
The round brilliant diamond is an engagement ring classic and it’s not going anywhere soon. But brides-to-be are falling in love with engagement ring styles that feature diamond shapes other than round – like aristocratic marquise diamonds.
Legend has it that the marquise diamond was named for the Marquise de Pompadour, a mistress of King Louis XV, because its outline resembled the shape of her mouth. Its elegant beauty charms. Plus it can look larger face-up than a round diamond of the same weight. Another benefit: The marquise shape can make your loved one’s finger look longer and more slender. With so many winning traits, the marquise diamond is a trending choice. Here’s how to pick the perfect marquise diamond engagement ring.
Trend #2: Cushion cut diamond engagement rings
Oozing old-world charm, cushion cut diamonds have wooed the hearts of romantics, nonconformists and those looking to recreate vintage engagement ring styles. Reminiscent of the old mine cut diamond (which dates back to the early 1700s), cushion cut diamonds have curved sides and rounded corners. They also have considerable variation: Some have elongated, rectangular proportions and others resemble rounded squares. The great diversity of their facet arrangements also affects their appearance. Wear a cushion cut diamond, and you’ll be in rarified company. Some of the world’s most famous diamonds are cushion cuts: the Archduke Joseph, the Cullinan II in the British Imperial State Crown, and the Hope.
Is your partner-to-be an incurable romantic? Here’s some inspiration for cushion cut engagement ring styles.
Trend #3: Oval diamond engagement rings
There’s a lot to love about an oval diamond. Because it has a larger surface area than a round diamond of equal carat weight, it can appear larger to the eye. It can also make the finger look longer. Since an oval doesn’t have sharp angles or corners, it’s less prone to chipping compared to other fancy shape diamonds. And because it’s faceted in the brilliant style, its fire can rival a round brilliant. With all these enchanting qualities, it’s no surprise that the oval diamond is one of the most popular engagement ring styles. Learn about the qualities to look for in an oval diamond engagement ring.
Trend #4: Morganite engagement rings
Pink has long been associated with romance, and this, along with its relative affordability, helped morganite become one of the more popular engagement ring styles in recent years. Morganite is a delicate pastel pink to purplish pink (“rose”), yellowish pink (“peach”) or orangy pink (“salmon”) variety of beryl, a mineral species that also includes emerald, aquamarine and beryls in other colors. The most prized morganite color is strong pink, often the result of heat treatment.
Rose gold (see Trend #6) is often the metal of choice for morganite engagement rings – it helps to deepen the appearance of the gem’s pink hue.
Because morganite is a 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale of hardness, it is more vulnerable to chipping and breakage than a harder gem like a diamond. You might want to choose an engagement ring setting that offers good protection, such as a bezel setting.
Here are some tips for picking the perfect morganite engagement ring.
Trend #5: Two-tone halo engagement ring settings
A look that’s been popular for years, the halo is a setting with diamonds (or other gems) that encircle the center stone. The reasons for its appeal are simple: Not only does a halo make the center stone appear larger, but it also creates more sparkle because it adds more diamonds to the setting. Designers have recently taken this motif and added a second halo in a contrasting color. It might be set with a different gemstone, or perhaps another row of diamonds set in a different color of metal. It’s a design choice that creates drama and adds excitement to an engagement ring. The double-halo setting can also evoke the Art Deco period when diamonds are paired with rubies, sapphires or emeralds to create bold color combinations. This makes it a popular choice for those who are looking to recreate vintage engagement ring styles with a contemporary flair.
Trend #6: Yellow gold and rose gold engagement ring settings
White gold and platinum have been the metals of choice for engagement rings for years. They’re still a favorite option, but yellow gold and rose gold engagement ring settings have been increasing in popularity and are one of this year’s trending engagement ring styles. Yellow gold has a rich, warm color and a look that can evoke Art Nouveau–era engagement rings. Rose gold has soothing tones and can also create an antique look. In addition, it complements most skin tones. Rose gold was popular in Victorian engagement rings and Retro engagement rings. Choose a yellow gold or rose gold band and your choice will be both timeless and trendy.
Trend #7: Custom engagement ring styles
There is no shortage of gorgeous and trendy engagement ring styles. But sometimes love is best expressed with a custom-designed engagement ring. Here are two tips you can use to make sure your foray into custom design is successful.
- Ask how long it will take the designer to make the ring. If you’re planning to propose on a special day, talk to the jewelry designer right away. A ring with a simple design will usually take at least two weeks; a ring with a complex design can take upwards of five weeks (or longer) to create.
- Find out what diamond shapes she likes. If you don’t know, look at her favorite rings for clues. Still not sure? The most popular diamond shapes are: round, princess, marquise, cushion, emerald, oval and pear.
Are you ready to create your own unique engagement ring style? Our step-by-step guide to designing a custom engagement ring will show you how.
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