It’s that magical time of the year when thoughts turn to getting engaged. With the winter solstice holidays approaching it’s a sentimental time when we’re celebrating with family and friends, so why not throw in a little romance too, for an extra celebratory season. Choosing the right engagement ring is almost as important as choosing who you’ll marry, after you wear it every day for the rest of your life. There are myriad styles of engagement rings and Platinum Guild International has identified six of the key style trends to help you make your choice.
Pretty Pastels
Sapphire and ruby have been popular choices as either an engagement ring center stone or sides stones for decades, but now it’s time to showcase some gems in pastel shades of pink, lilac, lavender and peach, such as colored diamonds, spinel and sapphire. Paired with platinum, these gems really will pop.
Gender Fluid
These rings can be worn by anyone and are characterized by a modern look that features sharp geometric motifs, step cut diamonds and meticulous metalwork . These ready to be worn by anyone bands tend to be a little wider for comfort.
Bezel Up
Sophisticated and sleek, platinum bezel settings hold stones firmly in place, while protecting your gem from damage, especially when it is a pear or marquise shaped diamond or gemstone; the pointed ends are delicate and need to be shielded. Bezels add an extra design element to a piece, whether it’s a half-bezel, or a full bezel, they add a modern sensibility to your engagement ring.
Metal Forward
These engagement rings make the metal an important part of the design. The setting is wide and mostly unadorned for a minimalist style with bold proportions and a strong profile that are just right for holding bigger stones, or for showcasing one spectacular diamond or colored gemstone.
Elegant Emerald Cuts
The distinctive linear facets of an emerald cut diamond are always in impeccably good taste and it’s a shape that never goes out of style. It’s quiet elegance is the epitome of chic. Emerald cut diamonds may pick up the color of the metal setting, but the natural whiteness of platinum will always complement a diamond.
Square Dance
From princess to cushion to radiant cuts, square shape diamonds are starting to take centerstage again. Popular in the 1990s, the princess cut is seeing a resurgence in popularity as Gen Zers are resurrecting all things from that decade.
“A Physical Personification”
“Current engagement ring trends are driven by the desire to find a unique ring that represents the wearer’s individuality, reflective of their own identity,” concludes Rebecca Moskal, vice president marketing, PGI USA. “Whether that includes customization of an engraved message or date, a vintage heirloom of storied design, the symbolic nature of choosing a metal that will last a lifetime, or finding value in a naturally white metal that will never change color or need to be re-plated, an engagement ring is a physical personification of what is important to the wearer.”
Authored by Amber Michelle
