Engagement Ring Trends

- Jenny C. -

With Halloween just behind us, females are shedding their costumes and are about to replace them with something much more permanent, and much more demure: a diamond engagement ring. And although each to-be-bride will have a unique preference for style, clear trends are already apparent as the engagement season gets closer and closer.

When it comes to shape, round diamonds take prime real estate on ladies of-all-ages’ fingers, and have for some time. Other popular cuts making the rounds on future brides are square, princess and emerald. And no matter what age demographic she falls into, the top color metal preference will be, and has been for always, white.

For the younger bride-to-be set in particular, clusters of diamonds are a common choice. These rings, littered with diamonds around the band or surrounding the center stone, evoke a big statement: The center stone appears larger, without requiring such a hefty price tag. Twisted bands are another favorite for many younger brides, as they evoke the I-promise-to-be-true sentiment and juxtapose it with some attitude, without overdoing it.

These bolder, and sometimes more eccentric trends are a departure from the diamond engagement ring worn a decade ago, when the most common style circulating was a solitaire diamond engagement ring. Beyond its design change, the diamonds growth spurt has grown up with the years. About 10 years ago, about half a carat did the trick for many ladies, but now most women’s preference hovers around the one-carat zone.

Older brides, meanwhile, are more apt to still choose a classic look, such as a solitaire or three-stone diamond engagement ring. However, if it’s her second or third marriage, she might opt for a more unconventional ring and stone. A yellow diamond engagement ring is a great choice to accomplish just this. Other popular diamond hues include brown and pink.

All age groups appreciate some vintage glamour these days, proving what’s old is also new. To get this look, intricate details on the metal and diamond detailing are crucial. Like vintage glamour, personalization is totally en vogue. Engravings with love slogans and pet names are one way to executive this trend.

On the quest for the perfect diamond engagement ring, guys are finally getting a clue thanks to their girlfriends. From magazine clips left on his drawer to an online jewelry site open on his computer to flat out telling him what she wants, women are showing their partners what they want more and more. And many times, women join their soon-to-be husbands on a diamond ring-shopping spree to ensure they are getting just what they wish to wear. With the amount of styles increasing over the years, all of this feedback is especially helpful.

Indeed, a diamond is forever, and she wants it to look good.

Husband's Wedding Band

- Jenny C. -

My husband and I have been married for, dare I say, 14 years now. And after 14 years of marriage and countless gifts exchanged, I’m happy to say that my engagement ring and wedding ring are still my most prized possessions. I wear them proudly and think of the day we got engaged and married each time I look down at my hand (I know, sounds a bit corny). Unfortunately, my husband cannot say the same. You see, my husband lost his wedding band a few years ago. Actually, I lost his wedding band a few years ago. In my attempt to keep his wedding band “safe” as he went diving off the pacific coast, I somehow lost it, on the beach, never to be found again.

My husband’s wedding band was beautiful. Gold, two toned, with a unique linear design that changed from smooth to jagged around the ring. I had never seen a wedding band like it when we chose it, 14 years ago, which made it even that much more special.

Recently, my husband and I have been discussing finally replacing his lost wedding band. But here is the quandary that we are in: do we replace his wedding band with the exact same ring or do we take this opportunity to buy something completely different? Given the fact that the replacement ring will be just that, a replacement, my inclination is to purchase a wedding band that is different from the original that we exchanged so many years ago.

It is surprising how much men’s wedding bands have changed in 14 years. The choices are endless --- gold, white gold, platinum, two toned. The choices of finishes include everything from polished, satin, and machined. And the designs are vast as well --- artisan, braided, diamond encrusted and even something called spinners.

In my search, I found ring called Comfort Fit Fancy Wedding Band. Contrary to its name, it is not very fancy but beautifully simple and clean. And true to its name, it is very comfortable. I have fallen in love with it so much, I want one for myself … perhaps I should lose my own wedding band so that I can replace it?

What a Man Wants in His Jewelry

Boys will be boys, and these days that means accessorizing with jewels.

Although watches and cuff links will always be a man’s best friend, unique wedding bands, pendant necklaces and diamond stud earrings make it onto the top of men’s priority jewelry lists. And men wearing the bling come from all walks of life -- Jewelry can complete a bad boy look or finesse a hipster’s image.

Throughout all of these jewelry options, the common united theme for the look is tough. A plethora of materials such as leather, stingray and wood can channel a more rugged jewelry look. Often, the materials are mixed and matched together for a more interesting feel and fashion-forward take. Textured metal, like hammered metal, helps evoke this more interesting design flair, too.

Common male jewelry stylings include rocking a round cut single diamond stud or a princess cut single diamond stud and pairing it with anything from a formal suit to jeans and a sports coat. Although some gentlemen prefer just rocking a single diamond stud, others are willing to go all the way and sport a diamond stud in both ears for a more hip hopper, I’m-too-cool-for-school vibe. The larger the diamonds, the more of a power statement a man makes.

The evolution of men’s wedding bands from simple plain gold bands to more intricate designs with geometrical shapes also reflects the growing emphasis of men’s interest in jewelry and the trends he is wearing now. Diamond studded wedding bands and bands braided in gold are making their way onto many men’s fingers.

These new enhancements to men’ wedding bands are not restricted to I’m-married only either, but also make for great special occasion gifts that can be worn for any reason, including “It’s hot.”

Men’s affinity for jewelry is going nowhere but up either as designers create more specific male designs and retailers offer up these selections.

My dad surprised me months ago by wearing a turquoise ring, and now I even discovered my brother is rocking out a necklace, and I’m not talking about the shell variety kind that every guy sports. I’m talking about a gold chain that formally would have screamed I’m Mr. T’s cousin; now, it just suggests, I care about the little accents.

Styles may vary throughout the years, but men are saying yes to jewelry, especially with diamonds, and are taking their cues from athletes like David Beckham and actors like Brad Pitt. Let’s face it: It’s 2009. Boys wanna have fun, too. And what better way to do just that than by sporting jewelry that dazzles with diamonds?

Guide to Diamond Jewelry Settings

You already have natural instincts on what makes for a pretty jewelry piece, but are you an expert on what settings exist to hold the diamonds in place?

Consider a diamond engagement ring. Settings are essential to these diamond rings for many more reasons than just securing a diamond on a band. A setting helps determine diamond jewelry style and the look a jewelry piece evokes. Below I take a look at, and define, setting options available. Knowing what these settings are will help transform any average Joe into more of a diamond jewelry connoisseur.

Bezel Setting: This setting means a diamond is set inside and supported by a metal tube. One upside of this setting is it securely holds a stone in place and is a wonderful option for the next Billy Blanks or Maria Sharapova. A princess cut solitaire diamond looks great in this setting. Partial bezels are also available, meaning the stone is only semi-surrounded with a metal, thus creating more visibility for showing off the bling as well as evoking a more contemporary look.

Channel Setting: Stones flow in a continuous row in this setting, and although the metal does hold the bling in place, it doesn’t divide any of the stones from one another. The look is sleek and elegant. A tennis bracelet or a diamond engagement ring fits the bill well for this setting.

Chaton Setting: This setting, which also goes by the names coronet or arcade, occurs when the stone is held in place via a multitude of metal claws around a metal band.

Gipsy Setting: A stone takes a plunge into the metal for this setting. Often, the stone is surrounded by engraved designs. This style is a perfect option for a diamond wedding band.

Tension Setting: Stones are held in place using tension created between two or more bands of metal. This setting creates a diamond floating mirage and exudes a minimalist flair and a contemporary feel.

Claw Setting: A series of metal prongs, dubbed claws, tightly hold a stone in this setting without any metal directly under the stone. This option is wonderful because it allows light in from beneath the stone, showing off the luster of any jewelry piece, like a diamond pendant necklace, well.

Pave Setting: The band is littered with diamonds set close to one another, showcasing a heavy diamond look and deemphasizing the metal. The cobblestone of diamonds creates a big appearance without too steep of a price tag for diamond engagement rings, for example. Generally, the stones are held in place by little beads of the setting metal.

Tiffany Setting: This is a simple and sweet classic setting, where four or six prongs are equally spread out around the diamond, holding it in place. This is a quintessential setting that looks great on solitaire diamond rings.

How Do I Look in this Engagement Ring?

Finding an engagement ring is simple, but finding the perfect engagement ring? Not such an easy feat.

While on this difficult quest for the best diamond engagement ring, it’s important to channel your inner spy to haphazard a great guess of what your potential bride wants. Take note of her top metal choice in her jewelry box, and whether she is more classic or renegade in her jewelry style tastes. And wannabe grooms, you are in luck: These days, ladies are helping out with the diamond decisions, often joining or surfing the Internet with their future husbands for engagement ring shopping sprees.

On these sprees, it’s hard to go wrong with a classic design, like a diamond solitaire ring. Round brilliant diamonds are the prom queens of cuts, but square, princess and emerald cuts also make it onto the royal court.

Extra sparkle is always in demand, since future brides really want to shine. To get this look, choose a ring with diamonds sprinkled around the band. This diamond engagement ring with side stones is classic, with the extra bling adding a bit of spice to the design. Three stone diamond engagement rings are perfect purchases to evoke a brighter look, too.

Yellow diamond engagement rings add a little drama to romance, but only in the best of ways. Colored gemstones correspond nicely to the funkier bride’s preferences. And if it is a to-be-bride’s second or third marriage, she will probably desire a different style from the previous marriage(s). Adding color to the stone is a wonderful way to achieve a new look.

Engagement rings are not just about expressing a bride’s personality; they are also about the right fit and ensuring the right style is on the right female. Much like purchasing jeans, it’s all a game of proportions.

If a woman has longer fingers, bigger diamonds or clustered diamonds, are better because the finger length lends itself to bolder styles. As for the stone, avoid elongated shapes, and shoot instead for round diamonds. For shorter fingers, longer shaped stones work well. Think marquise shapes as one such good option.

The same styling principle for a finger’s length is also true for hand size. The ring shouldn’t outweigh a hand. Choose a diamond engagement ring less large for the petite hand. Heart shapes and solitaires are great options for this size. Go larger for a bigger hand by way of a bigger stone or three-stone diamond engagement ring as well as a wider band. No matter what size hand, matching color with skin tone is crucial, too. Lighter skin tones tend to look better with yellow or rose gold, for example.

Remember, when your love asks, ‘How do I look in this diamond engagement ring?,’ the consensus should be lovely.

Style Trend: Men’s Wedding Bands

Wedding bands and women go way back, but men and wedding bands? That is another story.

The trend of American men wearing wedding bands really only surfaced around World War II, when soldiers wanted to physically demonstrate their commitment to their wives back home.

The prevalent styles? Tres simple. Think solid, plain gold bands as the prime real estate on grooms’ fingers. As the years have gone by, however, many new styles have popped up specifically designed for gentlemen, and these days, guys are rocking and celebrating the more expressive men’s bands.

Recently, I took a trip home to Detroit to visit the love of my life Randy, a Bichon Frise. As I sat at the kitchen table eating some salad (with Randy perched right next to me on a chair), I discovered that my very own father was wearing a ring from his latest vacation as a way to commemorate the trip. Turquoise and geometrical designs infiltrated the band: Nothing really subtle about it. Now, my dad is a real guy’s guy, so if he is buying a ring to remember his trip, and wearing it, then it is very clear to me that many guys are wearing statement rings to commemorate events. And what better event to commemorate with a jazzier band than a wedding?

Men’s diamond wedding bands and bands braided in gold make for top modern picks. Styles range from sleek –inspired (think white gold band with a single diamond) to funkier (like a textured metal band sprinkled with the bling). Not falling far from these top styles include art carved bands and spinning wedding bands. Both styles infuse some funk into the designs without evoking a too-much sentiment.

The carvings, for one, tend to take a geometrical stance. Think shapes ranging from x’s to triangles. Meanwhile, spinning bands add a bit of a playful twist on men’s wedding bands. This style band spins in the center or on the outside with moveable parts.

There are a plethora of metal options for all of these styles, too. Common metals include titanium, platinum, white gold and yellow gold. Two tone wedding bands make for a great choice, too, giving grooms the best of both the white and yellow gold world. For a finish? Men prefer satin polish. In many cases, size continues to be important: Wider bands are top offerings for the male style mavens.

No matter what style, one thing is true. Contemporary wedding band: It really is a guy thing.

Evolution of a Wedding Band

Nothing stays the same forever, especially fashion. As the years go by, trends change, with new styles always developing (and occasional designs flashbacking to the past). This fashion design evolution is also true for jewelry. Take the wedding band for example.

In America, simple gold or platinum bands prevailed as the preferred wedding band style choice at first, as well as the most common offering. As time has gone by, options have evolved, and designs have become more intricate for both men and women. Art carved bands, hammered style-metals and spinning wedding bands are now all prevalent styles in the wedding band category. Simply put: Time adds more complications.

Although plain wedding bands continue to be some women and men’s preference, other couples prefer spicing up their bands with delicate flourishes. Most of these flourishes will be on the subtler side. After all, a wedding band will (or hopefully will) be worn for the rest of one’s life, and there is a fine line between classic and extreme. But with a hint of a design and texture, there will be no Vegas-like regrets. Designer wedding bands, contemporary wedding bands and fancy wedding bands are all unique, and still tasteful, options. They express a wearer’s personality via textured metals or art designed bands, for two examples.

Braids are not just for hair-dos. Hand braided bands have become a common way for men and women to wear their vows, offering an interesting twist on just a solid gold or platinum ring. Painting a picture into a ring is a key trend, too. Art carved wedding bands offer just this, with common patterns ranging from triangles to swirls. This is a great way for the funkier bride or groom to express him or herself. Art carved wedding bands allow wearers to make a statement beyond “I promise to be true.” The designs allow one’s personality to be physically infused into the ring.

As time goes on, people are becoming more on the go. No surprise then, many prefer jewelry that can move, too. Spinning wedding bands are another unique spin on a typical wedding band. The rings spin in the center or on the outside with movable parts. The design is fun because it lets the wearer play with the band. Textured gold is often used for these designs, making for an even more playful offering.

Diamonds aren’t just regulated to a diamond engagement ring. These days, the rocks are making for nice accents to wedding bands for brides and grooms alike. Think braided bands with diamond sprinkles as one innovative option. Diamonds have especially made their way into a groom’s band. Men like to sparkle, too, via men’s diamond wedding bands.

Wedding bands are getting mixed up with color combination with two tone wedding band options: This means mixing white and yellow gold together. Hammered metals have hit a crescendo with wedding bands, too.

Like wedding bands, eternity bands have also evolved over the years. These rings are given for a momentous event like a child’s birth or a major anniversary. These days, diamond eternity bands and gemstone eternity bands make for great options.

No matter how trends change with wedding or eternity bands, what has not evolved is the band’s message: Unity, Love and Commitment. Whether textured, braided or art carved, the wedding bands still mean “I do,” which time will never change.