Ring options at the shows were super feminine and extra pretty
Engagement rings options at the shows this year were delicate, lovely, and had wider appeal (I think) than some offerings in the past. Specifically, I spied less pink gold and observed that industry is finally moving past the idea of rough-cut diamonds as the only option for nontraditional engagement rings. Here are the top three trends I saw in engagement rings.
Pear- and oval-shape center stones. These were everywhere! Rahaminov paved the way for them before the shows with the announcement of its new Movál oval-cut collection, while Sethi Couture showed dozens of pear-shape diamond centers, with designer Prerna Sethi admitting that she and her sister and fellow designer Pratima had fallen hard for the shape this year. Pamela Froman, too, had numerous pears—including one I loved that sold—and Kataoka Jewelry and Objets d’Art (a new favorite of mine) showed lots of elegant little oval centers in colored stones such as Paraiba.
Pear-shape diamond ring from Pamela Froman
Traditional nontraditional engagement ring settings. Sounds confusing, I know, but it makes sense when you see the rings: traditionally faceted diamond centers (many in fancy shapes) set into subtly hexagonal- and octagonal-shape mounting silhouettes, East-West numbers, or even shield-shape styles. The new Karl Lagerfeld line from Frederick Goldman was amazing, and all of its offerings spoke directly to this trend (one semi-mount features a simple round center in a mounting with pyramid motifs). Plus, Jade Trau—who is so good at modern diamond jewels—had chic little hexagonal mountings as well as simple solitaires that married with subtly modern bands. Ila had East-West engagement rings and matching bands with double-sided bullet shapes, and Kataoka had snowflake-like settings encrusted with tiny diamonds. Jade Jagger (jewelry-loving daughter of rock star Mick) had trillions, rounds, and pears in starburst-like settings with plenty of negative space that sprawled across the hand.
Octagonal-shape rings from Jade Trau
Rose cuts. Of course these lack the sparkle of ideal cuts, but they may appeal to the less-flash-loving millennial consumer. Norman Covan has tons of gorgeous offerings, as does Sethi Couture, Tura Sugden, Ila, and myriad others. And because of the cut, the prices are easier on the wallet, adding to their attractiveness for the entry-level shopper.
Rose-cut diamond ring from Sethi Couture
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