Convertible jewelry has been rising in popularity over the past couple of years, adding value for savvy consumers who wish to feel confident about their luxury purchases.
Our managing editor, Melissa Rose Bernardo, noted this trend at last month’s VicenzaOro show, writing: “More and more designers are discovering that clients want versatility in their fine jewelry; when you’re spending so much money, it helps if you’re essentially getting two (or even three) pieces in one.”
It all makes perfect sense in fine jewelry, where people can switch up their looks daily to accommodate their mood, their attire, or the occasion.
But what about in wedding jewelry? This category has become more and more flexible, now offering alternative styles for engagement rings and wedding bands we might have never imagined a few decades ago. Surely the bridal market is not immune to a desire for versatility, especially since its jewels are meant to be treasured every day (and ideally for a lifetime)?
Some brides seek to collect an assortment of engagement rings over time (paging Victoria Beckham). Others upgrade or reset their rings, changing the style to fit the zeitgeist. These are both amazing options for consumers to have access to—the resetting business is bustling—but there’s another path to versatility in wedding jewelry, a magic treasure that can instantly change the way a ring looks.
It’s the ring jacket, which transforms an engagement ring from simple solitaire to colorful cocktail ring in the time it takes to snap your fingers. A ring jacket either surrounds a center ring or hugs its contours on one side. A person might wear two of the latter variation, providing that full jacket look.
Ring jackets run the gamut of appearing like a simple, diamond-dotted tiara to a full-on rainbow headpiece. They can be worn by themselves or at the same time as the engagement ring and/or wedding band but on a different finger. The wearer also might opt to not put on their ring jacket for a particular day or occasion, and just wear their traditional wedding jewelry.
Whichever type clients select, and however they choose to style it, the ring jacket gives them enough variety in wedding jewelry without their having to alter, update, or substitute their engagement ring, which lives as the centerpiece on their ring finger.
For retailers, I’d recommend selling a ring jacket paired with a more conventional (if it pleases the client) wedding band, so clients are able to change up the look as they see fit. Ring jackets are also tremendous gifts for anniversaries, lending a celebratory oomph to any wedding set. While some designers sell ring jackets in sets (which would include the rings that go within the jackets), they’re often available for purchase on their own, opening a whole new world of wedding jewelry for many consumers.
These are some of the latest, ready to bloom for upcoming spring weddings.
Top: Rainbow Star Bright ring stack in 18k recycled yellow gold with rainbow sapphires, from top: Short Lace Petal ring, $5,900; Central Petal ring, $6,050; Long Lace Petal ring, $7,370; Polly Wales
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