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Now that lab-grown diamond manufacturers are capable of producing quality diamonds in impressive sizes, the appeal of basic diamond jewels is waning, at least among buyers interested in natural diamonds.
That was one of the takeaways from our informal poll of three jewelry tastemakers, including L.A.-based designer Octavia Zamagias, whose Octavia Elizabeth is stocked by Just One Eye in Los Angeles and ModaOperandi.com, among other high-end retailers; Laura Freedman, founder of Broken English Jewelry, with boutiques in L.A. and New York City; and Elizabeth Gibson, founder of Eliza Page in Austin, Texas.
“The whole lab-grown thing has perplexed and confused everyone,” Zamagias tells JCK. There’s less desire for that 4 carat round brilliant.”
The other trends our tastemakers noted include an emphasis on elongated diamond cuts, such as ovals; statement styles, especially long earrings (think shoulder dusters!); and unusual settings—in short, the opposite of basic!
We’ve collected specific trend highlights below.
Laura Freedman
Founder, Broken English Jewelry, Los Angeles and New York City
“When it comes to this classic stone, I’m seeing shoppers much more focused on originality rather than something super-traditional. They’re not afraid of something with a twist and are actually asking for it with interesting stone placements, reworked versions of classic settings, and very bold proportions. We’re in a total diamond renaissance right now and it excites me that people really want to have fun with their investment pieces instead of playing it safe.”
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“Off-set diamonds, such as round diamonds with pears to the side. Everything askew.”
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“Reimagined Georgian-style settings”
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“White gold settings”
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“Collars and larger cuffs”
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Octavia Zamagias
Founder, Octavia Elizabeth, Los Angeles
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“We are seeing more people interested in colored diamonds, especially yellow. And three-stones are back. Two years ago, everyone wanted a solitaire.”
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“We’re getting a lot more requests for bezel settings.”
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“So many clients are wanting an eternity band as an engagement ring. And the wedding band ends up being a simple 18k gold stacking band that goes beneath it.”
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Elizabeth Gibson
Founder, Eliza Page, Austin, Texas
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“Diamond ear climbers are back!”
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“In engagement, we are seeing more fancy shapes, specifically pears and more elongated shapes (elongated radiant and movals).”
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“Tennis is still huge. We are setting more and more variations in various sizes, diamond combos, shapes, colors, including three-prong-set tennis necklaces and earrings.”
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“Long dangling diamonds in earrings, dangles, and drops.”
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Top: Champagne Dome ring in 18k gold with 13.17 cts. t.w. champagne diamonds, $30,000 Octavia Elizabeth
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