The revival of fluid, free-form design in fine jewelry—inspired by jewelry mavericks such as Elsa Peretti and Robert Lee Morris—is in full swing (see Ariana Boussard-Reifel’s tribal-inspired styles and Faris’ Alexander Calder–esque mobile earrings, to cite just two practitioners).

But running parallel to all that gloriously flowing metal is design that celebrates sharp corners and clearly defined forms—evidenced in styles that incorporate basic shapes such as circles, squares, triangles, and the still–popular hexagon.

That sharpness has now extended to ring shanks, which—even when anchoring angular shapes—have been largely round or semi-round for several years.

The squared-off band flat band has been a thing in fine fashion for a while now, but now the look is infiltrating bridal jewelry collections, too. The added angles modernize old-school diamond and gemstone ring designs and are a hip element to suggest to clients who are looking to repurpose grandma’s diamonds or rubies.

The trend was advanced (at least in part) by the current craze for flat cigar bands, promulgated in fashionable collections including those by Foundrae and Gabriela Artigas. Bridal brands currently offering chic flat-band engagement rings include Forevermark, Brilliant Earth, and Anna Sheffield.

Here are a few of my favorite fetchingly flat looks on the market.

Magic Number 10 ring set in blackened 18k white gold with multicolor gemstones and diamonds, price on request; Solange Azagury-Partridge

Nico double-band ring in 14k yellow gold with white diamonds, $1,425; Selin Kent

 

 

Overton band featuring two mirrored stones, one opal and one diamond, on a flat 2.5 mm band, $569; Wwake 

 

Women’s Flat wedding band in 14k yellow gold, $550; Jennifer Fisher

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