Fancy shapes, lots of stones and embossed designs are just some of the trends in engagement rings that experts estimate will prevail or be maintained in 2024.
Few purchases are as careful and thoughtful as an engagement ring. Besides being one of the most valuable pieces of jewelry. It also tends to be the client's first major jewelry purchase, which comes with its own requirements.
From idea boards to Pinterest boards, buyers are looking at their data before making that all-important purchase. And jewelers who know what's in vogue could have an edge over the competition.
With so many options available and limited window space, we asked the experts to break down what's what.
1) Fancy
Fancy shaped diamonds have grown in popularity in recent years. They are expected to continue to attract consumers.
“The allure of fancy-cut center diamonds is undeniable in 2024. With emerald and oval cuts taking centre stage,” wrote Tacori's head of design Nadine Tacorian Azerounian in the recent trend report.
“The elongated lines of these two shapes exude a sense of refined elegance and create a striking visual effect. Not to mention that they are extremely flattering on the finger.”.
Sylvie Levine, principal designer of Sylvie Jewelry, sought out strikingly shaped diamonds when designing her brand's latest engagement ring collection, “Shelle Iconelle”.
“I like to use eye-catching diamonds as an accent on my engagement rings for their diversity and dimension,” she said.
2) When a stone is not enough
Some future newlyweds embrace style with lots of gems. Continuing a trend that gained momentum after Prince Harry proposed to Meghan Markle with a three-stone ring in 2017.
“I've seen the revival of engagement rings with three and many stones,” Levine said.
Sylvie offers a mosaic-like placement style that customers combine with many stones. ‘As she said, often striking shapes as trends clash.
Azerunian is happy to see this style trending.
“I am a perennial fan of three-stone engagement rings. So I'm excited that this strong style is important in 2024,” she said.
“Three-stone rings offer a canvas for incorporating more diamonds with striking cut diamonds at the top of an engagement ring. It makes three-stone rings truly unique.”.
Ring buyers can combine the two aforementioned trends. Choosing unusual side stones, she said, such as Cadillac-cut or marquise-cut diamonds.
Three-stone rings also offer a wonderful sentiment, symbolizing a couple's past, present and future.
3) Platinum
While yellow gold has been a trend for wedding dresses in recent years, white metals have always dominated the engagement ring market. In 2024, trend watchers expect platinum, in particular, to have a big year.
Consumer desire for platinum has been «historically very high,» Platinum Guild International (PGI) said. Nearly 70 percent of consumers want platinum for their engagement rings and wedding rings, it said. But they tend to buy other metals due to lack of availability in stores.
«As more retailers and manufacturers rediscover the benefits of platinum, its presence will increase on retail shelves. This will give consumers the opportunity to purchase these most meaningful and symbolic rings in the metal they truly desire,» said PGI.
Platinum is Tacori's preferred metal, Azerounian said. Noting its durability as well as its ability to make the stone shine.
«The naturally bright white colour of platinum makes a clean backdrop to bring out the clarity of a diamond. And in turn, it makes a versatile backdrop for colored gemstones,» he wrote.
4) Lab-Grown Diamonds
Despite falling prices and the ongoing controversy within the industry, both Tacori and the The Knot put lab-grown diamonds on the engagement ring trend lists for 2024.
Lab-grown diamonds are less expensive than natural diamonds. And while there is much debate about their lack of resale value, some consumers are choosing a larger lab-grown diamond over a smaller natural one.
«The growing popularity of lab-grown diamonds cannot be ignored.» Said Naomi Rougeau, senior fashion and beauty editor of The Knot.
Knot's 2023 engagement jewelry study found that, after the pandemic, more couples felt it was important for the stone to be grown in the lab. 32 percent in 2023 compared to 15 percent in 2019. An increase that tracks the growing availability of stones.
Levine said: «The overriding theme [of engagement ring trends] is undoubtedly the move to larger stones in the centre, which I believe is facilitated by the increasing prevalence of lab-grown diamonds in bridal jewellery.».
Several well-known designers and retailers have recently released collections of lab-grown diamond engagement rings, including Neil Lane and Helzberg Diamonds .
5) Everything is allowed
Another notable trend is that it does not follow trends at all. As noted above, buyers who choose a diamond are increasingly opting for fancy shapes. While others don't want a diamond at all, opting for colored gemstones for a sparkling color.
«This year is personal,» said Azerunian of Tacori. «Couples say goodbye The generally, mainstream styles, as they choose interesting and meaningful amulets to mark their union. Expect to see unusual center stones, custom details and vibrant colors.».
Big, bold compositions replace minimalist designs. With The Knot highlighting modernist style arrangements as a trend for 2024.
«We're also seeing that tried and true combinations, such as solitaire in yellow gold and white diamond, have been overturned by designers offering more modern, sculptural approaches to the classics,» Rougeau said
«Brides are also embracing color like never before (and not just for second or third weddings). From pastels to black dresses, wedding and engagement traditions are being broken and this extends to rings with indiscriminate embrace of color, such as sapphires and emeralds.».
Moissanite is another popular choice for brides, Rougeau said.
“It's a perfectly viable option for those not willing to sacrifice stone size due to budget constraints.”
Source: nationaljeweler.com
