Fashion trends may dictate the types of shoes, pants and hemlines we wear, but they should have little to no input in the type of wedding jewelry people choose. There should be absolutely no “rules” at work when a couple sets out to select an engagement band or wedding rings. There are some “traditional” looks and styles, but in the end it is up to the couple to decide what sort of rings they will wear on their hands for the rest of their lives. Of course there is one “rule” that should not be quickly dismissed, and that is the one about diamonds playing a major role in the choices made. Diamonds are symbolic in wedding jewelry because of their value and durability, and it is these reasons alone that have made them such a long-lasting choice for millions of people. Luckily, there are all kinds of styles, cuts, colors and choices where diamonds are concerned, so it isn’t that much of a compromise in the “rules” department.
Remember that while an engagement ring with a diamond can be as “traditional” as the couple wants, they can also easily opt for a totally untraditional metal and cut. The materials used can vary widely from platinum to silver, yellow and white gold or even tungsten. It is strictly a matter of personal taste, and a willingness to shop around in order to select the perfect ring.
Consider that the metal niobium can be heated and manipulated to the point that it changes color. This means it can provide the durability of steel, but at half the weight, and can be colored green, blue, pink, purple or black and set with a colorless or colored diamond. Clearly, that is an extreme, but it is a realistic option for someone hoping to make a unique statement with their choice in diamond engagement jewelry.
It doesn’t have to stop with the woman’s fingers either. A wonderful idea would be to give a man an engagement band as well. This too could be made in a very traditional style, but could also be crafted in a custom design using alternative metals as well.
Though there are many rules around engagement and wedding jewelry, there will always also be some trends that are appearing in the world of engagement rings as well. Currently these include reproductions of vintage or antique jewelry, colored diamonds, and alternative shapes to the stones.
A look at any red carpet event would demonstrate just how popular old-fashioned cuts and styles are making a huge comeback in the many types of diamond jewelry. Periods such as the Victorian era, Gilded Age, Jazz Age or Roaring Twenties, or even the more recent eras like the 1950s through the 1960s are all re-emerging in modern jewelry designs, and particularly where formal jewelry such as engagement and wedding bands are concerned.
The jewelers of the earlier periods used cutting and settings meant to reveal an entirely different element of a diamond than those used today. Some of these same styles are beginning to be practiced again today, and if a vintage piece is unavailable, a brand new ring with a similar “feel” could easily be ordered from a custom jeweler.
There are also several jewelry companies that focus on reproduction work, and such vendors are also an ideal resource for historic wedding band reproductions. For example, a woman who greatly admired the late Princess Diana could be presented with an exact replica of her famous sapphire and diamond engagement ring.
While some people balk at anything but a glistening white diamond in an engagement band, there are huge trends among the famous and not so famous for wearing colored diamonds. Right here is a good time to make one note about the purchase of these highly valuable and somewhat rare stones – it is advisable to adhere to a brief word of warning about the purchase of colored diamonds. A shopper should be absolutely sure they are purchasing only naturally colored stones, and not those created in synthetic environments. Such differences are quite hard to distinguish, and because these are such costly stones it is a wise choice to work only with a very reputable dealer.
They come in almost every shade, hue or color imaginable, and currently the “hottest” are the canary yellows. While these can be expensive, many clever shoppers are choosing to purchase what is known as the “three stone” band which places two smaller, colored stones to be mounted on either side of a larger colorless diamond (see Mariah Carey’s engagement ring as an example).
Along the same lines as the vintage or estate jewelry are stones cut in unusual or old-fashioned shapes or methods. Consider that heart shaped, round and cushion stones are completely acceptable for a diamond engagement ring, and can provide a unique appearance to such an important piece of jewelry. Shaped stones can also make a very personalized fashion statement as well.