While diamonds may be forever, they are also are versatile and a skilled jeweler can cut it into many forms. The trends change over the years, especially where the most important diamonds, those exchanged during or before a wedding, are concerned. Where women once opted largely for round-cut diamonds, square-cuts are currently more in demand. Where men once traditionally wore plain, gold bands, many now wear diamond rings themselves. Even the metals in which the diamonds are set is changing!
For many years, brides-to-be, by and large, preferred a round cut diamond, traditionally set in a gold ring, as a means of announcing their status as being engaged to the world. In the late 1990’s, the industry began to see an increase in the amount of square-cut diamond engagement rings being sold to engaged couples. Even celebrities have been seen exhibiting this new preference in jewelry, with well-known film stars such as Ashley Judd sporting a square cut ring.
As much a tradition as round cut diamonds is having the diamond set in a gold band. Gold has, for a long time, been the metal of choice when one wants to indicate that a piece of jewelry has both meaning and monetary value. Gold does have its drawbacks, however. The metal is very soft and, depending on one’s own complexion, may not be the most flattering choice of material for jewelry, even if it is the most traditional.
Other metals have become more and more popular over the years as alternatives to gold bands for engagement and wedding rings. Platinum is a very popular choice. The metal is actually more precious than gold and has a beautiful silver-white color to it that sets off the sparkle of a diamond very well. Gold itself comes in many subtle color shades, and variations such as red gold have become more popular with those seeking something different. Tungsten has even been used, offering an off the beaten path option for those who like to show off their unique style and taste.
As much as women have consistently preferred a gold band with a round cut diamond, the fashions for men have been inconsistent. When wedding bands began to be a very common tradition in the 1800’s, men did not typically wear them. Brides usually wore a simple gold band. As fashion changed, more brides began wearing a wedding band decorated with diamonds but men, having started to wear wedding bands, still opted for a plain gold band.
In the 1950’s, men’s wedding bands with diamonds became more popular. Since then, the popularity has increased and men’s wedding bands decorated with diamonds are a fairly common sight. These bands tend to be of the traditional gold with fewer and smaller gemstones than those preferred by women. Diamonds do add a great deal of character to the wedding band and make the jewelry seem a bit more significant than a simple band.
As fashion changes, the style and settings of diamonds are certain to change, as well. Diamond jewelry, fortunately, doesn’t risk being out of style with the passage of time. In fact, rather than becoming outdated, older styled rings are generally regarded as antiques and actually tend to increase in value over time. Many antique pieces of jewelry sell for hefty sums and presenting a fiancée to be with an antique ring is certainly not compromising style or fashion in any regard. Rather, it tends to be regarded as a style all its own.
Jewelry, especially something as precious as diamond jewelry, while it does go through the same cycles of fashion as do all other forms of adornment, is a largely personal affair. While celebrity brides may be opting for square cuts and this certainly does have an influence on the market, anything as important as an engagement ring or wedding band can be an opportunity to express one’s self rather than to follow current trends. Brides and grooms who favor more traditional jewelry will likely opt for simple wedding bands and a round cut diamond engagement ring. Those who like participating in the world of fasion will likely pay more attention to the latest fads, especially as exhibited on the celebrities of the day, and opt for a more stylish choice.
Either way, diamonds continue to be a flexible means of expressing one’s self through jewelry. Even within the square cut versus round cut choice, one is presented with the choice of exhibiting classic, timeless style or going with modern, cutting-edge trends to express a cosmopolitan style. Whichever choice it may be, the only thing that has never gone out of style are the diamonds themselves.
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