New Trends in Diamond Jewelry

Diamonds have always been at the forefront of fashion. They are quite often the standout item in any ensemble. As trends change over the years, diamond jewelry moves with those trends. One of the greatest things about diamond jewelry is that, even when it may not be on the cutting edge as far as design goes, its antiquity can be just as desirable.

What is Old is New Again

Antique diamond jewelry has always enjoyed a dedicated following and is gaining more and more fans every day. Antique rings and necklaces are not only eye-catching because of the beautiful gems they feature, but because they represent a little bit of history in and of themselves. Having a tactile connection to history is important for many individuals and having a wearable example even more poignant. Whether it be an art deco ring or a 19th century necklace, antiques are always a classy choice and an increasingly popular one.

Independence Means Making Your Own Choices

Some women long for the day when their love will present them with a diamond ring signifying their desire to become that woman’s husband. Many women today, however, enjoy their independence and enjoy doing thing for themselves, including buying jewelry. Many women today buy their own diamond rings and this has caused a great deal of innovation where designs are concerned. Some women choose to wear their diamond on their right hand instead of their left, making it obvious that it was something they got for themselves and not a gift. Today’s women, of course, watch their money as much as does any man and diamond jewelry has always been an excellent investment in addition to being a great fashion choice.

Cuts that Veer Off the Beaten Path

For the diamond cutting industry, the 20th Century was nothing less than a renaissance. In fact, cuts made before the 20th Century are often labeled “primitive” cuts by modern jewelers. Technologies such as lasers, 3-D imaging and computer modeling allow modern jewelers to cut diamonds in ways their predecessors could hardly imagine. Whether customers want a heart to symbolize love or another design to bring to mind a part of your personality, beliefs or heritage which is important to them, modern jewelers can deliver, and are finding themselves being tasked with doing so more and more.

Elegance over Opulence

Diamonds are strikingly beautiful. Sometimes such beauty is only made more profound by understated presentations. Probably no greater example of this can be found than 2009 Oscars fashion, where stars kept with the tradition of wearing diamonds but in incredibly elegant and subtle ways. Stud earrings instead of chandeliers, single and double strand bracelets instead of designs that measured in the 20 carat range were all the rage. As society shifts more toward sensible spending and away from conspicuous consumption, diamonds are being enjoyed for the versatile and dignified effect they can offer to anyone’s ensemble.

More than a Promise

The tradition in marriage jewelry was once a diamond ring for engagement followed by a simple golden band for marriage. This is changing. Many women are choosing to wear their engagement ring along with their wedding band. Oftentimes, the rings can be made complimentary to one another to enhance the effect. It’s a sensible decision since something as beautiful as a diamond deserves to be seen! In some cases, wedding bands with diamonds are chosen which make the old golden ring look a bit less impressive than it used to.

More than one Partner

Husbands, more and more, are adding diamonds to their wedding bands, as well. A man’s hand is set off just as much by the gems as is a woman’s. The brief period when men didn’t wear wedding bands at all or wore very plain bands has long since passed.

More Choices in Metals

The tradition, especially with engagement rings, used to be to set diamonds into gold. This is not surprising as gold is generally associated with wealth, beauty and timelessness as much as are diamonds. Today, however, people are expanding their choices of metals, making an interesting array of jewelry available to those seeking something a bit different.

Platinum has exploded onto the jewelry scene, especially since the beginning of the 21st Century. The gorgeous silver-white colored metal is actually more valuable than gold and every bit as beautiful. As far as metals go, it’s probably the closest match to the clear-white character of diamonds. When people want to give their diamond, and their hand, a shine that will truly be hard to miss, more and more of them are choosing platinum.

The overarching trend, of course, is to customize the use of diamonds in jewelry to one’s tastes rather than tradition and to express one’s self through their jewelry.