Posts Tagged ‘engagement rings’

2013 has ushered in some old tried and true diamond engagement ring trends as well as some new, most original and unique trends. Here’s a brief look at the top engagement ring trends for 2013.

1. Fancy color diamonds

Fancy color diamonds used to be reserved for special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries or just because. Fancy color diamonds are also the perfect complement to almost any outfit. Fancy color diamonds are also emerging as one of the newest engagement ring trends this year.

Shades of yellow, and pink, diamonds are among the most popular choices, but don’t rule out the beauty of blue, brown and red color diamonds. Any one of these colors placed in a unique setting can make the perfect engagement ring.

1. Mixed metals

Traditional 14k and 18k gold bands and settings are still popular choices, but mixed metals are trending as well. Any mixture of metals including platinum, titanium yellow or white gold is hot right now. The combinations can be used to create stunning settings, and their uniqueness makes them even more cherished.

1. Emerald cut

An emerald cut diamond has an aura about it that’s unmatched by any other diamond cut. It’s classy and elegance mixed with an air of vintage makes an engagement ring remarkable and memorable. The sleekness of the lines makes the stone appear bigger than it actually is which may also be attributing to its current trending.

1. Halos

Another huge trend in engagement rings this year is the halo setting; or more accurately, the double halo setting. The two-tiered look of a double halo wrapped elegantly around a center stone adds dimension to the ring, and makes the center stone look bigger.

1. Pear cut

The pear cut diamond engagement ring is another cut that has that hint of vintage coupled with a royal air of elegance. This extremely feminine design has the added benefit of appearing larger in carats than it actually is. This makes the pear cut not only popular, but more affordable.

1. Blue Sapphires

Maybe it’s because of that astonishing blue sapphire Prince William gave to the lovely, Kate Middleton that sparked the blue sapphire trend, but whatever it was, it’s caught on like wildfire. Blue sapphires a huge this year!

1. Art Deco

While the vintage look has been making great strides for many years now, the newest trend has been narrowed down to the very prominent and striking art deco look. This trending look has strong, masculine lines, but the intricate detailing adds that feminine touch every girl is looking for.

1. Eternity Bands

The newest kid on the block is the eternity band. This strong, stunning look is catching more and more eyes, and more and more women are asking for an eternity band as their engagement ring.

1. Floral Motifs

What woman isn’t swept away by flowers? Floral motif engagement rings have personality, beauty and are fast gaining popularity among brides-to-be.

10. 3-stone ring

It is said that the 3-stone ring symbolically represents the past, the present and the future and that why they are still so popular. Look for 3-stone rings in unique settings, and in an array of fancy colors.

Celebrities are known for their stand-out lifestyles. Lavish cars, dining at only the best restaurants, wearing Versace, Gucci handbags slung over their shoulders, and of course, wearing some of the biggest and most beautiful diamond jewelry any of us have ever seen. So is there really such a thing as an engagement ring that’s too big? The trends are saying no.

Engagement rings among celebs are getting larger by the season it seems. Some say it all started with the star who has received more engagement rings than all other stars; the lovely Elizabeth Taylor.

When Taylor became engaged to husband number three in 1957, she toted a whopping 30 carat diamond engagement ring for all to see. Seems big diamond engagement rings are finding their way onto the red carpet once again.

In 2005, Paris Hilton was given a brilliant 24-carat diamond engagement ring from her fiancé, Paris Latisis. Music legends, Mariah Carey and Beyonce both received striking diamond engagement rings from their significant others. Carey landed a 17-carat emerald-cut pink diamond and Beyonce’s rapper boyfriend, Jay-Z, proposed to her in 2007 with a beautiful 18-carat diamond engagement ring. And let’s not forget Kim Kardashian’s mammoth 20.5-carat diamond engagement ring.

So the question still begs; are celebrity engagement rings too big? Well, it’s really a matter of opinion. Some circles believe they’re all in competition with one another to see who can give/receive the biggest engagement ring. Who cares why these huge diamond engagements rings are being gifted. They are still remarkable, unique stones that dazzle everyone’s senses.

Others believe these famous engagement rings are simply a sign of the times, and a growing trend that will continue to grow each year. Maybe so, but what it boils down to is personal opinion. That’s what’s so great about giving your girl a diamond engagement ring.

The one you pick out is special because you picked it out. We all look at these big celebrity diamond engagement rings and say wow! But, then we glance down at the one our soul mate bought specially for us, and our hearts melt all over again.

There’s probably a limit to how big an engagement ring need be. Of course, that limit hasn’t been reached yet as is evident with the ever-growing size of the engagement rings celebrities are gifting to their lovers. Still, determining what is and isn’t too big for an engagement ring is entirely up to the giver and the receiver.

If your better half, got down on one knee and proposed to you with a huge diamond ring would that bother you? What if the ring wasn’t big? What if it was a simple 1-carat cushion-cut diamond perched elegantly on a simple gold band? Would that be ok with you? Of course it would because it the message behind the ring that matters most.

I love you!

There’s no better way to say it except with a diamond!

It has only been in the past few years that purchasing things such as loose diamonds or engagement rings online has become relatively safe and accepted. With modern advancements also comes modern technology. This would be technology that has been created specifically with the consumer in mind.

Not only has purchasing loose diamonds for sale online become standard, creating items such as round engagement rings online has also become a much needed option for many. With the help of software programs, many online jewellers offer clients a way to design their own diamonds and ring designs. This is accomplished by using relatively simple programs such as CADs, which are computer aided design programs.

If you’re looking to create your very own piece of jewellery, a quick internet search will have you within easy access of free CAD programs. The programs are easy to use, even though there are a variety of these programs being used by online jewellers. These programs allow consumers to create the most simple or intricate piece of jewellery that otherwise, would be nearly impossible to be drawn by hand.

One example of this is the sophisticated ArtCAM equipment. This procedure allows you to create your own design of jewellery directly into a wax casting. Other forms of online creations allow you to design pieces that can be viewed in 3D, reviewed, changed, modified or edited as you please before submitting the final design. The CAD programs also work in reverse in that customers can submit a sketch or image of their piece to the jeweller. The store then takes that image or sketch and creates a 3D representation of it and sends it to you via e-mail for modifications or verification.

There really is no limit to what you can design using CAD programs. Regardless of the program or the way you go about submitting your design, you will be able to create items such as wedding bands, engagement rings, earrings and pendants as well as a variety of accessories.

Having something unique to call your own is a desire for many, however having something unique that you designed makes the piece even more special. To use these creative design programs, most will require that you browse their inventory to get a few ideas first. You can usually save notes or ‘ask a designer’ to get you started.

You will begin by choosing a design that you like. You can save a few samples under your favourites with additional notes about things such as extra gems or engraving. From here, you will choose your main gemstone, which for most engagement rings, will be a diamond. This is the time to get creative with the shape and size of your main stone as well as adding accent gems.

Some places offer the option of hand engraving to further customize your piece. You can choose your milgrain details, which are the edging of the ring. Although filigree is considered a fine art, it is often overlooked these days. Here however, you can add it to your design if you like. Don’t forget to choose a metal, finish and texture for your piece as well as the perfect shank, which is the foundation of your design.

When it comes to engagement rings and Hollywood, people just cannot seem to get enough. There are many happy new couples in recent weeks who have either gotten engaged or who have gotten married.

Everywhere you look you will see the news story of the week that Miley Cyrus has become engaged to her beau, Liam Hemsworth. After almost 3 years together, the couple has decided to tie the knot. Liam, who is 22, proposed to the 19-year old singer on May 31 with a stunning 3.5 carat diamond ring from the famous Neil Lane collection.

In a recent interview with People, Miley is quoted as saying, “I’m so happy to be engaged and look forward to a life of happiness with Liam.”

In between this engagement and that interview Drew Barrymore got married. She married her sweetheart art dealer, Will Kopelman, at her home in Montecito, California. The entire affair took place at the star’s estate where a simple, but pretty Jewish garden ceremony took place. Drew, who is 37 and Will, 34, are expecting their first child.

Wedding guests included Cameron Diaz, Jim Toth, Busy Phillips, Reese Witherspoon, Jimmy Fallon and wife as well as Nancy Jujoven. Congrats to the happy couple!

Another great news splash includes photos and a stunning engagement ring worn by Keira Knightely. Knightely, who recently became engaged to rocker boyfriend James Rightom, continues to keep the actual wedding plans very hush hush.

Facebook has made its share of news during these past few weeks and one of the new stories includes a wedding. That’s right! Mark Zuckerberg married long-time girlfriend Priscilla Chan in a private ceremony at their home. After more than nine years together, the couple finally married, apparently just after she completed her medical degree and he released his Facebook shares.

Dressed in traditional groom attire, Mark presented his new wife with a ruby wedding ring adorned by diamonds. The ring was estimated to be worth about $25,000. The ceremony was also held at their home and was attend by about 100 guests.

Vera Wang has recently outfitted another lovely bride, Ahsley Biden. The daughter of VP Joe Biden, who herself is a social worker, walked down the isle with her Philadephia surgeon groom, Dr. Howard Krein. Performing the neuptials in the same church where she was baptized, Ashely Biden walked down the isle in an ivory silk mermaid gown with a lace veil.

The ceremony was well-attended by about 200 guests at the Biden’s lakeside family home. Joe and wife Dr. Jill Biden, said in a statement released by the vice president’s office, “We’re happy to welcome Howard into our family, and we wish them all the best in their new life together.” Ashley, 30 and new hubby 45, have left for an unknown honeymoon destination.

It seems celebrities are the epitome of bigger is better, at least when it comes to their diamonds. It is on the hands of Hollywood babes where you see large, flashy and often times obnoxious rings that, well…almost make us want one. If you’re not so sure this is true, check out a few of these overly eccentric leading ladies.

Elizabeth Taylor will always lead the pack when it comes to her collection of loose diamonds and other diamond rings. She was daring, eccentric and admitted her obsession with diamonds ran far and deep. This is why her third husband, Michael Todd, presented her with an almost 30-carat diamond.

Not that Lady Diana Spencer was eccentric, but she most certainly was beautiful and well-followed when it came to her collection of jewels. One of her most famous pieces included that of an 18-carat deep blue oval sapphire ring that was surrounded by 14 diamonds. Talk about a wow-factor!

While most of us can only hope for a full 1-carat diamond, leading lady Catherine Zeta-Jones sealed her engagement deal with now husband Michael Douglas with a whopping 10-carat antique ring. This stunning beauty was a horizontal set marquise diamond.

The rich and famous are well aware that a large diamond engagement ring does not mean things will work out. Even though Ben Affleck presented Jennifer Lopez with a sparkling 6-carat radiant pink diamond, it was the thought that counts. As we are all aware, that pink diamond just wasn’t enough to keep the engagement going. The cost of her ring was a cool $3 million!

There’s famous and then there’s people like the Hilton’s and Trumps. A short-lived romance with a former beau saw Paris Hilton presented with a stunning 24-carat emerald cut ring while the current Mrs. Donald Trump, Melanie Knauss, is still sporting her 12-carat emerald cut ring reportedly worth $1 million.

Aside from the large and larger are celebrities who also enjoy smaller stones. Although their version of smaller is still mega-grand in our minds, there are Hollywood ladies who don’t mind toning it down a bit.

The Queen herself just happens to be one of those ladies. Her engagement ring is a modest 3-carat diamond set in platinum surrounded by 5 smaller stones. Ornate is also often preferred over obnoxious. Just look at the ring Joe DiMaggio presented to Marilyn Monroe. A simple yet elegant platinum eternity band adorned with 36 baguette diamonds.

Even Jackie Kennedy has enjoyed a smaller-scale ring, accepting a 3-carat emerald cut from John F. Kennedy. Keep in mind that this ‘smaller’ carat ring was also accented with an additional 3-carats of diamonds. Camilla Parker is another fine example of a leading lady who preferred a toned down engagement ring. Prince Charles presented her with a simple yet stunning art deco emerald ring surrounded by baguettes and set in platinum.