Sapphire Jewelry
Another year, another wonderful set of engagement ring trends. If you’re looking for a sapphire engagement ring, you’re probably a fashion-forward lady and you want something that is very personal. Getting a ring that’s up-to-date, yet also timeless in its allure, can be a challenge. Find the right combination for you, see this year’s most coveted engagement ring trends!
A Great Example Of This Year’s Engagement Ring Trends
What’s Happening This Year
Incredibly it’s nearly June, and we’re almost six months into this year (where did it all go?). So far, we’ve seen celebrity couples throw caution to the wind with weddings, and wedding rings, marking a return to pre-recession extravagance. Only last year, George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin tied the knot in a former Venetian palazzo, while Kim Kardashian and Kanye West held their $12 million nuptials in a 16th-century fort in Florence, Italy.
George Clooney’s Wife, Amal Alamuddin, And Her Emerald-Cut Diamond Engagement Ring (Suggest.com)
Yet what’s been clear is that most engagement rings this year have had a notably modern look, reflected by the engagement rings celebrities have chosen. Fewer stars opted for vintage styles, instead choosing cleaner lines and quite a bit of color!
Colorful Stones
Perhaps not the biggest surprise, and more of a continuing trend, couples are flocking to colored engagement rings. Fancy colored stones, in blue, yellow and pink, are especially stunning. But it doesn’t have to be a diamond—there are plenty of other gorgeous gemstones that will give your ring the unique touch such as sapphires, rubies and emeralds.
Our Cushion-Shaped Pink Sapphire Ring With Yellow Sapphire Side Stones
This “trend” really began five years ago when Prince William gave Kate Middleton his mother’s blue sapphire engagement ring. Since then, top-drawer celebrities such as Penélope Cruz and Mary Kate Olsen have chosen colorful sapphires for their engagement rings.
Our 9.55-Carat Radiant-Cut Yellow Sapphire Ring With Diamond Side Stones
In particular, yellow gemstones, the color of sunshine, have really hit the mark this year. They appeared in a couple of high-profile engagement rings last year too; George Clooney gave his bride a 7-carat emerald-cut fancy yellow diamond (costing a reported $750,000). Brides on slightly tighter budgets might opt to use their heads a little by using yellow sapphires instead, as was seen in the ring Donnie Wahlberg gave his now-wife Jenny McCarthy.
Modified Halos
The halo setting has been on trend for several seasons now. A halo is where an engagement ring’s center stone is surrounded by smaller pavé diamonds. They give added sparkle to every ring.Recently, the halo has evolved. New ideas and spins on the theme have arrived. The two-tier halo seems to be every brides must-have this season! The result? Double the amount of sparkle!
Pink Cushion Cut Sapphire Ring With Double Diamond Halo Setting
The primary advantage of the halo is that the ring appears far more opulent, offering spark and sizzle without requiring an ample center stone. Hence it has rapidly become a classic.Another twist on the traditional and simple halo has been channel-set, beading, milgrain, and hand engraving, on the halo. All offering added detail to a ring, and this can have a huge impact.
An Oval Blue Sapphire Ring With Double Diamond Halo Setting
Simpler Settings
Despite the rise of the colored stone and the continual popularity of the halo setting, a surprising emergence this year has been the demand for relatively simple settings.
A Very Simple Prong Setting With Blue Sapphire And Diamond Side Stones
The most common and classic ring setting is called a prong setting. A prong is a little metal claw that grips the gemstone tightly, holding it in place. Prongs can be rounded, pointed, flat, or V-shaped. Most prong settings feature either four or six prongs. A benefit of this setting is that there is a minimum presence of metal, so there’s more stone on view and light that can pass through the gem, adding to its brilliance.
Pink Sapphire Solitaire Ring A simple Classic Setting
Of the prong settings, the most common is the solitaire setting featuring one center stone. Although subtly adding two side stones can also result in a stunningly beautiful ring.
Unusual Cuts
Something that is often overlooked. Cut does not refer only to the shape of the stone. Rather, it refers to the facets on the gem’s surface, which allow light and color to shine through at their best. It is particularly important in lighter colored stones, and will be the main factor affecting your sapphire’s sparkle. If the cut is poor, the stone will look dull and lifeless. Perhaps it should be the most important consideration therefore.
A Marquis Ruby Engagment Ring
Angelina Jolie’s engagement ring this year had multiple baguettes tapering down the sides of her emerald-cut diamond ring—a very old fashioned look, reminiscent of the 1970s. We have noticed other formerly passé cuts gaining momentum as well. For instance the Marquise, Pear and the Asscher cut have all been coming to the fore. This is not to say the traditionally popular oval round and cushion cuts have lost their supporters. Just remember, a well-cut sapphire will make your ring dazzlingly brilliant.
A Truly Unique Pink Sapphire Engagement Ring In A Shield Shape
Matching Wedding Sets
Almost daily we receive inquiries about fitted wedding sets—engagement rings with matching wedding bands. This has been the outstanding growth sector so far this year.Sometimes a bride will be looking for a wedding ring to fit perfectly next to her existing engagement ring. Very often she will be looking for a set of both matching rings.
A Custom Order Wedding Set Made By Our In House Designers
Fortunately, we have an extensive range of doubles settings, which can be created in white and yellow gold, platinum, and palladium. We also make bespoke, matching wedding bands.
Fitted Wedding Band Set
Design Your Own Ring
Another huge, and understandably growing, sector. Many couples now wish to design their own individual ring, for extra meaning of course! For the layperson it may sound like quite a challenge.
Fortunately at The Natural Sapphire Company, we actively encourage our clients to become involved in the design process. You can also create the ring of your dreams. Our single aim is that our clients are totally happy with their ring choice. Some come along, let’s get creative and start designing something beautiful for you.