idazzle.com - an insider's guide to jewelry

Top 5 Engagement Ring Trends for 2010

Here are the Top 5 Trends for engagement ring designs that I have seen online, in stores, and on people’s hands.

Yellow Fever

Gold is back, baby! A few designers have gone back to–or never left–warm, rich yellow gold as a medium. Diamonds seem to sparkle more as they stand out in white relief from the world’s most popular metal.

Gabriel and Co. makes a number of settings using gold, including this engagement ring and wedding band combo.

Gabriel and Co. Engagement Set W-ER4333 in 18K Yellow Gold

The very talented Alex Sepkus has worked in yellow gold for a long time. I love his Klimt-like interpretations, and the finish on his gold is amazing.

Alex Sepkus 18K Bezel Setting from McCaskill and Co.

Head-Turning Crowns

This trend is all about the head, or the prongs that the center diamond is put into. Several designers have elevated this into an art form, with intricate profiles that look like tiaras.

This engagement ring by Jewels by Erica Grace has a stunning presence; the lines are lovely and very-well executed:

Julia Setting by Erica Grace, $2125 Retail in 18K Gold

This stand-out ring from Erica Courtney actually hits on two trends: intricate profile, AND it is yellow gold. You can go with a scrolled pave diamond gallery underneath the diamond, or personalize it with initials.

Ellen Setting by Erica Courtney with Custom Initial, Retails Starting at $10,200 for 18K with a 1 Ct. Center Diamond

Rare Form

Some designers are doing interesting things with the shape of the bands, casting or carving in sculptural reliefs. The result is a design that elevates and challenges traditional perception.

This interwoven band from custom atelier, 23rd Street Jewelers, elegantly showcases their work.

Style SMR3620 from 23rd Street Jewelers, Avail As Is for $41,500, or Custom

This engagement ring from Krikawa manages to be delicate and modern at the same time, and can be customized. I especially like how the prongs twist up from the band design to wrap around the diamond:

Delicate Leaf Setting from Krikawa, Retail Starts at $2640 for 14Kt Gold

This is a very unusual combination of 18K rose and white gold from MaeVona at E.E. Robbins, with the feel of modern sculpture:

Eriskay Setting by MaeVona in 18K Rose and White Gold, $1850 Retail

Perennial Vintage

The vintage look continues on its white-hot run. There is something inherently familiar about these Art Deco, Art Nouveau, Retro and Victorian styles. In addition to the beauty and integrity in the lines, there is some confidence that the designs will be timeless.

You can go actual vintage or antique (anything at least 100 years old), or with a new vintage-style setting. With actual vintage, the designs are often exquisite and the hand-cut stones have a warmth and personality all their own.

Platinum Art Deco Engagement Ring Circa 1920's, .95 Ct Center, $8000 Retail

Vintage reproductions have the advantage of estate style with new, crisp manufacturing and modern brilliant stones.

Design house Tacori does a nice collection of vintage-inspired-but-modern, you can find them at great retailers across the country:

Tacori Engraved Platinum Setting with Baguettes, Style Ref #HT2350

And no one does intricate platinum pave–or double claw prongs–better than this craftsman, Leon Mege:

Platinum Pave Setting for Cushion Cut by Leon Mege

A.B.T. (Anything But Traditional)

I am happy to see this trend gaining momentum. Engagement rings are meant to symbolize a commitment to your partner, and that can look very different to each person or couple.

Designer Conroy + Wilcox reinterprets the classic single stone engagement ring with the soft sparkle of a grey rose-cut diamond and handmade bezel, from Erie Basin:

Conroy+Wilcox .50 Ct Grey Diamond in 18K Yellow Gold, $1740

Also from Erie Basin, this ring from the 1880′s has a romantic, Gothic feel with its navette shape and blackened silver around the Old European and Rose-cut diamonds:

1880's Victorian Diamond Ring from Erie Basin, $4700 Retail

This curving band by Beverly K from Greenwich Jewelers with blackened finish would make a delicate statement as an alternative engagement ring:

14K Beverly K Infinity Band from Greenwich Jewelers, $800 Retail

If diamonds just aren’t your thing, this simply sculptural ring from Gemvara is lustrous–and infinitely customizable–in 18kt rose gold with a Sapphire center stone.

18K Rose Gold and Sapphire Ring from Gemvara, $1362 as shown

If you want to find out where to purchase these or other engagement rings, click here to drop me a line so that I can refer you to a great jeweler in your area.

What is your favorite ring or trend? Comment and add others!

Please Vote And Share This Post:

stumble del.icio.us reddit digg mixx

Related Posts ↓

• Jewelry Essentials for Every Woman
• Designer Spotlight: Mark Patterson
• Holiday Gift Ideas: Personalized Jewelry
• Ode to a Simple Wedding Band
• The Road to Happiness is Paved in Diamonds