THE SHORT ABELINI “HOW-TO” GUIDE TO ENGAGEMENT RINGS
Ready to pop the question, but not sure where to start when choosing the ring?
From statement solitaires to unusual shapes, colours and settings, selecting the perfect engagement rings for your loved one can be a daunting task.
Never fear, we’ve done the hard work for you. Below, you’ll find the top 10 biggest engagement ring trends for 2021 in the UK.
1. UNUSUAL SHAPED DIAMONDS
Unusual shaped diamonds are arguably the biggest trend in 2021. Shapes like pear, oval, heart and hexagon are being favoured over traditionally styled rings, thanks to these engagement rings spotted on Cardi B and Priyanka Chopra.
Despite this surge in popularity, fancy-shaped diamonds have been popular for hundreds of years. Pear-shaped diamonds can even be traced back as early as the 15th century!
There are a few characteristics to watch out for when choosing an unusually shaped diamond for your engagement ring. You’ll want to think about symmetry, sparkle, and length to width ratio to ensure you get a quality diamond for your money and one that will stand the test of time.
2. TRILOGY RINGS
A popular choice for decades, yet one that continues to grow in popularity, ‘trilogy’ or ‘three stone’ rings feature just that – three classically cut diamonds set in a simple band, often of varying sizes to signify the couple’s past, present, and future together.
Prince Harry chose an elegant trilogy ring when he proposed to Meghan Markle, and it’s easy to see why. Trilogy rings offer three times as much sparkle as solitaire and allow the wearer to make a contemporary statement without the risk of ever going out of style.
Some more daring designs seen in 2021 showcase a trilogy style featuring unusually shaped diamonds, from baguettes to pears and trillions, set on elegantly thin bands.
3. YELLOW GOLD ENGAGEMENT RING
While we’re speaking of Ms Markle – yellow gold is experiencing a huge resurgence this year thanks to Harry’s choice of engagement ring. Meghan’s three-diamond showstopper is set on an elegant yellow gold band.
This eye-catching metal makes a statement and can be paired with both diamonds and coloured gemstones for a bride that is looking for something both bold and unusual.
4. MINIMALIST BANDS
Minimalist engagement rings are trending, big time. These delicate rings often feature twisted bands, claw prongs and intricate diamond accents, and are an ideal choice for the bride that favours classic simplicity over flashy, ostentatious pieces. Think ‘less is more when selecting your minimalist ring.
Look for simple yet striking designs featuring delicate stones for a contemporary twist on traditional engagement ring styles.
5. STACKING ENGAGEMENT RINGS
Stacking rings have been increasing in popularity over the last few years, thanks to several prominent costume jewellery designers. For many, the engagement ring is the start of the ultimate stack, and several jewellery designers are now embracing the trend.
Be bold and choose unusual shapes for your loved one’s stack - oval, rectangle and octagon diamonds offer a unique twist for fashion-conscious brides.
When you're choosing a stacking ring, you’ll need to think long term – many brides and grooms will choose their engagement ring and wedding bands at the same time, as they are often designed to interlock when worn together.
6. CLUSTERED SETTINGS ENGAGEMENT RING
Fancy making a statement when you pop the question?
OneOne of the biggest trends this year is the surge in clustered engagement rings – where many smaller coloured diamonds are set to create a unique and eye-catching design. However, clustered rings have been a popular choice since Roman times. Historically, the number of stones included on a ring signified the wearer’s status and wealth
Today, clustered rings are a popular choice for those looking to flaunt their individuality.
7. COLOURED STONES ENGAGEMENT RING
Colourful engagement rings are on the up. Whether it’s a stunning sapphire engagement ring, a glowing green emerald or a deep red ruby, coloured stones are the perfect way to make a statement and stand out from the crowd, which is why many brides are choosing coloured stones for their engagement rings in 2021.
Kate Middleton famously said yes when Prince William popped the question with Princess Diana’s huge sapphire back in 2010, which many believe kickstarted this major trend.
8. NATURALLY INSPIRED ACCENTS
As brides look for ways to make their weddings unique, this has also transferred to the jewellery they’re choosing to mark their special day. A huge trend for 2021, hand-made and naturally inspired shapes and accents are being chosen over more uniform rings.
9. PEARLS AND DIAMONDS
Diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but pearls aren’t far behind either. Combining these two classic stones creates an effortlessly elegant and timeless look for the modern bride. Pinterest has also seen a huge spike in pearl and diamond ring repins, thanks to a resurgence of pearl jewellery of late.
10. SOLITAIRES
While we love a bold style, a pop of colour and an unusual shape, solitaire rings continue to be the number one choice for brides the world over. It’s impossible to go wrong with the solitaire style, which is why this classic silhouette has stood the test of time.
These traditional rings usually feature just one focal stone and are the perfect choice for couples opting for a traditional wedding ceremony.
That said, there are still some fun ways you can create a unique look while still choosing a classic shape. Think about a minimalist band, or a modern metal like rose gold when choosing your solitaire ring.
Ready to say ‘I do’?
I hope the 10 Engagement Ring trends you need to know for 2021 has helped you make the right choice. Abelini is proud to offer a wide range of exquisite engagement rings to suit all tastes and styles, from stunning solitaires to unique and eye-catching cluster rings.
All of our products are crafted with the highest care and attention to detail to ensure your engagement ring lasts a lifetime. Our diamond jewellery is designed and produced in well-established workshops by highly skilled craftsmen right here in the UK, and we pride ourselves on checking every piece individually for authenticity and quality before shipping.
What are you waiting for? Shop our range of rose gold engagement rings and promise rings today.
Buying an engagement ringcan seem incredibly daunting! You might have decided that the time is right to “pop the question,” but are you sure about what you’re looking for in an engagement ring?
We all know that once the decision has been made you are making a symbolic gesture that reflects the level of seriousness you both place on your relationship as a couple – but the next level stress will come from the engagement ring which is just as symbolic and important as the actually deciding you want to be engaged in the first instance.
What You Need To Consider?
There is some stuff you’ll need to know before you buy “the ring.” You need to understand that your loved one will wear this ring for, hopefully, eternity. As such, they need to be comfortable and more importantly love the ring. So, take stock of your loved one’s jewellery habits.
What type of ring/jewellery design does she love? Are a lot of her jewellery items platinum? Does she like a specific birthstone or does she like her diamonds? Has she got a lot of Cubic Zirconia but really, she’d love a real shining diamond?
Learn from them but also keep yourself aware of the “hints” you might be getting. They could be subtle, a glance at a jeweler’s window or not so subtle like an email link to a ring they like?
Next Steps – The Actual Ring
You’ll need to find out her size. You can get
size charts
from all reputable jewellers or you can use a day ring she currently uses and
ask a jeweller to get it sized. Once you have the size, and you understand
their style preferences you can start thinking about buying the ring!
First, you’ll need to consider the metal used in the ring. White gold, rose gold or regular gold? I’m still talking about engagement rings, not iPhones! So, does your other half like platinum rings or white gold rings? Once you know the metal you can move onto the diamond!
Diamonds? What You Need To Know?
The next milestone will be the “shape”. There are 12 main shapes. They include:
Round, Radiant, Oval, Emerald, Princess, Pear, Trillion, Baguette, Heart, Cushion, Asscher, Marquise.
To, find out
more, why not head to ForeverMark, a
diamond shape and cut guide to finding out how exactly each shape fits into the
engagement ring and the cut therein you’re looking for?
The next step is understanding the diamond quality. This is understanding the five C’s of diamond quality standards:
Clarity: This is about the blemishes (or not) on the diamond itself
Cut: Not be confused with the shape of the diamond this is about the cutting of the diamond at the manufacturing level
Colour: This is about how discolored or clears the diamond itself is
Carat: The Carats are the measurements out of a 100 for the diamond
Certificate: This is the diamond grading lab Certificate of quality
Once you know the metal, have got the right shape and have followed the “five Cs,” you can physically shop for the diamond engagement of your dreams. Remember, if you are unsure you could always take a friend or a family member of your partner to see if they think it would suit.
Remember, this is a long-term decision, so you need to make sure that the ring will be beloved by its recipient. Alternatively, why not book a non-pressure viewing at our London showroom? Call us on 0203 805 1270 to discuss your engagement ring needs further?
It's going to be one of the most significant questions you will ever ask in your life, so when you descend on one knee in breathless anticipation, you’ll want to do it right. Nobody knows your partner better than you. With our expertise and your knowledge of what they’ll love, we’ll craft the perfect engagement ring for you. Crafted using only the best materials, our selection of rings are guaranteed to make your proposal unique. Whether you and your partner delight in sumptuous vintage grace or prefer a timeless modern piece of jewellery, we have the perfect ring for you. Shop by price, metal, shape, or stone, including diamonds, gemstones and black diamonds, and assemble the perfect ring for your proposal online, or visit our showroom at Hatton Garden for your bespoke one-to-one consultation with one of our engagement ring experts. We offer a bespoke design service to ensure that your ring is unique to you, memorable, and perfect in every way. Explore the beautiful selection of engagement rings we offer, and discover more about the precious metals, unique cuts, and variety of stones to design your unique ring. Let us help you make it everything you both wish for and deserve by helping you choose the ideal engagement ring.
