- Nov 6, 2023
Friends, I am not in the market for an engagement ring, but SO MANY other people are! I know plenty of millennials excited for an upcoming wedding, and lots of older women (whether marrying first or not) excited about the same thing. A loving partner to share your life with is always something to celebrate, and what better way to do it than with a beautiful engagement ring!
Engagement rings do their part to change with the times, and right now is no exception. There’s definitely some trends I’m seeing with engagement rings – everything from halo rings to subbing morganite for diamond. So let’s explore the latest trends in engagement rings!
Morganite engagement rings
The soft pink of morganite is incredibly appealing. I noticed pink diamonds trends years ago, and morganite is a lovely gemstone – clear and bright, and very affordable. Technically (geologically) speaking, morganite is (pink) beryl. Just like emerald (green beryl) and aquamarine (blue beryl). Morganite is also rarer than diamond.
You can get morganite anywhere, and it’s been popular among millennials since 2017 – the year of “millennial pink” and also the first year it showed up on an engagement ring list of popular non-diamond stones. Morganite came in second, after sapphire.
You can get a one carat morganite ring for under $500, where a diamond ring would run $2,000 or more. The color ranges from a pale pink to a deep pink, almost coral. It was named after J. P. Morgan, who was quite the gem collector.
Morganite is likely to stay popular, especially for women who aren’t interested in having a diamond as their main stone.
Colored stone engagement rings
Let’s be real. Diamonds aren’t as popular as they once were. Don’t get me wrong, they’re still selling, and plenty of people are buying them. But people are also increasingly choosing other gemstones for their engagement or wedding ring. Just in my own circle of close friends, I know someone who has a simple gold band, another with a sapphire ring, and someone with a jasper stone. My point is, diamond rings aren’t the sure thing they once were. So it’s no surprise that other great gemstones are filling in. Think Princess Diana or Princess Kate, and that beautiful sapphire halo ring! If it’s good enough for the British Royal Family, it’s good enough for you too! Besides sapphires, rubies and emeralds are popular too. Rubies, being red and symbolizing love and passion, can be a beautiful choice. Emeralds have been popular since antiquity, you cannot go wrong with them.
Beyond the big three, aquamarine and tourmaline are also popular.
Rose gold engagement rings
Let’s move away from the gemstone and talk about the metal. And how rose gold is everywhere! It’s so nice to have other options besides yellow gold and platinum. Rose gold, that delicate soft pink, is flattering on so many skin tones. Most diamonds look fabulous set in rose gold. And if you go with another gem, depending on its color, rose gold can be an attractive choice.
Halo rings
Now let’s talk about ring styles! Halo rings are almost always popular. The halo of stones around the center stone is an optical illusion – it makes your center stone look bigger!
Halo rings come in both modern and vintage styles. The diamonds don’t always have to be the stones that form the halo, but that’s typically the case. Should you ending up choosing one of these, you’ll be in very good company. Tons of celebrities and royals sport halo rings!
Vintage style engagement rings
I suppose it’s inevitable that one of the trends will always have something to do with the past. Vintage style engagement rings are HOT right now! And why shouldn’t they be! They’re gorgeous, and one of kind. For people who are looking for something truly unique, you’re in luck! There are so many styles and settings to choose from.
Engagement ring trends for you
The good news, gem gals, is that there’s so much variety for you to choose something that makes your heart go pitter-patter. Want a diamond? Fine. Don’t want a diamond? Also fine.
Love yellow gold? You go, girl! Rose gold is your thing? Perfect.
Don’t want to spend a fortune? Lucky you, plenty of options. Want to drop some serious cash? No problem.
There’s so much great stuff out there!
So tell me……. Do any of these trends and styles resonate with you?
This post has been edited and updated since it was originally published on August 15, 2019.