The History of Jewellery: February 2015

Is a statement engagement ring about to have a major moment?

Lady Gaga’s pending marriage to her longtime love Taylor Kenny has rocked the world in more ways than one. Her heart shaped engagement ring is certainly a rock and suggestions I have read say it is worth half a million. Now this giant heart-shaped diamond could cause most men to have a heart attack. The very thought that their loves will now what him to follow this celebrity trend and give them his heart in the shape of a rock would of course be well beyond the average man’s pocket.

But the good news is that the fashion trend an engagement ring is changing. Vogue published an article recently which intimated that vogue thinks that your diamond engagement ring is so uncool and boring. A diamond solitaire has been the engagement ring standard for decades now, but recently an article in Vogue called that all into question with the declaration that, “diamond rings are just no longer cool.” So what will take their place?

With Lady Gaga’s enormous ring becoming viral on social media the diamond comparison game has gone into full swing.How many carats? What is it’s Clarity and Quality? Where is it from? Is it a Conflict diamond? Do you like the cut? Would you wear a heart on your finger? What could it possibly be worth? All this hype could make an ordinary traditional diamond feel a little passé. Do women sporting a small classic ring now feel embarrassed to wear it and keep in their safe? Women need to love and cherish their engagement ring forever and not be put off by trends and fashion magazines making statements they cannot back up.

A diamond's quality and price are determined by a set of four conditions known as the four C's - cut, clarity, color, and carat. When choosing your diamond jewellery especially if it is an engagement ring to express your love for each other it is important to balance the four C’s together with your budget. you need to determine whether size or quality is more important to you. I advise that you go for the highest quality cut you can afford as that determines the vast majority of the diamond's brilliance.

While I am sure that a classic round solitaire diamond will never go out of fashion, I can't help but wonder if a statement engagement ring is about to have a major moment. I myself have always loved alternative rings that are more flamboyant and attention attracting. I opted for a large Indian Star Ruby for my engagement ring and over the years it has always be the topic of many conversations and comments. Princess Di (now inherited by Princess Catherine) opted for a large deep blue Sapphire surrounded by diamonds the design of which has since been copied and admired my many.

I believe that more and more women will opt for alternatives to the traditional look. Colored stones, raw diamonds, and eye-catching cuts will become all the rage. In light of this, I have pored over the engagement ring market to come up with exquisite but trendy rings which make a statement and will be admired forever.

Some of my favorites