Believe it or not, 2013 is nearing its close and 2014 trend reports are already on the horizon. But with engagement season upon us (according to a survey conducted by prominent online wedding site The Knot in 2011, 32% of engagements take place in November and December), let’s review a few of the hottest 2013 engagement ring trends of 2013 for those who are considering popping the question this holiday season.

Earlier this month, Pantone—the worldwide authority on color–determined its color of Spring 2014, called “dazzling blue.” As fashion and home décor designs roll out over the coming months, you will surely see lots of this rich cobalt color, and the fall auctions already have a number of “dazzling blue” pieces up for sale.

When it comes to diamonds, most consumers tend to use the words “cut” and “shape” interchangeably.  But for diamond professionals, there is a big difference.  Diamond Shape refers to the outline of the stone (pear, oval, round, etc.).  Diamond cut refers to a stone’s facet arrangement.  So a shape can be faceted in a variety of ways, or cutting styles.

When it’s time to buy a diamond, many people spend a lot of time educating themselves on the 4Cs of diamond quality, and then determining what the personal trade-offs between those various quality characteristics will be.

Shimmering with an internal fire all its own, diamond is one of the world’s most sought-after and adored gemstones.