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.

Kelly Clarkson’s got engaged earlier this year with a stunning fancy color yellow diamond center stone.

Color Explosion
One trend seen from home décor to fashion to jewelry is the explosion of color. While it used to be that nearly every engagement ring featured a solitaire diamond, that trend has shifted with a number of brides choosing colored gems. Fancy yellow, pink, cognac and champagne diamonds, and also gemstones like sapphire—due in part to royal trendsetter Kate Middleton—are continuing to rise in popularity.

Desiree Hartsock’s engagement ring is a diamond, platinum and 18K rose gold “Romantic Entwined Ring” set with a central cushion-cut diamond.

Mixed Metals
The color trend isn’t limited to the center stone. Designers are incorporating mixed metals into engagement rings for a unique and colorful look. While platinum is still a top choice, the mixing of different colors of gold—white, yellow, and rose—creates a look that appeals to many brides looking for something distinct and versatile.

Scarlett Johansson shows off her Art Deco-inspired engagement ring.

Vintage and Art Deco
There’s something about vintage design that captures the romance for many brides-to-be. Vintage rings have increased in popularity over the last decade, and 2013 saw a particular interest in the Art Deco period. Many appreciate the intricate detailing, and the popularity of period shows like Downton Abbey and The Great Gatsby film have continued to fuel interest in designs iconic to the era. While many men propose with current interpretations of vintage or Art Deco designs, some, like Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine, choose true vintage pieces, as when he proposed to Behati Prinsloo earlier this year with a 1930s ring.

Olivia Wilde’s engagement ring features a stunning halo design of emeralds surrounding the center diamond

Halo
While the double halo has been regaining popularity the past few years, 2013 took it up a notch.. Two tiered halo settings create the impression of an even larger center stone. The halo (or double halo) setting is often paired with a square or cushion-cut diamond, in place of the traditional round brilliant.

If you were engaged in 2013, tell us about your ring design. Does it follow one of these trends? Or do you wish one of these trends was around when you got engaged?

The post 2013 Engagement Ring Trends: Beyond the Diamond Solitaire appeared first on GIA 4Cs Blog.

When choosing an engagement ring, there is more to consider beyond gemstone types. We covered popular center stone settings, and now we’ll share with you a few side stone setting styles. There are many options designed to enhance the gemstone’s beauty while reflecting the personality and lifestyle of its wearer.

Platinum and diamond engagement ring with pavé diamond halo and side stones.

Pavé is a type of bead setting where the gemstone is set into a recessed hole in the mounting and held in place by small beads of metal attached at the stone’s girdle. Many small gems are placed close together, usually in a honeycomb pattern, creating the appearance that the jewelry has been ‘paved’ with diamonds. Pave is an elegant setting. But if the wearer is extremely active, the diamonds can be vulnerable to falling out, and therefore should be handled with care.

Platinum and diamond engagement ring with channel set side stones.

Channel setting is a distinctive look created when accent stones are set into a grooved channel and laid edge-to-edge in a row. This design protects the gemstones, making this setting style ideal for daily wear and a good option for an active person.

18K white gold ring, comprised of 1.56 ctw princess cut white Diamonds and 0.42 ctw round Diamonds.

Invisible settings have multiple square-cut stones set edge-to-edge so none of the binding metal shows from the top and gives the appearance of a seamless diamond surface. This style is used to either enhance a center stone with invisible set side stones, or multiple smaller diamonds can be clustered together to create the illusion of a diamond solitaire in the place of a single center stone. This beautiful setting is also somewhat fragile – something to consider when choosing a setting that will fit the lifestyle of its owner.

*Photos courtesy of Platinum Guild International

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1. He’ll do his homework—and so should you. What you really need to know about diamonds can be boiled down to the 4Cs: carat, color, clarity, and cut. The 4Cs were developed by the Gemology Institute of America (GIA) to grade diamonds by a universal standard. Buying a diamond with a GIA grading report on the 4Cs will give him confidence that he’s getting exactly what he’s paying for.
2. Drop subtle hints.Dropping hints can go a long way—you’ll get what you want, and he’ll get the satisfaction of knowing what you like without having to flat out ask. Here are a few tried and true methods:
   • Comment on elements of other rings that you like, ie, “Wow, I loved Melissa’s pear-shaped diamond and how it’s so sparkly and white—way better than a bigger one that’s not as pretty.”
   • Let him “discover” things—leave your computer or a magazine opened to a page with the diamond of your dreams.

If dropping hints sounds about right for you, you’re in good company—The Knot found that 70% of brides “not involved” in ring selection still dropped subtle hints.

1. Get your girls to help. Your soon-to-be-hubby will undoubtedly talk to female family members and girlfriends about what you like—so make sure they’re in the know.
2. Visit a jewelry store together. Going to a jeweler “just to look” can often do the trick. In fact, according to The Knot, over 68% of brides are involved in the ring selection process. Your ideal jeweler is a GIA-trained Graduate Gemologist, but any knowledgeable jeweler should be able to explain the 4Cs and guide you through your options.
3.  …and when all else fails, just tell him. When hints and casual jewelry store visits don’t work, just explain exactly what you want. You’ll make that once-in-a-lifetime purchase less stressful for him, and guarantee a once-in-a-lifetime moment for both of you!

The post 5 Steps to Getting Your Dream Diamond appeared first on GIA 4Cs Blog.

1. Pay extra attention to her

Studies have shown that most women hint as to what they want from a ring, so it’s up to you to listen carefully. You can also take a look at her jewelry collection and see what kind of ring would match her style.

2. Get help from her friends and family

They can give you insight into what she wants; so don’t be afraid to ask for their opinions. Just make sure they can keep a secret!

3. Manage your spending

First and foremost, you should set and stick to a budget. Then, treat the ring like any other major, long-term expense. It is a big purchase, but her ring will be an ever-present part of both of your lives for years to come!

4. Learn the Essential 4Cs

When it comes to buying an engagement ring, there’s no such thing as knowing too much. GIA’s website contains a wealth of information related to buying diamonds, including an in-depth guide to the 4Cs: Color, Cut, Clarity and Carat Weight.

5. Prepare to protect your investment

A grading report will tell you the exact gemological quality of a diamond. You can then use it to compare diamonds against one another using the same universal scale. Also, having a grading report will ensure that your diamond’s gemological quality is documented.

When you’re ready to buy, make sure to have your diamond insured or appraised. An appraisal will place a monetary value to the stone, thus protecting your purchase if it’s stolen.

As you prepare to make your big purchase, just keep these 5 things in mind! When it’s finally time, you’ll know everything you need to make the right decision.

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According to Macrobius, a 5th century Roman writer, the betrothal ring was worn on the fourth finger of the left hand. It was believed that from that finger a special vein ran directly to the heart. To this day, the centuries-old custom of wearing an engagement ring in this way has endured.

Engagement rings weren’t always about diamonds. Keep that in mind as you look for the perfect one. During the Middle Ages, sapphires and rubies initially adorned the engagement ring, while diamonds were incorporated in the 15th century. The earliest written record of the use of a diamond in an engagement ring was in 1477 by a Dr. Moroltinger, who was advising the future Holy Roman Emperor Maximillian to have a ring set with a diamond for his betrothal to Mary of Burgundy. Resisting fire and steel, diamonds stood for the fortitude of a lifelong partnership.

Early cutting techniques caused gems to look dull and even black. Compensating for these lackluster stones, goldsmiths designed elaborate settings, composed of such romantic notions as rosettes and fleur-de-lis, symbolizing the bride’s purity.

More ephemeral than the diamond ring, the rush ring was hastily made from leaves or grass and lasted in many cases as long as the short-lived engagement. A more enduring and popular 16th century ring, the fede (Italian for faith) betrothal ring signified a marriage’s immutability in its central image of two clasped hands.

With the discovery of diamonds in Brazil in the 18th century, diamond jewelry became more readily available, and diamond cluster engagements rings were in vogue. A common cluster design consisted of small rose-cut diamonds arranged around a larger center stone.

Widespread wealth, initiated by the 19th century’s Industrial Revolution and the rich supply of newly discovered African diamond mines, made diamonds available to a greater public. Diamond experts at GIA also note that this period was marked by revolutionary developments in cutting and polishing, resulting in diamonds revealing a brilliance greater than any other gem. The diamond now could stand alone, and so the solitaire engagement ring, as you can see below, became fashionable.

The simple elegance of the classic Tiffany mounting, introduced in 1886 by Charles L. Tiffany, offered an ideal complement to the beauty of the diamond. With the diamond set high in an open, six-prong mounting, the design permitted greater amounts of light to enter the gem, allowing it to exhibit maximum brilliance. Given all the choices that are available to couples today, not only can they choose an engagement ring that represents a centuries-old symbol of love and tradition, but more importantly, a ring that is a personal expression of themselves.

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In a recent survey of Men’s Health and Women’s Health readers, we learned what women really want in an engagement ring. “Her” answers may surprise you.

You guys think bigger is better. But you’ve got to stop stressing over size! It turns out that the clarity of the stone for the money placed higher on her list of priorities than carat size. That was followed by color/whiteness and cut/faceting. For her, size ranked lower most often.

The only thing both men and women agreed on? Bring in a third party so you know exactly what you’re getting.

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