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.

The stores have their decorations up, which means that the 2013 holiday shopping season has officially begun. To assist with a fine jewelry purchase you may be considering, GIA has put together a Holiday Buying Guide, a 7-part series dedicated to making you a more informed jewelry shopper, as well as a more relaxed one.The first installment in our series covers diamond jewelry trends – what we’re seeing on runways, red carpets, in stores, and fashion magazines. So if you’re looking for gift ideas to help you shop for diamond jewelry this holiday season, here are a few trends and themes you’re likely to see:

Go Bold
The runways this fall featured statement jewelry with big cuffs, big earrings, and big necklaces. But satisfying the “big” trend for the diamond lover in your life could be out of reach, since larger diamonds are rare and, as a result, expensive. You can still deliver “big” – and not break the bank – by going for jewerly designs that incorporate numerous very small diamonds, called melee, in a pavè setting to create a dazzling effect. When shopping this holiday season, don’t forget that GIA can provide a grading report and laser inscription  for diamonds as small as .15 carats. While it may seem obvious to get a grading report for a large statement diamond, it’s important to know what you’re buying at any size.

Square radiant cut bezel set diamond flanked by melee diamonds. Image courtesy of DeBeers Diamond Promotion Service

Don’t Forget the Wrist
Almost all designers showed something on the wrist during the fall runway shows, and often, more than one type of bracelet or cuff worn together. For the woman who seems to have everything, you might want to consider adding a diamond bracelet or cuff to her jewelry collection.

Platinum bracelet with a leaf and paisley-shaped loop design. Studded with prong set diamonds. Image courtesy of Platinum Guide International.

Period Pieces Remain Hot
We’ve featured popular design eras on the blog before, including Edwardian Era Jewelry, fueled by interest in popular entertainment like Downton Abby, and Art Deco, a style beloved by Hollywood and soaring in popularity, thanks in large part to this year’s The Great Gatsby film. These trends continue to be hot, and 19th and early 20th century fancy-cut diamonds are more sought-after than ever, including “old mine cut” diamonds (which are sometimes called antique cushion cut diamonds). These vintage cuts are rare, but if you can’t find true vintage there are many contemporary “vintage-inspired” designs that are sure to please.

Inspired by vintage design, this diamond ring in platinum features milgrained edges that frame delicate engraving set with petite round diamonds. Image courtesy of Platinum Guide International.

Bridal Engagement Ring Trends
The holiday season is the most popular time to propose, so no holiday diamond buying guide would be complete without mentioning diamond engagement ring trends. The halo style continues to be very popular. And while not a top trend yet, colored diamonds, or gemstones surrounded by diamonds, are continuing to rise in popularity. For more detail on current engagement ring trends, be sure to visit our previous blog post, 2013 Engagement Ring Trends.

Platinum ring with diamonds in both the halo and shank. Image courtesy of Platinum Guide International.

Now that you’re up to speed on diamond jewelry trends, stay tuned for the next installment in our 2013 Holiday Buying Guide series, where we talk about the importance of understanding the 4Cs when shopping for a diamond. Which of these trends are you hoping will make its way to your doorstep?

The post Holiday Buying Guide – Part 1: Diamond Jewelry Trends for the 2013 Holiday Season appeared first on GIA 4Cs Blog.

Vintage jewelry is experiencing a revival in popularity, perhaps inspired by a surge of period movies and shows like the PBS hit Downton Abbey. Art Nouveau in particular influences many contemporary jewelry designs today. The Art Nouveau design period lasted between 1890 and 1914, and was in many ways a response to the Industrial Revolution.

Brooch in 18k white gold with diamonds and aquamarine. Design is a fusion of Art Nouveau and Classical, emblematic of the 1960′s. Gift of H. Stern Jewelers, Brazil

Art Nouveau pieces are often inspired by nature, featuring celestial bodies, flowers, animals and insects, inspirations which some design historians attribute to a reaction against the industrialization of the time. Gemstones were used to add accents of color and enhance the inherent romance of the jewelry created during this period. One particularly noteworthy Art Nouveau form, the whiplash line, is a visual expression of breaking away from convention.

Art Nouveau gold pendant with a pearl.

Art Nouveau experienced its first revival in the 1960s, appearing as psychedelic art. The romantic, otherworldly designs provided an escape during another tumultuous period in history. Now, more than a century after its height, Art Nouveau continues to inspire artists and designers with its dramatic allure.

If you are shopping for Art Nouveau jewelry, here are some exciting characteristics to look for:

1. Art Nouveau jewelry features mythological and fantastical imagery in extraordinary detail.
2. The whiplash line is essential to the composition of the pieces.
3. Gemstones are used sparingly to accent the jewelry, rather than as a focal point.
4. If you believe a piece may be vintage, look for a signature, which would increase the piece’s significance and value.

Art Nouveau plique-a-jour enamel Egyptian motif pin.

Learn more about purchasing vintage jewelry or historic jewelry.

Do you currently own any jewelry either inspired by Art Nouveau, or vintage?

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