Engagement Rings Through The Times
Finding the One
The Engagement Ring. The ring of all rings!!
Whether you are looking for classic or modern, simple and elegant or over-the-top bling, diamonds or colored gemstones....there is a ring for all styles out there. Travel with us through the last century, to enjoy the gorgeous creations that have made some women scream with excitement and cry when they know they have found the one!
1900s
Edwardian Era (1901-1910) designs were marked by their dainty and elaborate details. Most rings centered around a large diamond with small diamonds placed into settings made of filigree and ornate detailing.
1910s
The most popular stone for engagement rings during this period was the old European cut diamond. The hand cut round stone remained popular from the turn of the century until the 1930s.
1920s
Art deco style replaced the frilly and intricate rings of the Edwardian era with a combination of diamonds and colored gemstones and angled lines centered around one large stone. It was common for an engagement ring's center stone to be fitted with a sapphire, emerald, or ruby instead of a diamond.
1930s
Styles were simpler and stones smaller. During the Great Depression, many couples opted for less extravagant engagement rings. Platinum had been the metal of choice for engagement rings, until World War II, and the material was needed for the war effort.
1940s
Doing more with less—adding intricate designs, like leaves, flowers, bows, or hearts, to settings to make up for smaller stones. Yellow gold became more popular as platinum was scarce. Glamorous cushion cut and solitaire center stones became very popular by the mid-1940s.
1950s
In 1953, a truly iconic engagement ring owned Jackie Kennedy, was crafted by Van Cleef & Arpels. A bypass design composed of a 2.84-carat emerald-cut emerald and a 2.88-carat emerald-cut diamond. Baguette-cut diamonds and emeralds decorated the arms of the original design. In 1961 she decided to revamp her ring, taking it back to Van Cleef & Arpels to add more diamonds.
1960s
The '60s were all about showcasing bright and shiny diamonds. Simple silhouettes became more popular for their modern look. A resurgence of pear cut diamonds and a trend of grandiose, over-the-top engagement rings can be seen later in this decade. The Taylor Burton Diamond, a 68 carats pear shaped diamond, is a gorgeous example of extravagance.
1970s
The uniqueness of a ring became more important than its size with angular and geometric cut designs. The princess cut diamond really took off at this time, either worn as a solitaire or with tapered baguettes to the side.
During this time it also became common for the bride and groom to design matching wedding sets.
1980s
The '80s were all about excess. From unique finishing touches and tapers to side stones and baguettes, engagement rings were far from simple during this time. Princess Diana's sapphire and diamond cluster ring sparked the colored stone comeback.
1990s
The minimalist trend is back! This decade gave rise to the marquise cut diamond, which became popular for their sharp edges and bold look. The round solitaire diamond was a very common design again. Settings made in yellow gold were out, platinum and white gold were in.
2000s
The new millennium brought pavé bands, sometimes accompanied by a pavé halo. Double bands added a little something extra in the mid-2000s. Radiant and cushion cuts became popular in the late 2000s.
2010s
Engagement rings featuring colored gems came to forefront again when Prince William proposed to Kate Middleton with his late mother's sapphire and diamond cluster ring.
As a nod to retro style, mixing metals, like gold wedding band and platinum engagement ring, is back in!
Many brides have opted for antique engagement rings, while seeking ethically sourced and conflict-free stones became a thing. This resulted in a resurgence of vintage styles.
And, thanks to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the three-stone ring created a new interest in this style.
2020s
The biggest trend in 2020 is large oval-shaped solitaire stones on a thin band—either pavé or plain. A fun and feminine take on a classic diamond.
WOW! What more can you say? Find what speaks to you. What makes your (her) heart race, those butterflies flutter, and those eyes sparkle.....We all have a unique style that represents who we are. Brighten her year with a truly meaningful piece of jewelry, or maybe an upgrade!!