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The Influence of Fashion on Engagement Ring Trends
Alicia Briggs | January 12, 2024
Fashion's fleeting trends and timeless styles have long held sway over the world of engagement rings. Each season, runways and red carpets alike unveil new inspirations, subtly influencing the landscape of engagement ring designs. Selecting an engagement ring design that feels both current and enduring can feel daunting with the never-ending trend cycle.
In this article, we delve into how fashion has influenced engagement ring trends, and how to choose a trendy yet timeless design, no matter the era. We explore fashion’s current and predicted trends for engagement rings, according to industry expert and VRAI Sr. Director of Sales & CX, Grace Taylor.
Explore our full collection of expertly crafted, modern yet timeless engagement rings featuring VRAI created diamonds.
Fashion and Engagement Rings Through the Ages
Fashion trends have long influenced engagement ring trends. Each era has left its indelible mark, with engagement ring designs mirroring the most coveted elements of the current fashion.
In the Victorian era, engagement rings were as much about romance as they were about opulence. Rings from this period often featured intricate designs with delicate engravings and clusters of smaller stones. These details embodied the era's love for elaborate and ornate fashion.
Fast forward to the Art Deco period, and you'll find engagement rings echoing the era's fascination with symmetry and geometric patterns. These bold, streamlined designs perfectly complemented the glamor and modern spirit of the period.
Then came the mid-20th century, a time when Hollywood's golden age cast a glamorous glow on fashion trends in jewelry. Engagement rings took a cue from the screen sirens of the time, with larger center stones and sleek, elegant designs becoming the rage. These rings mirrored the era's penchant for old-world glam, tradition, and allure.
When you examine engagement ring trends throughout history, you can see the influence of the fashion industry.
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Current Trends in Engagement Rings Influenced by Fashion
Current fashion trends are as diverse as they are dynamic, influencing the world of engagement rings in exciting new ways. Today's trends blend personal expression with nods to past eras. Engagement rings are not just about tradition, but also about making a unique fashion statement.
“Over the past few years, people have started moving away from the super thin band with a large diamond combo that has been popular since the 2010s. Though, in my opinion, this will never really go out of style,” explains Grace Taylor, VRAI Sr. Director of Sales & CX. “Metal-centric designs, atypical designs, multiple center stones, more artistic or creative shapes and styles are currently trending for engagement rings.”
In this era of constant reinvention, engagement rings are offering a spectrum of styles to resonate with every fashion sensibility like never before. A few of the top engagement ring trends influenced by fashion today can be found below.
Minimalism
Minimalism, a trend that's all the rage in both fashion and lifestyle, has made its way into engagement ring designs.Sleek, simple bands with a solitaire diamond capture the essence of minimalism and modern design. These rings emphasize craftsmanship, classic style, and understated elegance over flashier, glamorous designs.
Minimalist engagement rings featuring VRAI created diamonds include The Classic and The Knife-Edge.
Bold Accents
There's a growing affection for bold statement pieces in fashion and engagement rings. Think of rings that mix metals, such as combining yellow gold bands with rose gold for a multi-color stack, or incorporating multiple diamond shapes into one design.Choosing unconventional diamond cuts as the center stone is one of the latest trends, with unique diamond cuts more in demand than ever. Just like the eclectic, vibrant fashion trends gracing today's runways and streets, these rings are all about expressing individuality and daring to be different.
Bold engagement rings featuring VRAI created diamonds include The Floating Split Band and The Double Band.
Vintage-Inspired
Fashion is always taking inspiration from the past, with a current focus on vintage style and thrift shopping. As such, vintage engagement rings are particularly on-trend.Antique designs, be it Victorian intricacies or Art Deco geometry have made a comeback. These vintage-inspired designs are often redefined to suit the contemporary aesthetic.
Vintage-inspired engagement rings featuring VRAI created diamonds include The Signature Floral Halo and The Bezel.
How Celebrities Influence Engagement Ring Trends
Celebrities often set the pace for fashion trends. This influence extends to their choice of engagement rings. From trendy diamond shapes, to bespoke heirloom designs, or unique settings, celebrity engagement rings tend to trend.
When celebrity engagements make headlines, the ring often takes center stage. From red carpets to Instagram posts, every design detail of a celebrity engagement ring is revealed. This instantly inspires the current shopper’s ring selections.
From unconventional shapes to eco-friendly lab-grown diamonds, celebrity engagement rings are rarely traditional. Today, many celebrities are opting for rings that reflect their distinct personal style, or that pay homage to notable engagement rings of the past, such as the Toi et Moi.
The Sustainable Future of Fashion and Engagement Rings
Sustainable engagement rings are not just a trend, but a movement. Sustainability in fashion has been a primary focus for consumers, and now, engagement rings are no exception. Sustainable engagement rings are the perfect symbol of true love, as they represent your love for each other and the planet.
Sustainability is only going to grow stronger in influencing both fashion and engagement rings. Most notably, more shoppers are opting for lab-grown diamonds over mined diamonds. The particular trend towards eco-friendly, ethically sourced materials, like recycled metals and sustainable lab-grown diamonds, is rising.
Future Engagement Trends According to Experts
Future engagement ring trends, according to predicted fashion trends, promise more personalization, sustainability, and technological innovation. Engagement rings will continue to blend artistry and cutting-edge technology for creativity and personalization.
“Social media has really made it so that engagement ring shoppers can explore thousands of designs from big and small scale creators (and celebrities), rather than just seeing what they see at their local jeweler,” explains Taylor. “That has meant a rise in individuality and uniqueness in engagement ring trends.”
The days of one-size-fits-all are fading fast, with more shoppers choosing to seek bespoke, custom designs both in clothes and engagement rings. Custom settings and diamonds are going to increase in popularity, blending traditional with modern to create entirely new designs.
Choosing several engagement rings, to further express your style, is also on the rise. “I’m a huge fan of ring wearers developing a ring wardrobe over time. I have several rings that I mix and match depending on my mood and outfit,” says Taylor.
As tech continues to leap forward, so will the ways we design and experience engagement ring shopping. From 3D printing to virtual try-ons, the possibilities are endless. With the rise in quality online jewelers, personalized, bespoke engagement rings are more accessible than ever.
The future of engagement rings is a harmonious blend of skilled craftsmanship, innovative technology, sustainable materials, and peak customization. One such advancement belongs to VRAI alone. Thanks to Cut for You™, VRAI created diamonds can now be cut into thirty shapes, including Oval Rose, Brilliant Emerald, Long Hexagon, and more.
Let Your Engagement Ring Reflect Your Style at VRAI
Your story is unique, so your ring should be also. At VRAI, we offer innovative, timeless engagement ring designs that truly represent your individual style and love story. We pride ourselves on our ability to blend contemporary fashion trends with enduring elegance.
What truly sets VRAI apart is our commitment to personalization. Our expert craftspeople, with four generations of industry knowledge and artistry, bring each engagement ring to life according to your specifications. With unmatched customizable details and quality, every VRAI engagement ring is a true reflection of the wearer's enduring individual style.
At the heart of every beautiful engagement ring is a VRAI created diamond. VRAI lab-grown diamonds are cut and polished to the highest standards. We only offer diamonds with the top 1% of cuts.
Unmatched in origin, VRAI created diamonds are grown in the world’s first zero-emission foundry, powered by 100% renewable energy. With VRAI, your Carbon-Neutral Certified engagement ring will reflect your values and style. There’s nothing more fashionable than that.
Engagement Ring Fashion Trends FAQ
Read on for answers to frequently asked questions about fashion’s influence on engagement rings.