Even during a global pandemic, love prevails.

While COVID-19 has left many individuals feeling disheartened, others are trying to make the most of this time and bring some happiness and good news into their lives and the lives of their loved ones. For some, this means asking the person they want to spend the rest of their life with that pivotal four-word question, “Will you marry me?”

So if you’re someone who’s thinking about proposing, we can help make your proposal all the more special by making sure you propose with a gorgeous, well-made engagement ring designed just for your significant other. And if you’re not sure where to begin, consider these recent engagement ring trends.

• Lab-grown diamonds. Lab-grown diamonds have become increasingly popular within the past couple of years. These gems have the same chemical composition and physical appearance as natural diamonds, but are created in a laboratory instead of forming deep within the Earth over a period of one to three billion years. One of the biggest reasons why an increasing number of people are taking interest in these gems is because they are slightly more affordable than natural diamonds. This means that individuals can get a somewhat larger, nicer quality diamond if they decide to go the lab-grown route instead of the natural diamond route. Just keep in mind that since the future of lab-grown diamonds is uncertain, no one really knows how these gems will hold value over time, so what you pay for a lab-grown diamond today may be more than what it’s actually worth later on down the road.
• Oval diamonds. When it comes to center gemstone shape, round is still the number one choice, but fancy cut diamonds (diamonds that are not round) are being requested more frequently in recent years. Oval diamonds, in particular, have become increasingly popular within the past few years. In fact, these gems have doubled in popularity since 2017. This diamond shape has an attractive lengthening effect, which can make one’s finger appear longer and slenderer.
• Rose gold and yellow gold. Even though more than half of couples today select a white gold setting for their engagement ring, we’ve been noticing more interest in rose gold and yellow gold settings recently. Rose gold is romantic, fashionable, and compliments nearly every skin tone. Yellow gold is classic and can be paired with a lower color-grade diamond for those looking to save a little extra money. In addition, both rose gold and yellow gold require less maintenance compared to white gold since these metals don’t need to be rhodium plated every one to two years like white gold typically does.
• Moissanite. Moissanite is another gem that is becoming more prevalent in today’s engagement rings. Like lab-grown diamonds, moissanite is a lab-created gemstone. It’s very similar in appearance to that of a diamond, but costs a fraction of the cost that a lab-grown or natural diamond would cost. This makes it a good option for those who may have a limited budget, but still want a ring that looks like a diamond engagement ring. That’s why this gemstone is the second most common center stone (with a diamond being the most common). More information on moissanite and how it compares to a diamond can be found here.
• Custom design. Whether redesigning heirloom jewelry or creating a new ring from scratch, custom design allows you to personalize a ring so it’s the exact style, metal, and gemstones you want. When it comes to custom design, the options are limitless. It makes sense that soon-to-be engaged individuals want a ring that reflects their personal style, so we don’t expect to see the custom engagement ring trend leaving anytime soon.

For more information on engagement rings, or to schedule an appointment to discuss all of your options, contact us at info@kloiberjewelers.com or 414-276-2457.