What is a non-traditional engagement ring?
First off, can we just say that we have a teeny tiny issue with the term ānon-traditionalā when applied to engagement rings.Ā In this context, a non-traditional engagement ring is any ring that isnāt the standard white diamond solitaire, or cluster.Ā As weāve been designing and making engagement rings with coloured gemstones set in them for many years, we can assure you that thereās nothing non-traditional about them!
Indeed, solitaire diamonds only became the most ‘traditional’ form of engagement ring after WW2, when DeBeers Diamonds needed to shift some of their massive stockpile of diamonds, so created the advertising campaign, A Diamond is Forever!
A growing trend
There has been a growing trend over the last few years for engagement rings that take advantage of all the glorious coloured gemstones available to us, from ātraditionalā blue sapphires, green emeralds and red rubies to the less well-known peachy-pink Padparadsha sapphire, golden-brown Jacinth Zircon and the lavender and gold ametrine (see below) , but prior to De Beersā āA diamond is foreverā marketing campaign (launched in 1947 in response to fears that their growing stockpile of diamonds would take a nose-dive in value if they didnāt come up with some way to sell them faster) engagement rings came in all colours, shapes and sizes ā whatever the bride loved best (and the groom could afford!)
We find it odd that over the last couple of decades, only the bold and the beautiful ā royalty and Hollywood heroines ā have opted for coloured gemstones, but weāre thrilled that now women everywhere are recognising the coloured gemstones.
Listen to your heart
So, what advice do we offer to our customers considering a coloured gemstone for an engagement ring?
First: donāt be worried that a coloured stone will cost more than a diamond of similar size.Ā Just as diamonds vary in cost according to their Cut, Colour and Carat weight, so do coloured gemstones.Ā Emeralds and rubies are generally more expensive than diamonds of the same size, but there are so many fabulous gemstones to consider, that you really neednāt limit yourself in such a way.
Second: donāt think a coloured stone needs to be boldly coloured ā a bright blue sapphire isnāt for everyone.Ā Consider a pale lilac shade, perhaps, or a pink one.Ā Sapphires come in pretty much every shade there is, except red.Ā Check out this stunning orange sapphire, above.Ā This is a serious wow gemstone if ever we saw one.Ā Diamonds too come in all sorts of colours, from pale pink to canary yellow.Ā You can even find them in blue or red, but these are a rarity and priced accordingly!
Traditional, with a twist
Finally, if you believe deep down that only diamonds will do, but youāre keen to create a ring thatās as āun-traditionalā as you are, then there are plenty ways to design an eye-catching ring without straying from bright, white diamonds.Ā Consider the brushed over setting, as seen here in this wave ring, or a square cut, or emerald cut, or oval, or pear… Look at halo settings, and built up shoulders…really, as we say, when you go bespoke you dream it and we do it.
Remember that itās your marriage, your ring, and your hand that it will be adorning, so donāt hesitate to do whatever you love that makes you happy, now and forever. Ā Just make sure your ring is the one youāll want to wear every day, forever.Ā (Having said that, we do have customer who come for ring āupgradesā as their finances change!)