Every year, thousands of South Africans get down on one knee to pop the BIG question to their significant other. Jewellery, like fashion, is influenced by trends, and trends evolve and change with the times. The Engagement Ring Trends 2024 featured in this article are a culmination of what I see on the fashion runways (keeping in mind South Africa tends to be a season or two behind), and in the local and international bridal market, as well as search trends on Google, Instagram and Pinterest, where the increase in popularity of each search term shows which styles are being searched for the most, and which styles are likely to continue trending. Whilst I always recommend choosing a ring that is individually suited to your partner and their preferences, trends offer some direction for those who are unsure of which direction to go. Below is my list of the mega themes for 2024.
If this season has a colour, it’s silver, and like fashion, jewellery moves in cycles, tapping into the zeitgeist, echoing a mood and an attitude that’s cool, calm and collected. From the runway to the Golden Globes, white metal is making a comeback…cool, calm and collected. Brides-to-be are expected to favour cool metals over the warm tones of yellow and rose gold that have dominated the engagement ring market for the past few years. In engagement, white gold and platinum are set to be the metals of choice. When choosing a white gold ring, opt for a nickel-free alloy, which minimizes the chances of skin irritation, and if budget allows, choose platinum. It’s naturally white, so it’s colour fast and hypoallergenic.
Endowed with the fire of a round brilliant-cut diamond and the aristocratic elegance of an emerald cut, the elongated Radiant cut is set to be the cut of choice for 2024. ‘Radiant engagement ring’ searches on Pinterest between April and September 2023 increased by 92%. We’re seeing this trend resonate with more clients requesting rings set with radiant-cut centres. The radiant cut is typically square or rectangular in shape with cut corners and multiple facets. Elongated stones have a lengthening effect on the finger, while shorter stones flatter even the most petite hands. The enchanting sparkle and alluring appearance of radiant cut diamonds make them especially attractive as solitaires.
Learn more about choosing a radiant-cut diamond with GIA by following the link below;
https://4cs.gia.edu/en-us/blog/select-radiant-cut-diamond-2/
Brides-to-be in 2024 will continue to embrace colour as an alternative to white diamonds. Searches for ‘gemstone engagement rings’ have increased by 45%, and coloured Sapphires, specifically Teal Blue, are at the top of the list. With a rating of 9 on Moh’s hardness scale, Sapphires are well suited to engagement rings and this precious gemstone is believed to symbolize faithfulness, trust, virtue and good fortune. If a sapphire is out of your price range, I recommend selecting a teal blue Tourmaline as a budget-friendly alternative.
Laboratory-grown diamonds continue to gain popularity as a mined diamond alternative in engagement rings, offering a budget-friendly option for consumers seeking more carats for their cash and giving brides the opportunity to wear engagement rings set with large centre stones. Regarding quality, it is common to purchase laboratory-grown diamonds in high colours D-F and clarities VVS-VS, but it’s important to remember that as technology develops, laboratory-grown diamonds will become cheaper to manufacture and are therefore not considered valuable compared to mined diamonds.
Learn more about Laboratory-Grown diamonds by following the link below;
https://daniellecamera.co.za/a-guide-to-laboratory-grown-diamonds/
With a history that can be traced back to the late 1700s, the Toi Et Moi style ring, first designed by Napoleon Bonaparte for his engagement to Josephine de Beauharnais and later revived by one of history’s most famous couples John F. Kennedy & Jackie Onassis continues to gain star power, with more and more celebrities choosing this style as their preferred engagement ring. The likes of Megan Fox, Ariana Grande, Kylie Jenner, and Emily Ratajkowski were all proposed to with Toi et Moi diamond rings, which subsequently caused an increase in searches for the two-stone engagement ring design. These rings have demonstrated the biggest increase in interest, with searches increasing by 260%. The combinations are endless, and all equally attractive. This is a style where you can let your personality shine, whether it’s diamond on diamond, diamond paired with pearl or a diamond & gemstone combination.
