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Here are the top eight engagement ring trends to expect in 2024, as told by our experts.
We met with Annie Chen, our SVP of Merchandising and resident engagement ring expert, to look at trends and help forecast 2024's top engagement ring trends. Here's what we’re seeing:
1. Three Stones: For the true romantic, these designs feature three individual stones; one stone represents the past, one the present, and the last, the future.
2. Mixed Metal: White gold prongs secure the center stone while yellow gold bands keep the design trend-forward.
3. Lab Grown Diamonds: Stunning and sustainable, lab diamonds are increasingly sought-after as center and accent stones.
4. Timeless with a Twist: Think classic silhouettes updated with unique prongs, hidden accents, and bezel settings.
5. East-West: These chic styles set center stones horizontally.
6. Surprise Details: Hidden accents add a hint of extra sparkle.
7. Statement Bands: Be bold and make your mark. Think thicker bands set with jaw-dropping diamonds.
8. Pops of Color: Be on the lookout for striking, vivid colored gemstones and diamonds.
Annie Chen is a self-described fashion-obsessive who has channeled her passion into a career as a Retail Executive with over 15 years of experience spanning Strategy, Merchandising, Buying, Planning, and Design. The opportunity to set a higher standard for the jewelry industry, as well as the chance to bring her expertise to a category she has always loved, is what brought Annie to her current role as SVP of Merchandising and Design at Brilliant Earth. Annie's past roles include key positions at Barneys New York, Coach, Bandier, and Italic where she managed brand portfolios, drove international growth, and launched countless new product categories and collaborations. Annie holds an undergraduate degree from Berkeley and an MBA from Wharton, and she currently resides in Los Angeles with her family.
Let's dive a little deeper into the engagement ring trends of 2024!
When romance and breathtaking style collide, timeless designs emerge. Dating back to the latter end of the Georgian Era (1714 – 1837), three stone rings are "enduring classics back in vogue" says Chen. In the 1950s, three stone rings were often set with an emerald-cut center stone and baguette side stones. While that elongated silhouette remains in style, customers can now opt for a more modern version with round, oval, or even trillion-cut side stones. With endless opportunities to update a classic look, three stone rings are very much in — and show no signs of going out of style.
Sometimes referred to as two-tone settings, these rings blend two or more metals in one chic, distinctive design. "Combining warmer and cooler toned metals creates an accessible, effortless look that can be styled in various ways," Chen notes. Beloved not only for their unique look, two-tones are also practical: while a customer may want a yellow or rose gold band with a diamond center stone, it's white gold prongs that bring out the iciness of a diamond. With mixed metal designs, the same customer who wants a warm tone band can ensure, through white gold prongs, that their colorless diamond really pops.
Optically, chemically, and physically the same as natural diamonds, lab diamonds are becoming an increasingly popular alternative. "We are seeing more consumers embracing lab diamond engagement and wedding rings," says Chen, who champions the end of the lab diamond taboo. Customers understand the value of lab diamonds: they're completely mining-free, offer the same look as natural diamonds, and can be a much more affordable option. Whether it's a center stone or an accented setting, everyone everywhere is growing increasingly in love with lab grown diamonds.
Like the best cocktails, this 2024 trend comes with a twist. According to Chen, "Consumers are always looking for modernized takes on classic silhouettes that include distinctive design-forward details." Instead of traditional prongs, couples in 2024 year will be intrigued by bezel settings and double prongs. Newly popular hidden halos transform what appears to be a solitaire into a shimmering, luxe design. This trend is all about styles that appear traditional but are elevated by their craftsmanship and subtle, elevated details.
Elongated shapes, such as radiant, emerald, and oval-cut diamonds, are traditionally set vertically. But in the spirit of standing out from the crowd, customers in 2024 are flipping that tradition on its head by setting their center stone horizontally. "East-west rings are an excellent option for someone looking for a contemporary spin on a classic style," Chen notes. While the shank of an east-west ring might remain traditional (think of a solitaire or a pavé band), with a flipped center stone, customers can seamlessly blend age-old design with a modern, trend-forward edge.
This trend is full of surprises, from hidden halos to delicate diamond-adorned petals beneath a center stone. Next year, customers will be especially intrigued by designs that are more than initially meets the eye. As Chen puts it, "2024 will be the year of adding a touch of unexpected sparkle," and we're here for it.
Both brides-to-be and grooms-to-be can get their fair share of sparkle with this trend. "These styles are often gender-neutral and provide versatility in expressing one's individual style," says Chen. They can be "solitaire bands, adorned with diamonds or gemstones or incorporate unique textures," Chen adds, meaning that customers have many options when hoping to make a statement with their ring. Whether it's a textural accent, a chunky band, or a stack of multiple rings, 2024 will be the year of going bold.
Couples in 2024 will choose to stand out rather than conform to tradition. Pops of color, such as deep blue, spring green, and fiery red, will be incorporated into designs to add a sense of uniqueness and personal expression. Celebrities and customers alike frequently choose colored gemstones as "they often have a special meaning," observes Chen, such as "a favorite color, birthstone, or an associated attribute." Colorful center stones are the new tried and true, as exemplified by celebrities Jenny Slate, Kristen Bell, Zoe Saldana, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Blake Lively, and Scarlett Johansson, who all wear vivid engagement rings that pack a whimsical punch of color. In 2024, be on the lookout for all things cool-toned, as Chen maintains that "green and blue-hued stones, including emerald, alexandrite, and classic blue sapphires, will continue to remain popular."
We are excited about all the meaningful events, joyful moments, and fresh jewelry trends that 2024 will undoubtedly bring. One thing for sure, is here at Brilliant Earth — we'll continue to innovate the industry, dedicate ourselves to our Mission, carefully craft high quality fine jewelry, and keep the ever-shifting trends top of mind.