Everyone wants to be different; a little bit individual. Perhaps because the world has become such a homogeneous and small place, people no longer feel unique as manufacturers look to cater to a wide audience and limiting choice therefore making their lives easier. Consequently, a person’s ability to stand out from the crowd is limited. There is one time in a woman’s life though that she really wants to stand out and be different and deservedly so, a time when all the focus and attention is on her, a time that she has waited for her whole life – her wedding day.
On a woman’s wedding day, one of the main areas of focus will be the ring. Of course, the dress is most prominent but it is the engagement ring that will garner the attention before, during, and after the wedding – the wedding dress is discarded almost immediately but the ring is worn everyday for a lifetime. It is for this reason that choosing an engagement ring is an important task.
Spoilt for Choice
Competition in the engagement ring arena has resulted in literally thousands, if not tens of thousands, of different engagement ring styles. Add to that the different shapes and colors of diamonds and there is absolutely no reason why a bride cannot find her perfect ring within her budget.
Styles of engagement ring are described in many ways. Common classifications include:
Classical – something timeless that is not the trend of the minute but will always be in style.
Modern – may also be called contemporary and incorporate newer cuts of diamond and cutting-edge design.
Classical with a modern take/twist – as the name implies, an incorporation of the previous two styles.
Vintage – a ring from the Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Edwardian, or Victorian period.
Vintage style – a reproduction of a ring from the Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Edwardian, or Victorian period.
Big stone – a ring with a large center stone.
Fancy color diamond – a ring containing a natural fancy color diamond.
Designer label – a ring from a known bridal jewelry manufacturer.
The classifications, like the styles, are almost endless.
In short, with the enormous range of styles in the market, there is a ring out there for you. It may be the first ring you see, although you will probably look at another thousand before you realize that, or it may be the 1,001st ring you look at. Your ring may not yet have been created, but with your input and the hands of a fine craftsman it can become a reality. In finding your perfect style of engagement ring it is only a matter of time, taste, and budget.
The Big Caveat
Bridal jewelry is an enormous business as a plethora of jewelers look to service the burgeoning bridal market. As is the case in almost every business where there are many participants, many do not live up to a standard worthy of being considered for an item that will accompany someone for a lifetime. It is imperative that you do your research when buying an engagement ring; it should be purchased from a trustworthy designer and a reputable retailer that offers iron-clad guarantees in terms of quality and return policies. Research on the Internet can make this task much easier.
Sharon from Genesis Diamonds shares some of the different engagement ring styles, visit to see designs by Simon G and many more.
