Engagement rings are a thing of true beauty. And what makes them even more interesting is that they have changed and evolved over time, only to become even more elegant (if that was even possible!). The engagement rings we see today are not the same as what they were a few decades ago. Much like clothing trends, every decade has inspired a new trend in engagement rings, whether it is the shapes, sizes, cuts, styles, or settings.
Let us take a walk through the years and check out how these changes have come about, the changes themselves, and what possibly inspired those changes. Based on this, you can choose the style of your favorite decade as you choose an engagement ring for that special someone (or yourself).
The 1950s
Large diamonds and stacked bands were all the rage in this decade. One famous ring was the one given to Audrey Hepburn by her then-fiancé, Mel Ferrer. It was a set of three rings, each made of yellow, white, and rose gold respectively. The middle band was studded with diamonds all around its circumference.
Another popular design choice from this decade was baguette cut diamonds, which were usually set in platinum or gold bands. This was seen in both Audrey Hepburn’s and Marilyn Monroe’s engagement rings in the 50s.
The 1960s
In the sixties, flashy diamonds became a trend which led to a more subtle and underemphasized shank of the ring. One ring which popularized this was Aretha Franklin’s. This was given to the legendary singer by Ted White, when they got engaged in 1960.
Asscher cut diamonds were also extremely popular at this time. The cuts and angles of these diamonds typically had a distinct square shape, creating a unique refraction of light. Colored gemstones also became very popular, coinciding with the flashier diamonds of the time.
The 1970s
This decade carried forward the angular look from the 60s, similar to Asscher cuts. Emerald cut diamonds and uniquely shaped diamonds cut also came into their own in this decade. It was during the 60s that jewelers began to offer matching wedding bands to go with their stunning engagement rings.
One such unique ring was given to Jackie Kennedy Onassis’ – a marquise shaped diamond. It added to the wave of geometric shaped cuts through the 70s.
The 1980s
Round-cut diamonds made a big comeback in this decade. Along with them came the yellow gold bands. Bright and colorful gemstones became an even more popular option to pair with diamonds. Thus began the trend of multi-colored stones in engagement rings. This happened specially after Princess Diana was given a sapphire by Prince Charles, surrounded by a cluster of diamonds.
During this decade, the engagement rings were all about flashiness and bold designs with tapered diamonds, eye-catching stone colors, and baguette cut stones.
The 1990s
It almost felt like 1950s all over again in the world of engagement rings in the 90s. Subtle designs of the band and minimalist style choices were suddenly in vogue. Softer metals and colors like platinum and white gold quickly began to gain popularity.
The round solitaire diamond, in a cathedral engagement ring style, was one of the most common designs in the 90s. The cathedral design featured a raised center stone above the shank with metal arches surrounding it, to further enhance the stone and make it stand out.
The famous marquise-cut center stone, which was popularized by Victoria Beckham, at the time of her engagement to David Beckham, was a hot favorite during this entire time period.
The 2000s
Similar trends continued over to the 2000s with more subtle design choices for the shank metal like platinum and white gold instead of yellow gold. The bands were designed more intricately in terms of shape and style, and largely included patterns and embedded gemstones.
It was in the 2000s that halo rings began to catch on. They featured a center stone, and a “halo” of pavé diamonds set tightly around it, which added that an extra shimmer to the entire piece. The princess cut diamond from the 60s also made a comeback in this decade following the trend of bigger stones.
The 2010s
Since the early 2010s, the paradigm began to shift towards cushion-cut diamonds. These were square shaped diamonds but had rounded corners. These were also usually surrounded by a halo of pave set diamonds for an extra bit of sparkle and brilliance.
Another contemporary engagement ring design from this decade was the use of non-white stones and diamond clusters. Kate Middleton received from Prince William a stunning sapphire and diamond cluster, similar to Princess Diana's ring. Lady Gaga also showed off her pink sapphire cluster ring and Katy Perry’s ruby ring also further popularized the trend of colored stones paired with diamonds.
Today, the trends involve large oval shaped solitaire diamonds on a more subtle band which allows the stone to stand out on its own. Hailey Bieber's ring is one that follows that design choice.
In contemporary engagement ring designs, many couples seek custom jewelry. This is usually to remember certain milestone events in their relationship. These can be in the form of initials being engraved, or coordinates jewelry, where the coordinates of a significant place can be engraved onto the ring. The possibilities are truly endless when it comes to customization.
At A.JAFFE, we can help you find the perfect engagement ring for your significant other. Our designs follow . We also provide a huge set of customization options , should you choose to give your partner something totally unique to seal your love story.