We just returned from the JCK Las Vegas show where we met with some of the biggest vendors in the industry and got some great insight on what the latest and greatest trends are for engagement rings and wedding bands.  Check it out below:

1. The Bigger the Better- With celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Beyoncé sporting 20+ carat diamonds, more and more, our vendors are getting requests for larger stones -- even if it means compromising quality.  There are a few ways to achieve this look without breaking the bank account.  One option is to look for a diamond that may have slight imperfections (in most cases you won’t be able to see inclusions with an SI2 stone and up) or you may want to consider Estate pieces.  Old European Cut diamonds date back as far as 1890-1930 and achieved a  more mathematically round cut stone and bridged the gap of Old Mine cuts and today’s Round Brilliant cut.  These rings can come in very unique and intricate settings (who doesn't love a vintage look?) but can also be reset to achieve a more modern look.   Another option is to add a halo (or two) which creates the effect of a more prominent look and size, yet can significantly reduce the cost versus going up a size in carat weight.  Lastly, check out Michaels Jewelers’ Special Buys which provide a unique opportunity for stones that are superior but aged and priced far below market value.  So if you don’t quite have the budget of Jay-Z or Kanye, consider this look!

2. Bright, Beautiful Color – Kate Middleton’s oval Sapphire engagement ring (inheritated by the late Princess Diana) is perhaps the most famous of engagement rings, but certainly not the first! Celebrities have gone non-traditional with colored gems and diamonds such as Halle Berry’s Emerald, Carrie Underwood’s Yellow Diamond and of course, who could forget Bennifer’s Pink Diamond?  Morganite and Amethyst styles are extremely popular and we even had a request for a custom Black Tahitian Pearl engagement ring! If you’re not willing to fully commit to color, accenting your ring with your favorite colored stone or birthstone is also a great way to make your ring truly unique.  We are also seeing colored stones in wedding bands -- why not consider mixing and matching your favorite colors together?  We recently saw some bands that alternated diamonds and gemstones which achieved the perfect pop of color.  One caveat with this style is gemstones all have different quality levels in terms of hardness so there is risk in the wear varying depending on which stones you mix and match.  This trend isn’t going away so why not consider one of these vibrant gems when it  comes to ‘the ring’?

3. Mixed Metals – White metals dominated the industry for quite some time but we are pleased to see more and more colored and alternative metals come back into the mix. Rose Gold, Yellow Gold and two-toned combinations are everywhere in both engagement rings and wedding bands. Combined with diamonds or the gemstone trend, colored metals are a great way to incorporate your favorite tones.  Pink Gold makes a perfect pair with Morganite and we love the monotone look of yellow Diamonds and yellow gold.  We are also seeing a huge trend in men’s alternative metal bands.  Tungsten Carbide, Titanium and Cobalt are extremely scratch resistant and come in a variety of colors and styles as well as significantly inexpensive in comparison to traditional gold and platinum.