Looking for inspiration?
When it comes to engagement rings, some of the shapes (and colours) are definitely more popular than others – and, of course, there are always new trends emerging every year.
We spoke to Kate Appleby, of the Dublin-based Appleby Jewellers, to get the low-down on what has proven to be the most prominent engagement ring trends in Ireland in 2018 – and what kind of trends would be coming up next.
She told us that there were three particularly stand-out trends that they had noticed emerging this year – and, unsurprisingly, the royal wedding served as a huge inspiration for brides-to-be.
Kate said:
“Yellow gold is making a huge comeback. I think these days, and the last three or four years really, everyone has made a huge switch to yellow gold [with their jewellery].
“I think now, a lot of girls are thinking to themselves, ‘well, if the rest of my jewellery is [yellow gold], I don’t know why I’d stick with the white gold or platinum – so I’ll get the yellow gold, as well.’
“Another trend that we’ve noticed is yellow diamonds, which I think is one we didn’t necessarily expect.
“With Irish consumers, they tend to be more reserved with their purchases and stay quite classic. But there’s been a surge in enquiries about yellow diamonds, and we’ve sold a huge amount this year already.
“Meghan Markle is probably the reason for [the third trend, the design of her ring], but she got a really nice cushion cut diamond – and that’s the main focus of her ring, but she has two little rounds on either side.
“Basically, how we would describe her ring is a solitaire with side diamonds: it’s not necessarily a three stone, but it’s not a solitaire with a diamond set band. The center stone is still the main focus.
“The side diamonds could take any shape – one of our really big sellers is a round diamond, and it has a pear on either side.
“They start from a good price and look really, really well on as they have a nice spread across your hand.”
Looking towards 2019, Kate said that it is “hard to know” what kind of trends are going to be emerging – although, more than likely, it’s going to be pretty similar to this year.
She explained:
“It really depends on [which celebrity] is getting married next.
“I think that yellow gold is going to stick around, definitely. And I can only see that getting more popular.
“Because people want big, but big is expensive, I can see a lot of people sticking with the solitaire with side diamonds – you’re getting show without spending a bomb.
“With the yellow diamonds, I don’t know – it’s hard to say. They are good value and not dying down, so I would say that could continue [into 2019].”
While Meghan’s engagement ring proved to be particularly influential this year (and probably next year, too), there is another celebrity whose ring has been inspiring brides-to-be: Blake Lively.
Kate said:
“Ever since Blake Lively got engaged, people have loved her style. She got a really nice oval diamond and her band was really fine. A lot of people come in looking for something like that.
“The only thing is that, when you get a really fine band, it can be top heavy – and the diamond can move a little bit.
“While we do understand that a lot of people love really fine settings, we sometimes can’t go as fine as they want as we want the ring to be secure.”
And, in the lead-up to the holiday season – where it is an all-but-sure-thing that plenty of people are going to be popping the question – Kate shared her advice to any couple’s looking to pick out the engagement ring together.
She said:
“Don’t feel like you have to know what you want when you come in; you might be asked if you have an idea, but if you don’t, that’s no problem.
“I would say, maybe, to think about what kind of metal you want: yellow gold or platinum or white gold. Look at your jewellery collection and see what you have more of.
“Other than that, I don’t think you should try and plan too much – once you start to try them on, you’ll get a feel for what you love.”
Keeley and Sam are saying ‘I do,’ in May 2019. And with six months to go, this bride-to-be admits she’s still learning the ropes. In the run-up to her Big Day, Keeley will be writing a weekly blog about all things wedding-related… from the start of planning, to walking down the aisle.
