This is an archived article and the information in the story may be outdated. Please check the time stamp on the story to see when it was updated last.
An engagement ring and wedding band aren’t just any piece of jewelry–they are a symbol of your desire to spend the rest of your lives together. And since you’ll be wearing them for decades to come, you want to make sure those special rings are something you absolutely love. To help the selection process a bit easier, we asked Toni Zehrer, Chief Merchandising Officer and Senior Vice President at Kay, Jared and Zales, to give us a glimpse of the hottest trends in rings for this year. Whether you want a classic round style or a colorful fancy stone, there is sure to be a style that suits you.
1. Colored Gemstones
"Choosing a ring that is specifically unique to her style can be difficult, but one of the most popular trends for this year will be colored gemstones," said Zehrer.
While the big three stones - sapphires, rubies and emeralds - are well-known, there’s also other semi-precious gemstones that can add that pop of color you're looking for. "One of the most popular growing trends is the Tanzanite stone. It was only recently discovered (1967) and is a rich blue-to-violet or purple gemstone."
2. Dimensional Countors
Fluid, floating, dimensional contours can both showcase the metals while also drawing attention to the center of the diamond, says Zehrer.
3. Mixed Metals
For a customized look that is easy to pull off, think about stacking multiple bands of different metal color, stone shape and design. Once you decide on the engagement ring and wedding band, you can stack additional bands for special occasions. "These stackable bands can also be worn without an engagement ring as more of a fashion look. Stackable bands are popular in all three metal colors: white, yellow and rose gold," explained Zehrer.
4. Custom Designs
It's all about personalization for brides and grooms, and having a ring customized just for you is the perfect way to make your jewelry stand out. And don't think it will put a dent in your wallet, Zehrer says that couples can work with a designer to get a ring within their budget.
5. Classic Styles
"Some of the most classic and minimalistic rings have become increasingly popular because of their clean lines and versatile style. They’re a perfect match for anyone seeking a timeless piece that they’ll never get tired of wearing," revealed Zehrer.
6. Center Stone Showcase
The center stone continues to be the focal point of every ring, says Zehrer.
7. Fancy Shapes
The popularity of vintage style rings means that shapes like pear and oval are becoming trendier.
