Couples are tying the knot in record numbers post-pandemic. With so many proposals everywhere, couples want engagement rings that stand out in real life and on social media.
This is creating new trends and bestsellers. Some are surprising and unorthodox. Let’s take a look at the top engagement ring trends for 2022, starting with…
Elongated Center Stones
The Kristen with a Pear cut Diamond, The Kamellie with an Emerald cut Diamond and The Lucia with an Oval cut Diamond in White Gold
Elongated shapes are top-heavy with a lot of spread. Spread means they have a wide table area and look bigger than their carat weight. Top-heavy means most of their mass is concentrated in the crown (where you can see it).
The Penelope with a 2 carat Radiant cut Diamond in Yellow Gold
What does this mean for you? First, elongated diamonds and moissanite stones look bigger than they really are. Second, their proportions slenderize the hand by making fingers look thinner and longer.
The most popular elongated center stone shapes in 2022 are the pear and the oval. The radiant emerald and elongated cushion are close behind.
The Penelope with a 1 carat Elongated Cushion cut Diamond in Yellow Gold
Dainty Bands
Thick bands with visible detailing used to be popular as recently as 2015… But right now, slender engagement ring styles - like The Penelope, The Twig, and The Kamellie - are all the rage.
One reason is that styles like these, which go as thin as 1.5mm in diameter, make the center stone look massive. An average-size 1 carat diamond or moissanite gem looks a lot bigger in a slim setting.
The Penelope with a 1 carat Oval cut Diamond in White Gold
Reason number two is that dainty bands bring something fresh to the table. We craft rings like the Twig Emilly using a combination of 3D modelling and traditional techniques. The technology needed to craft products like these is new, which makes these rings rare.
The Pave Kamellie with a 2.5 carat Round cut Moissanite in White Gold
Hidden Details
As bands get slimmer, more ring buyers opt for discrete, hidden engagement ring details in 2022. This includes hidden halos, hidden crowns, diamond-set bridges and prongs.
Details like these add an element of surprise to a ring. They are only visible from specific angles. For example, diamond-set bridges and prongs can only be seen from the side or below. A hidden crown can be the wearer’s personal secret.
The Crown Kamellie with a 2 carat Oval cut Diamond in Yellow Gold
Hidden details are also a way to add sparkle and pizzazz to a ring without making it large and garish. For example, a hidden halo will add light to a center stone, but without the extra size and bulk of a regular halo.
Accent stones
Small accent stones are a strong engagement ring trend in 2022. They add a little sparkle to a ring without overpowering the center stone. They also create unique, twinkling light patterns when a ring is in motion.
The Penelope with a 2 carat Emerald cut Diamond, The Lindsey with a 2 carat Oval cut Diamond and The Angelina with a 1 carat Princess cut Diamond in White Gold
One example of a ring with accent stones is the iconic Twig. In this design, asymmetric accents flank the center stone. They emphasize the center stone’s size and catch the viewer’s eye from all angles.
The Twig with a 1.5 carat Oval cut Diamond in White Gold
Another popular accent stone ring is the Penelope. Here, 3 round brilliant accent stones extend along a knife edge band; away from the center stone. The result is a magnificent display of light that stands out against the dainty, delicate band.
The Penelope with a 1.5 carat Oval cut Diamond in White Gold
Rose Gold
White gold is the classic, traditional choice for engagement rings. But romantic rose gold is now a close second. A surprisingly large number of couples are choosing it in 2022.
The Penelope with a 2 carat Oval cut Moissanite, The Pave Kamellie with a 2 carat Oval cut Diamond and The Angelina with a 1 carat Oval cut Diamond in Rose Gold
Rose gold makes diamonds look incredible. It contrasts with colorless and near-colorless stones. It hides slight coloration in faint and very light yellow diamonds.
The Nelly with a 2 carat Oval cut Diamond in Yellow Gold
Rose gold also has romantic connotations. Its pink coloration is associated with love and romance - and it looks great on social media.
The Textured Twig with a 2 carat Oval cut Diamond in Yellow Gold
Lab-Grown Diamonds
Millenials and Gen Z’ers are the most environmentally-conscious generations so far. As more of them marry in 2022, demand for lab-grown diamonds - more sustainable than the mined kind - is booming.
The Lindsey with a 1.5 carat Oval cut Diamond in Yellow Gold
Physically, lab-grown and natural diamonds are the same. The difference is that the former are less harmful to the environment… And significantly cheaper.
The Mia with a 1 carat Marquise cut Diamond in Yellow Gold
On Keyzar’s website, you can get lab-grown stones as much as 70% bigger than equivalent-size natural ones. That could mean getting a 1.7-carat lab diamond instead of a 1-carat natural one; a huge difference.
3-Stone Rings
Trilogy rings, also known as 3-stone rings, have always been around. But now, couples are using them to change the feel, look, and dimensions of the ring head (where the center stone sits).
The Lia with a 2 carat Pear cut Moissanite in Yellow Gold
Round brilliant side stones are the classic choice. Baguettes are another popular one. Baguette side stones create an interesting geometric pattern with a ring’s center stone. They also add visual size without making a ring look too bulky.
The Pears Liv with a 1 carat Oval cut Diamond in White Gold
A new, trending choice for 3-stone designs is the pear. Pears add more size and sparkle closer to the center stone, then taper down as they extend over the band. A unique look that can only be created using pear-cut side stones.
The Liv with a 2.5 carat Emerald cut Diamond in White Gold
