A quick click through the imaginative world of engagement-ring selfies reveals that millennial brides-to-be — both celebrity and civilian — are all about #selfexpression. “They have a strong sense that they want to define their own style,” says Greg Kwiat, CEO of the Kwiat jewelry house, which celebrates its 110th anniversary this year. Here’s a look at five dazzling trends he’s seeing in bridal bling.
Contemporary Cuts
While a classic round diamond solitaire is forever elegant, many Gen Y brides opt for rare or special cuts. The ASHOKA, for example, was created by William Goldberg in 1999 and is rocked by Reese Witherspoon. Its rectangular shape and rounded corners marry the brilliance of a cushion cut with the glamour of an emerald cut. What’s more, the patented 62-facet design — distributed exclusively by Kwiat in the US — appears 30 percent larger than an emerald-cut diamond of the same weight. “This is one where you can get lost staring at the faceting,” says Kwiat.
Colored Accents
For a special touch, why not opt for a white diamond outlined with vivid precious gems? “It creates a very vibrant ring and the colors really pop,” notes Kwiat. The house recently unveiled new rings featuring ASHOKA diamond center stones framed by glittering sapphires. Rubies (a symbol of passionate love) and emeralds (long associated with a happy marriage) also lend themselves to sophisticated diamond pairings.
Warm Metals
You can’t go wrong with platinum, the most costly and enduring of engagement jewelry metals, but yellow and rose gold are also surging in popularity. “More than any time in the last decade, we’re seeing requests for people to mount in these warmer colors of gold,” says Kwiat. “It’s a distinctive look.” For proof of their flattering glow, see the hands of recently engaged stars such as Kirsten Dunst and Felicity Jones.
New Direction
While center stones are typically positioned vertically on the band — with the stone running up and down the length of the finger — the hottest move now is to rotate them East-West. “The diamond is quite literally turned on its side,” explains Kwiat. Every shape can be swiveled, from emerald and pear to marquise. “You can create something that has a very modern feel that is clearly a twist on the classic style,” he adds.
Light As A Feather
“The thing that I hear most often when working with women on engagement rings is that they want the ring to be light and delicate,” says Kwiat. For this reason, the house uses low-profile settings and minimizes metal elements wherever possible — Anne Hathaway’s six-carat Kwiat stunner is a perfect example — so the stone almost floats on the wearer’s hand.