2022 will be the third calendar year during which engagements and weddings are impacted by COVID-19.
And the pandemic continues to change tradition when it comes to weddings and engagements.
While engagements are still more common around holidays like Valentine’s Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve, we’re seeing many couples ready to pop the question year-round.
Many, after living through lockdowns and hardship, see no reason to delay a celebration of love.
Increasingly we find couples shopping for rings together, working as one to select the perfect ring.
We’re also seeing more couples interested in lab grown diamonds, or colored gemstones like sapphire, as an alternative to natural diamonds.
These options allow for a larger center stone, at a lower price point. The introduction of color can also help create a truly unique, one-of-a-kind type ring.
Here are the top three engagement ring styles that we expect to see in 2022 at Hingham Jewelers:
1. Solitaire
In 2022 couples want a large center stone in their engagement ring.
The average center stone in our engagement rings is typically in the 1-2 carat range.
To make a diamond that size fit in the budget, many couples are keeping their ring style simple, opting for a classic solitaire with a plain, thin band.
We’re seeing more women opt for a yellow ring, as well. No surprise given how popular yellow gold has been in recent months.
For clients that go this route, we always recommend using a white gold or platinum head (the part of the ring that holds the diamond), so the prongs don’t introduce color into the diamond.
2. Hidden Halo
Requests for a traditional halo—a row of small diamonds going around a center stone—have dwindled in the past few years.
But in 2022, the halo’s more modest cousin is surging in popularity.
There is much more interest in a hidden halo, delicately wrapping under the center stone. This is a nice touch to elevate the side profile of a ring.
3. Three Stone
The pandemic has made couples more sentimental.
Families have gone through jewelry boxes, unearthing diamonds from parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents.
This has made three stone rings very popular in 2022 so far.
In some cases couples are using a family diamond in the center of a three stone, asking us to source matching stones for each side. In other cases we’re using a family diamond on one side, suppling a match for the other side, and a larger stone for the middle.
Whichever style of engagement ring you’re interested in, we’d be happy to guide you through the process.
Make an appointment with one of our specialists to talk about which style ring is best for you!