By now we’re all very aware that nothing, not even a global pandemic, can stop love. And it certainly hasn’t put a stop to engagement season! The latest engagement ring trends are still on display, and designers, and couples, are getting more creative than ever when it comes to ring shopping.

“I believe the moment calls for spectacular and precious things,” says designer Anna Sheffield. “Wedding ceremonies may change or be on hold for now, but the desire to celebrate love and union is going strong.”

So what does the latest crop of rings have to offer? We’re diving deep into the top engagement ring trends for 2021. Whether you already have the ring of your dreams picked out (dropping hints counts), or you and your partner are just starting to talk about what that bling might look like—you’ll want to be armed with all the latest engagement ring trends before you safely visit your favorite jeweler, or virtually discuss the ideal ring with a designer.

We rounded up some of our favorite jewelry designers to talk all things engagement rings—from the latest trends, to how the pandemic has changed the way couples are shopping for rings. Here, the engagement ring trends you need to know for 2021.

Unique Rings With Personal Details

In a year full of such uncertainty, couples are taking control of what few details they can as it relates to marriage—and one of those is focusing on personal touches when it comes to engagement rings. “A huge difference we’ve seen is that clients have much more time and space to explore what they want, so they are coming to us with much more personal, thoughtful, and insightful directions and ideas,” Azlee’s CEO and designer, Baylee Zwart, says.

“Right now I am seeing a huge surge in clients wanting alternative engagement rings, mainly in the form of a unique cut or an unusual custom-designed setting,” jewelry Angie Marei tells us.

Tacori’s COO and Design Director Nadine Tacorian agrees and says that customers are eager to celebrate love by making the ring their own. “Rings with secret details—hidden messages of love only you and your partner know about,” Tacorian adds.

“People are continually searching for ways to do things differently. We’ve seen all the rings flashed on every social media channel. People are looking to add another layer to the traditional wedding band, putting some extra love and meaning behind it,” says Madeline Fraser, founder, and CEO of Gemist.

Band Style Rings

Given the ever-changing landscape of weddings, jewelry designers are seeing clients turning to band-style engagement rings for a two-in-one situation. “I am seeing an increase in brides that are opting for band-style engagement rings in lieu of a single stone engagement ring,” says Grace Lee. Lee counts her Marquise and Pear diamond band and 5mm crown Bezel eternity band as the most popular.

KatKim designer Katherine Kim is also seeing this trend on the rise “Since a lot of weddings are being postponed we have been seeing a rise in rings that can serve as both an engagement ring and wedding band from our Crescendo Flare Collection,” Kim says.

“Traditionally in many European countries they do not give engagement rings but rather wedding bands/eternity bands as engagement/wedding bands rings,” says designer Emily Rudman, founder of Emilie Heathe. She adds that the current crop of pandemic safety measures have helped keep this trend going. “It’s also easier to clean/sanitize and can endure  the constant washing and hand sanitizing we are doing these days.”

Classic Styles With a Modern Twist

The nature of virtual ring shopping has given rise to a return to classic styles for engagement rings. “Because less clients are coming in person to our showroom to try on different settings, more and more are playing it safe with classic styles, like a solitaire or 3-stone ring,” says Nicole Wegman founder of Ring Concierge.

Stylist Micaela Erlanger, whose Forevermark X Micaela Erlanger collection is an office favorite, is also seeing classics making a comeback. “Going into the new year we are seeing couples gravitate towards classic cuts like round, oval, and cushion set in delicate platinum settings that really allow the diamond to pop,” Erlanger shares.

Famed-jewelry (and the absolute best Instagram to follow for ring inspo) Stephanie Gottlieb agrees. “Overall I think our brides are embracing “fashion-forward” bridal designs with traditional elements (which is really my MO when it comes to Bridal jewelry; classic with a modern twist),” Gottlieb says.

Anna Sheffield is also seeing this timeless trend making an impact for 2021. “I think there is something to be said for really timeless rings, and choosing a super special stone,” says Sheffield.

“A more traditional ring with a pretty silhouette and exquisite detail speak to today’s bride and this trend will continue into 2021,” Cathy Waterman tells us. We definitely agree there’s something to sticking to a tried-and-true style in the midst of dealing with the unexpected.

Heirloom-Inspired Old European Cuts

It’s no surprise that engagement ring shoppers are considering family traditions and legacy as they search for the right sparkler and opting for rings that feel like an heirloom. In a year where families were largely kept apart, longing for loved ones is making couples nostalgic and they’re thinking about future generations as they begin their own families. “Engagement ring trends we anticipate in 2021 are heirloom inspired designs – connecting modern love stories to vintage details, creating new family traditions and legacies,” Tacorian adds.

Olivia Landau, founder, and CEO of The Clear Cut, agrees that the trend has longevity. “Old European cuts are one of my favorites because their unique faceting pattern makes them one of a kind and timeless!” 

“A lot of weddings are becoming smaller or being postponed due to the pandemic so, in a sense, the responsibility and the symbolic value carried by an engagement ring might be heavier than ever,” says designer Moritz Glik.

Virtual Shopping Makes Things Easier, and Faster

We’re living in a virtual world and that applies to more than just Zoom meetings. Jewelry designers got creative this year, taking a business that relies on literally getting your hands all over something, and making it virtual. The results opened up a whole new way of shopping and a whole new clientele for many designers. “We are finding that couples are acting more spontaneously and wishing to expedite the proposal and engagement process. With so much uncertainty, it’s nice to take control and keep the process simple,” Ashley Zhang says.

“Since the pandemic and other events in 2020, I feel consumers, in general, are encouraging purchases from smaller independent business’ where they can get to know the designer behind a brand,” says Marei whose business has seen an increase in online inquiries and sales over the last year.

Thanks to her large social footprint, Gottlieb was prepared for the switch. “Our bridal business has been virtual for quite some time, since our audience is coming to us from Instagram, and includes shoppers from all over the country, and the world. So luckily we were prepared for this “remote” shopping experience. For us, videos have been the most helpful element to provide our clients a full visual of their purchasing options.”

This is a slate.com open discussion on an issue many will be facing in the short term. Should you visit your mom on Mother’s Day and break social distancing rules to celebrate and appreciate your number one lady during a pandemic?

Covid19 has really changed our lives in a number of way, some irreparable, but the fact of the matter is the pandemic is taking a huge physical and emotional tole on those most vulnerable in our society. This discussion article weighs the pros and cons of breaking the social distancing orders and help you to come to a conclusion on if you should visit mom.

Dear Care and Feeding,

This is a question about parents and adult children, but I’m hoping you can help. I’m a mid-30s woman, single, no kids. My parents are just over 70, and they live a few hours away. They are thankfully in good health. I haven’t seen them for about two months because of the pandemic. My siblings are both married with a couple kids, and everyone in their families is generally staying home, including the kids. My siblings, who live close to my parents, have been getting them groceries, and my parents have been taking socially distanced walks outside with them. Twice, they have gotten together for a meal at someone’s house where they promise that everyone is 6 feet away and washing their hands religiously. I had objections to these gatherings, but I let it go. So far, everyone is thankfully healthy.

My mother wants to see me for Mother’s Day. I normally see her once or twice a month, so this has been hard for her. I think she doesn’t see much risk in it since she’s been seeing my siblings regularly. She insists we would keep the proper distance apart and would stay outside, but of course people would have to go inside to use the restroom, the kids are running around, etc. I’m still going into work once or twice a week, albeit in a low-risk setting. I live in an area with a much higher infection rate than where they live. I also deal with anxiety. It was mostly under control before all this happened, but now it’s … not. I spiral into what-ifs and worst-case scenarios at least once a day. I’m working on that with a therapist, but I think this is just how it’s going to be for a while.

So I guess my question is, how do I rationally assess the risk of a Mother’s Day visit with appropriate safeguards when my brain is incapable of rationally assessing risk right now? How dangerous is this proposal, really? Relatedly, even if restrictions ease, I can’t see an end to social distancing requirements until there’s a vaccine or at least an effective treatment. How can I tell my mother I’m not coming for Mother’s Day when I have no idea when it will be safe to see her again?

—Muddled About Mother’s Day

Dear MAMD,

Let me assess the risk for you, because you’re both emotionally compromised (of course!) and already someone grappling with anxiety.

Don’t go.

There is nothing magical about Mother’s Day, which is about selling greeting cards and also making people with horrible mothers or deceased mothers feel awful. You love your mother every day, which is why you have been trying to protect her from the possibility of inadvertent transmission of something that could end her life. Your siblings have made different choices, but those choices are their own.

You live in an area of higher viral concentration, so it is not unreasonable or paranoid to love your mother enough to cause her temporary pain in order to risk bringing the potential of great, great harm to an area that so far has been lucky enough to avoid a major cluster.

I want to see my mother on Mother’s Day too. One of my dearest friends has a mother who may already not be with us next Mother’s Day, and every day she loves her mother by not getting on a series of planes to go see her, however much she is desperate to. This is the crummy way you get to love your mother this year.

I’m so sorry. As to how to explain it to her, you have two basic options: lying and the truth. You can pretend you’re coming and then announce you are flat on your back with the flu and cannot possibly come. This will open you up to “Well, we can pretend next Sunday is Mother’s Day.” Not a great solution. A better lie, which, like all successful lies, is tied to the truth, is to say you asked your doctor their opinion, and they begged you not to go. A doctor would certainly tell you not to go; we’re just skipping the middleman.

Or just tell the truth: that you don’t want to risk making her sick, or any of your other relatives sick, that you are following the recommendations of expert virologists, that you desperately wish you were there, and that you would love to have a Skype or speakerphone dinner with your extended family that night. If they think you are cruel or heartless or paranoid or anxious, let them.

You’re doing the right thing. You’re a good daughter.

SOURCE: https://slate.com/human-interest/2020/05/mothers-day-visit-coronavirus-pandemic-care-and-feeding.html

This proposal is the most magical proposal you will see in quite some time. This is a MUST SEE proposal that will melt your heart and make you believe in true love. We are very happy to see love moving to the next level and feel free to tag us on instagram @middletonjewelers with your love stories!