Searching for the perfect engagement ring is an exhilarating yet simultaneously overwhelming experience. The sheer number of options out there can make an already tough decision even harder. Engagement rings are a major financial and emotional investment, so it certainly pays to do your research before finding the right ring for you and your loved one.
Fortunately, you don’t have to do this alone because we’re here to help! Today, we’re going to share our expert advice on what engagement ring trends to avoid and what to look for in an engagement ring. Let us help you discover “the” ring for you and your beloved!
Mistake #1 - Sticking Too Tightly to Traditions
Diamonds didn’t become a traditional choice of engagement ring until 1947 when the De Beers diamond engagement ring marketing campaign changed the world—and we’ve been hooked to diamond engagement rings ever since! Diamond’s clarity, brilliance, and durability are admittedly unparalleled—it just might be the best stone to express your eternal love. But there are plenty of other, less expensive options that are just as stunning—and not exploring them comes under engagement ring trends to avoid.
Emerald, Ruby, Morganite, Aquamarine, and Sapphire are just a few options you can consider if you’re going the non-diamond route. However, Moissanite is our favorite diamond alternative, and for good reason. High-grade Moissanite has a higher brilliance and its durability is comparable to diamond. And the best part is it’s only a fraction of the cost of a diamond! We recommend reading our FAQs on Moissanite to learn more about this incredible diamond alternative. Diamonds, step aside! Moissanite just might become our new best friend.
Mistake #2 - Choosing ‘Trendy’ Over ‘Flattering’
It doesn’t matter how hot any one style is in a given year: a ring needs to look and feel like a fit for the bride forever. When looking at rings, it can be easy to fall for whatever styles are most popular—but outlandish current styles are one of the engagement ring trends to avoid.
Each woman’s hands are unique to her and not all styles will look as flattering in person as they do in photos. Everything down from the size of the center stone to the setting to the color of the metal needs to be taken into consideration before finalizing your purchase. So don’t let the current trends tell you what to look for in an engagement ring. We recommend taking advantage of home try-on programs that allow you to see firsthand how each ring looks and feels.
Mistake #3 - Not Considering the Right Setting
The setting is vital to the structure and style of your ring and it secures your ring’s center stone. You need to pay attention to the type of setting you choose—going with anything that just looks pretty is another one of the engagement ring trends to avoid this year.
Prong settings are popular because they allow you to show off the entirety of your center stone, but they’re also more prone to becoming loose over time. A bezel setting is the most secure setting you can opt for. If you’re eyeing a prong setting, go for one with a higher number of prongs just to be safe.
Mistake #4 - Opting for Rings with Over-the-Top Diamonds
While we’re all about the megawatt sparkle, some couples get too fixated on carats when it comes to what to look for in an engagement ring. One of the engagement ring trends to avoid this year? High-wattage rings that look impressive from a distance but show poor quality up close.
The total carat weight of a ring is only impressive and meaningful if you’re using high-quality stones that have been evaluated for factors like cut and clarity and are GIA-certified. A smaller, cleaner, well-cut stone will outperform a large poor quality stone any day!
Mistake #5 - Getting Influenced Into One-Size-Fits-All Styles
An engagement ring is such a meaningful, symbolic piece of jewelry—don’t settle for anything less than a ring that feels unique and emblematic of your relationship. One engagement ring trend to avoid is shopping at retailers that seem to offer the one-size-fits-all approach to ring shopping. This happens when retailers only show you a few of the most popular styles and then pressure you into making a decision.
Instead, take the time to consider your bride’s personality: Is she a true romantic with a nostalgic streak? Then maybe a vintage-style engagement ring is right for her. A modern woman on the go? Perhaps a dainty twisted ring is exactly her speed. Ultimately, what matters most is finding a ring that captures her spirit, regardless of what’s trending at the moment.
Mistake #6 - Neglecting Metal Quality & Type
While it may be tempting to save some money by opting for an engagement ring made from low-quality metals, this is among engagement ring trends to avoid not just this year but always. With many amateur jewelry makers flooding the online market, there are a lot of inexpensive engagement ring options that can look appealing on the internet but don’t stand up to quality standards.
Seek out rings from retailers that are affordable but don’t sacrifice when it comes to construction—otherwise, you’ll simply end up shopping for a new ring soon after you purchase the first! Another engagement ring trend to avoid is not selecting the right metal type. Gold, silver, and platinum are the best options but make sure you consider your partner’s complexion before finalizing one!
Mistake #7 - Ordering from Unreliable Craft Vendors
Who you’re buying the ring from is just as important as what to look for in an engagement ring. While we certainly appreciate the talents of artisans and jewelers who work on a small scale, your engagement ring purchase isn’t exactly the right time to go with an unproven, untested craftsperson who can’t—or won’t—take responsibility for your purchase after making a sale. This is one of those engagement ring trends to avoid at all costs.
Seek out retailers and jewelers that offer key customer protection measures, like warranties, certificates of authenticity, and assistance with repairs, so that you know that they will be there for you should any issues with your rings arise.
Meet Aurosi Jewels
Aurosi Jewels is a family-owned, California-based engagement ring and wedding band company that offers handcrafted, heirloom rings that are made to last a lifetime. From our popular free home try-on program to our flexible custom work service, we strive to take the stress out of engagement ring shopping for our customers. Now that you know what to look for in an engagement ring, come explore our entire selection of wedding bands and engagement rings to discover stunning and timeless styles that you’ll fall head over heels for!
