Possibly the best thing about getting married is how many cool choices you have to make. It’s honestly a time in your life where you feel truly pampered and treated like royalty. From choosing your wedding dress to picking flower arrangements, there are so many different things you can focus on. But, the decisions can start way before the wedding plans are even in motion. They start when you’re maybe thinking about getting married, and you start doing a bit of engagement ring shopping.
Most couples do this at one point – well, at least one person in the relationship will! You browse online for engagement ring ideas, making it painfully obvious what you’re doing. You stop by jewelry stores when you’re out with your partner, always pointing out certain rings. Of course, if you’re the one that’s hoping to propose, you’ll be doing more secretive research. In either case, much of your research will look at the different types of engagement rings or styles you can choose. With that in mind, prepare to witness the top engagement ring ideas that are popular in 2021 and beyond!
Sustainable engagement rings
Sustainable or ethical engagement rings are becoming very popular in the second half of 2021. It’s a trend that looks to keep on rising as the years go by, offering an alternative to the traditional diamond ring. Naturally, there are lots of ethical concerns about diamonds – how are they acquired, what resources are used up digging for them, and so on. As such, they’re hardly the most sustainable thing on the planet.
Therefore, people are more conscious of this, and they’re seeking out alternative ideas. Nowadays, there are sustainable engagement rings using diamonds that are grown in a lab. That’s right, scientists have found ways to recreate diamonds without worrying about all the natural resources used and destroyed when mining for them. You also have less of an ethical dilemma as you know that people haven’t been forced to work in harsh conditions just to mine for diamonds. The rings themselves look similar to traditional ones, only the diamonds are sustainable.
Irish engagement rings
Irish and Celtic history is very big in the wedding scene. The idea of Celtic weddings is always a popular one, and many of the typical wedding traditions stem from Ireland. Consequently, it only makes sense for some of these influences to seep into the engagement ring world. Most notably, the idea of Irish rings Claddagh. For those that don’t know, Claddagh rings are special rings that are designed with certain features. Each ring will include two hands clasping a central heart, above which is an ornate crown.
These elements are all symbolic of different things. The heart is obviously symbolic of love, the crown is loyalty, while the hands clasped together suggest friendship. These rings are extremely popular as couples look for engagement rings that have more meaning and symbolism behind them. Yes, diamond rings are still popular and lovely to look at, but an Irish ring is almost more sentimental as you know it stands for something special.
Band style engagement rings
Typically, engagement rings follow a similar style/structure. You have a simple band that goes around your finger, topped off with a gemstone of sorts – usually a diamond. However, band style engagement rings are actually becoming extremely sought after. In essence, this style revolves around the band itself, making it the star of the show.
Honestly, you can see so many different and intriguing designs where this is concerned. Some include having numerous gemstones embedded around the band, creating a truly unique look. Others include changing the band style, making it twisted or adding more rings to it. This is a popular look/style because it’s so out there and unique. Think about it, engagement rings have been around for centuries and have rarely changed that much. It’s only natural for people to get bored and want to jazz things up a little bit.
Personalized engagement rings
Most couples do have an inscription or engraving of sorts on their wedding rings. The same goes for some engagement rings, but it’s usually just the day you proposed or something more obvious and simple. Instead, there’s a trend of people getting way more personal and unique with engagement rings. This means adding certain things or elements to a ring that symbolize something unique to your relationship.
In essence, you will have a ring that’s completely unique to you two. It will have something that only you two understand – almost like a little in-joke for your relationship. It’s easy to see why this is so popular as it’s a great way of declaring your love for one another and adding a nice little memory to the ring. Plus, making things more personal will also make the ring feel more special.
Emerald engagement rings
The last trend to be aware of is the rise of the emerald. It’s one of the most well-known gemstones in the world, with an iconic green glow that makes it stand out from the crowd. However, like most other gemstones, emeralds have been overlooked in lieu of diamonds for this special ring.
Well, not anymore! Now, emeralds are growing in popularity as people look for more cost-effective alternatives for engagement rings. Many couples are open to the idea of sacrificing a diamond to give them more money to go towards their dream wedding. Plus, emeralds are just very beautiful and somewhat unique. Certainly, an emerald engagement ring is timeless and will definitely make you smile.
Remember, these are just a few ideas thrown out for you to take a look at. You don’t have to copy any of them, but it’s good to consider new perspectives and concepts now and then. Regardless of why you’re doing some engagement ring research, it helps to have a few ideas in that head of yours. Trends come and go, that needs to be said, but these engagement ring ideas will continue to be popular for some time.
XOXO,
