| From the grace of halo to the sophistication of | | | | The diamond pave setting is widely admired for |
| micro pave, design trends in diamond engagement | | | | its refinement. To give the setting its simplistic, |
| rings and wedding band settings are changing, | | | | yet exquisite appearance, beads of metal are |
| reflecting today's busy lifestyles. Ergonomic | | | | raised to create secure channels where the |
| designs reign supreme in today's market, no | | | | diamonds sit securely in the ring. According to the |
| longer does pure panache determine the design | | | | craftsmen at Whiteflash.com, the raised metal of |
| that leads to 'I Do.' | | | | the band (or ring) is used to create the tiny |
| "Some brides prefer an ergonomic design that can | | | | prongs that hold the petite diamonds in place. |
| comfortably be worn day in and day out," says | | | | Center stage: Eternity bands |
| Brian Gavin, Executive Vice President of known as | | | | The pave and micro pave diamond engagement |
| Brian the Cutter. "Others look for added style in | | | | rings come into play when customers are looking |
| an intricate or trendy setting; which, unfortunately, | | | | at smaller diamond settings like the eternity band. |
| can be limiting when it comes everyday wear," | | | | According to Gavin – who is also a |
| adds BrianGavin. is an e-jewelry boutique | | | | fifth-generation cutter from the world's largest |
| specializing in Hearts & Arrows diamonds and | | | | diamond center (South Africa) – there has |
| custom-designed engagement rings. | | | | been a recent push for smaller diamonds in |
| Here's a peek at the up-and-coming trends in | | | | settings. "In some cases even solitaire |
| engagement rings according to the boutique's | | | | engagement rings are being replaced with semi, |
| jewelry designers: | | | | and even full diamond eternity bands," he says. |
| Myth: solitaires stand tall | | | | The trend is likely a response to the |
| Not true of today's diamond solitaire settings, | | | | aforementioned movement towards dainty-looking |
| says Gavin. "Solitaire settings are traditionally | | | | styles and those that offer daily wear. Eternity |
| upswept, raising the diamond to make a very bold | | | | bands traditionally are set with diamonds |
| statement," he adds. "However, people are also | | | | anywhere from one to three points (carats). |
| choosing settings where the center diamond sits | | | | Brides trade up |
| down low, creating a look that is extremely | | | | The 'trading-up' trend will never fade into |
| elegant and also ergonomic." With the diamond | | | | obscurity. "We've found that it makes a |
| down in the setting, brides-to-be are able to wear | | | | difference in the design process if the bride-to-be |
| the engagement ring in everyday work and play | | | | is involved up front," says Gavin. "If the groom |
| situations long after they say their "I Do's. | | | | chooses to go it alone, he typically gravitates |
| Halos make a comeback | | | | toward a simple design with a smaller-than-desired |
| The likely reason for that comeback, according to | | | | diamond. And what happens next? The |
| Gavin, is that the halo-style diamond engagement | | | | bride-to-be upgrades the size of her diamonds, |
| ring makes the center diamond appear larger than | | | | even adding side stones, and looks for a setting |
| it really is. "And the appearance of a high carat | | | | more suited to their tastes." |
| weight in the center stone is extremely important | | | | 'Trading up' need not always be done up front. |
| for many who are headed to the altar," says | | | | Many couples consider upgrades for important |
| Brian Gavin. has introduced several halo designs to | | | | milestones like anniversaries, birthdays and |
| its line of diamond engagement rings in the past | | | | holidays. "While her diamond engagement ring was |
| year, including one with beaded diamonds along | | | | [current] as a newlywed, many years later she |
| the shank as well as around the center stone, | | | | might change or modify her setting to reflect |
| Increased sales prove the design's resurgence and | | | | transition in her own life or to keep up with |
| staying power. | | | | current jewelry trends," says Gavin. "Even if she |
| A toast to the 'Champagne' setting | | | | keeps the setting forever, there is a chance that |
| One design stunning even to the most | | | | down the road she may require a larger diamond. |
| fashion-savvy is the diamond 'Champagne' setting. | | | | We have many repeat customers who upgrade |
| "Those who desire this setting know exactly what | | | | their diamonds with us," he finishes. |
| they're looking for…and that's something unique," | | | | anticipates change as a constant and has made it |
| says Gavin. "The Champagne style of setting has | | | | simple for customers to upgrade with a unique |
| an unmistakable following." The succesfull creative | | | | guarantee: Every certified diamond sold at comes |
| design team consisting of Brian Gavin and Frieder | | | | with a lifetime trade-up option. The company will |
| Lauer at deserve a toast of the bubbly for their | | | | accept the return of any original purchase and |
| interpretation of the Champagne-style bubble | | | | extend full credit in the amount of the original |
| design in their U-prong Champagne engagement | | | | purchase price. The credit can be used to |
| ring…among others. | | | | purchase a different diamond. |
| Gavin says the company's Champagne fashions | | | | "Marriage is a lifetime commitment," Gavin says. |
| have produced a great deal of spin-off | | | | "When you choose Whiteflash.com, we'll be there |
| custom-design work, much of which incorporates | | | | for a lifetime with you." |
| Whiteflash.com's exclusive A Cut Above (ACA) | | | | About Whiteflash |
| melee diamonds. "The design of the Champagne | | | | is the first company in the U.S. to offer an |
| diamond setting intermixes several | | | | exclusive brand of Hearts & Arrows diamond and |
| components…it's these combined features that | | | | bring the sheer beauty of "super ideal cut" to the |
| really draw[s] people to it," he says. | | | | Internet. Brian Gavin, a 5th generation diamond |
| "Often people ask us to replicate one aspect or | | | | cutter, and Debi Wexler, a computer |
| another of the Champagne design into a custom | | | | entrepreneur, together founded in 1999 bringing |
| project, and of course we don't hesitate to do | | | | an expansive selection of loose diamonds to the |
| so." According to Gavin, the U-Prong, domed | | | | Internet, including an exclusive brand of Hearts & |
| shank and accent diamonds are examples of | | | | Arrows diamonds. 'A Cut Above' (ACA) is |
| features that can be applied to any custom piece. | | | | unmatched in its brilliance, fire and sparkle and |
| "Our 'A Cut Above' (ACA) melee diamonds have | | | | remains the only Hearts & Arrows diamond sold |
| been adopted into thousands of projects, and are | | | | online with advertised standards and a "true |
| a stunning complement to any setting style," | | | | patterning" guarantee.also known as the most |
| comments Gavin. | | | | visually balanced diamond in the world. also offers |
| Delicate pave and micro-pave designs | | | | original, handcrafted platinum and gold settings, |
| The old debate: Delicate versus complex, which is | | | | diamond engagement rings and wedding bands, |
| better? According to the designers at | | | | custom diamond ring designs and specialty |
| Whiteflash.com, this season the style leans more | | | | jewelry. |
| heavily towards delicacy rather than complexity. | | | | |