Engagement rings have long been a symbol of love and commitment. However, from generation to generation, the most popular cuts and shapes have changed. From halo cuts to princess settings, the trends have changed through each era. Even the stones themselves have changed. From traditionally mined diamonds to lab-grown diamonds, sourcing diamonds has made leaps and bounds for more environmentally friendly jewels.
Nonetheless, many pieces have transcended trends and have become timeless favorites, like this Roberto Coin ring collection. Timeless pieces come in silver, yellow gold, white gold, or platinum bands with simple yet elegant diamond accents surrounded by fancy pieces of diamonds. The best part about timeless designs is their versatility—that is, you can pair one with any outfit.
This article will take you through the biggest engagement ring trends seen throughout history.
The 1920s: Antique Engagement Rings
The 1920s saw the rise of antique engagement rings, with an emphasis on quality materials and antiquity. The engagement ring itself can be traced back to Ancient Rome, where a man would give his bride-to-be a piece of his own property in exchange for her hand. In the Middle Ages, the ring was enlarged from a finger band to a hoop, which was believed to protect against evil spirits and bad luck.
In Victorian times, it wasn’t uncommon for young men to present their girlfriends with diamond brooches as a way of hinting at their intentions. By the early 20th century, however, it became standard for women to receive engagement rings when they got engaged—a fashion that continues today.
The first engagement rings were composed entirely of diamonds set into white gold—a style that remained popular until around World War I. The massive amounts of money needed to fund the war effort caused gold’s value to skyrocket and led jewelers to experiment with other metal alloys. It wasn’t until the 1920s that platinum came into use as an alternative metal for engagement rings; this practice continued through the Great Depression and beyond.
The 1930s: Vintage Engagement Rings
The 1930s was a decade of change. In the midst of The Great Depression, the stock market crashed, leading to the worst economic downturn in the United States until then. But there was a silver lining: Art Deco design was at its most fashionable, and it coincided with a rise in popularity of vintage engagement rings. During this time, diamonds were still the go-to gem for engagement rings. However, since there was less money around, it was also okay for people to go for something different—particularly styles that had been popular decades ago. This led to an interest in antique and vintage engagement rings, which led to some of the most iconic engagement ring designs of all time.
The 1940s: Three-Stone Rings
This decade saw the introduction of more gems into engagement rings than any other. The three-stone ring was especially popular in the ’40s as a result of the cut and clarity of the stones being at their finest. This was also the decade when diamonds became a girl’s best friend. However, unlike today, these stones were always accompanied by one other gem.
A popular choice for these decades was an emerald-cut diamond with two tapered baguettes flanking it—like this ring from Tiffany & Co. (circa 1947). Another trend that emerged during this time was the use of colored gems to complement the stone on either side of it. Perhaps most notable for its rarity is the five-stone ring, which had a center stone flanked by two smaller ones on either side and a single stone on top or bottom—like this 1946 example from Cartier.
The 1950s: Diamond Solitaire
The 1950s were a time of growth for the American economy, in which the country was getting back on its feet after the Second World War, and many families were either newly rich or striving to be. The diamond solitaire became hugely popular among brides-to-be during this time, representing the ultimate symbol of wealth and prosperity that a family could present to the world. Along with new car technology, it signified the upward mobility of a family and a strong, stable commitment to wedlock.
The 1960s: Halo Rings
Halo rings were all the craze in the 1960s when they were introduced as an alternative to the traditional diamond solitaire. The halo-style ring featured a large gemstone that appears to float above a thin circle or band of metal. Halo rings have experienced a resurgence in popularity in recent years, so if you’re looking for an unconventional style, now’s your chance to get one at a bargain price!
The 1970s: Cocktail Rings
The most popular trend in engagement rings for the 1970s was the cocktail ring: a small, delicate piece featuring one or two smaller stones set in a bold metal. It was often worn on the same hand as an engagement ring, on the pinky finger. This was due in part to the rise of feminism and counter-culture—many women saw it as a way to assert their independence from the men who expected them to wear traditional engagement rings, which were often large and gaudy and more suited for show than function. Cocktail rings remained popular throughout the decade, and their popularity continued into the following decade.
The 1990s (And Early 2000s): Larger Stones And Unique Cuts
The trends of the early 2000s were a throwback to the 1990s, and this was especially true of engagement rings. In both decades, the gemstone cut became much more heirloom-inspired, with larger stones and unique cuts becoming popular. The late 90s and early 00s also saw a return to more ornate ring settings in a multitude of hues.
In terms of the size of stones in engagement rings, bigger is better. The 1990s brought back many of the larger stone shapes from previous decades, like cushion-cut diamonds and emerald-cut diamonds. This was due to two factors: firstly, thanks to advances in technology, it became easier to find larger diamonds; secondly, as the decade progressed, large gold settings that could hold these larger stones became more available as well.
Today and the Future: Ethically sourced diamonds
Lab-grown diamonds have been around since the 1960s, but they have only become popular recently after more advancements in technology made growing diamonds in a lab much more affordable than before. Many different companies will grow a lab-grown diamond for you if you want one, but most people prefer buying them online because it is far cheaper than going to a store where you may have to pay for the manufacturing process of your ring too. Lab-grown diamonds allow for ethical and moral considerations when purchasing an engagement ring, something that has become paramount to today’s consumers. Jewelry companies are beginning to utilize lab-grown diamonds to meet the needs of today’s couples.
