We all love choices. Whether it is choosing from 20 kinds of breakfast cereal or 200 channels of cable television, choices make us feel empowered and happy, right? The truth is that psychological research has recently proven that too many choices can often feel overwhelming and leave the consumer unhappy and nervous about his final selection, no matter what that is.
If you are a soon-to-be-engaged guy who is shopping for an engagement ring for your special lady, you probably already know this. What seemed like an exciting and romantic shopping expedition when you first started out soon becomes an overwhelming exercise of differentiating between hundreds of diamond engagement rings, all of which look almost identical to you.
If that is your predicament, then the search is over, my friend. Here are ten modern, trendy, but classic engagement ring designs, each matched with the personality type of the girl who will love that ring. Simply select the ring style that matches her personality, and then you will be able to easily narrow your search to a ring of that style. Or you can pick your favorite design elements and have a perfect diamond engagement ring custom made.
1. The color collector. She always wears bright colors, sparkling gemstone jewelry, and even chooses bright and fun decor for her colorful home. Never one to wear all black, she would love an engagement ring that incorporates her love of color, with a splash of bright yellow diamonds (or yellow sapphires or citrines) complemented by classic colorless certified diamonds.
2. The perfectionist. She notices every detail, and opts for clothes and accessories with subtle, barely-there refinements that add a restrained elegance to her appearance. Not one for a huge, flashy diamond, she will appreciate a simple three-stone diamond ring with a center stone with an unusual faceting pattern—a small change that creates a completely unique look within a classic engagement ring.
3. The princess of simplicity. She may not wear much jewelry at all, and her daily wardrobe consists of simple, reliable basics that she can always count on to look presentable and feel comfortable. She won’t appreciate an intricate setting or an unusual stone, but she will love a comfortable band and a classic but modern princess-cut diamond in a secure double-prong setting.
4. The royal watcher. Some girls just can’t get enough of the new royal couple, and a few are even requesting replicas of Princess Diana’s famous sapphire ring. Your engagement ring doesn’t have to go that far, but you can incorporate a subtle nod to your girl’s royal obsession with a small sapphire embedded into an otherwise classic diamond engagement ring. Embedding a small gemstone into a ring can also be a way to symbolize a blended family, a special moment in your lives, or even to remember a beloved pet.
5. The frugalista. The worldwide economic slump of 2008 may be over, but the new term born in the difficult days – frugalista – lives on. A frugalista is a savvy shopper who wants a dramatic impact on a limited budget. You can satisfy that frugal but fashionable girl with a cleverly-designed engagement ring with maximum eye appeal. Opt for a split shank for an eye-catching base, and finish it with a modest but well-cut certified diamond nestled into an optical illusion-creating halo setting.
6. The diva. This girl loves to shop, loves to wear the latest trends, and never ever leaves the house without heels and makeup. To impress her, you are going to want to choose the very best diamond and house it in an equally impressive setting for an engagement ring that she will love. Try an exclusive hearts-and-arrows super-ideal round certified diamond, and don’t forget to add a custom-made channel-set wedding band to complete the look.
7. The athlete. If your girl is very active, whether she competes in triathlons or just loves her morning jog, you will want to choose a diamond engagement ring she can wear anywhere, at any time, even when pounding the pavement. Choose a sleek, comfortable band with a modest (but very high quality) stone in a modified bezel setting. The bezel setting provides extra diamond security, while the openings show off the gorgeous diamond inside, and of course, the whole ring has a snag-free, smooth profile.
8. The retro chick. She loves vintage stores, heritage houses, and never met a flea market she didn’t love. Dressing like you are part of the past is a super-modern trend, she knows, and mixes and matches each decade’s style into something truly her own. You can choose a real vintage ring, with a filigreed setting and antique gems, or for a simpler approach, just opt for the retro-style luster of rich yellow gold and a certified diamond.
9. The nature lover. She loves hiking, camping, and basking in nature, and wants to do her part to protect her beloved planet. You can opt for eco-friendly engagement ring options like recycled metals and ethically-sourced diamonds, and even highlight her love of all things green with this creative and clever diamond engagement ring designs that features a flower and leaf design crafted from certified diamonds and gemstones.
10. The untraditionalist. Never one to listen to conventions or traditions, this girl blazes her own fashion path, wearing what she wants when she wants to. A plain old certified diamond may be passé, so surprise and delight her with an engagement ring made with her favorite gemstone. A large, high-quality gemstone can be just as valuable and appropriate for an engagement ring as a diamond, especially when you choose a beautiful diamond-embellished band.
About the author: Article courtesy of Whiteflash.com, an online jewelry store from Houston, Texas.
Credits: Top photo courtesy of Fernando Weberich.