Whether youshop togetheror leave it in the hands of a soon-to-be spouse, an engagement ring should last a lifetime. But, after two years of wedding and proposal postponements, couples are eschewing tradition and going with their gut when it comes to design details—and that includes wedding jewelry. Expect to see grandiose styles not only in rings but all bridal-related trends.
"In 2022, we are going to see a mix of trends with engagement rings as we know there is no one size fits all when shopping for a ring that exemplifies a love a person shares with their partner,"Katie Zimmerman, Chief Merchandising Officer at Blue Nile tellsBrides.
We spoke with the experts to find out which ring styles are forecasted to be the biggest in 2022. Scroll on for the top nine engagement ring trends you'll be dying to get your hands on (or get on your finger).
Toi Et Moi
We've seen a huge uptick in celebrity multi-stone engagement rings recently—Megan Fox, Ariana Grande, Emily Ratajkowski—and you can fully anticipate the style sticking around in 2022. Zimmerman says double (and even triple!) stone rings will be popular, as well as unique combinations of stones and gems (think Fox's accompanying emerald or Grande's pearl).
"Specifically the double stone visually showcases the coming together of two people as a couple," she explains. "We’ve increasingly seen people choose unique diamonds and gemstones to further elaborate on the love story that is being told with the two gemstones."
Kathryn Money, Senior Vice President of Merchandising and Retail at Brilliant Earth, tells us that the timeless symbolism of the Toi Et Moi design is part of the appeal. "While it might feel like a modern and unique trend, it's actually a style of engagement ring that has been around for centuries," she says. "The beauty of a Toi Et Moi engagement ring lies not just in the symbolism of togetherness, but also in how the stones paired together can accentuate the other's beauty."
And while the three-stone ring has also been around for quite some time, Zimmerman tells us it's experiencing a bit of a resurgence lately. "It’s said that the three stones represent the past, present, and future for a couple as they journey through the different stages of a relationship."
Logan Hollowell, jewelry designer and founder of her eponymous jewelry brand, adds that multi-stone rings allow for creativity. "We’re also living in a cultural moment that values distinctiveness and artistic expression, and the Toi et Moi rings exude individuality," she says.
Gender-Neutral Rings
Gender-neutral ring options have finally become more readily available. And it's only just beginning. Money says that simple, gender-fluid designs are going to continue gaining popularity in the coming year. And your favorite stars are leading the pack, like Bella Hadid, Dua Lipa, and Kylie Jenner opting for chunkier jewelry options this year.
"While dainty rings are still on-trend for engagement rings, we are seeing more women beginning to gravitate toward bolder, chunkier styles that are more traditionally associated with men’s fashion," explains Money.
Colorful Gemstones
Colored stones are having a moment, allowing couples to pick something bold and bright to represent their love story. Zimmerman notes that emerald, morganite, and sapphire are particularly popular options this year.
"Colored engagement rings and wedding accessories, like colored bridal gowns, have surged in demand recently, so it makes sense that the top purchased rings we saw last month were non-diamond stones," saysMichela Griffin, Commercial Lead at commerce shopping payment app Klarna. And according to Griffin, the app shows emerald stone rings increased by 115% in December 2021 alone, setting up 2022 as the year of the gemstone.
Vintage Nostalgia
In the same way that thrifting and vintage finds have taken over the fashion industry, antique engagement rings are at the forefront of the industry. Finding a one-of-a-kind, heirloom piece can be really special, but you can still have the same style while staying true to yourself with vintage-inspired rings. "They offer an emotional connection to a special person like a grandmother, mother, or aunt but with the ability to make it their own while still having sentimental value," notes Zimmerman.
Adding a different band, diamond shape, or cut is a way to update a timeless style while crafting techniques like milgrain, hand engraving, draping, and filagree designs will add vintage components to your sparkler, says Zimmerman. "Vintage inspired rings are all about creating your own personal style while still adding sentimental value to your engagement rings," says Zimmerman.
Traditional cushion cuts are even making a comeback according to Klarna, who found that the vintage style saw a 118% purchase increase late last year, according to Griffin. "Cushion Cut engagement rings have always been a safe and timeless choice amongst brides-to-be, so it’s no surprise that these styles are trending ahead of other classic staples," says Griffin.
Contoured Stacks
Another ring trend that has taken over the industry is stacked styles. The design allows each customer to get creative with shapes and combos. Plus, a stacked set can help highlight an existing piece. "The stacked and nested wedding styles are a way to uniquely highlight the center gem and make a statement," says Money.
Brilliant Earth has even curated a collection that is specifically designed to mix, match, and stack for the perfect finger full of jewels.
The Ultimate Engagement Ring Guide
Oval Shapes
Oval-shaped diamonds have seen a boom in popularity and will only continue to gain momentum in 2022. According to Zimmerman, an oval's soft, oblong shape draws attention to the hand and lengthens the appearance of the fingers. "The diamond can speak for itself or can be elevated further with additional stones or decorated band."
Hollowell also predicts that solitaire ovals are making a comeback. "They are very flirty and feminine stones while keeping an essence of [timelessness]," she tells Brides.
And if celebrity engagements are any indication, ovals are here to stay. To All the Boys I've Loved Before star Lana Condor debuted a stunning oval rock set in a yellow gold band within the first month of the year.
Big and Blingy
Bigger really is better—at least, when referring to 2022 engagement ring trends. Soon-to-be-married couples are craving grand, over-the-top designs. Think: bold shapes, large diamonds, and halo cuts. In fact, Klarna found that there was a 127% increase in halo cut ring purchases, according to Griffin.
Black Ice
Couples are looking to break the mold this year and opt for one-of-a kind settings. Enter black-stone engagement rings—according to Griffin, Klarna shows that they've seen a 47% increase in purchases in January. And if you recall, Carrie Bradshaw (the fashion queen herself) owns a black diamond ring. The reboot recently aired, and just like that ... black-stone rings have seen an uptick.
"Black Diamond engagement rings may have had a big moment in the first month of the year," says Griffin. "During the extremely anticipated Sex and the City reboot, And Just Like That, fans were reminded of Carrie Bradshaw and Big’s decades-long romance, which left viewers longing for another glimpse at the rare Black Diamond ring that Big gifted Carrie in the last SATC movie."
Surprise Diamonds Details
According to Money, you can expect to see more and more rings with bonus stones, like hidden halos and accented galleries.
"This unique trend offering diamonds crafted beneath the ring’s center gemstone is intended to add extra sparkle and unique personalization to otherwise understated styles," she tells us. "These hidden accents are often paired with solitaire styles and are timeless modern classics with a twist and a personalized touch."
FAQs
What is the most popular engagement ring shape 2022? ›
Oval Shapes
Oval-shaped diamonds have seen a boom in popularity and will only continue to gain momentum in 2022.
A combination of The 4C's; Cut, Carat, Colour and Clarity determines a Diamond's rarity and value. The 5th C, Certificate gives you peace of mind, knowing that the Diamond you are buying has been independently assessed and graded.
What is the most popular engagement ring style right now? ›According to The Knot 2021 Jewelry & Engagement Study, the most popular engagement ring shape is a round-cut center stone. We found that 41% of respondents have this style, and it's not a new trend—rounds have been the most popular engagement ring shape for quite some time.
What engagement ring never goes out of style? ›Gold is a timeless, traditional option for engagement rings. At one time, yellow gold was the standard for engagement and wedding rings, but in the mid-90s, it went out of style. That's when white metals, like white gold and platinum, became the popular choice for modern brides.
How much should a 2022 engagement ring cost? ›How Much Should an Engagement Ring Cost? A one carat engagement ring typically costs around $5,500, but most couples spend over $6,000—and 7 percent spend over $10,000.
What is the most popular diamond cut in 2022? ›- Rounds. Round cut engagement rings are classic and continue to be the most popular choice amongst brides. ...
- Ovals. Ovals have been wildly popular in recent years. ...
- Cushion Cut. ...
- Antique cuts (old mines and old euros)
Out of the 4 C's of diamonds, the cut of the diamond is the most important. This is followed by color, clarity, and carat weight.
What does 5 mean on a ring? ›Without a doubt, five stone rings are the perfect five year anniversary gift, since you could say that each of the diamonds represents one of the first five years of marital bliss.
How do you judge the quality of a diamond? ›The diamond industry has established four basic criteria for judging the quality and value of precious stones, commonly known as the “Four Cs:” cut, color, clarity, and carat. However, to ensure identical across-the-board diamond grading and appraisal, the GIA similarly created grading systems for each category.
What diamond shape is popular? ›Round- Still takes the top spot. According to GIA, more than 60% of couples choose a round diamond for their center stone. The round cut has been around since the 1800's making it by far the most popular year after year.
Will emerald cut engagement rings go out of style? ›
For a timeless look, go back to the basics. A single emerald-cut diamond rests on a white-gold band, making this a ring that will never go out of style.
Is Rose Gold Still in Style 2022? ›Rose gold jewelry is definitely a trend you will be seeing for this 2022 season. Even though it is not as popular as white or yellow gold, it is a great addition to your jewelry collection. Rose gold jewelry trends for this year include modern adaptations of more classic jewelry styles.
Are yellow gold engagement rings coming back in style? ›Yellow Gold Engagement Rings
Yellow gold has remained a fashion mainstay for decades. It has regained some popularity lost to white and rose gold in past years and is set to make a major comeback in 2021.