This past year’s events and perpetual lockdowns may have slowed down some peoples wedding plans, but it certainly hasn’t put the brakes on engagements, with many couples choosing this year as the perfect time to pop the question.
The biggest bridal trends for 2021’s engagement rings have seen an influx in demand for oval diamonds and radiant-cut diamonds.
Following the popularity of the oval cut, other fancy shaped diamonds are now following suit. At Chrysella, we’ve seen a growing trend for more fancy shaped diamonds like radiant-cut diamonds, with oval diamonds now the most popular engagement ring style in 2021.
Engagement Ring Trend for 2021: Oval Diamonds
It’s official: oval is the new round.
Round-cut diamonds may have been the most sought-after style for many years, but in 2021, the oval diamond is switching things up.
Reinforced by recent celebrity trends, many famous names have selected the oval cut as their diamond ring of choice.
With uncompromised fire and brilliance in a brilliant-cut, oval diamond engagement rings offer the same timeless and classic style as a round diamond, but with a contemporary edge.
The timeless round diamond engagement ring will likely never go out of style, but the oval diamond is a combination of the classic and the contemporary; it feels modern and fresh but in a similar spherical cut synonymous with timelessness and beauty.
A more unique shape with all of the fire and brilliance of traditional round diamond, oval diamond engagement rings are anticipated to continue to top the bridal trends this year.
Why Choose an Oval Diamond?
Oval diamonds have an increased surface area, meaning they often appear larger than a round cut diamond of the same carat weight. The shape of the oval diamond optimizes carat weight and means more diamond for the same amount of money – a no-brainer for any ring buyer looking for the biggest diamond for their budget.
Furthermore, the elongated oval shape appears to be flatter more than other styles, making the finger appear longer and more slender.
Oval brilliant cut diamonds – as with round brilliant cut diamonds – can also hide minor flaws like color and clarity well due to their exceptional brilliance and fire, allowing you to go a grade or two lower in either of these qualities. This means a bigger diamond for the same budget or a cheaper diamond if you’re willing to compromise a little on one aspect of quality.
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Engagement Ring Trend for 2021: Radiant Cut Diamonds
Similar to the emerald diamond, radiant cut diamonds are rectangular in shape with softened, gently shaped corners. The discerning difference between an emerald and a radiant diamond is that the facets are cut much closer to the way round diamonds are shaped, with the same faceting as found in a brilliant round cut.
Radiant cut diamond engagement rings are perfect for those who love the contour of an emerald cut but crave the sparkle of a round diamond.
Why Choose a Radiant Cut Diamond?
This style of cut got its name specifically for its impressive levels of radiance and brilliance. Created by combining the characteristics of numerous facets found in the round brilliant cut with the timeless rectangular form of the emerald cut, the radiant exists as a perfect blend.
What exactly is a brilliant cut? Out of all diamond cuts, brilliant-cut diamonds just means they are created with the most facets – 58 in total – and therefore possess exceptional sparkle and brilliance.
Refracting light around the 58 facets, the cut is based on a conical form, with equal-sized facets on each side. The top half of the diamond (crown) holds 33 of these facets, with 25 on the diamond’s lower half (pavilion). The technique for creating the brilliant cut allows light to refract and reflect with the unparalleled brilliance and fire of any other diamond shape.
The nature of the brilliant cut also allows clarity characteristics or ‘inclusions’ more places to hide (one of the four C’s of diamond quality grading). This allows greater flexibility when choosing a diamond and opt for a lower grade in clarity.
Radiant cut diamond rings are reputed for their elegance, timelessness, and versatility. Similar to the emerald diamond but with increased fire and brilliance, the radiant diamond can be found in a wide variety of styles, from modern to classic, in solitaire or detailed pave settings.
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Choosing a Diamond Engagement Ring in 2021
Is this the year you want to pop the question? Whatever your partner’s style or preference, with the vast amount of choice and variety available in both oval diamond and radiant diamond engagement rings, there will be the perfect design out there to suit their taste.
