The start of a New Year means we’re ushering in new trends. Whether that’s in fashion—hello, bold colors—home décor or skincare, everyone will be looking for all the cool and chic ways to stay in vogue. And engagement rings are no different. From putting a spin on family heirlooms to opting for environmentally-friendly picks, here are five engagement ring trends you’ll be seeing in 2022.
The last few years have taught us to cherish our loved ones a little more, and it looks like that sentiment is coming to engagement rings in 2022. Two-stone diamond rings, aka “toi et moi” (you and me) feature, well, two stones that represent “love stories and partnerships” according to ring designer, Lindsey Scoggins of Lindsey Scoggins Studio. The style first came to popularity when Napoleon Bonaparte engaged Josephine de Beauharnais in 1796. These days, however, you can catch the unique ring on Emily Ratajkowski and Ariana Grande. And don’t be surprised when you see people upping the ante. “Three stone rings with bigger side stones such as trapezoids and epaulettes will be big in 2022” says Olivia Landau, gemologist and founder/CEO of The Clear Cut. “Like Paris Hilton’s three-stone ring featuring an emerald-cut diamond and trapezoid side stones.”
Oval stones are trending for 2022 because they’re “timeless and super finger-flattering” Landau explains. The cut can actually make the diamond appear larger, plus the shape of the rock has a lengthening effect on your finger. Vogue reports that Google searches for “oval engagement rings” have seen a surge in the last five years, and with tastemakers like Kourtney Kardashian and Hailey Bieber donning the style, it’s safe to predict that 2022 will be year six.
Perhaps the most popular vintage engagement ring is Kate Middleton’s blue sapphire that belonged to Princess Diana. And though the duchess’s band was in pristine condition when she got engaged back in 2010, brides without the royal jewel hookup are upscaling their vintage rings. Think: taking Grandma’s stone and placing it in a more modern setting or redesigning the band for a more contemporary feel. And thanks to shows such as Bridgerton and The Great, the newstalgia trend has made pining for the past chicer than ever.
Expect stronger, more robust settings, like the sturdy bezel design, to give the dainty and delicate aesthetic—like solitaire or pavé—a run for its money this year. “[People are] tired of seeing the same styles and are looking for designs that feel modern and special, different from what everyone else is wearing,” Baylee Zwart, designer and founder of the jewelry company Azlee told The Zoe Report.
Climate change has long been a hot topic, and for the environmentally-conscious couples out there, lab-created diamonds will continue to be a go-to. Not only are they kinder to the planet because there’s no mining involved, but they’re also guaranteed to be conflict-free, which makes them more ethical. But just because these diamonds are grown in a lab doesn’t mean they have less value. “From our perspective, synthetic diamonds are diamonds,” Stephen Morisseau, a spokesman for the Gemological Institute of America, told the Washington Post. “They’re not fakes. They’re not cubic zirconias. They have all the same physical and chemical properties of a mined diamond.” Translation: Lab-created rocks may cost a little less than mined diamonds because their supply chain is much shorter, but be prepared to still drop a pretty penny if you choose to go this route.
