Vogue just released their guide to engagement rings for every bride. They’ve helpfully broken up the rings by category, including estate & antique, colored diamonds, “minimal” (?), modern, non-diamond, and traditional. The selection is impressive, with zero loyalty to the halo. Vogue likes to be on the cutting edge. And while there are certainly styles for most brides included in this slide show, they didn’t quite capture every bride. And while I’ll never bat an eyelash at a sampling of designer engagement rings, every bride can’t rely on Cartier for the goods. No, just like their exquisitely crafted jewelry, designer bridal selections cost a premium. However, every bride can get the look for less – especially when she nudges her beloved in the direction of an independent jeweler. Allow me to expound…
Estate & Antique
Cartier Solitaire 1895 ring, from $4,225 – please note that it starts at $4,225. As in that’s how much the mounting is. And the diamond pictured is certainly larger than average. Now, I’m not saying that this gorgeous vintage style 3.08 carat diamond engagement ring is inexpensive, by any means. However I am telling you that it’s a fraction of whatever Cartier would charge (upon request) for a stone of the same caliber. Additionally, you can get a similar look for much, much less with this beautiful 1.16ct.
Colored Diamonds
All ours. All better.
Let me just say there’s a gross injustice here in regards to yellow diamonds. Not enough. No where. So this was a difficult category for me, personally to scroll through. We have nothing similar to the edgier avant grade stuff, and a few of these skew more cocktail. The Tiffany blue diamond is stunning, but guaranteed crazy expensive, so I leave you with a beautiful fancy yellow of ours.
Minimal
A special note on this one: I understand going to Tiffany for the 6 prong solitaire with a knife edge platinum band. I truly do. It’s iconic. But this emerald cut could have come from anywhere, so does this bride just really want a red leather box? Any jeweler can match the fantastic quality of Cartier stones by choosing a diamond that’s GIA certified to be the best of the best and setting it into a beautiful platinum mounting. Our bench jeweler created this gorgeous ring with an I, VVS2 stone that costs significantly less than a D flawless of the same size. It’ll save you a bundle and looks just as gorgeous.
Modern
This isn’t technically an engagement ring, but you don’t technically need to wear a piece from a bridal line. In fact, this sweet Chanel star ring is a lovely pick from the modern, non traditional category. However if you’re open to two tone, and something a little less common, consider this 18kt two tone gold and diamond bypass ring.
Non-Diamond
Clearly, we know what we’re doing when it comes to big sapphire engagement rings. Here’s another example: while this Graff cushion cut sapphire with diamond accents is, certifiably, amazeballs, it’s also super expensive. That’s what price upon request means. This 10.46 carat Ceylon sapphire is still pricey, but with two large diamonds, G VS2 diamonds flanking it, I think it gives the Graff a run for its money.
Traditional
Last but certainly not least, we have the traditional three stone engagement ring. Vogue proffers another Graff ring, a beautiful large round diamond of exceptional quality with what appear to be pear shapes (Vogue did not give specs on any of these bad boys and linked to the home page of the jeweler…so awesome.) Let’s just assume they’re pear shapes, mkay? Well, Mr. price upon request, I too, have a large round brilliant diamond of fantastic quality flanked by pear shapes. Booya.