Individuality is in, copying others is out. And if you have to copy others, make it yours by giving it a personal twist. Now, more than ever before, engagement rings are leaning more towards making a statement. That means that “unique” combined with personal style will result in a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry that can be treasured forever.
In the past, the phrase “outrageous engagement rings” referred to the size of the diamond or gemstone. Today, the meaning has changed and encompasses personal style and creativity.
Founder of Krikawa Jewelry Designs and award-winning jewelry designer Lisa Krikawa observes, “I love my job more every year because my clients keep coming up with engagement ring ideas that set my creativity free. It is so fascinating to be a part of this expansive field where art meets science and the end product is pure love.”
Take a look:
From floral to regal, these designs are sheer art. It is obvious that they are one-of-a-kind and hand-crafted. This is where art comes in. Studying other designs sparks ideas on how to add something or recreate an existing theme. It doesn’t have to be completely original. Change the metal. Change the stone. Change the setting. Presto – you have an original.
The most important element is finding the right jeweler. Not all jewelers are alike! Some jewelers act confident about creating customized jewelry, but that is not the case. Take time in selecting your jeweler and ask to see samples of past work and then ask for references! Engagement rings are meant to last a lifetime, so be assertive and don’t allow yourself to become intimidated with “jeweler-speak”.
Here are four more completely unique designs – as unique and beautiful as those above. Keep in mind you may be wearing a wedding band also. There are a couple ways to handle that. You can wear the wedding band independently when you prefer not to flash your jewels – like when you go to the gym. Or you can have the wedding band molded and soldered to the engagement ring, which is something we have been seeing more often. Some couples are foregoing the woman’s wedding band all together instead of a unique engagement ring.
After reviewing 13 completely different designs, how would you design yours? Before talking to a jeweler, it helps to have a few ideas. Create a mood board or look book by gathering photos of your favorites and making a note of exactly what you love about each piece. Do you prefer yellow, rose or white gold? What type of band do you like to wear – thick, thin or the scaffold look? The use of fancy colored diamonds is becoming popular. Many celebrities like Carrie Underwood, Heidi Klum, and Jennifer Lopez are wearing them.
After you have narrowed down your preferences, consult with the jeweler. A jeweler who is experienced in customized engagement rings will provide a digital mock-up in some form which will give you the opportunity to tweak and make alterations if needed. Before you know it, your own personal outrageously beautiful ring will be complete! Off-the-shelf engagement rings are lovely; however, for a few dollars more you can have the ring of your dreams. Don’t settle for less!
Azure Rings