Question 1

What should we look out for in the world of weddings in 2024?

Accepted Answer

As we anticipate 2024, wedding jewellery trends are set to blend classic elegance with modern innovation. A resurgence of vintage-inspired designs with intricate details and heirloom aesthetics take centre stage. Vintage gemstone cuts like cushion and emerald make a notable comeback, adding an element of nostalgia. Personalised creations too gain popularity as couples seek to imbue their jewellery with sentimental value. The emphasis on sustainability and ethics drives a trend towards responsible practices, with couples choosing sustainable materials, ethically-sourced gemstones, and eco-friendly processes. The appeal of sustainable choices aligns with a desire for meaningful symbolism, each piece a testament to enduring love and a commitment to ethical values. Customisation extends beyond engravings to include birthstones and entirely bespoke pieces, allowing you to weave personal narratives into your wedding adornments. In terms of metals, yellow gold's enduring appeal offers a warm and romantic alternative to traditional white gold. A mix of metals also becomes more prevalent, providing you with the opportunity to experiment with diverse textures and tones.

Question 2

My fiance proposed with a Haribo ring as he knows how fussy I am with jewellery. I have my heart set on an emerald engagement ring. What should we look out for when we go shopping?

Accepted Answer

Firstly, I do hope you enjoyed your Haribo ring... Secondly, an emerald is an excellent choice for the real deal! Before you go shopping, you'll want to do some research on the four C's for emeralds (colour, clarity, cut and carat). The most important factor for emeralds specifically is the colour. If you're picking a pre-made ring you'll want to closely compare the emeralds they have, a deeper green hue with minimal hints of blue and yellow are seen as the most desirable and therefore most expensive. It comes down to personal taste on which one you pick but knowing this makes sure you get a good price! Remember that emeralds are a relatively soft gemstone compared to others like diamonds or sapphires, so slight imperfections (known as inclusions) are to be expected. However, we think these markings only lend to the one-of-a-kind, vintage feel of these ethereal stones so they shouldn't put you off. With that said, this softness does limit the style of cuts available. We generally recommend against pointed cuts like pear or marquise because the risk of damage is much higher with emeralds. When it comes to the design, this is where you want to select or create something original to you and your partner. Research different styles online to get a feel for what you like and be sure to try on different styles in store to see what looks right on your hand. Do you want a simple solitaire where the emerald takes centre stage? Or would you prefer a halo to add some sparkle? Lastly, you should always remember to ask your jeweller which country, organisation and mine the emerald originates from to ensure it's from an ethical mine (Brazil is our top choice for ethical emerald mining). Alternatively, you can always opt for a lab grown emerald instead which is considerably cheaper without compromising on quality or ethics. Lab grown emeralds actually tend to have a much higher clarity than natural emeralds due to the fact they have far less inclusions as a result of being grown in a lab. As a final curveball, you might also want to look into green sapphires. They're more durable and come in a wider variety of cuts but finding one with the same deep green hue of an emerald can be tricky. Again, it all comes down to personal taste!

FAQs and expert advice about wedding & engagement rings