Engagement ring trends for 2020

With 2020 rapidly approaching Jason D’Heureux, creative director of London based bespoke jewellers, Taylor & Hart, has made his predications for what will be big in the world of engagement rings during the first year of the new decade.

What are the biggest trends you are seeing in engagement rings right now that will go through to 2020?
Among 2020's most prominent trends in engagement rings are; A move away from the less traditional side stones to the more classical, smaller daintier band, with both plain and pavé bands being centre stage for the upcoming year. Megan Markle's recently updated engagement ring was a micro pavé design given to her by Prince Harry and has been responsible for this trend carrying so much weight. East and West orientated Diamond and Gemstone settings are also being rejuvenated this year.

Are alternative gemstones a popular choice now? If so, which stones is proving most popular with brides to be?
The millennials have been redefining the gemstone market and we have since seen an influx in alternative gemstones, while we don't offer salt and pepper diamonds or softer gemstones like morganite, we get lots of requests for them. Coloured gemstones such as bi-coloured sapphire's coming out of East Africa are continuing to be one of the most popular gemstones.

How do lab-grown diamonds feature in your collections? And how do you feel this is impacting the bridal jewellery industry as a whole?
Every design in our bespoke and ready-to-wear collection can be set with a lab-grown centre diamond upon request. Within the industry there has been a massive increase in interest for lab-grown diamonds as well as, CanadaMark and other fully traceable diamonds. Consumers are becoming more conscientious of; where their clothes are manufactured; and where their gemstones come from. This on the whole can only be good for the industry overall, with lab-grown diamonds forcing traditional jewellers to offer more value and transparency to their customers. Within the diamond and jewellery industry there is room for everyone to coexist because of products and different customers.