It’s no secret hopeful brides-to-be are all about the custom engagement ring trend for 2019. I’m not sure if we can really claim it a trend, but we’ve seen custom requests come through the showroom more in the past decade than ever before.
Heidi Klum is the latest celebrity to show off a custom engagement ring on the red carpet. She and her much younger beau, German rocker Tom Kaulitz, announced their engagement on Christmas Eve.
She flashed her bling and posed for the cameras at the Golden Globe Awards a few days ago. Jewelry experts are guessing the center gemstone is a 3.5 carat elongated cushion or emerald cut, teal sapphire. It’s surrounded by a halo and accented with two cushion cut diamonds in either a white gold or platinum setting. If confirmed, the ring is estimated to cost between $20,000-$30,000.
We saw both Meghan Markle and Amal Clooney sport three stone, custom engagement rings as well. The colored gemstone is a newer trend that picked up in 2018, but the jury is out on whether it’s going to stick around.
Marriage Trends
Industry studies show couples are pushing back marriage. Sociologists at John Hopkins report the median age of marriage for men has risen to 29.5 and 27.4 for women. What was once considered the first step of ‘adulting,’ marriage has now become one of the last.
Instead of the once typical high school/college/marriage/job/house path, many adults are focusing on building their careers and bank accounts before even considering settling down with a forever partner.
These studies also provide a glimpse into buying habits. Couples, especially those considered ‘millennials,’ are seeking out higher quality products across the board. Millennials have been blamed for the demise of chain restaurants, chain department stores, and now chain wedding retailers.
Custom Wedding Attire
Customization isn’t solely a trend for engagement rings. Last year David’s Bridal, the largest purveyor of bridal gowns in America, filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy. More and more brides are moving away from cookie cutter, white wedding dresses and opting instead for personalized styles.
Alfred Angelo, another chain wedding dress retailer closed its doors in 2017 for the same reasons. Indie designers and boutique shops are gaining popularity, while less formal brands- like Anthropologie and ModCloth now have their own wedding dress lines.
Custom Engagement Rings at Jonathan’s
We’ve been in the custom engagement ring business for over 25 years. Having one of Houston’s largest selections of loose diamonds really sets us apart, and there’s no style we aren’t able to create.
We can create custom rings from scratch. Clients bring us online photos, design inspiration from magazines, and samples seen on the red carpet. We’ve even transformed classic, family heirlooms into one-of a-kind modern pieces. The sky really is the limit when you choose us to design and create your engagement ring.
If you’re on a limited budget, don’t let that scare you away from choosing a custom engagement ring. At Jonathan’s our prices are already lower because we own our inventory and we create designs at ANY price point!
You can read more about the Jonathan’s customization process in Keifer’s interview from a few weeks back.
Do you have a design in mind for YOUR bride-to-be? Let us help create the perfect ring she’ll cherish forever!
Schedule an appointment and come see us in our Houston showroom soon!
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