Wedding world is crushing on rocks right now, allowing couples to individually pick or design their bands for a look and meaning that’s totally unique to them.
 
“Including gemstones in your ring opens a world of creativity,” says Jamila Hirtenstein from Justin Duance (justind.co.uk). “Different stones and styles of setting can give your ring personality and make it truly yours.”
 
Designer-maker Corrinne Eira Evans (corrinneeiraevans.com) agrees. “'Gemstones are truly personal – from colour to cut, size and meaning,” she adds of the scope of customisation available with the simple addition of a stone.
 
We’ve taken the top trends and expert tips and broken them down into the basic things to think about when buying a gemstone ring...

 Erin Cox
 
Wearability
One of the most important factors is the durability of your bands. “Our advice is to think about your lifestyle and how you want to wear your ring,” says Jamila. “Our rings are designed to be worn all the time, for the rest of your life. By choosing hard stones, you will be sure they will stand the test of time. Many gemstones can become dull or even chipped with time because they are soft or brittle.”
 
“Each stone will have varying properties,” explains Corrinne. “Diamonds are always a strong favourite due to their hardness and clear look adhering to many styles throughout your life.” Discuss the options with your preferred jewellers to gain a greater idea of how your choice will be impacted by your lifestyle. 
 
For daily wear, “Erin recommends diamonds, rubies and sapphires,” says Jasmine Bowden at Erin Cox (erincox.co.uk). “We advise caution for those considering pearl, emerald or opal engagement rings as their natural characteristics make them more prone to damage from daily wear,” she adds. “These delicate gemstones are better suited for cocktail or special occasion rings, to be admired and preserved.”

Corrinne Eira Evans 

Colour
A classic clear diamond will never go out of fashion and remains the perennial girl’s best friend. “Diamonds are not only a symbol of eternal love but also the hardest natural substance on earth,” says Jasmine. “Their exceptional hardness makes them highly resistant to scratches and damage, helping your diamond jewellery remain as brilliant as the day it was crafted.” However, should you want to flash some colour, there’s an array of options available. “Instead of traditional white diamonds or cornflower blue sapphires, why not dare to be bold and capture a slice of the rainbow with a coloured diamond or sapphire?” she suggests.
 
You might have a favourite shade in mind or be swayed toward the current colour trends. Bright and dazzling stones in jewel tones are all the rage, specifically sapphires, which “come in almost every colour and shape, from raw crystal forms to perfect cuts”, notes Jamila. “They have been a real hit in recent years, with ethical gemstone mines producing bold and pastel varieties (yellows, blues, greens, pinks, purples), bi-coloured and parti sapphires heading the trends,” reports Corrinne. “These are fabulous alternatives as the stone strength is hardy and offers up a full spectrum of colours and cuts. My latest collection has many cuts and coloured sapphires for a very special ring with an androgynous style for classic timeless design choice.”
 
Ask about the range of stones your jeweller works with or can source for you, and don’t forget to enquire about unique alternatives. “We think that tourmalines and spinels are underrated gemstones that deserve a spotlight!” reveals Jasmine. “They come in a beautiful array of colours and they can make spectacular individual designs.”
 
Other trends to consider include sustainably sourced diamonds – especially lab-grown, along with champagne and recycled diamonds. 

 Erin Cox

Cut, size and setting
From classic round, pear, heart and princess shaped stones to modern designs featuring multiple shapes and colours, the way your stones are sized, cut and set can ensure a beautifully bespoke set of rings.
 
“You can now get some truly amazing unusual cuts, and another favourite I like to use is portrait cut ethically sourced from Misfit Diamonds – a thin clear slice with a bevelled edge, historically used on jewellery with painted portrait miniatures housed underneath,” says Corrinne.
 
Old world cuts are enjoying a moment, with elongated cushion, emerald, marquise, Asscher and radiant cuts being popular choices. Size-wise, large stones and a smattering of smaller stones – especially pavé – are forerunners, while toi et moi (two-stone) bands, bezel and east to west (horizontal) are a few of today’s standout stone settings.

 Justin Duance

Source
The ethics of stone sourcing continues to factor into couple’s ring-buying and commissioning processes, with Fairtrade stones and lab-grown diamonds growing in popularity. Vintage-inspired and antique rings (particularly Art Deco) remain de rigueur for couples wanting a sense of story and to make more eco-friendly choices. This trend also includes the reworking of heirloom and sentimental jewellery into new and distinct pieces, as well as the use of recycled jewellery and gems.
 
“All the stones we use are either recycled or fully traced from their mine of origin,” asserts Jamila. “We have a beautiful collection of vintage diamonds, which were hand-cut more than 100 years ago, so they have a unique organic character as well as being less expensive than their modern equivalents.”

 Erin Cox

MAKE IT MEANINGFUL
Still struggling to decide on a stone? Match your jewel to the month of your wedding for a ring with meaning…
 
January – Garnet, representing loyalty and passion
February – Amethyst, representing calm and intuition
March – Bloodstone, representing strength and vitality
April – Diamond, representing love and longevity
May – Emerald, representing love and kindness
June – Pearl, representing simplicity and purity
July – Ruby, representing protection and vitality
August – Peridot, representing prosperity and purpose
September – Sapphire, representing self-expression and sincerity
October – Opal, representing truth and protection
November – Topaz, representing strength and intelligence
December – Turquoise, representing wellbeing and good fortune

 
Corrinne Eira Evans corrinneeiraevans.com
Erin Cox erincox.co.uk
Justin Duance justind.co.uk
Polka Dot Gallery polkadotgallery.com
Becca Williams beccawilliams.co.uk
Stephanie Stevens stephaniestevensjewellery.co.uk

words Hannah May