T
he end-of-year holidays are a time for spreading joy and spending time with loved ones. For many, they are also an opportune time to get engaged. After all, families are often together, allowing everyone to rejoice in the happiness of the newly engaged couple and giving fiancées the world over a chance to show off their new rocks.
From traditional to avant-garde, these diverse designs are certain to speak to women from a variety of style sensibilities.
Image courtesy of Jade Trau
For our advent calendar-style countdown to Christmas, we have amassed a selection of 12 spectacular engagement rings that would inspire anyone to say, “I do.” From traditional to avant-garde, these diverse designs are certain to speak to women from a variety of style sensibilities.
As Marion Fasel said of diamond engagement rings in the introduction to her latest book, The History of Diamond Engagement Rings: A True Romance, “Whenever it comes, it represents a promise and a plan, literally hopes and dreams for a better future together.” So for the next 12 days, we’ll be revealing a ring a day that will give us all something to dream about!
Mark Patterson:
We’re kicking things off with Mark Patterson, who, along with his wife Josette, has been quietly spearheading innovations for over 35 years. While this particular ring already has a happy owner, it is part of the brand’s many sparkling offerings. Mark explains, “This design was introduced by us at this year’s COUTURE Show. Kimberly Adams, the owner of Frank Adams Jewelers in Albany, saw the design and immediately expressed interest in having her personal 5ct Emerald Cut diamond set in the same design. It is from our Promise collection, and my inspiration was to try to create a ‘wrapped’ look.”
Image courtesy of Mark Patterson
Image courtesy of Mark Patterson
Image courtesy of Jade Trau
Jade Trau:
Fifth generation diamantaire-turned-designer, Jade Trau, has a well-established reputation for reimagining jewelry wardrobe essentials. Her ease working with precious metals and gemstones is evident in the way she effortlessly incorporates important stones into playful and modern silhouettes, like the three-stone Jenny ring crafted in 18k yellow gold. The design boasts a sleek, knife-edge band with a matte polish finish. A timeless setting that complements any diamond shape, the featured ring showcases a 2.03ct marquise brilliant diamond and 1.08ct epaulette side stones held securely in place with platinum prongs.
Image courtesy of Jade Trau
John Apel:
A master jeweler, John Apel has been hand-crafting heirloom quality work for over 45 years. Joined in the business by his son, Alex Appelian, the brand embodies a classic, sophisticated aesthetic that brings themes of nature to life in impeccably constructed designs. The Stella engagement ring is part of their Serendipity collection and features a 2.17ct diamond center stone set in 18k gold. Alex tells us, “The inspiration behind the design is drawn from the shape of an amaryllis bloom, which naturally forms a star and has a beautiful form as it tapers to a point at the bottom of the bloom.”
Image courtesy of John Apel
Image courtesy of John Apel
ĀZLEE:
Baylee Ann Zwart, the designer behind ĀZLEE, is inspired by ancient civilizations, Art Deco architecture and the romance of the natural world. While the work pays homage to the past, it feels decidedly contemporary, redefining luxury through a lens of nostalgia. The brand’s Weathered Contour Emerald-Cut Diamond Ring is crafted in 18k yellow gold and features a 3ct emerald-cut diamond that is transformed in a two piece design. According to a brand statement, the ring “features our bold weathered texture, drawn from the background of our coins and reimagined with heightened drama. A softened take on the staircase motif brings graceful elevation through ascending layers; an exploration of ĀZLEE’s signature form, texture, and craftsmanship.”
Image courtesy of ĀZLEE
Image courtesy of ĀZLEE
Oscar Heyman:
Since 1912, Oscar Heyman‘s superlative jewels have graced the necks, fingers, wrists, lapels and earlobes of iconic stars, dignitaries and royalty, and the ring they submitted for our Rockmas series is clearly fit for a queen. According to the brand’s president, Tom Heyman, “With so many changes in the diamond market, it is not surprising to see a deep focus on stone quality. More than ever, collectors want superlative stones—quality over size—and more are requesting color. Taking inspiration from a classic three stone style, this ring has modern flair with its magnificent 7.03ct square emerald cut fancy vivid yellow VS2 diamond, flanked by two 0.71ct VVS2 diamonds and set in 18k gold and platinum; a unique piece for today’s special bride.”
Image courtesy of Oscar Heyman
Image courtesy of Oscar Heyman
Image courtesy of Rosario Navia
Rosario Navia
Born in Argentina, based in New York City, Rosario Navia launched her designer fine jewelry business in 2019 following a decade-long career in creative industries. Influences of fashion and art combine in her boldly refined collections that pay homage to the strong Latina women who helped shape her worldview. “For our Twist diamond ring, we took our tried and true twisted link and wrapped it around a finger to create a striking fusion of sculptural design and modern coolness. Handcrafted in 18k yellow gold, it features a 3ct F color VS1 clarity oval-cut natural diamond suspended within a bold, twisted setting that flows seamlessly around the stone. The double-band silhouette gives it an architectural edge, balancing power and grace in perfect tension.”
Image courtesy of Rosario Navia
Sethi Couture:
Founded by sisters Pratima and Prerna Sethi, Palo Alto-based Sethi Couture creates jewelry that “elevates the everyday.” Hailing from a long line of jewelers, the duo has a profound understanding of the materials with which they work. They balance this empirical knowledge with their inherent understanding of the contemporary lifestyles of collectors of their work, resulting in pieces that are designed to be stacked and layered as a form of self-expression. Their Rockmas submission is from the brand’s Embrace collection and can accommodate a variety of custom sized stones. They say the piece is, “Inspired by the warmth of connection, like a gentle embrace wrapped around a meaningful diamond of your choice.”
Image courtesy of Sethi Couture
Image courtesy of Sethi Couture
Image courtesy of Verragio
Verragio:
For over 25 years, Verragio has been creating exquisite engagement rings and wedding bands that appeal to a variety of style sensibilities. From modern to classic, romantic to regal, they are committed to providing their clients with the ability to make their most sentimental jewelry an authentic expression of their personalities. Their Rockmas submission, an embellisher that can work with a number of engagement ring styles, is illustrative of this determination. A brand statement reads, “Not your grandma’s ring jacket…marquise diamonds are the hottest bling on the block, and this Verragio Vanguard Ring Embellisher ™ puts them front and center (or top and bottom!) surrounding an engagement ring with marquises on the shank.”
Image courtesy of Verragio
Sevan Biçakci:
Sevan Biçakci, who, like Cher or Madonna, is usually only referred to by his first name, takes a holistic approach to the design process. Beginning as an apprentice in a classic workshop in Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar at the age of 12, Sevan’s prolific understanding of the science, art and spirit of the materials with which he works is evident in each of his sublime creations.
Telling us about his Rockmas submission, a brand statement reads, “This piece has been crafted from gold and silver, featuring diamonds and a 5.02 carat emerald cut diamond set above a reverse intaglio engraving of a clover within rock crystal. In traditional solitaires, the diamond is treated as a singular focus, set apart, and elevated on its own. In Sevan Bıçakçı’s approach, the stone becomes one element within a deeper narrative. The solitaire is reimagined as a layered structure, where the diamond rests above a symbolic world rather than standing apart from it. Here, clovers carved beneath the stone introduces an additional dimension, pairing form with meaning.”
Image courtesy of Sevan Biçakci
Image courtesy of Sevan Biçakci
Image courtesy of TACORI
TACORI:
Family owned and operated for over 40 years, TACORI is a pioneer and stalwart in the bridal market. Each of their pieces are conceived and crafted in their California Design Studios, where artisans, master craftsmen, a full-time engineer, and the brand’s Creative Director, Nadine Tacorian, utilize a combination of state-of-the-art technology and traditional fabrication techniques in bringing their imaginative and singular designs to life.
Image courtesy of TACORI
In telling us about their marquise solitaire engagement ring, Nadine explains, “The design draws on eras where jewelry made a statement, but it’s refined in a way that makes it timeless. What I love most is how it transcends a single trend: it feels at home in today’s love for maximalism, but it also speaks to the clean, sculptural direction we’re seeing in modern design. It’s a piece that lets any wearer feel both fashion-forward and forever-classic.”
Image courtesy of ZAHN-Z
ZAHN-Z
Syrian-born designer, Hiba Husayni, became enamored with shiny things at a young age, when she would watch her mother getting dressed up for evenings out with her father. Yet it was the closer inspection of her mother’s jewelry that ignited in Hiba a passion for the construction and engineering of the designs and sparked an insatiable curiosity that continues to drive her creativity. Hiba launched ZAHN-Z following a career in architecture, and her collection is inspired by the celebrated architect, Zaha Hadid, aka “the queen of the curve.”
Image courtesy of ZAHN-Z
Telling us about her Rockmas submission, Zaha’s Secret, which features a 1.48 carat Round Old European Cut diamond, Hiba says, “This ring is inspired by Hadid’s masterpiece, the Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku, Azerbaijan, and also pays homage to the hidden court yards within the French Damascene homes in Damascus, which belie their unassuming façades with a magical interior of fountains, lush gardens, fountains, tiles, arches and mosaics.”
Image courtesy of BAYCO
BAYCO:
The legacy of family-run fine jewelry maison, BAYCO, began with Amir Hadjibay, who as a young man traveled between Iran and India, trading elaborately woven Persian rugs for precious gemstones. He eventually gained access to India’s regal maharajahs and began acquiring pieces from their legendary jewelry collections. Today, BAYCO continues to create jewelry for modern-day royalty. Each of their one-of-a-kind designs features elusive and exquisite diamonds and gemstones showcased in impeccably crafted, sophisticated and timeless silhouettes.
Image courtesy of BAYCO
Our final submissions of our 12 Days of Rockmas series pays tribute to BAYCO’s origins. Marco Hadjibay, representing the third generation of the venerable brand, tells us, “This is a ring from our White Roses collection. It has a 1 carat rose-cut diamond center stone framed by another 1 carat of rose-cut diamonds. The inspiration behind this collection was the jewels of the Maharajas of India which is when the rose-cut was primarily used. This collection is a perfect synergy of antique cut diamonds with modern craftsmanship.”
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