What Ring Would You Choose On National Proposal Day?

Are you getting ready for National Proposal Day on March 20? If you are woman who wants to get engaged, then you might leave some hints about the type of ring you covet. If you are a guy reading and you have been thinking about the perfect time to pop the question, then this might be it. To commemorate this day, I have put together a guide of new styles of engagement rings from several designers.

But before we get to that— in case you didn’t even know this day existed, here is a little background information on how National Proposal Day was invented. It seems that a man named John Michael O'Loughlin concocted it after a female cousin was dating the same guy for many years and he still hadn’t popped the question. O’Loughlin actually chose two times of the year for this holiday. March’s National Proposal Day is the on the Vernal Equinox, at which point day and night are equal lengths. A second Proposal Day occurs during the Autumnal Equinox in September. Reportedly O'Loughlin chose both of these days to signify "equal efforts which is required for a successful marriage". March’s holiday falls on the first day of spring with the exception of leap years like this one when it occurs the day after.

Here are a variety of diamond engagement rings from independent designers as well as antique/vintage dealers who also design custom rings. They range from elegant to edgy, streamlined to intricately detailed. Will one inspire you to create your own new beginning as spring approaches?

ASHLEY ZHANG is an antique and vintage enthusiast who is inspired by rings from the 19^th through early 20^th century. Her newest engagement rings borrow influences from the clean lined geometric of the Art Deco period. Zhang translates details and elements from these periods with a modern vibe such as lower profiles and minimal and clean designs. Asscher cuts as center stones are new features in the collection as are Zhang’s version of the ‘rolling ring’- a solitaire and eternity band entwined, Zhang creates pieces with a heirloom quality that speak to the past, present and future.

Ashley Zhang ‘s Antonia Asscher cut engagement ring.

Ashley Zhang’s Evelyn Art Deco engagement ring.

Ashley Zhang’s Victoria Rolling ring.

KATKIM

“Our engagement rings are inspired by simple forms and luxe materials that are spare and elegantly streamlined yet profound,” explains designer Katherine Kim. “The pieces are created to highlight the true brilliance of each diamond. They are approached with graphic sensibility-the elements are clean and pared down with an emphasis on composition. “ Kim’ aesthetic blends simplicity of styling . with unexpected details which imbue each ring she creates with a modern, novel feeling.

KATKIM’s Double Emerald cut engagement ring with baguette band.

KATKIM’s Asscher cut Cosmo ring.

KATKIM's round diamond ring with diamond accent.

JADE TRAU

Jade Trau’s ‘Sadie’ and ‘Selma’ solitaire rings were designed to create a floating diamond illusion by adding more negative space to the rings. “Using the extra negative space, the ring can elongate the bride's finger and create a very flattering look.” designer Jade Lustig explains. “I also love to play with different diamond shapes and lately, I am a big fan of playing with the orientation of the diamonds in my engagement rings. For a playful modern twist on a solitaire.” Lustig quickly added the “Sadie Three Stone” to which she also adds her own spin. Her aesthetic is to redefine the classics but just enough so they endure trends and remain timeless.

Jade Trau’s Sadie Solitaire engagement ring.

Jade Trau’s Sadie Three Stone engagement ring.

Jade Trau’s Selma Solitaire engagement ring.

JAMIE WOLF

“The inspiration behind the bespoke rings I create are the clients themselves. It is a special privilege to be entrusted with such a significant piece that is meant to last a lifetime,” explains designer Jamie Wolf. “I spend time with each of my clients discussing the design aesthetic, overall direction, and the meaning behind it. Once I understand these elements, I go to work to create the ring that will be uniquely individual to the woman wearing it.”

Jamie Wolf’s 18K yellow gold halo round diamond ring with pave split shank band.

Jamie Wolf’s white gold pave halo setting and band, baguette surround with princess cut diamond center.

Jamie Wolf ‘s 18K rose gold twisted pave band with oval diamond center

ESTATE DIAMOND JEWELRY

Estate Diamond Jewelry has been selling antique/vintage engagement and wedding rings for over 40 years. Approximately 10 years ago, when rings of the caliber owners Michael Khordipour and Afshin Shaddaie sold were getting low, they branched out into creating their own engagement ring styles. “The rings we are designing are inspired by the qualities, craftsmanship and details of the authentic rings.” Says Shaddaie, “They are not reproductions, rather they are interpretations of the best elements of the original styles.” At the end of 2019, the two owners and experts released their first book, The Engagement Ring Guide For Men: Everything You Should Know Before Popping The Question.

Estate Diamond Jewelry’s antique-inspired Old European cut engagement ring with surrounding and accent diamonds.

Estate Diamond Jewelry’s Art Deco-inspired platinum Asscher cut diamond ring with diamond hallo and shoulders.

MEGAN THORNE

Megan Thorne’s textile and fashion background taught her how to spin gold into lace and embroidery designs when she was first starting out in 2008. She has since become one of the most recognized independent bridal designers for her attention to detail and her finely tuned feminine designs that are never fussy or overdone. Learning the craft firsthand by working at the bench, creating her own wax models, casting, finishing and setting taught Thorne the ropes and how to create a stunning unconventional enduring collection of engagement rings.  Thorne explains, “'Recently, I’ve been really moved by thoughtful quiet details such as the  subtle suggestion of hand carved botanical textures and the charming irregularity of antique diamond faceting. As someone who loves pattern and interesting details, I've been letting a ring's silhouette do a lot of the talking rather than relying on bold design choices.” 

Megan Thorne’s Wood Nymph Faye with two old mine cut diamonds.

Megan Thorne’s Moghul rose cut pear in an ‘Evergreen Tulip’ ring.

Megan Thorne’s Evergreen Sinu ring features old mine cut diamond with round brilliant cut melee.

JEMMA WYNNE

Stephanie Wynne Lalin and Jenny Klatt, of Jemma Wynne create rings which are influenced by two different inspirations yet come together to create a cohesive aesthetic.  “We spend a significant amount of time sourcing stones from around the world. Many of our designs are set with diamonds that stopped us in our tracks- once we laid eyes on them we knew we couldn't part with them,” Jenny explains.

“Settings of brushed gold and delicate rows of pave on the basket and each prong  are created to highlight the unique qualities of each stone,” Lalin adds.

Jemma Wynne also resets gems for clients who have older engagement rings or heirloom pieces that need a refresh. Klatt explains, “This aspect of our business meshes with our design philosophy which is centered around high quality stones and craftsmanship and creating pieces that have a current, sophisticated nonchalance that is in keeping with today’s woman’s lifestyle. We love breathing new life into our clients stones to create rings they will love and wear and eventually hand down.”

Jemma Wynne’s 18K yellow gold bespoke radiant canary diamond and double diamond pear open ring. 

Jemma Wynne’s 18K white gold bespoke emerald cut diamond open ring. 

Jemma Wynne’s 18K yellow gold one-of-a-kind east-west canary diamond marquis ring with pavé diamond prongs.

DOYLE & DOYLE Heirloom Collection

Well-known for their impeccable taste in antique and vintage jewelry and for their shop in the meatpacking district of Manhattan, Doyle & Doyle also designs their own collection of engagement rings using old cut diamonds in contemporary settings. Sisters and Co-owners Elizabeth and Pamela Doyle understand their client’s needs. “We try to choose the most salable and understandable antique and vintage engagement rings but sometimes our customers have an extremely specific style in mind that we are not going to find out in the vintage market.” Elizabeth Doyle explains. “This was the impetus for our Heirloom collection for which we use up-cycled mine and European cut diamonds as well as Asscher and emerald cuts. We have created a selection of rings that hit just the right balance between vintage and modern.”

Doyle & Doyle’s old European cut diamond set in a platinum basket with a gallery of eight point stars set with round brilliant cut diamonds.

Doyle & Doyle’s Asscher cut diamond , flanked by two kite shaped diamonds set in platinum.

Doyle & Doyle’s Hexagon two tone ring with old European cut diamond.

GRACE LEE

“One of my latest designs is our Twin Pear engagement ring,” says designer Grace Lee. “Pears are the most popular diamond shapes for us right now and I wanted to set them in a modern way. Our Twin Pear engagement ring sets two different size pear diamonds slightly off-set at unexpected angles.” It can stack with a wedding band or stand on its own. Lee has also mixed pear shapes with ovals in a multi-diamond band and has introduced marquise shapes in eternity styles.

Grace Lee’s Marquise and pear shaped diamond eternity band

Grace Lee’s Twin Pear Shape Engagement Ring

Grace Lee’s Wide Band with pear shaped diamond

SOFIA KAMAN adds a soulful poetic touch to her engagement rings that are often inspired by antique and vintage styles. Her rings are imbued with femininity and created with the attention to detail that is found in old world craftsmanship. “We love the original vintage rings from the 19th and early 20th century and carry some in the store,” Kaman explains, “but due to their age and fragility, many of our clients prefer rings influenced by those time periods.” She adds little elements that evoke the presence and personality similar to the traits that her clients are attracted to in the authentic styles, but always with her finely tuned sensibility and the confidence that each ring she designs will retain it’s beauty for years to come.

Sofia Kaman's One of a kind Melina ring featuring an elongated emerald Cut diamond of the most beautiful cinnamon hue.

Sofia Kaman's Camilla ring is inspired by after some of Kaman's favorite Victorian cluster styles, but this one-of-a-kind engagement ring features a unique mix of diamond cuts and colors

Modeled after Kaman's own vintage engagement ring, she has created a simple yet elegant version that highlight the up-cycled old European cut diamond

Source: Forbes 1-3-2020