From celebrities in magazines to your friend's engagement portrait on Instagram, no one can deny that the halo style engagement ring has taken the bridal world by storm. However, in a recent article by the Huffington Press a new engagement ring trend is coming to the forefront, diamond cluster rings.The celebrity cheerleader for the trend is Real Housewives of Atlanta star, Kandi Burress who was recently engaged to Todd Tucker with a sparkling domed oval diamond cluster ring with a triple split shank setting.
How This Engagement Ring Trend Benefits Couples? The diamond cluster trend saves money. Diamond pricing is dependent on a number of factors, especially diamond size because the larger the diamond, the higher the carat weight, the higher the carat weight the more expensive the price per carat. Therefore, if you can replace one big stone at a high price per carat with a number of smaller stones, at a lower price per carat, your overall savings will be huge. Look at the example the Huffington Press gave, if Kandi Burress's ring were a 2CT Oval solitaire the cost would have been around $40,000 however, by using smaller diamonds in an oval cluster the ring the cost was reduced to $11,000. What Do You Need To Know Before Buying A Diamond Cluster Engagement Ring?Historically, diamond cluster jewelry was created to save money by replicating the appearance of large diamond solitaire piece of jewelry by strategically placing smaller stones in a cluster pattern to replicate the silhouette of the stone. The first diamond clusters were flat and, while they replicated the silhouette, they did not achieve the same level of brilliance offered by a solitaire. To combat this problem, designers, such as Jabel, development a domed, or contoured setting that allowed the individual stones to fit together more closely and capture light from different angles. This gave the diamond cluster more interaction with light and allowed it to sparkle with greater luster.However, the domed setting is not used across the board in jewelry making. If you are looking to buy a diamond cluster engagement ring, bracelet, earring or necklace be sure to look at the profile of the piece.Is A Diamond Cluster Ring Only Purchased To Save Money?No. Despite its early roots, diamond cluster jewelry developed a life of its own. Recently, a friend of mine was shopping with her fiance for an engagement ring, when I asked her what she wanted she said "No big gaudy stones." Let me preface this by saying I have a beautiful engagement ring from the three stone ring craze and I love my big stones, but for her the look didn't fit her lifestyle, taste or vision. She felt that the tiny 'chips' gave a more delicate appearance, had more sparkle, and fulfilled her vintage engagement ring vision. She eventually selected an antique inspired engagement ring with a small mine cut diamond complimented by of diamond and sapphire chips.The diamond cluster engagement ring is versatile and beautiful. It can be paired with rich gemstones such as the Emerald and Sapphire example above, or all diamond!What Kind of Engagement Ring Designs Use Diamond Clusters?Cluster diamond rings come in a variety of styles. From intricate vintage style engagement rings to a classic solitaire setting, there is truly a ring for everyone! Here are some designs to inspire your ring shopping adventure!Diamond Cluster Antique Inspired Engagement Ring SettingsThese rings have the best of both worlds, vintage engagement ring inspired designs with Jabel's signature domed diamond cluster setting.
Classic Diamond Cluster Engagement Ring SettingsThese diamond cluster engagement rings take the beauty of classic engagement rings, like a classic solitaire, and add a great spice it up with diamond clusters!
Is There A Difference Between Antique and Vintage Diamond Cluster Engagement Rings vs. New Rings?As you begin your search for an antique or vintage engagement rings you will want to pay close attention to the condition of the setting. Likewise, you will want to inquire how the ring was made, die struck settings hold up better over time and they are a wiser investment than cast ring settings. You may also want to look into vintage or antique inspired ring settings, or, look to a designer like Jabel that produces rings with the original dies made to create styles from generations past. For more information on this topic we have a great blog Pros and Cons: Antique Engagement Rings vs. Vintage Inspired Engagement