The expert spoke about new trends in engagement rings.

The culture of engagement rings in Russia has been formed relatively recently, but it has already become an important part of the preparation for marriage. Taisiya Iznova, SOKOLOV's category director, told Izvestia on April 10 about how customer preferences and key trends have changed.

"The main purpose of an ideal engagement ring is to create a wow effect. In America, where this culture is centuries-old, it is considered good form to spend three salaries of the groom on the ring. There are no such established norms in Russia, but the expectation of something more than just decoration is definitely present," the expert noted.

According to her, if earlier buyers had to find a compromise between the size of the stone and its characteristics, today the situation has changed significantly. The development of the segment of jewelry with grown diamonds has become one of the key factors in the transformation of the market. Such stones allow you to choose a larger and more visually spectacular product without significantly increasing the cost, while demonstrating a comparable radiance and play of light with natural diamonds. As a result, rings with stones weighing about one carat have become more accessible to a wide audience.

Iznova stressed that the changes affected not only the price segment, but also aesthetic preferences. Over the past year, the focus has noticeably shifted towards non-standard cuts. Previously, the classic round shape remained the main choice, and the "princess" or "sash" served as an alternative, but today "oval", "pear" and "marquis" come to the fore. This interest is connected both with global trends formed through public engagements, and with the active dissemination of fashion solutions through social networks. As a result, the demand for non-classical forms is growing rapidly.

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The expert also noted that the engagement ring is increasingly becoming the starting point when choosing wedding jewelry. Many brides tend to wear it daily, so couples choose wedding rings so that they harmonize with each other. Classic solutions remain the most in demand: smooth rings with a width of 2 to 5 mm with a traditional or comfortable fit. At the same time, diamond-edged models are in second place in popularity, which give the decoration a more expressive appearance.

Special attention is paid to the combination of rings in a pair. Often, more restrained options are chosen for the groom — smooth or with a diamond face, while for the bride, preference is given to models with a diamond track. Among modern solutions, the so-called rail fastening is gaining popularity, in which stones are fixed between two metal edges, which makes the decoration more stable and visually neat.

According to Iznova, the key factor in choosing jewelry remains the scenario of their use. If rings are planned to be worn daily, most buyers prefer concise and versatile models that fit seamlessly into their everyday look. At the same time, the proportion of those who choose more expressive options that combine symbolic significance and decorative function is growing. In particular, diamond track rings are gaining popularity, which are perceived as a universal piece of jewelry, suitable not only for a special occasion, but also for daily wear.

On March 18, Ekaterina Fomina, stylist of the 585 Golden brand, named the most practical options for wedding rings. According to her, the most popular material for jewelry is gold, and this is no coincidence. Gold alloys are quite durable, resistant to corrosion and tolerate daily wear well. White gold is highly wear-resistant and goes well with stones. It is important to remember that such jewelry is usually covered with rhodium, a protective layer that should be periodically updated in a jewelry workshop.

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