By Bridal Expert Alison Rowe

If you are contemplating buying your girlfriend or fiancée a platinum engagement ring or wedding band, then congratulations, you are right on the right track! Studies have shown that more than 80% of women prefer platinum, so you can breathe a little easier knowing that you’re giving her what she wants.

What about styles though? How do you know what’s fashionable versus timeless? There are four very clear categories that are becoming increasingly popular:

Vintage–These are styles that are inspired by pieces through the centuries, generally with a nod to more intricate details like scroll work, and more antique-looking diamond cuts.

Modern–While still retaining a sentimental feel, this bolder grouping has a definite architectural sensibility. The detail is definitely there, but the overall effect is very clean.

Classic–Simplicity and elegance sum up this style to perfection.

Romantic–These styles tend to be daintier with more charming, whimsical details.

(On left) Gabriel & Co. Engagement Ring - $3,420 without center diamond. (On right) Lazare Kaplan Engagement Ring - $4,900

Another big trend right now has to do with price, and designers are definitely being more mindful of cost. They know that couples are focusing more on quality, so they are creating more affordable, accessible designs in platinum. Wedding bands and engagement ring settings start at about $500 and $800 respectively, which is great news as you’re able to afford the best, rarest, precious metal, no matter what your budget.

When it comes to choosing your own wedding band, more masculine silhouettes and textural elements— such as matte finishes, woven design elements and beveled edges–seem to be at the top of the popularity list, and the durability of platinum makes it an excellent choice for your ring. Not only will you be creating ‘metal harmony’ with your wife–another big trend–but platinum easily endures even the most active of lifestyles while still retaining its style and value.

To view platinum engagement rings and his and her wedding bands, check out the design gallery on PreciousPlatinum.com.

Guest Blogger Profile: Whiteflash.com

What is a better way to find inspiration than the very latest engagement ring trends?

Julia Bishop Engagement Ring from Whiteflash.com

Square settings and diamonds are definitely the latest engagement ring trend. Many recent celebrity engagement rings including Mariah Carey, Ashlee Simpson, and Jessica Alba, all feature square central settings and square cut center diamonds. Square shaped diamonds include the Asscher, princess, radiant  and cushion cuts .

Art Deco  and vintage  inspired engagement rings are popular, and this ties in really well with the square shaped central settings. A great advantage to this style of engagement ring is that you have a ring that is classically beautiful and timeless.

Colored diamonds can add a subtle or not so subtle element of color to your engagement ring. The advantage to colored diamonds is that they are the same hardness as traditional diamonds so they wear well. Colored diamonds vary in prices, with pinks  and yellows costing more than the traditional blue white, and the champagne and cognacs costing significantly less.

Platinum  and white gold bands and settings are becoming increasingly popular. While platinum  is a more costly metal, it is much harder wearing, hypoallergenic, and will never wear out. Both white gold and platinum  will enhance the size of your diamonds, and will not detract from the sparkle and fire of your stones. White gold is a more cost effective option than platinum, but the white gold needs to be regularly plated with rhodium to maintain a high luxurious shine similar to platinum.

Engraving special quotes, messages, or nicknames on the inside of the engagement ring is becoming increasingly popular and helps to personalize your ring.

Sparkling settings in pave are in trend. Whether your custom made engagement ring is a solitaire, three stone, or five stone, there is always plenty of opportunity to adorn the surrounding setting, shanks or band with sparkle. Pave set diamonds can be a great way to maximize the sparkle factor without a hefty price tag. Baguette set diamonds are also popular set along the band but will be more costly than a pave settings.

Bridal sets  look very finished and are becoming increasingly popular in the new year. When designing your own engagement ring you can have your wedding ring designed as a perfect fit at the same time. Choices include having a wedding band that has been worked or engraved to match your engagement ring, pave set diamonds on both engagement ring and wedding ring, or patterned rings that match. The great advantage to bridal sets is that the two rings are always going to sit perfectly together.

whiteflash.com is a sponsor of the man registry’s groomsadvice blog

Guest Blogger Profile: Whiteflash.com

From the grace of halo to the sophistication of micro pave, design trends in diamond engagement rings and wedding band settings are changing, reflecting today’s busy lifestyles. Ergonomic designs reign supreme in today’s market, no longer does pure panache determine the design that leads to ‘I Do.’

“Some brides prefer an ergonomic design that can comfortably be worn day in and day out,” says Debi Wexler, President of Whiteflash.com. “Others look for added style in an intricate or trendy setting; which, unfortunately, can be limiting when it comes everyday wear,” adds Wexler. Whiteflash.com is an e-jewelry boutique specializing in Hearts & Arrows diamonds and custom-designed engagement rings.

Here’s a peek at the up-and-coming trends in engagement rings according to the boutique’s jewelry designers:

Whiteflash Legato Sleek Line Setting

Myth: solitaires stand tall

Not true of today’s diamond solitaire settings, says Wexler. “Solitaire settings are traditionally upswept, raising the diamond to make a very bold statement,” he adds. “However, people are also choosing settings where the center diamond sits down low, creating a look that is extremely elegant and also ergonomic.” With the diamond down in the setting, brides-to-be are able to wear the engagement ring in everyday work and play situations long after they say their “I Do’s.

Whiteflash Halo Diamond Ring

Halos make a comeback

The likely reason for that comeback, according to Wexler, is that the halo-style diamond engagement ring makes the center diamond appear larger than it really is. “And the appearance of a high carat weight in the center stone is extremely important for many who are headed to the altar,” says Wexler. Whiteflash.com has introduced several halo designs to its line of diamond engagement rings in the past year, including one with beaded diamonds along the shank as well as around the center stone, Increased sales prove the design’s resurgence and staying power.

Whiteflash Engagement Ring Champagne Setting

A toast to the ‘Champagne’ setting

One design stunning even to the most fashion-savvy is the diamond ‘Champagne’ setting. “Those who desire this setting know exactly what they’re looking for…and that’s something unique,” says Wexler. “The Champagne style of setting has an unmistakable following.” The designers at Whiteflash.com deserve a toast of the bubbly for their interpretation of the Champagne-style bubble design in their U-prong Champagne engagement ring…among others.

Wexler says the company’s Champagne fashions have produced a great deal of spin-off custom-design work, much of which incorporates exclusive Whiteflash ACA melee diamonds. “The design of the Champagne diamond setting intermixes several components…it’s these combined features that really draw[s] people to it,” he says.

“Often people ask us to replicate one aspect or another of the Champagne design into a custom project, and of course we don’t hesitate to do so.” According to Wexler, the U-Prong, domed shank and accent diamonds are examples of features that can be applied to any custom piece. “Our Whiteflash ACA melee diamonds have been adopted into thousands of projects, and are a stunning complement to any setting style,” comments Wexler.

Whiteflash 'Legato' with Micro Pave Setting

Delicate pave and micro-pave designs

The old debate: Delicate versus complex, which is better? According to the designers at Whiteflash.com, this season the style leans more heavily towards delicacy rather than complexity.

The diamond pave setting is widely admired for its refinement. To give the setting its simplistic, yet exquisite appearance, beads of metal are raised to create secure channels where the diamonds sit securely in the ring. According to the craftsmen at Whiteflash.com, the raised metal of the band (or ring) is used to create the tiny prongs that hold the petite diamonds in place.

Whiteflash U-Prong Eternity Band

Center stage: Eternity bands

The pave and micro pave diamond engagement rings come into play when customers are looking at smaller diamond settings like the eternity band. According to Wexler there has been a recent push for smaller diamonds in settings. “In some cases even solitaire engagement rings are being replaced with semi, and even full diamond eternity bands,” he says. The trend is likely a response to the aforementioned movement towards dainty-looking styles and those that offer daily wear. Eternity bands traditionally are set with diamonds anywhere from one to three points (carats).

Brides trade up

The ‘trading-up’ trend will never fade into obscurity. “We’ve found that it makes a difference in the design process if the bride-to-be is involved up front,” says Wexler. “If the groom chooses to go it alone, he typically gravitates toward a simple design with a smaller-than-desired diamond. And what happens next? The bride-to-be upgrades the size of her diamonds, even adding side stones, and looks for a setting more suited to their tastes.”

‘Trading up’ need not always be done up front. Many couples consider upgrades for important milestones like anniversaries, birthdays and holidays. “While her diamond engagement ring was [current] as a newlywed, many years later she might change or modify her setting to reflect transition in her own life or to keep up with current jewelry trends,” says Wexler. “Even if she keeps the setting forever, there is a chance that down the road she may require a larger diamond. We have many repeat customers who upgrade their diamonds with us,” she finishes.

Whiteflash.com anticipates change as a constant and has made it simple for customers to upgrade with a unique guarantee: Every certified diamond sold at Whiteflash.com comes with a lifetime trade-up option. The company will accept the return of any original purchase and extend full credit in the amount of the original purchase price. The credit can be used to purchase a different diamond.

“Marriage is a lifetime commitment,” Wexler says. “When you choose Whiteflash.com, we’ll be there for a lifetime with you.”