Carrie Said “Ick.” The Industry Eventually Said Yes.
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A recent piece in National Jeweler revisited one of the most memorable engagement ring moments in Sex and the City.
That article actually sparked a few conversations on our end as well. It was one of the pieces that helped inspire our earlier “Gems in the City” idea and even the first concept for the Stone Room header image, where the New York skyline was imagined through gemstones.
While the concept has evolved since then, that moment was a reminder of how much culture and jewelry tend to influence each other.
Carrie Bradshaw discovers the ring Aidan plans to propose with: a pear shaped diamond set in yellow gold.
Her verdict?
“It was not good.”
Charlotte’s response was even shorter.
“Ick.”
At the time, the reaction actually made sense. In the early 2000s, engagement rings followed a fairly strict set of rules. White metals dominated because they made diamonds appear brighter and more colorless. Platinum was the standard. Yellow gold felt outdated.
Fast forward to today, and that same ring would probably feel right at home.
Yellow gold has made a strong return. Bezel settings are gaining traction. Fancy shapes like oval, marquise, and pear are no longer unusual choices. Many rings now highlight the gold just as much as the stone.
And from where we sit, these shifts aren’t just showing up in trend reports. We’re seeing the same conversations happen with our customers.
Designers are thinking more about how a ring fits into someone’s everyday jewelry. Couples are making decisions together. Shapes, metals, and settings are being chosen more intentionally rather than simply following tradition.
In other words, the “rules” around engagement rings have softened.
Which has made the design conversations far more interesting.
The “rules” around engagement rings have clearly softened.
And from the conversations we’ve been having lately, it seems like designers and couples are enjoying that freedom.
We’re curious what you’re seeing from your side of the bench.