prism - American Gem Trade Association

C O L O R M E B R I D A L
Omi Gems
By Deborah Yonick
ridal couples today are rewriting the wedding playbook to reflect more individuality in their nuptials.
B People feel free to express themselves in their weddings, and that extends to their bridal rings.
“Traditional paradigms about how a wedding should be use their wedding colors or birthstones in their rings. They want
and how significant elements of the wedding are looked upon them to represent their love and life as a couple.”
are changing,” describes Michael O’Connor, style expert and Although color is more likely to show up in the bride’s rings,
TV commentator. He credits the shift, in part, to celebrity Courtney says she enjoys surprising the groom by adding the
influence in highly publicized engagements and weddings same gem as his bride has on the inside of his band. “It’s their
that showcase unique approaches to rings, especially use of
colored gemstones.
little secret and a great personal touch.”
Thirty years after it made a splash for color in the bridal market, Gem Faves
the 18 carat blue sapphire Princess Diana wore when she wed Classically speaking, blue sapphire reigns as a top colored
Prince Charles is now on the finger of Kate Middleton, her son gemstone choice in bridal, followed by fancy color sapphires
Prince William’s bride. Beyond Brit royals, Hollywood’s elite (especially pink and yellow) and ruby, as corundum gems are
wear gemstone engagement rings like Penelope Cruz in blue second in hardness to diamond.
sapphire, Nicole Richie in pink sapphire and Jessica Simpson “Sapphire is the most popular, partly because of its royal blue
in ruby. Among the most coveted options, colored diamonds color and also since it’s generally more affordable than ruby and
have a big fan base, especially for yellows, champagnes and emerald of similar size and quality,” explains Niveet Nagpal,
pinks, including Carrie Underwood in yellow and Mariah Carey principal with Omi Gems, an AGTA Member, Los Angeles-
in pink.
based fine gem importer and manufacturer.
“Color allows women to showcase their sense of style,” Next to sapphire, ruby and emerald lead as bridal ring choices.
describes Amanda Gizzi, spokesperson for Jewelers of America, But Nagpal also has requests for spinel and alexandrite. The
Jewelry Information Center (JIC). “Everyone has a favorite demand inspired Omi Gems to develop a colored gemstone
color and every color tends to make women feel differently. bridal line, says Nagpal, who took first place in bridal wear in
That’s perhaps why women are falling head over heels for the 2011 AGTA Spectrum Awards jewelry design competition
colored gemstone engagement rings. Sapphires, rubies, and for a nearly 6 carat tsavorite ring with yellow diamond accents
aquamarines are just a few of the gemstones being worn by set in platinum and 18K gold.
these trendsetting brides.”
“In the past, brides opted for colored gems in their rings
Erica Courtney, Hollywood designer to the stars and AGTA because they couldn’t afford a nice or large diamond,” says
Member, has found that women love morganite, pink tourmaline Nagpal. “Now, people are spending big money on color for its
and moonstone. The multi-AGTA Spectrum Award winner own merits. They wear colored gemstone engagement rings to
has even used green quartz in bridal rings.
show off their individuality and to feel like a celebrity.”
“Since we no longer live in an era of homogeny, people are Posts by fans on AGTA Member LeVian’s Facebook page
willing to be bold and unique,” says Courtney. “Couples love to share stories of engagement rings centered with gemstones like
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