How Movies Have Shaped Engagement Ring Trends for 2014

Art Deco Diamond and Platinum Engagement Ring. Photo © EraGem In 2013, several films have had a huge impact on engagement ring trends. Since movies influence trends in the months before and after their release, these movies will continue to impact the industry for many moons to come. One example is last year's release of The Great Gatsby. Previews for this movie began influencing jewelry trends early on in 2013. The film emphasized Tiffany jewels, diamonds and platinum, and the glitz and glam of the Roaring Twenties. It is no wonder, then, that those in the market for engagement rings are turning to the decadent styles of the Art Deco period. This trend has increased demand for the pairing of diamonds and platinum, with an emphasis on geometric settings. Harvey Weinstein highlighted the 1950s/1960s with his productions of Madonna's W.E., based on the love story between the former king of England and his American dilettante Wallis Simpson, as well as My Week With Marilyn, about Marilyn Monroe. Wedding jewelry trends following the retro 1950s include cushion-cut emeralds paired with diamonds, in the style of classic Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, and Tiffany. Engagement rings inspired by these 1950s films include cocktail-style rings with lots of diamonds or diamonds paired with emerald or ruby accents. For a simpler, more classic look, 1950s enthusiasts are choosing a square-set or square-cut diamond flanked by baguette diamond shoulder accents. The 1960s have also garnered much attention in the last few years, most recently with the release of the Diana Vreeland biography, The Eye Has to Travel, and the casting of Lindsey Lohan in the TV movie, Liz & Dick. These films and others like them have introduced an emphasis on elegant sautoirs, strings of pearls, and turquoise or garnet necklaces and even brooches. Sixties-inspired engagement rings have sleeker lines, with princess cut or round brilliant stones set in halo settings or in five-stone or three-stone rings. Given the continuing popularity of these films, we will likely see more Deco- and Retro-inspired films in 2014. This guarantees that these trends are here to stay, at least for the five years.