TREND GAME
Staying Power
Flowers continue to be perennial favorites among jewelry designers, especially in the arena of wedding jewelry. Look for oversize diamond petals haloing center stones, leafy designs on bands, and abstract flower designs in gold accented with small diamonds that offer big appeal to younger brides. Live bouquets may fade, as they say, but precious-metal flowers bloom forever.
Above: Autumn semi-mount in 18k gold with 0.32 ct. t.w. diamonds, $4,600, Erica Courtney, Los Angeles, 323-938-2373, ericacourtney.com; Florette wrap-around ring in 18k gold with 0.25 ct. t.w. diamonds, $2,850, Carelle, NYC, 800-827-0042, carelle.com; inset: Lyria Blossom semi-mount in 18k gold with 0.66 ct. t.w. diamonds, $3,625, Parade Design, Los Angeles, 213-627-4019, paradedesign.com
HOT STOCK TIP
Small Packages
Japanese sisters Noriko and Akiko Sugawara of n+a new york specialize in a dainty diamond-studded aesthetic that will appeal to entry-level engagement ring shoppers and fashion lovers alike. Their work evokes the grittiness of Manhattan through organic-looking finishes, asymmetrical elements, negative space, and a sweet smattering of small stones.
Ring in 14k gold with 0.083 ct. t.w. diamonds, $1,015, nandanewyork.com
“We sell higher-end bridal sets that are all custom designed in-house. Customers see our mountings and loose diamonds and they put them together how they want. Rings anywhere from $8,000 to $12,000 are our best sellers.”
—Vineet Gupta, co-owner, Diamond I, Los Angeles