It’s wedding salon season here in Paris, and while scoping out the latest French wedding fashion, accessory and deco trends, my eyes keep going back to a certain piece of jewelery that’s very hot right now in Paris: The Pearl Engagement Ring.
All over Paris, from trendy contemporary bijoutières like Jean-Marc Garel or Rambaud to classic, haute joaillerie boutiques like Chanel and Dior on the Place Vendôme, newly engaged French women seem to be flocking to get their manicured mitts on one of these gems.
Now, I think big pearl rings are GORGEOUS- the look is so fresh and unique and chic. But is this just because I’ve already “got my bling” (merci, Monsieur Petyt)? I also know that we American girls like our ice. Is this a French wedding trend that American brides-to-be are willing to adopt (and before you “hubby-to-be’s” get too excited, some of these doozies can carry a price tag of upwards from +5000€…) I’d be interested to know what the thought is from across the pond- could you show your face around the water cooler if you sported an engagement pearl instead of a diamond?
top row: yellow gold, cultured tahitian pearls, south sea pearls, precious stone and diamonds, by rambaud. 18k white gold, diamond and pearl, by chanel. “absolute chocolate”: rose gold, cognac diamonds, chocolate pearl, by rambaud. “caprice” pearls and diamonds, by dior. bottom row: golay pearls and yellow gold, by karim rachid (2004). white gold and tahitian black pearl, by dinh van. “nara”: rose gold, diamonds and chocolate pearl by jean-marc garel. “envol”: white gold, tahitian black pearl, by jean-marc garel.
Those rings are gorgeous, but I’d be hesitant to have them for an engagement ring. I prefer the traditional diamond ring.
Upon taking a trip to France for the holiday season with my Frenchman, I was delighted to see the different styles of jewelery. Craftsmen and designers aren’t afraid to play with design and color and go places that conservative American jewelers would dare to go. It was rare to see the typical heart pendant necklace or mass produced mother’s day jewelery. It was then that I decided that I would be damned to recieve a boring and (quite often) gaudy American styled piece. Like all marriages, rings should be different who says a solitaire should be the standard anymore?
*wouldn’t dare
Since I now know that the diamond industry created the solitaire market in America, not eons ago but shortly after the Depression, I’m thrilled by rings outside of what we now consider ‘the box.’ And I think these are gorgeous! If I didn’t have a tiny vintage diamond on my finger already … !
I love rings that are atypical, unique and special and have opted for a coloured centred stone as my engagement ring.
They’re lovely, but pearls can’t stand up to the day-to-day battering that a diamond or other hard stone can. You’d have to remove it before showering, washing your hands, cooking, doing dishes, gardening . . .
I just received a pearl engagement ring, and I love it. Compared to a diamond, the pearl rings were much more affordable and practical for me (I don’t like the idea of carrying around $1000+ piece of jewelry on my hand every day). It’s unique, and beautiful, and I was able to get a decent size (the diamond I would have received for a similar amount of money would have been tiny in comparison. I do have to be careful with it, but since I don’t like getting rings wet or sleeping with them on anyway, it isn’t really a concern. Also, many diamond jewelers will tell you to be just as careful with a diamond, as you could damage the setting or collect grime under it if you were to shower, wash your hands, cook and so on with a diamond on your finger. I think the diamond is more about status and the mental satisfaction than it is about practicality. But to each their own…
I have been searching for engagement rings that have no diamond, as I oppose mining tactics for diamonds in Africa. This is a fabulous idea that I intend to do.
An American Girl
When I got engaged years ago, I chose a black pearl and diamond engagement ring. It was beautiful and different and the pearl kept falling out. I found it and had it reattached the first time, but was not so lucky the second time. My ring now sports a lovely sapphire where the pearl used to be.
Where would one get such an engagement ring? those are beautiful.
These are quite beautiful but as others have said, pearls are too delicate for wearing everyday.
My beau and I have decided on wearing each other’s gemstone in our wedding rings. My engagement ring will have his gemstone instead of a diamond.
We seriously considered a pearl ring, because I love pearls! But I feared it wouldn’t hold up well with daily wear. I’m the type who would forget it in the washroom after removing it to wash my hands.
I’m thrilled to see a shift from diamonds to more original and personal choices.
Now if we could only end the sleeveless wedding gown trend. BORING #stuck in rut.
I love the moderns designs. Pearls come in a variety of colors so these designs are unique.