How Millennials Are Changing the Rules of Engagement (Rings)
Buying an engagement ring in the modern age can be challenging – here, we offer the ultimate guide to all the considerations of current brides-to-be
Diamonds were once every girl’s best friend. Yet millennials across Australia and the rest of the world are breaking tradition and shifting their focus to colorful gemstones. The options are not at all confined to just sapphires, rubies, and emeralds. Young couples are increasingly interested in alternative engagement rings for ethical, financial, and aesthetic reasons.
Millennials prioritise housing, travel, and the cost of having children over splurging on an overly costly engagement ring. The typical long-standing three-month salary price tag is no longer the norm. Young newlyweds often decide to invest in their future and set a more reasonable engagement ring budget. While there is still a market for diamond solitaires, non-traditional designs that use a range of affordable, coloured stones are exponentially growing in popularity.
Finding symbolism in colour
This might be a familiar trend, as colourful gemstones have been popular throughout history. Each gemstone is ascribed to its own symbolism and different metaphysical characteristics, healing, and protection properties. For instance, sapphires symbolise loyalty and trust, rubies represent passion and energy, and emeralds signify hope and renewal. Colourful stones are not only less expensive but also arguably more fashionable and popular with Australian newlyweds. They allow more design freedom and creativity, especially with smaller side diamonds, to create an eye-catching contrast between stones. If you are looking for an engagement ring that matches this description Aurelius Jewelry offers all of the gemstones mentioned above and more.
One such colourful option is definitely the crystal opal engagement ring, which combines a rainbow play of light within the gemstone with a unique gold setting and will surely get you a resounding “Yes!” Opal is Australia’s national gemstone, mined predominately in New South Wales, Queensland, and South Australia. The colours flash with every move you make, so don’t be surprised if you find it hard to take your eyes off your opal ring.
You might be familiar with the term ‘millennial grey,’ often used to describe the mostly monochrome house decor in millennial homes. Grey is the millennials’ rejection of their parents’ maximalist design sense, and a way to bring simplicity to their homes after growing up surrounded by a shabby chic aesthetic. With this in mind, their engagement ring design choices are even more surprising.
Choosing alternative gemstones
More couples are seeking engagement rings that are more personal and original, reflecting their own love story. For nature lovers, rings with moss agates are the go-to. The vivid green patterns within this semi-precious gemstone unmistakably tick all the boxes of ring requirements for a millennial couple who enjoy spending their time outdoors. Moss agates make the best impression with a nature-inspired setting and intricate organic details made of gold and other precious metals, making each ring a unique and special symbol of their love.
Although this gemstone is not as commonly connected to the land down under as the opal, significant amounts of it are mined in Western Australia. Moss agates look especially beautiful when set in yellow gold. The warm golden tones bring out the earthy, grass-green hues in the gemstone and are reminiscent of a sunrise in the spring. Rose gold would be the next best choice for future brides with warmer skin tones. However, if you prefer cooler metals, then white gold or platinum will nicely contrast the green inclusions.
When talking about diamonds, the reference is usually to the super expensive, brilliant-cut colorless sparklers that compete with each other in the 4 Cs—carat, cut, color, and clarity. However, the more unique salt and pepper diamond engagement rings with galaxy-like inclusions must not be overlooked. The larger step-cut geometric shapes allow a larger surface to display intriguing patterns. This ecologically conscious alternative is also kinder to your wallet.
Prioritising sustainability
As a generation that grew up during fast technological evolution, their increased access to information exposed them to the harsh realities of the long-term effects of unsustainable practices. It influenced their values and life decisions, from the food they eat to the brands they support and the engagement rings they choose.
Australian scientists have made significant contributions to the jewelry industry, particularly in terms of environmentally conscious mining and high-quality synthetic gemstones, including lab-grown diamonds, sapphires, and opals. When it comes to alternative colorful gemstones that are also sustainable, it is unavoidable to think of alexandrites. Unlike their natural and extremely rare counterparts, lab-grown alexandrite engagement rings are also substantially more cost-effective.
However, not all young Australians are ready to forego tradition and ditch the colourless brilliants entirely. Cue moissanite engagement rings, which offer more bang for your buck—well, more sparkle in this case. Moissanites are lab-created and sustainable gemstones with brilliance and durability rivalling those of diamonds. Because they are man-made rather than mined, they are more affordable, ethical, and sustainable, reflecting the modern couple’s environmental consciousness and responsibility. Their extreme durability makes them perfect for everyday wear.
Sustainability, affordability, and a desire for a unique and meaningful design are just a few aspects of engagement ring buying that modern Australian couples pay close attention to. The popular diamond alternatives reflect their personal style, self-expression, and repudiation of tradition. Coloured gemstones also carry rich symbolic meanings and align with millennial values.
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