Over the years, different engagement ring styles have come up, and each decade comes with a new one. When you want to get the right one, you need to choose by the decade. You may want to go for the old designs or the more trendy and new styles.
Here are some ideas for sterling silver diamond engagement rings that have come up over the last couple of decades.
The 1920s
The 1920s were a time of change and opportunity. People were starting to move out of their homes and into the city; the first modern-day skyscrapers were going up, shopping malls and movie theaters. In fashion, women started wearing shorter hemlines, showing off their long legs in short skirts that could be seen from miles away.
It was an era of glamour and sophistication: women wore ornate jewelry pieces made with precious metals like platinum or gold set with diamonds and other gemstones like sapphires, emeralds, aquamarines (which are blue), rubies (red), pearls (white).
It was also an era where people craved simplicity—they wanted elegant but straightforward things at the same time. The geometric shapes used during this period reflected this desire for simplicity while still being beautiful enough to attract attention from afar.
The 1930s
The 1930s was a decade of experimentation with bold, geometric designs. The rings were often bold and angular in shape, with prominently black diamonds. Black onyx and emeralds also made their appearance during this period, sapphires and rubies, and gold bands designed to complement the silver.
The 1940s
The 1940s saw a return to simpler styles, with cheap diamond engagement rings. However, pearls were also famous during this decade and are found on many different rings.
You can pair pearl engagement rings with a diamond solitaire or cluster setting, but they also appear in other styles, including three-stone and halo designs.
Many women chose to wear two separate pearl rings on their fingers—a wedding band and an engagement ring. This became more common during this period than having one large piece of jewelry for both functions at once. The idea would eventually evolve into the current custom of having both bands together.
The 1950s
The 1950s were a time of optimism and prosperity, as the war was over and the economy was booming. The era was also known for the “baby boom,” where birth rates spiked significantly, and children became important in American culture.
While there are many ways to view this decade through rose-colored glasses, it’s also worth noting that it was a time of conformity—almost everyone looked alike with their new suburban homes and family cars.
But despite all this homogeneity, there were still plenty of individualistic details throughout fashion trends. Ideas such as bright colors and bold patterns on dresses or suits. There are also accessories like jewelry made from gold or silver; ponytails with bobby pins to keep hair out of young children’s faces. Cigarettes dangling from lips—and if you lived in New York City (or Los Angeles), you might have seen some pretty cool cars cruising down Broadway.
The 1960s
In the 60s, it was all about the geometric pattern and clean lines of this style. If you want to channel that sassy vibe on your engagement ring, then you may want to consider one that features an elongated shape with a square top in contrast with a curved bottom.
This may be what they are looking for those who want something out of the ordinary without going overboard with embellishments and other details.
The 1970s
When you think of the 1970s, you think of glamour and glitz. The “me” decade was all about standing out from the crowd. If you want to reflect this trend in your engagement ring, consider a bold style that’s unique and modern.
You can achieve this look with an art deco design or a retro-inspired piece with many diamonds or sapphire accents.
The 1980s
During this decade, the designs and styles of rings were more modern than those made in previous years.
- Engagement rings from this period tend to be set with one diamond rather than multiple diamonds.
- White gold was also very popular for engagement rings in this era—many are crafted from palladium white or yellow gold instead of sterling silver or platinum.
- Any diamonds present on these pieces are likely large and square-shaped instead of round ones; rectangular cuts also became more common – both due to trends outside of jewelry making.
The 1990s
The 1990s represented an intense period of growth for both diamond companies and the market at large. By 1999, global sales had increased by more than $50 billion over where they had stood just five years prior.
The decade was marked by increasing demand for engagement rings, which helped fuel a shift toward simpler, cleaner designs with less ornamentation. Diamond shapes popular during this time included princess cuts, marquise cuts, and pear shapes.
The 2000s
The 2000s were chock-full of cultural shifts, from the rise in online shopping to the popularity of reality television.
- Play with shapes – Classic round and cushion cuts may have been popular at the turn of the century, but now there’s a whole world of engagement rings out there. Consider a princess cut or oval shape if you want a vintage feel without going overboard on the old-school look.
- Add some bling – Carats aren’t everything when it comes to diamonds; sometimes, less is more. A small cluster surrounded by tiny pave-set stones will give your ring just enough sparkle without overpowering your hand. They are also common as promise rings for girlfriend.
The 2010s
In the 2010s, many trends and styles have influenced sterling silver diamond engagement jewelry and diamond cocktail ring. Today’s most significant trend in diamonds is synthetic diamonds, which are created in a lab instead of mined like natural or “natural-looking” stones.
Synthetic diamonds have become popular because they’re less expensive than natural ones and offer many similar characteristics. These diamonds are still beautiful and durable, and they sparkle just as much as mined diamonds.
Conclusion
Trends come and go, but the good thing is that you have a record, switching between them based on preference. If you are looking for top diamond engagement ring ideas by the decade, these are a few.