Color me married with the bright new ring trends

 
By Timothy R. Schulte
CTW Features
 

The trend toward colored engagement rings has intensified in recent years. Jim Haag knows. He's personally seen the trend blossom since he was with jeweler Harry Winston and sold Ben Affleck the 6.1-carat pink diamond engagement ring that accompanied the actor's proposal to Jennifer Lopez in 2002.

Of course, Bennifer's engagement fizzled, but colored rings still are hot, and colored jewelry is even showing up in weddings, too.

Diamonds still are the stone for wedding jewelry, but colored gems are now frequently used as accent colors, says Haag, now the managing director for Jacob and Co., the New York jeweler known for elaborate designs.

"You want a little hint of glint," Haag says. "Wear something to accent your look. It's all about enhancing you, not wearing something to distract from you."

Pink and blue make great accent colors for weddings, says Haag. Avoid yellow, he says; it doesn't pair well with white or with darker skin tones.

A great way to work in color is to pair a diamond solitaire engagement ring with a colored wedding band. Because colored diamonds run at a high price tag, sapphires can provide a nice, colored look at a less expensive price. An elegant, dainty bracelet on the right wrist -- opposite the engagement ring -- is another option.

"First, it's never an issue of matching," Haag says. "Second, the engagement ring is sort of an icon of love, it's a symbol of forever that doesn't have to be matched. The things that have to be matched are on your neck and your ears."

For ears, diamond studs or studs on a wire will work well for all brides, he says. For neckpieces, whether to go with pearls or a diamond on a chain depends on the bride's gown style.

Haag reminds brides to look like themselves on their wedding day. "My rule for everybody is keep it simple, keep it timeless," he says. "The biggest mistake is to load up on jewelry."