Men are less and less shy when it comes to wearing jewelry. This state of affairs can be seen by seeing the bracelets that adorn their wrists. With the signet rings that take place on the fingers of these gentlemen. As part of this general trend, one particular fashion is gaining traction: men's engagement rings. And as this CNN article highlights, it's not just about same-sex unions.
The luxury jewelry brand Tiffany & Co. is now selling men's engagement rings for the first time in its 184-year history. As we see growing evidence of growing demand for quality men's jewelry, these new designs mark a major turning point for the American jeweler, known for its classic engagement rings for women .
Tiffany's men's engagement rings
Available in the Tiffany New York flagship store from May 2021, the range is named Charles Tiffany Setting in honor of the company's founder, Charles Lewis Tiffany.
Their design was inspired by the classic signet rings. There are models of titanium or platinum rings. These chunky rings feature angular beveled edges and a sparkling center diamond that can weigh up to 5 carats.
The brand said in a press release that the collection "honors the jeweler's long history of love and inclusiveness, paving the way for new traditions" .
Tiffany & Co. began selling diamond engagement rings in 1886 with the introduction of the Tiffany setting, which remains one of its best-known styles to this day. Engagement jewelry is a crucial part of a company's turnover. They accounted for 26% of the company's revenue last year, according to Business of Fashion.
A growing trend
While same-sex marriage is recognized in nearly 30 countries, jewelers like Brilliant Earth have started offering designs for men's engagement rings in recent months. Other independent jewelers, like Stephen Einhorn, offer lines specifically aimed at LGBTQ couples.
In its 2019 Marriage Report, fashion search platform Lyst said there is renewed interest in men's engagement rings on its site. Between 2018 and 2019, search volumes increased by 66%. Besides proving popular among LGBTQ couples, engagement rings for men have also been popularized by celebrities. Including Ed Sheeran, who wore an engagement ring designed by his fiancée at the time, Cherry Seaborn. Or Michael Bublé, who received a simple men's engagement ring from his former wife Luisana Lopilato.
Designer Narcisa Pheres, whose eponymous jewelry line has been worn by celebrities such as Rihanna and Beyoncé, said she found the idea of a woman proposing to her man "quite romantic". Although she does not currently sell engagement rings for men, she recently launched a line of unisex necklaces and has already adapted her designs for men. Including a ring that Joe Jonas will wear at the Met Gala.
"With all this talk of feminism and women's empowerment, why can't we also ask," she asks. "And since Tiffany (& Co) is the brand that helped popularize the diamond engagement ring, now is the perfect time for the brand to reinvent itself and adapt to 21st century trends. ."
The world of jewelry is changing
Pheres also noted that the broader jewelry market has "changed and adapted to new trends and norms" over the past 5 years. Stars like Harry Styles champion unisex jewelry and inspire others to emulate them.
"You see men on red carpets wearing huge baroque-style brooches or big diamond rings, necklaces, etc.,” she said. "The biggest influence has obviously come from the music industry, pop art and a lot of young celebrities or influencers wearing more and more men's jewelry in public. Gender fluidity is a social trend, not just for jewelry. We will see it ramp up in the future."