With the flurry of excitement over the royal engagement of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, many couples are now deciding to make a formal commitment to one another by getting engaged. So if you have finally decided to pop the question to your other half this Christmas you will no doubt want to find the perfect engagement ring beforehand. Here is where it gets interesting! Considerations such as how much should you be spending, what style of ring to choose, size of diamond…. and many more questions will no doubt be going through your head.

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But don’t worry we are here to help you choose an engagement ring for your bride-to-be that is on trend and that she will fall instantly in love with. Here are our predictions for the hottest trends in engagement rings for 2018: Trilogy engagement rings  The royal engagement ring is a stunning trilogy design with a trio of diamonds comprised of two round-cut diamonds and a central cushion cut diamond set on a yellow gold band. The royal family have a lot of influence when it comes to trends and fashion. Much as Kate Middleton and Princess Diana’s engagement rings sparked a trend, so we expect to see a resurgence in popularity of the three-stone engagement ring. A trilogy engagement ring is the perfect design to represent your eternal love for your partner as the three stones are said to symbolise friendship, love and fidelity, the necessary ingredients for a happy relationship and marriage. So if you are a couple looking for an engagement ring with a deeper meaning in your the three stone trilogy engagement ring could be just the right choice.

Yellow gold Yellow gold is reportedly Meghan Markle's favourite metal and this was reflected in Prince Harrys choice of a yellow gold band trilogy diamond ring. We predict that this will kick-start a trend with yellow gold rings likely to becoming a popular choice for 2018 much as the Duchess of Cambridge's engagement ring caused an influx of requests for white gold engagement rings. While yellow gold is by no means new, in recent years it has somewhat lost favour but it is the a very flattering color for many skin tones and is said to add warmth to diamond rings, with the contrast between cool bright diamonds and the gold band a winning combination.

The Split Shank Trilogy rings are not for every couple and one trend in engagement ring trend that is set to be very popular in 2018 is the split shank ring. This style usually features a solitaire diamond and the band either side is split which leave a gap that shows the finger.  This design gives has a very modern feel to a solitaire ring that is generally considered as a simple and traditional style. With the split shank style of engagement ring customisation is a definite option for those that wish to create an engagement ring that is uniquely special. For example, the gap can be made larger on the east and west points and then narrow and closer together at the diamond.  If your fiancé is a fan of all things vintage then a split shank engagement ring will definitely appeal to her as many vintage-inspired engagement rings feature a split shank and the band will often be a French-set or set with diamonds.  In addition for those who love ‘bling’ splitting the band provides more space to add smaller pavé diamonds which give the illusion of added brilliance and sparkle to the engagement ring. It is also possible to have a variety of diamond shapes for this type of ring.  For example, to create a classic look with an art deco twist why not choose  a round diamond halo style where the split in the band is very subtle and blends into the centre being positioned close to the diamond. Many fashionistas and jewelry experts are predicting that this engagement ring trend is sure to dominate in 2018 as vintage fashion is still very much on trend and yellow gold is a great option for this ring style.

Geometric Silhouettes Adding a geometric shape around your solitaire or oval diamond halo ring is becoming very fashionable as many brides-to-be are moving away from feminine lines towards contemporary designs that surround the diamond with a hexagonal frame. The geometric setting makes a very eye-catching statement whilst not detracting from the beauty of the centrepiece diamond. This style is just perfect for those who embrace cutting edge styles and perfectly complements the 2018 fashion trends for strong metallics and sharp lines.

On trend shapes When choosing the perfect engagement ring for your spouse-to-be it is very important to consider carefully the shape of the centre stone. Pear shaped diamonds are a must have trend for 2018. The elegant cut of per-shaped diamonds will add that extra something to a plain band and give the appearance of slimmer and slender looking fingers. Princess cuts are falling in popularity as diamonds with rounded edges are considered the way forward. The oval diamond is very on-trend and it the perfect choice for a look that is far more subtle and has more clarity and depth. Not only do oval diamonds appear larger in a carat by carat comparison with a round diamond, but they also have the bonus of costing less too!

Fancy Colored Diamonds  Colored diamonds have become a very popular choice in 2017 and their popularity looks set to increase making it a hot trend for 2018. If your partner likes to stand out from the crowd why not choose an engagement ring that features a yellow or black diamond as these are set to the stand out colors for 2018.

Black diamonds are also very much in vogue as they add a slightly frosty feel with a mysterious edge to an engagement ring.  The trend for black diamond engagement rings first became popular back in 2010 when Carrie of Sex and the City was proposed to by Mr Big. Black diamonds are totally natural and offer a very unique brilliance and shine.  They are now being worn by some of the world’s biggest celebrities including Lady Gaga and Selena Gomez.

Yellow diamonds are reminiscent of warmth and vibrancy and this color has long been associated with feelings of happiness and positive energy, promoting love and hope. Yellow diamonds are said to offer spiritual positivity and to provide relief from tiredness and the associated negative emotions. Yellow diamonds are set to become increasingly popular in 2018 as they are a little different to the brilliant white diamond, and emit more warmth than a black diamond. If you decide to choose a colored diamond for your engagement ring you must be very aware of selecting a band that will complement the diamond otherwise you will end up with a clash of colors.