When Britain’s Prince William proposed to Kate Middleton in 2010, he used the oval blue 18-carat Ceylon Sapphire and diamond engagement ring that belonged to his mother, Princess Diana. In the process, an engagement ring and gemstone trend was launched that does not seem to be waning as we move into 2012. The unique engagement ring prompted an avalanche of replicas both in the UK and here in the US. In fact, sales of a royal engagement ring replica have become a best-seller for one retailer in the UK.

The popularity of Kate’s sapphire and diamond engagement ring coincided with a growing trend for colored gemstones. According to Sri Lankan gemstone dealers, demand for blue sapphires and other gemstones rose sharply in the first half of 2011 and has continued to increase since the royal wedding last April. Celebrities also have embraced what has become one of the hottest jewelry trends for 2012.

[Glacial Mist Mokume Gane Sapphire and Diamond Three Stone Engagement Ring]

Andrew Nyce Designs has been incorporating Ceylon Blue Sapphires into our unique wedding band and engagement ring designs. The striking blue color complements the subtle hues of our white metal Mokume Gane wedding bands and engagement rings as well as the steely blue of our Damascus Stainless Steel men’s wedding and commitment rings. You can customize any of our handcrafted rings with a brilliant blue sapphire or any other colored gemstone. Just ask!

Embraced Mokume Gane Wedding Ring with Palladium Channel and Flush Set Sapphires (left)
BOLD Damascus Steel Men’s Wedding Ring with Flush Set Sapphire (right)

Today, Andrew Nyce Designs was named a finalist in Engagement 101′s 2011 Bridal Jewelry Awards. Rings were chosen during a rigorous nomination process where a committee of experts narrowed down the selections to just eight rings per category. Our rings were selected for two different categories: Men’s Wedding Bands and Wedding Band Sets. Voting begins today, May 2, through May 31st. To vote for our rings, use the button below to go to the Engagement 101 Bridal Jeweler Awards webpage and follow the simple instructions. You will need to provide your name and email, but by doing so, you will be entered to win Engagement 101′s Royal Wedding Giveaway prize which includes matching wedding bands and a tiara.

In the Men’s Wedding Band category, our BOLD Damascus Steel Ring with Black Diamonds was selected as a finalist. Bold. Daring. Confident. This Stainless Steel band with the Starlight pattern and black oxide coating, is set in a 950 Palladium channel with one 0.11 carat flush set square cut white diamond and two 0.1 carat round black diamonds flush set in 950 Palladium bezels. Starlight Damascus possesses a dense pattern with a distinctive star or cross shape.

In the Wedding Band Set category, our Essentials Glacial Mist Mokume Gane rings with channel set diamonds and accent diamonds were selected as a finalist. Glacial Mist Mokume Gane evokes the silvery shimmer of a crisp, swirling mist rising from an arctic glacier. It is composed of layers of 14K Palladium White Gold and Palladium-enhanced Sterling Silver. The Engagement ring has a 1 carat round diamond in 6-prong setting and four 0.015 carat channel set round accent diamonds on each side. The wedding band has 9 channel set 0.015 carat round diamonds.

We would appreciate your vote.

[left: BOLD Starlight Damascus Men's Ring with white and black diamonds]
[right: Embraced Ashes and Snow Mokume Gane Wedding Band with Ceylon Blue Sapphires]

Andrew Nyce Designs has launched a number of new designs and patterns for Summer 2010 with the theme Something New and Something Blue. Because, who really wants something borrowed or old? Designs this Summer incorporated more gemstones not only into traditional engagement rings, but into men’s rings as well. Black diamonds are a trend we could not afford to ignore. Blue Sapphires are a pleasing complement to both the steely tones of our Damascus rings as well as to the subtle hues of our white-metal Mokume Gane palettes like Ashes and Snow. In addition, we have worked to created some new Damascus patterns and refreshed a few others.

[top: Glacial Mist Mokume Gane Blue Sapphire Engagement Ring]
[bottom: Glacial Mist Mokume Gane 3-Stone Diamond Engagement Ring]

For our Mokume Gane Engagement Ring Collection, we have added a three-stone diamond engagement ring. This refined, traditional setting works well with our lighter Mokume Gane palettes, like Glacial Mist or Ashes and Snow. A Blue Sapphire sitting in the 6-prong setting adds just the right amount of color to make the ring truly eye-popping.

[left to right: Essentials Damascus Rings with Wave Rider, Quasar, Safari, Thor, Remington and Woodcut patterns]

Four new Damascus patterns have been added to our line: Wave Rider, Quasar, Safari and Thor. In addition, we have refreshed Remington (circles and ovals are more distinct) and Woodcut (now with broader lines). Wave Rider is a Special Edition pattern that is available in limited stock. When the stock is used up, the pattern will no longer be offered. The image above shows the new patterns as Essentials Damascus wedding rings. Below, the patterns are shown as JET Men’s Damascus ring.

Our men’s rings are offered in a narrow size range (7 to 13) and wider overall width (8mm and 10mm) than our Essentials rings (sizes 4 to 13 and widths 4mm to 10mm). JET rings come standard with a black oxide coating; black oxide coatings are an option for Essentials rings.

Canyonlands TriGold is a new Mokume Gane color palette composed of layers of 14K Yellow Gold, 14K Palladium White Gold and 14K Red Gold. Canyonlands TriGold evokes the dramatic and colorful landscape of Southeastern Utah.

[Canyonlands TriGold Mokume Gane Wedding Ring Set]

Finally, if you see some design elements of our rings that you like and want to combine it with other design elements into a totally new ring, ask us. We’d be happy to make a custom-designed work of art for you. Who wouldn’t want to see Black diamonds combined with Ceylon Blue Sapphire. The Black & Blue Men’s Ring…a new design for the Fall, perhaps?

[Mockup of a Black & Blue Damascus Men's Ring]