TrendsAug 13, 2025
Cristiano Ronaldo Proposes With Gigantic Oval-Cut DiamondModel Georgina Rodríguez received a rock of an engagement ring, with her diamond estimated to be 35 carats, experts say.
SurveysAug 13, 2018
600 Consumers on Engagement Ring Preferences and Presents
Robbins Brothers recently conducted a survey to gauge wedding trends. Here’s what the retailer found out.
The majority of consumers recently surveyed by Robbins Brothers reported a preference for a round diamond set in a ring that’s “traditional and elegant,” like a solitaire, and is either white gold or platinum. This 14-karat white gold setting with a 1-carat round brilliant is from Leo Ingwer.
Los Angeles—Did you know that August is “Romance Awareness Month?”
Well, for whatever reason, it is, and retailer Robbins Brothers decided to mark the month and the most popular time of year to get married—the summer—by releasing the results of a survey it just conducted on weddings.
Over a week in July, the California-based chain asked its email subscribers and Facebook users a series of questions about engagement rings, wedding ceremonies and preferred presents to paint a picture of wedding and anniversary trends.
A total of 593 people responded: 373 women and 211 men, with the remaining nine choosing not to disclose their gender. The majority of participants were 25-34 years old and are married, engaged or in a serious relationship.
When it came to bridal jewelry trends, the results reaffirmed much of what is already known about the U.S. market.
The majority of consumers surveyed (76 percent) believe an engagement ring should cost no more than $10,000. A total of 38 percent of survey-takers said the preferred price range is $1,000-$5,000 while another 38 percent said it is $5,000-$10,000.
This in line with current engagement ring average, which The Knot has at about $5,700.
Consumers also were equally divided about where to buy bridal jewelry: 50 percent said a local jewelry store while 49 percent picked a national chain. The remaining 1 percent put a pawn shop.
Size-wise, they want a diamond that’s 1 carat or less (30 percent) or 1.5 carats (36 percent), in a style that is traditional and elegant like a solitaire (48 percent) or a little more stylish and trendy, with touches such as a halo or a fancy shape diamond (30 percent).
(Jewelers, take heart on the carat question: Only 2 percent of respondents said “no diamond.”)
The top two most popular shapes picked by survey-takers were not surprises: round at 36 percent and princess at 31 percent, though 21 percent of respondents did select a fancy shape, with oval (7 percent) and emerald (6 percent) leading the way.
The preference for ovals among consumers surveyed by Robbins Brothers dovetails with a number of other reports to emerge recently, including GemFind’s year-end analysis of jewelry store website traffic and National Jeweler’s 50 Jewelers/50 States series.
In
addition to questions about engagement rings, Robbins Brothers also asked survey-takers more general wedding questions about locations, dresses, proposals and presents.
The theme that emerged there was not surprising either: Couples today want a personalized experience and prefer travel/experiences over presents, both for their wedding and their anniversary.
Here are a few more interesting points from the survey.
—Fifty-seven percent of survey-takers said they wanted a professional photographer or videographer to record the proposal, but 43 percent said it should just be the two of them when it happens, meaning no friends or family present (the photographer/videographer does not count.)
—A total of 78 percent of respondents prefer receiving money for their honeymoon over traditional wedding gifts like china and small household appliances. This trend makes sense for two reasons. No. 1, many couples are older when they get married these days and already have what they need for their home. And No. 2, honeymoons have become a lot more extravagant.
“People are … opting for a two- to four-week honeymoon, traveling to places like Europe or Southeast Asia,” Anna Morgenstern of Dating Rehab NYC, a dating service, said in Robbins Brothers’ release on the survey. “Cash is much more in demand than gifts.”
—Travel and experiences also were a preference for the first anniversary. A total of 79 percent of survey-takers said they mark one year together by taking atrip to their favorite place (53 percent) or having a “fancy” dinner (26 percent).
Exchanging extravagant gifts was not all that important, with 81 percent of respondents saying they would spend less than $500 to mark the occasion (61 percent) or wouldn’t exchange presents at all (20 percent).
The theme that emerged there was not surprising either: Couples today want a personalized experience and prefer travel/experiences over presents, both for their wedding and their anniversary.
Here are a few more interesting points from the survey.
—Fifty-seven percent of survey-takers said they wanted a professional photographer or videographer to record the proposal, but 43 percent said it should just be the two of them when it happens, meaning no friends or family present (the photographer/videographer does not count.)
—A total of 78 percent of respondents prefer receiving money for their honeymoon over traditional wedding gifts like china and small household appliances. This trend makes sense for two reasons. No. 1, many couples are older when they get married these days and already have what they need for their home. And No. 2, honeymoons have become a lot more extravagant.
“People are … opting for a two- to four-week honeymoon, traveling to places like Europe or Southeast Asia,” Anna Morgenstern of Dating Rehab NYC, a dating service, said in Robbins Brothers’ release on the survey. “Cash is much more in demand than gifts.”
—Travel and experiences also were a preference for the first anniversary. A total of 79 percent of survey-takers said they mark one year together by taking atrip to their favorite place (53 percent) or having a “fancy” dinner (26 percent).
Exchanging extravagant gifts was not all that important, with 81 percent of respondents saying they would spend less than $500 to mark the occasion (61 percent) or wouldn’t exchange presents at all (20 percent).
More on Surveys
The Latest
SourcingAug 13, 2025
ICA Names 2025 Board of DirectorsThe board elected 9 new directors at its recent ICA Congress in Brazil.
TrendsAug 13, 2025
Colorado Jeweler, Whiskey Maker Collab on Ring GiveawayThree winners will receive a custom ring from Honest Hands Ring Co. inlaid with a piece of history from Denver-based distillery Stranahan’s.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
SourcingAug 13, 2025
Columbia Gem House Launches Winza Sapphires, RubiesThe new inventory, all untreated, features vibrant hues and unique bicolor combinations.
Weekly QuizAug 08, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingAug 12, 2025
Gemfields Sells Fabergé for $50MAcquired by a tech investor, the historic brand will continue to focus on jewelry, accessories, and timepieces.
Policies & IssuesAug 12, 2025
Higher Tariff on Chinese Imports Paused for 90 Days, Trump SaysPresident Donald Trump issued an executive order extending the pause on higher tariffs to November as negotiations with China continue.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
CollectionsAug 12, 2025
Jacquie Aiche’s New Collection Harnesses the Energy of the ThunderbirdThe “Thunderbird Slab” collection features a thunderbird motif as a symbol of power, protection, and boundless possibility.
ColumnistsAug 12, 2025
Creative Connecting: How to Take a Better HeadshotColumnists Jen Cullen Williams and Duvall O’Steen share tips on how to elevate your professional image.
CrimeAug 11, 2025
Man Convicted of First-Degree Murder in Death of Colorado JewelerPeter Damian Arguello, a jeweler in the Denver suburb of Wheat Ridge, was found dead inside his store in November 2023.
IndependentsAug 11, 2025
Lisa Bridge to Depart Ben Bridge JewelerThe retailer, owned by Berkshire Hathaway, is becoming part of the Berkshire Hathaway Jewelry Group with Helzberg.
Events & AwardsAug 11, 2025
Bethenny Frankel to Give Keynote at CBG’s Experience ShowThe Continental Buying Group’s 2025 Tampa Experience Show is slated for Sept. 8-10.
EditorsAug 11, 2025
The Colors Expected to Be On-Trend in a Couple YearsAssociate Editor Lauren McLemore recently attended a fabrics trade show where a trend forecaster shared her predictions for summer 2027.
FinancialsAug 08, 2025
Brilliant Earth’s Q2 Sales Up 3% as Engagement Ring Sales RiseThe company raised its full-year sales guidance while noting it has not yet assessed the potential impact of the latest tariff news.
Events & AwardsAug 08, 2025
GJEPC’s Jewellers for Hope Celebrates 10 Years of FundraisingThe organization has raised more than $1.3 million for charity since its inception.
TrendsAug 08, 2025
Piece of the Week: Rahaminov Diamonds’ Bezel BangleThe brand’s latest iteration of a bezel-set diamond bangle features clean lines and a timeless design for a new modern silhouette.
WatchesAug 07, 2025
Bulova’s New Collection Honors Tony BennettThe first watch in the series commemorates his participation in the Civil Rights movement, marching from Selma to Montgomery in 1965.
Lab-GrownAug 07, 2025
Chatham Releases Catalog for Loose Lab-Grown GemstonesThe catalog contains a complete listing of all the loose gemstones in stock, as well as information about the properties of each stone.
TechnologyAug 07, 2025
Rembrandt Charms Debuts New Website, Bird CharmsThe company added a retailer dashboard to its site and three new birds to its charm collection, the cardinal, blue jay, and hummingbird.
Policies & IssuesAug 06, 2025
Tariff on India to Rise to 50%, Trump Says An additional 25 percent tariff has been added to the previously announced 25 percent.
MajorsAug 06, 2025
Claire’s Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy AgainThe jewelry and accessories retailer plans to close 18 stores as part of the proceedings.
IndependentsAug 06, 2025
Smith & Son Jewelers to Close 107-Year-Old Location Its Springfield, Massachusetts, store is set to close as owner Andrew Smith heads into retirement.
CollectionsAug 06, 2025
Zahn-Z Swims With Whales in ‘Beluga’ CollectionDesigner Hiba Husayni looked to the whale’s melon shaped-head, blowhole, and fluke for her new chunky gold offerings.
TrendsAug 06, 2025
Paola De Luca to Release Trendbook 2027+She will present the 23rd edition of the trend forecasting book at Vicenzaoro on Sept. 7.
CrimeAug 05, 2025
Report: Suspect Arrested in 1992 Murder of Miami JewelerOmar Roy, 72, was arrested in connection with the murder of jeweler Dionisio Carlos Valladares.
CollectionsAug 05, 2025
Mignon Faget Commemorates 20th Anniversary of Hurricane KatrinaThe New Orleans-based brand’s “Beyond Katrina” jewels honor the communities affected by the storm.
