MajorsMay 28, 2026
Signet Jewelers to Buy The Clear Cut Signet will integrate the online-only, natural diamond-focused jeweler into Blue Nile, which it wants to position as a higher-end retailer.
SurveysNov 27, 2017
10 Insights from Shoppers on Popping the Question
Here are observations on proposal and ring preferences gleaned from a recent retailer survey.
According to a recent survey from Robbins Brothers, shoppers today prefer vintage-inspired rings, followed by fancy cuts. Pictured here is Anna Sheffield’s “Bea Suite No. 24,” featuring a 1.66-carat marquise champagne diamond center and 0.25 total carats of white diamond trillions in 18-karat yellow gold on the ring and 0.17 carats of champagne diamonds in 14-karat yellow gold on the chevron band ($10,600 for the set).
Los Angeles--Now that Thanksgiving has come and gone, the holiday season officially is upon us, which also means the start of the most popular season for proposals.
In the spirit of the season, retailer Robbins Brothers conducted a survey between Oct. 3 and 20 of its customers--email subscribers as well as Facebook participants who have recently thought about popping the question, become engaged or gotten married.
There were 489 participants, 362 women and 127 men, mostly ranging in age from 25 to 34 years old.
Below are 10 trends and preferences gleaned from survey results.
1. Sharing (later) is caring. It shouldn’t come as a surprise in today’s social media-focused world that people want to share the news of the engagement--and ring, of course--on social media. However, 75 percent of men and women surveyed said they think it’s only appropriate to do so after they have told their family and close friends.
2. Privacy, please. Though public proposals in front of large crowds--jumbotron or flash mob, anyone?--used to be popular, those days are gone. Nearly half of respondents said they’d prefer a romantic getaway to a favorite vacation spot, followed closely by those who prefer an intimate proposal with just their significant other. Less than five percent of participants prefer to get engaged at a public event.
3. Tradition reigns. According to Robbins Brothers, men and women in the survey agree on the methods for sealing the proposal--65 percent of both genders say what’s best is a combination of a verbal commitment, proposal and ring to make it official.
4. Old is new. According to both men and women polled, vintage-inspired engagement rings were most popular, followed by rings set with fancy-shaped diamonds and mixed metals.
5. Choices, choices. Survey takers were split on how the final choice of the ring should be made. Forty percent of both men and women prefer to pick out the ring with their significant others, while 40 percent of men said they know his or her style and don’t need help, and 20 percent of women said their significant other should know their style and pick out the ring on his or her own.
RELATED CONTENT: 7 Insights from The Knot’s Recent Engagement Study6. The carat question. The survey indicated that bigger isn’t always the preference; nearly half of both men and women said they expected 1 carat or less for the engagement ring.
7. Getting it right.
What made the shoppers most nervous when it comes to ring shopping was the desire to get it right. They were anxious about choosing the right ring amid fears of spending too much or “getting ripped off.”
8. Pinterest prep. To help provide a little inspiration for the big day, 44 percent of participants said they or their significant other used Pinterest for ideas and help.
9. Timing is everything. What’s the perfect amount of time to be engaged and allow for planning for the big day? Results were mixed between the sexes. Nearly 50 percent of women surveyed said they thought six months to a year was the ideal length for an engagement, while nearly 50 percent of men said one to two years was ideal.
10. Perfect price points. When buying an engagement ring, 57 percent of both men and women who took the survey said their ideal budget is between $1,000 and $5,000.
8. Pinterest prep. To help provide a little inspiration for the big day, 44 percent of participants said they or their significant other used Pinterest for ideas and help.
9. Timing is everything. What’s the perfect amount of time to be engaged and allow for planning for the big day? Results were mixed between the sexes. Nearly 50 percent of women surveyed said they thought six months to a year was the ideal length for an engagement, while nearly 50 percent of men said one to two years was ideal.
10. Perfect price points. When buying an engagement ring, 57 percent of both men and women who took the survey said their ideal budget is between $1,000 and $5,000.
More on Surveys
The Latest
CollectionsMay 28, 2026
Meet The 17 Newcomers to Couture’s Design AtelierThese up-and-coming jewelry brands are bringing their distinct aesthetic and unique point-of-view to the Design Atelier for the first time.
GradingMay 28, 2026
GCAL By Sarine Launches 8X Cushion CutThe lab’s proprietary diamond cut grade has been expanded to include the popular fancy shape.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
Events & AwardsMay 27, 2026
5 Security Tips for Las Vegas Jewelry Market Week 2026This year, it’s what could happen outside of show hours that worries JSA Executive Vice President Scott Guginsky.
Weekly QuizMay 21, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
ColumnistsMay 27, 2026
What Jewelers Can Learn From Luxury Fashion’s Digital PlaybookHigh-end fashion houses know how to emotionally connect with customers online. Retail jewelers should take note, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
Events & AwardsMay 27, 2026
Couture’s ‘The Iridescence’ Will Showcase 7 Emerging Jewelry DesignersThe designers are the third cohort of mentees from the show’s Belonging @ Couture mentorship program.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
ColumnistsMay 26, 2026
The Key Mindset for Better Trade Show BuyingBuying discipline at trade shows starts with clarity about your inventory levels, Smith writes.
Events & AwardsMay 26, 2026
12 JCK Talks Sessions to Add to Your Las Vegas ScheduleThe trade show’s education series returns, with sessions on retail trends, AI, watches, marketing, corporate responsibility, and more.
Events & AwardsMay 26, 2026
CBG Brings Its Curated Designer Project to Las Vegas ShowThe Curated Designer Project has expanded to highlight eight independent jewelry designers during CBG’s Las Vegas show.
TrendsMay 26, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: A Cooldown Is ComingBring a cool tone to your summer jewelry with these white metal pieces.
Events & AwardsMay 22, 2026
Instore Buys JA New York ShowThe deal closed this week, which means Instore will produce the JA NY show slated to take place this fall.
FinancialsMay 22, 2026
Richemont’s Jewelry Brands Lead the Charge in Q4The company’s jewelry sales were up in Q4 and the fiscal year, with Richemont raising prices in part because of the cost of gold.
CollectionsMay 22, 2026
Leigh Maxwell Celebrates 5 Years at Couture With ‘Bauble’ CollectionThe “Bauble” capsule collection of colorful one-of-a-kinds includes our Piece of the Week, the “Bauble” earrings, featuring rose zircon.
MajorsMay 22, 2026
Stuller’s New Packaging, Display Catalog Is Out The updated catalog has a newly dedicated section for gift wrapping.
PodcastsMay 21, 2026
Episode 5: Sotheby’s Frank Everett Puts the Auction Market in PerspectiveEverett covers colored stones’ surging popularity, the mellow return of the “Mellon Blue,” and his “The Devil Wears Prada” doppelgänger.
IndependentsMay 21, 2026
Springer’s Jewelers’ New Flagship Will Serve Next-Gen Luxury ShoppersFourth-generation CEO Lilly Mullen wants to emphasize experience, connection, and personalized service.
Events & AwardsMay 21, 2026
JA Announces Nina Pugliese Memorial ScholarshipThe new award, created in partnership with Henne Jewelers, honors the late designer’s legacy through supporting jewelry education.
SourcingMay 21, 2026
Botswana, Angola Join WFDBThe addition of the diamond-producing countries as nation affiliated members broadens the federation’s global representation, WFDB said.
CrimeMay 20, 2026
NYPD Warns of Jewelry Swap Scams Targeting SeniorsThe NYPD is warning elderly New Yorkers to keep their jewelry hidden when walking outside to avoid being a target.
IndependentsMay 20, 2026
Adornment & Theory’s New Store Feels Like Home Designer Viviana Langhoff has realized her dream of owning a space for her Chicago jewelry store that looks and feels like her brand.
Events & AwardsMay 20, 2026
Here Is Couture’s 2026 Education Lineup The sessions will run from Friday, May 29, to Sunday, May 31, with one being a live taping of an episode of Couture’s podcast.
Lab-GrownMay 20, 2026
Savannah Friedkin Jewelry Names New CEOFormer Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry executive Morgan P. Richardson is joining the lab-grown diamond jewelry brand.
WatchesMay 19, 2026
Here’s the AP x Swatch Pocket Watch That Caused PandemoniumThe $400 pocket watch is a blend of Audemars Piguet’s iconic eight-sided Royal Oak and Swatch’s unserious Pop watches from the ‘80s.
CollectionsMay 19, 2026
Chris Ploof’s New Collection Makes an Ancient Metal ModernWith gold prices on the rise, the “Modern Electrum” collection uses an alternative, non-tarnishing metal alloy composed of gold and silver.
IndependentsMay 19, 2026
Ellen and Michael Fruchtman Retire, Sell Marketing Agency Fruchtman Marketing has new owners, Erin Moyer-Carballea and Manuel Carballea, and will relocate to Miami.
