What Does Your Zodiac Sign Say About Your Engagement Ring?
What Does Your Zodiac Sign Say About Your Engagement Ring
When you buy an engagement ring, what criteria do you use to make your decision? Do you take your astrological sign into account?
Astrology is a fascinating area of study that often leaves people feeling uncannily exposed. That is to say, it is sometimes quite right, despite being based on an ethereal, largely unscientific, understanding of how the universe works and affects mankind.
One of the oldest scholarly traditions in the world, dating back about 5,000 years, astrology intersects with science, mathematics, religion, philosophy, and psychology in such innumerable ways that it is hard to call it a science, yet neither entirely a pseudo-science. It remains a scholarly tradition practiced all over the world; for some even a way of life. For others, it can be anything between a cute coincidence and a tool for understanding the world or personality traits.
Most people are aware that their birth month has an associated zodiac sign a gemstone. There are actually a number of different astrological calendars and gem calendars from various cultures around the world, and they vary by stone and by month, since not all of them correspond to the current 12-month calendar of the west, or were created in places with equal access, knowledge or value of various precious and semi-precious gemstones.
In this article, we are using the common zodiac calendar of western astrology.
But say you know you wanted a diamond? There is plenty in your birth chart, also called a natal, which can help you find the perfect shape stone, and even clues as to what setting you will prefer it in. We spent some time getting acquainted with the realm of astrology to come up with the following list of astrologically based diamond engagement ring recommendations. On a personal note, this was actually the first time I had ever given any serious and sustained effort into understanding what the study of astrology entailed. What a wonderful rabbit hole indeed.
Aquarius: January 20- February 18
These people are neither herd followers, nor are they always leaders either. They are known for open-mindedness and thinking outside the box; they like the unusual, especially unique ideas and looks; they can be easily changeable, without being tied to trends. In fact, they sometimes choose deliberately to go against the mainstream, often in a way that leads to new trends following them.
If you are an Aquarius, give thought to your setting as much as your center stone, since that's where you will have the most ability to affect your design. Consider multiple accent stones of varying shapes and sizes that both contrast and complement your center stone, creating a mosaic of scintillation and brilliance.
This is one sign where going asymmetrical can be a brilliant idea.
Toi-et-moi rings with different features for each side, such as contrasting oval and emerald stones with trillion cut side stones on one side and baguettes on the other might be the kind of unique, artsy, edgy look that will satisfy and please you for a lifetime. Consider scattered pave on the band, as opposed to a line of pave or wholly covering your band with melee stones. Art deco features, angular designs, multiple colors and tones, shapes and sizes are going to be most pleasing.
A famous Aquarius, Ellen Degeneres’s engagement/wedding ring is a marquise cut diamond that is set sideways with a multitude of melee surrounding it and covering the setting, as well as on the band.
Pisces: February 19- March 20
This water sign is known for people who are deep and mysterious, compassionate and gentle, and sensitive to others. They are unafraid to change things up drastically.
Asscher cuts can be quite attractive to them, since they have a multifaceted appeal and combine both sensational scintillation as well as extreme depth. Emerald cuts, and round brilliants are good choices as well. Basically, look for a stone you can stare into for a long time, but that still sparkles when you pull yourself out of its depths.
Smooth and graceful curves, flashing scintillation combined with depth of exposure are going to please this sign the most.
Pave all around the band may be too much, but don’t necessarily shy away from adding some melee accents around or under your center stone, and partially along the band of your ring.
Elizabeth Taylor famously wore an asscher diamond engagement ring, as did Pippa Middleton, the younger sister of Princess Catherine Middleton. In the latters gorgeous ring, a broad, multilayered halo of diamonds surrounds the breathtaking 3.5 carat centerstone.
Aries: March 21-April 19
This fire sign is expectedly determined, bold, pushy & persuasive, stubborn but high energy and very active, though impatient. They can also be pioneering, adventurous and very strong. They opt to face life’s challenges head on, sometimes in many guises- they aren't afraid to change up their style dramatically. Diamonds are the most common gem for this astrological sign, so bring out as much bling as you can palate. People with this sign seem to prefer white gold or platinum.
Aries tends to love classics that pop, an engagement ring that’s loud but not shouting. They go for a twist on the traditional.
For an aries, consider a center stone in an oval or round brilliant shape, or even a princess with its elegant expressiveness and scintillation. Experiment with pave on the band, and solitaire settings that are slightly higher than commonly worn.
Taurus: April 20- May 20
"Quality > Quantity" is easily this sign's motto.
These frugal, stubborn/ hard-headed, practical and down-to-earth, tenacious, reliable, loyal, and sensual people also tend to be known for their generosity, kindheartedness and stability.
Cushion cuts will probably be the best, as the vintage look will agree with your sentimentality. A halo can help your buck go farther and make your diamond look larger and more impressive.
Kim Kardashian, for example, wears a cushion cut engagement ring.
Gemini: May 21- June 20
Geminis are loved for their vibrant personality, energy, playfulness, curiosity, and their juxtaposed quiet, contemplative side. Unwaveringly loyal, they like traditional charm, nostalgic nods and clarity.
Emerald cuts might be the very best bet, with a halo or melee accenting beneath the stone and pave on the top third of the band.
Take a look at toi-et-moi rings for their romance and unique and playful versatility of design. An eternity band might also supply that playful vibrancy, such as the one Joe DiMaggio chose to give to Marilyn Monroe, one of the most famous Geminis that ever lived. Her ring featured 35 baguette diamonds bound in platinum, reflecting light from every angle.
Cancer: July 21-July 22
Cancers are nurturing, sensitive, loving, fun, and funky people, with a lot of compassion for those around them, a goofy sense of humor, and tend to be very self-protective, security-seeking and offering in their relationships.
Try a three stone ring incorporating varying shapes, like a marquise or heart shape diamond center stone with pear shape diamond side stones. Consider using more than one tone of metal, but don’t add too many details. However a halo, and other pave and melee features may please you.
One famous cancer celebrity today is Ariana Grande. Her engagement ring to Pete Davidson was a pear shaped diamond surrounded by a halo, on a platinum band with pave.
Leo: July 23-August 22
Leo’s shine like the sun, and like their own warmth, without being overly conceited. Lovers of life itself, they often equate life and love together. In fact, while they may appear overly confident, even aggressive, they are rarely out for themselves.
So attention-grabbing may not ultimately be how they design a ring, though it is likely to be a very unique piece of jewelry.
Just because you have a “go big or go home,” attitude, you don’t have to go for the biggest stone available. That being said, to get the most out of its size, pay attention to cut versus carat weight, because some cuts look larger per carat than others.
You can increase the intensity of the scintillation of your center stone with a halo, and you may enjoy playful melee accents, or a tasteful amount of pave on the band.
Platinum might lose out to yellow gold which reflects the sun that drives this sign, and you might like more involved settings that turn your ring into a work of art, more than a showcase for your beautiful stone.
Meghan Markle, one of the most famous leo celebrities right now, incorporated details into her ring that you can’t see with the naked eye. Or an eye at all. Designed by Prince Harry himself (how romantic) it features a 3 carat cushion cut center stone from Botswana, a country dear to both their hearts. And for added sentimentality, the two side stones are from Harry's mother, the late Princess Diana’s, personal collection.
Later, Meghan had the famous designer Lorraine Schwartz replace the original band with a slim yellow gold band scintillating with micro-pave.
Virgo: August 23- September 22
Virgos have a multifaceted and varied personality. On the surface they have great humility, often even self-effacing modesty, are industrious, intellectual, practical, methodic and quick thinking with tremendous energy, even a little tense. Below they are kind and sympathetic, favoring the natural and shying away from the ostentatious, the timeless over the trendy.
For Virgos, go classic, go classy, and don’t build up too much. Consider a cushion cut or marquise cut diamond with or without a halo, and round brilliants set solitaire. Check out this cushion cut diamond with a knife edge halo.
Go for that classic, bright yellow gold or moonlight like platinum or white gold.
Beyonce, one of the most famous Virgo celebrities to date, updated her engagement ring, dropping the eye popping whopper of an 18 carat emerald cut engagement ring for a smaller, but still resplendent marquise cut diamond surrounded by a contrasting, straight lined halo in a vintage, art-deco inspired design.
Libra: September 23- October 22
Sophisticated, and cool as a mountain spring, Libra’s are still romantic and extroverted, lovers of love itself, and often some of the most warm, cozy and friendly people. Charming, intelligent and frank, they are also persuasive in their pursuit of balance, harmony, peace and justice, corresponding to the scales that represent this sign. Not always very traditional, they are fine with mixing things up and doing something different if it means reaching that balanced and impassioned state.
Look towards symmetry, try for balance. Consider three stone rings, or toi-et-moi settings, with heart, pear or marquise-shaped center stones.
Scorpio: October 23- November 21
Bold, passionate, even fiery and energetic, Scorpios are rather intense and particular, detail-oriented persons. So if that’s you, designing your own ring is probably the best way to go.
Eye catching intensity is most appealing, so while some shapes might be preferable- think the austere lines of an emerald cut, or the symmetrical points of a marquise shape- the setting matters as much, or even more for your ring. Use a lot of melee stones, in a halo or accents, or in a pave band, as well as significant side stones that form an opulent and attention getting contrast, such as the ring shown above.
That being said, avoid sweeping or rounded lines, except where they contrast with something with straight lines and sheer angles. A prongs setting, or basket may be preferable to the gentle sweep of a trellis or cathedral setting. If your center stone has rounded lines, choose side stones that are straight lined, and vice versa if the center stone is more geometric.
Sagittarius: November 22- December 21
Whimsical, lighthearted, fun-loving and carefree, bright and free-spirited, Sagittarius are often the most amiable people.
When designing or picking your ring, look for something that has a classic, softer feel to it, yet still has an undeniable spark. Square cushion cut, oval shapes and heart-shaped center stones will probably be the best for you. A small number of melee stones can go a long way for this sign. Consider a twisted band with a single line of pave.
Be playful in your design. Grand sweeps and scrolls, clandestine melee accents and details that peak out at the viewer will help to get that fairytale essence that Sagittarius likes so well.
Side stones should compliment more than contrast, but you can opt for more than just two. Consider an oval stone, surrounded by a slim pave halo, and four or more pear-shaped side stones, giving the setting a floral look.
Detailing in the metal can be very attractive for Sagittarius. Choose a wider metal band, in which you can have scrollwork, interlace, or other metal patterns, such as braided bands.
Avoid anything too simple, or austere, like knife edge or very skinny bands.
One detail for Sagittarius to keep in mind- you may want to consider having your center stone either very low or flush with the band, such as in a bezel setting, or higher than normal, supported by longer prongs that raise your center stone up very high.
Capricorn: December 22- January 19
These people are ambitious, disciplined, perceptive, lovers of the classics, but not all the way to the fairytale realm that sagittarius will fly towards. They are very grounded people, known for being more mature, sophisticated, and brilliant in an accessible way.
Commonly over-thinkers, simplicity in design will be something that capricorn doesn't grow tired of. If you are one of these old souls that like vintage style, make sure you add details and flourishes, just avoid covering your whole ring in them.
Let the center stone shine, and choose something that has both sparkle and warmth. Cushion cut stones, round brilliants, ovals and radiant cuts
Keep the setting to a minimum. Solitaire set stones, with simple prongs, or if you want a few more details, a cathedral or trellis setting.
Pave bands are not recommended, but everyone has their own preferences, so if you decide that's a style you like, opt for a single line of pave, running only partially around the band, leaving the gleaming metal largely exposed.
Classic yellow gold, or platinum is recommended.
Check out this Michael Gabriels cushion cut solitaire shown below.
Choosing a Lab-grown diamond
Well there you have it folks, engagement ring advice based on astrology.
As we mentioned at the beginning, astrology is not an exact science (or a science) so if the recommendations above don’t jive with you, remember your personal preferences, and stick with what you like. Jennifer Lopez for example, despite being a Leo, was enamored by the Aries style of her emerald-cut engagement ring. So maybe while there is much to say about how closely astrology can hit home, it appears that there’s enough wiggle room to get around fine without it. At Michael Gabriels we specialize in bespoke and customized jewelry, and would be happy to help you design the ideal engagement ring for you.
We hope this material was helpful in your search for the perfect diamond engagement ring. At Michael Gabriels we primarily focus on lab-grown diamonds. These man-made diamonds are atomically and physically the same as those found in mines. Besides their origin, the other major differnece of lab-created diamonds is that they tend to be much less expensive than mined diamonds.
That said, there are other differences, such as that lab-grown diamonds are significantly more environmentally freindly, since they use less energy, water and land to create; and more ethical, since they are not sources of conflict diamonds, nor does their production ever use child labor or forced labor, which unfortunately is used in a significant number of mining operations worldwide.
Please reach out to us on our website or instagram if you have any questions about diamonds, lab-grown diamonds, or even now astrology, and if you are ready to start designing your beautiful engagement ring, we are standing by to make that dream come true.