Monique Lhuillier's Colorful New Engagement Ring Collection Is Perfect for Modern Couples

When your partner proposes, you get to look forward to a few things: someone to stand by your side in good times and bad, declaring your love in front of families and friends, and a brand-new piece of jewelry that will sit on the fourth finger of your left hand. Your engagement ring isn’t just a statement-making accessory—it marks your commitment to your significant other and serves as an extension of your personality. Since you’ll be wearing this piece of jewelry every single day, it’s important that the sparkler truly reflects your personal sense of style. Modern couple on the hunt for a unique alternative to the traditional diamond engagement ring should consider world-renowned bridal fashion designer Monique Lhuillier’s latest jewelry collection.

As part of Monique Lhuillier BLISS, the iconic designer has launched a collection of engagement rings with colorful gemstones—including aquamarine, yellow quartz, light purple amethyst, and peridot—as well as black diamonds. “Our brides are unique and come to Monique Lhuillier with a vision,” she exclusively tells Brides. “They don’t always play by the rules. They are hopeless romantics and dreamers. They are confident and not afraid to stand out and make a statement! The new gemstone and black diamond collection reflects that same spirit.” Each ring from the collection is set in 14K white gold—with some styles also offered in yellow gold—and they’re available for purchase on Kay Jewelers’ website now. With prices ranging from $999 to $5,999, there’s a ring for every budget.

Lhuillier says her bridal collections and her evening gowns featuring lavender, powder blue, and yellow dresses were the inspiration behind her new line of colorful rings. “I’ve always loved working with color, and for this collection, I was inspired by the delicate florals found in my bridal gowns,” she shares. The fashion maven selected these particular gemstones due to their visual intrigue. Plus, she says they capture different aspects of her personality. “I love the way the light hits these stones making them dance and come to life,” she expresses. “In contrast, the black diamond collection reflects my more glamorous and modern side. They are true statement pieces!”

As for her all-time favorite sparkler from the launch, she simply can't choose just one. “I love the yellow pieces in this collection, like the emerald-cut yellow quartz and diamond frame engagement ring, because they remind me of the warm California sun,” she explains. “I also love the aquamarine styles that are feminine and delicate, such as the oval-cut aquamarine and diamond halo engagement ring.”

Although diamond is the traditional engagement ring stone, the wedding space is seeing more and more color on brides’ left hands. In recent celebrity engagement history, Ben Affleck proposed to Jennifer Lopez with a rare green diamond ring, and Lily Collins is flaunting a band with a morganite center stone from Charlie McDowell. Lhuillier thinks colorful gemstones are becoming more popular because they give brides the opportunity to “put their personal touch on their forever ring” instead of blindly following the crowd. 

If you’re considering a colorful gemstone for your engagement ring, the bridal fashion guru advises taking your time selecting a style, so you find one that captures who you are. “Your engagement ring should reflect your personality as you’ll be wearing it for the rest of your life,” she notes. “Think of what inspires you or what your ring means to you, and find connection in the gemstones. For example, light purple amethyst is said to represent confidence and calmness. The blue tones in aquamarine represent happiness.” She also recommends taking the cut, color, clarity, and carat into account, just like any other diamond ring.

Lhuillier made her first foray into the engagement ring space when she partnered with Kay Jewelers to launch Monique Lhuillier BLISS in September of 2021. Her first collection features engagement rings and wedding bands set in white, rose, and yellow gold with a variety of center stones, such as round, oval, pear, emerald, marquise, and princess-cut diamonds. As a bonus, each piece features Lhuillier’s signature “XO” signature. “The amount of detail I put in my dresses you’ll see in the rings," she said at the time. "I’m very influenced by florals and lace, so you’ll see all that work interpreted in metals and in diamonds."