What's new, fashionable and fabulous in diamonds and diamond jewelry?

See what the new trends are in diamonds and diamond jewelry, from engagement rings, to colored diamonds, to three-stone pendants.

Colored diamonds are the ultimate prize

If you're very rich, and very famous, and already own a jewelry box filled with dazzling white diamonds, then you'd probably be hoping for your multimillionaire future husband to ask for your hand in marriage with a giant, colored diamond.

Colored diamonds – known to elite jewelers as “fancy colored diamonds” -- are rarer and exponentially more expensive than their white counterparts. Fashionistas are drooling over the engagement rings of the stars. Celebrity brides-to-be have recently seen a 6.1-carat, pink diamond set in platinum, and a 10-carat marquise-shaped, canary yellow diamond.

Colored diamonds come in every shade of the rainbow and are extremely rare. Some, like the yellow ones, are colored by the naturally occurring addition of elements such as nitrogen, whereas pink diamonds simply reflect light differently than white diamonds.

Bigger is better

The common denominator however is size. And big is the word! The traditional one-carat solitaire has now grown to three to five carats. Diamond engagement rings with round diamonds are still the most popular, followed by marquise. But the fastest-growing shape in recent years is square, as in emerald and princess shapes. Learn more about which shapes are the most popular.

Is one stone enough?

Solitaire diamond engagement rings continue to be far and away the most desired, but three-stone diamond engagement rings with a larger center stone flanked by two smaller diamonds are gaining visibility of late. This style has become popular among some of music's greatest pop divas. Madonna wears one with round diamonds totaling five carats; while Toni Braxton's has an oval-shaped center stone with heart-shaped side stones totaling 4.5 carats.

What's new in settings?

As for the precious metal of choice: a preference for platinum and white gold is on the rise, but 70 percent of diamond engagement rings are still yellow gold. See what other choices women are making about settings.

Diamond jewelry is another fashion story

Today's hottest jewelry trends make it more exciting than ever to express yourself in diamonds. Long, diamond drop earrings have joined traditional diamond studs as the earring of choice, adding lady-like sophistication to a formal gown or an elegant pantsuit. What's more, there are surprisingly affordable versions to make any woman feel like a fashion icon.

Delicate diamond pendants, like the three-stone “snowman” pendant of diamonds in graduated sizes, are gracing the necklines of the glitterati everywhere, along with heart-shaped diamond solitaires and zodiac signs to communicate the real you.

The most sought-after piece of diamond jewelry of the moment is the diamond right-hand ring – a unique piece that expresses a woman's independence and personal style. The diamond right-hand ring is a perfect showcase for a new generation of women who want a unique, very personal piece of jewelry they can enjoy every day. Who's sporting them? Some of today's biggest stars, including the trend-setting quartet from Sex and the City (Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Catrall, Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon) heading the list.

Branded diamonds

Another really hot item: branded diamonds. Like any other fashion item, name brands come with a certain cachet and status all their own. And there's good reason for that! When you buy a recognized brand, you know you're getting the high quality you pay for. No ifs, ands or buts.

The fabulous Leo Diamond ® – one of the hottest branded diamonds to hit the jewelry market of late -- is handcrafted for superior brilliance by the master artisans at Leo Schachter. They say, “If you've got it, flaunt it”…well, The Leo Diamond has the fire, sparkle and brilliance to blind everyone around you. It's truly one of the most beautiful diamonds in the world. So, why not flaunt it? You can select your Leo Diamond as a loose stone, then have it set in any high-fashion setting you choose. Or , you can buy Leo Diamond jewelry from three-stone rings to pendants and ear studs ready to wear out of the store.

Like to find the authorized Leo Diamond jeweler nearest you? Click here. And P.S., if you don't see the size, setting, or even color diamond you want in the store, don't be afraid to ask for it as a special order. Chances are good that a reputable jeweler would love to sell you a bigger diamond than the ones they stock or order a certain diamond shape or setting you know you can't live without!

How to let him know what you want

How do you let the man of your dreams know the diamond of your dreams? Here are some suggestions for giving him hints so he can make the perfect choice.