Let’s face it, the jewelry industry is FULL of traditionalists. We’ve been adorning ourselves with gems and jewels since ancient times, and we all know change comes slow. However, our generation is done making the same decisions our parents or grandparents made just because they were expected to (like buying houses, getting married, and investing in diamond jewelry). Not to mention the fact that the economy has changed significantly, and any discretionary money we choose to spend on ourselves is reserved exclusively for pieces that make our hearts sing. So screw tradition. Here are 5 diamond trends that are shaking the jewelry industry up- and frankly, it’s about time.

Salt and Pepper Diamonds

Salt and Pepper Diamonds look a lot like what they sound like. They are diamonds peppered with a high number of black inclusions, causing the diamond to appear gray, and speckled in color. Traditionally, diamonds with less inclusions are rarer and more desirable, meaning salt and pepper diamonds were often tossed in favor of their clearer counterparts. More recently however, people are seeing these diamonds as unique, less expensive, and more in line with their own personal styles. For the diamond shopper with environmental concerns, salt and pepper diamonds are a great option because you don’t have to drill as far into the earth to find them.

Lab Grown Diamonds

Lab grown diamonds are real diamonds. There is a big fundamental difference, though, which is how they arrive to the wearer. Comparing lab diamonds to naturally occurring ones are a lot like comparing the ice in your freezer to the ice on an Alaskan glacier. One is easier to obtain and to make perfect, while the other has a more difficult and romantic journey to the wearer. For this generation, lab grown diamonds are an affordable, sustainable and 100% cruelty free option for their jewelry. Naturally occurring diamonds come rife with questions about where they were mined, and how ethically they were obtained. Traditional jewelers are terrified of the lab grown jewelry trends, but other jewelers are adapting to the changing market. GIA has even started certifying lab grown diamonds!

Champagne Diamonds

When grading a diamond, color is an important factor in desirability. Fancy colors (yellow, pink, and blue for example) and bright white are the rarest and most ideal in the traditional market. However, lots of brands are now using champagne (or cognac) colored diamonds in their designs- even large operations like David Yurman are on board! Champagne diamonds are (you guessed it) less expensive, and more unique than standard white diamonds. They offer a softer aesthetic, and look great set in rose or yellow gold.

Rose Cut Diamonds

Most diamond jewelry features diamonds cut in the round, which are cut with 58 facets (or sides) to produce the most fire (industry term for sparkle). Other popular cuts are oval, pear, and emerald. Emerald and Baguette cuts don’t have much fire, but are cut in such a way that showcase the clarity of the diamond; meaning, you can’t have any obvious inclusions (unless you’re going with a salt and pepper option of course). Rose cut diamonds have anywhere from 3 to 24 facets, and is said to have the appearance of a rose bud. It’s a great cut for anyone who wants something a little bit different, and more vintage looking.

Raw Diamonds

Raw diamonds are just what they sound like- diamonds left in the buff! They are not cut or polished, and make for amazing trend jewelry. Raw gemstone buyers beware though, I had one as a center stone in my engagement ring and lost it. Diamonds are the hardest gemstone, and if not 100% secure in their setting, can actually wear away at the metal around it and pop out! While they make for organic and conversation starting jewelry, they might not be the best for the everyday wearer. However, there is no denying that raw diamonds can make a stunning addition to one’s jewelry box.

Diamonds, if one chooses to wear them, should make the buyer happy with their purchase. It should make them feel like they’ve expressed their own personal style and beliefs, and should reflect the uniqueness found in nature (or maybe, in a lab). Tradition will still have her place, among the pomp and circumstance of life’s chapters, but in between it all, wear whatever sings loudest to you.

And don’t forget to make sure you know how to keep your diamond jewelry in great shape!