More Couples Saying "I Do" Since 9-11

Love is definitely in the air these days, judging from the record numbers of couples pledging their vows of eternal love and devotion and "tying the knot" together.

According to anecdotal evidence from jewelers across the country, sales of engagement rings have topped the list of best sellers since last Sept. 11 -- and in fact have been one of the few strong categories in an otherwise sluggish year for many retailers.

Some experts believe that the tremendous upsurge in marriages and marriage proposals since last fall is symbolic of the fact that the terrorist tragedy caused many of us to re-evaluate our lives and decide we don't want to be alone anymore. It's really not surprising that during a period in our history so filled with emotional turmoil, that we've become more sentimental and more willing to emotionally commit ourselves to others long-term (especially in fear of losing them if we don't). This has been especially true in military markets, where soldiers shipping out overseas have rushed to get engaged or have moved up plans to get married before they leave.

If you want to know what's "in" in terms of engagement ring styles, look at mom's -- or even grandma's -- ring and you'll get a pretty good idea of current trends. As with other items that have benefited from a strong wave of nostalgia (again, tied to Sept. 11 as people yearn for a simpler, safer time), "what's old" is new again in the bridal ring market. Heirloom/estate pieces with antique settings or diamond cuts have made a big comeback.

So have classic styles from another era, albeit with a modern twist. The prime example of this trend is the revival of the three-stone diamond ring. This Edwardian style, which was first reintroduced as an anniversary ring, has become a huge seller as an engagement ring style in recent years because of its ultra-romantic "past, present, future" message. In fact, the style is so hot that many married couples are going back to their jeweler and resetting their old diamond solitaire into a new three-stone setting, according to several industry experts.

Meanwhile, platinum -- which had its heyday in the 1920s and 1930s, when it was the most popular jewelry metal before its usage was restricted to military purposes during World War II -- has quickly grown in popularity to the point where it rivals gold as the metal of choice for brides-to-be. You'll find countless styles in both solid platinum and combination platinum/yellow gold.