Trends

See the Buzziest New Line of Engagement Rings

TrendsJan 20, 2021

See the Buzziest New Line of Engagement Rings

Alison Lou turns its whimsical eye to bridal jewelry.

AlisonLou2.jpg
Alison Lou’s new bridal line, “I Do by Lou” features the brand’s signature playfulness and whimsy.

New York—Alison Lou isn’t completely new to bridal.

Best known for its playful approach to fine jewelry—think emojis and pasta shapes as design motifs and rainbow shades of enamel—designer Alison Chemla has crafted engagement rings for some pretty famous brides, Emily Ratajkowski and Jennifer Lawrence among them.

It was Chemla’s private clientele that inspired her to launch “I Do by Lou,” a line of customizable engagement rings based on seven key styles.

“I have been designing bridal quietly for several years and would showcase a ring here or there on our Instagram,” the designer explained.

“We would always see an amazing response and get personal requests, so I knew it was time to do something more formal. My seven designs are based on rings I had done for customers in the past.”

A newlywed herself, Chemla received her GIA diamond certification two years ago.

Her seven signature settings mix classic bridal elements, like a diamond solitaire, with the sense of fun and cheekiness devotees have come to expect from the brand.

“While our settings can feel very classic, I designed them with our customer in mind. Someone who is not afraid to take a risk, to modernize classic bridal, and who wants their personality reflected in their ring. ‘I Do by Lou’ has a less conventional approach to bridal [than traditional styles].”

The “Gloria” and “Victoria” styles feature a round diamond solitaire and emerald-cut diamond solitaire respectively, with a thin enamel halo to add an unexpected pop of color.

Chemla said since launching “I Do by Lou” in December, these styles have proven the most popular.

The designer’s answer to brides’ demand for heavy gold styles is “Babs,” a thick gold band featuring an east-west flush-set pear diamond center stone surrounded by a scattering of flush-set round diamonds, and the “Monet,” a prong-set round diamond on a thick, octahedral, signet-style band.

The “Cookie” ring features a round brilliant diamond on a split, enamel-covered band, while the “Samantha” is the oeuvre’s most traditional, featuring a cushion-cut set diamond set on an angle on a simple pave diamond-set band.

A curving open ring featuring an oval-cut diamond, the “Beth,” is reminiscent of a vintage snake style, and boasts all that metal clients are asking for.

“Gold-heavy [is] something we are seeing a lot of our brides lean toward,” the designer said.       

Alison Lou “Mrs.” bands, available in every letter

of the alphabet, are a natural counterpart to the new bridal selection, though Chemla has also created a special gold wedding band featuring initial-cut diamonds, too, which would also make great engagement rings for couples of any gender.

“Our goal with the collection is to have something for everyone and to create a ring you will want to wear every day, forever,” Chemla added.

Each “I Do by Lou” style is completely customizable. Customers can decide the metal, center stone and enamel color to their liking.

Currently, clients start the design process by submitting a form on the Alison Lou website. From there, they can meet at the brand’s New York City showroom or virtually.

Chemla will also create entirely bespoke styles for brides-to-be, or help them reset their current rings to feel more like them.

Ultimately, collaboration is at the heart of “I Do by Lou.”

“We want to take the ‘unapproachable’-ness out of bridal. We want to be your friend through this process and feel very lucky to be a part of the most special moment in your lives to date.”

Ashley Davisis the senior editor, fashion at National Jeweler, covering all things related to design, style and trends.

The Latest

Cartier bracelet and ring
CrimeNov 04, 2026
$250K+ in Undeclared Cartier Jewelry Seized at Philadelphia Airport

A Pennsylvania woman failed to declare a ring and a bracelet, discarding the boxes and receipts to conceal the purchases, officials said.

Pandora celestial chandelier earrings
FinancialsNov 04, 2026
Pandora’s Q3 Sales Up 7% Amid Focus on Design

New collections and relevant marketing pushed the company forward, while Pandora’s lab-grown diamond sales continue to lag.

NYC Jewelry Week Biolgems Jewelry Exhibition
Events & AwardsNov 04, 2026
NYC Jewelry Week 2026 Is the Largest Edition Yet

The citywide celebration, slated for Nov. 16-22, is set to host more than 175 events, including live jewelry-making demos.

overnight btyb 1026.png
Brought to you by
How Overnight Mountings’ Bridal Builder Makes Custom Engagement Ring Design Easier to Sell

With customization becoming more expected in engagement ring shopping, the Bridal Builder makes the process tangible.

Lanessa Elrod
MajorsNov 04, 2026
Bergdorf Goodman Names New President

Lanessa Elrod, former president and CEO of Louis Vuitton Americas, has stepped into the role as the retailer celebrates 125 years.

Weekly QuizOct 29, 2026
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Replica of Infinity Gauntlet
AuctionsNov 03, 2026
Infinity Gauntlet Set With 170+ Carats of Colored Gemstones Up for Auction

A replica of one of the most powerful objects in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the glove is heading to auction next month in Abu Dhabi.

Arthur Klein
IndependentsNov 03, 2026
Longtime Jewelry Marketer Arthur Klein Dies at 89

Klein, who had his own marketing agency and worked for Gabriel & Co. and Trans American Diamond, is remembered as a kind man.

DeBeersICONS_TITLE1_CUSTOMCONTENT_1872x1052 (1).jpg
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Launches 2026 Holiday Campaign Championing Natural Diamonds

A Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.

Zadok Jewelers
IndependentsNov 03, 2026
Zadok Jewelers Toasts To 50 Years With Diamond Bracelet Giveaway

To enter the giveaway, locals can purchase a featured beverage from one of eight participating restaurants in Houston and Austin, Texas.

David Yurman Gem Awards Grant 2027 Graphic
Events & AwardsNov 03, 2026
David Yurman Gem Awards Grant Opens 2027 Applications

The grant recipient will be awarded $50,000 as well as mentoring meetings with executives at David Yurman and other industry executives.

Kirstin Viland, Joanna Kovacs, Shari Lukacs
Events & AwardsNov 03, 2026
NAJA, Instappraise Name 2026 Scholarship Winners

The winners include a non-NAJA member seeking training, a member beginning NAJA courses, and a member becoming a Certified Master Appraiser.

Sothebys Romanov sapphire
AuctionsNov 02, 2026
197-Carat ‘Romanov Sapphire’ Heads to Sotheby’s Geneva

The rare jewel, which has links to Russia’s Romanov dynasty, is estimated to fetch up to $2 million.

Fake Audemars Piguet watch
CrimeNov 02, 2026
Customs Seizes More Than 400 Fake Audemars Piguet Watches

It is one of several seizures of counterfeit jewelry and watches by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials in Louisville this year.

Jewelers of America new board members
MajorsNov 02, 2026
Lawrence Bock, Caryl Capeci, Amanda Coleman-Phelps Join JA Board

Jewelers of America announced the additions to its board of directors following its annual general meeting, held last week.

Kristi Yamaguchi Wearing Always Dream Collection
CollectionsNov 02, 2026
Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi, Heller Jewelers Expand ‘Always Dream’ Collection

The jewelry collection supports Yamaguchi’s Always Dream foundation, which provides reading and educational resources to families in need.

2026 AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards Best Of Winners
Events & AwardsOct 30, 2026
Illuminating Carved Paraiba Pendant, Suite of Moonstones Wow at Spectrum Awards

Spectrum’s “Best of Show” honors went to a 101-carat Paraiba carved to look like Medusa that has a magnet-activated LED light.

Alexis Hoopes
MajorsOct 30, 2026
The RealReal Hires Former eBay Exec as New Chief Merchandising Officer

Alexis Hoopes expanded eBay’s “Authenticity Guarantee” program during her tenure.

Rolex store exterior Bellevue Washington
WatchesOct 29, 2026
Bucherer Opens Rolex Boutique in Washington State

The Rolex-owned retailer’s new 4,700-square-foot store’s façade honors the Pacific Northwest’s evergreen forests.

Ann Cahoon
MajorsOct 29, 2026
Gesswein Hires Longtime Bench Jeweler, Educator Ann Cahoon

Cahoon was appointed strategic account and educational program manager at Gesswein, which recently joined Continental Buying Group.

Tiffany & Co. Love Is a Gift Holiday Campaign with Amanda Seyfried
MajorsOct 29, 2026
Amanda Seyfried Stars In Tiffany & Co.’s Holiday Campaign

Tiffany & Co.’s latest ambassador makes her debut in its “Love Is a Gift” holiday campaign.

Graphic of cauldron and cat with jewelry in bubbles
EditorsOct 28, 2026
These Wicked Jewels Will Cast a Spell on You

For her annual Halloween story, Senior Editor Lenore Fedow highlights bewitching jewels fit for a witch that go from day to unholy night.

Jaythan Gilder and Stolen Tiffany & Co. Earrings
CrimeOct 28, 2026
Man In Florida Who Swallowed Tiffany & Co. Earrings Convicted

Jaythan Gilder was found guilty of robbery and grand theft after stealing and then ingesting nearly $800,000 worth of Tiffany & Co. jewelry.

Gas station
SurveysOct 28, 2026
Consumer Confidence Up in October as Gas Prices Ease

Consumer confidence remains on the long-term downward trend that’s persisted over the past few years, said a Conference Board economist.

Stuller Magic of the Moment Holiday Campaign
MajorsOct 28, 2026
Stuller’s Holiday Campaign Lets the ‘Magic of the Moment’ Shine

The holiday campaign includes key jewelry trends, a curated holiday gift guide, and resources to help jewelers prepare for holiday shoppers.

De Beers Desert Diamonds Icons Campaign Designer Showcase
SourcingOct 27, 2026
De Beers Celebrates the Holidays With New ‘Desert Diamonds’ Campaign

The “Icons” holiday campaign spotlights four classic diamond jewelry styles reimagined in “Desert Diamond” tones.

Mervis Diamond Importers store
IndependentsOct 27, 2026
Solomon Brothers Acquires Mervis Diamond Importers

Solomon Brothers, which has three stores in the Metro Atlanta area, said it may continue to acquire other independent jewelers.

Woman holding testing swab
IndependentsOct 27, 2026
Gabriel & Co. Supports Charity Partner DKMS With Gala, New Jewels

The fine jewelry brand raised $2.3 million at its annual gala that supports the nonprofit’s fight against blood cancer and blood disorders.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy