designer
b y C A R O L B E S L E R
spotlight
LOVE ENDURES rom the very beginning of when Mark Patterson set out to build his bridal collection, he was inspired by one MARK PATTERSON’S BRIDAL COLLECTION WAS BORN OUT OF HOPE FOR THE FUTURE
important driving force from the start: love. When Mark began designing his bridal collection back in 2001, he knew back then that whatever happens in the world and no matter how unprecedented times could become, he “would just want to be with the person I loved. I’d want to get married so that we could get through bleak and crazy times together. The only thing that matters, the only thing that people are actually going to want to purchase during times like that, is an engagement ring.” F
The first Mark Patterson engagement rings were designed specifically to sit flush with a wedding band. “That feature is standard in engagement ring design nowadays, but I never thought to market this choice as proprietary,” says Mark. “I just thought it was the right thing to do.” Part of a collection called Promise, these early engagement rings had a four-prong setting; the rest of the design was slender, light, and airy. The remarkable thing was that Mark had decluttered the bottom of the setting, completely stripping away any excess metal from the basket and gallery. This ultimately allowed more light to shine through. “Some retailers didn’t get it initially, and we had to explain that all that excess metal wasn’t necessary to keep the diamond secure,” says Mark. “And that tearing out all that metal was what enabled the engagement ring to sit perfectly flush with a band. Many consider the Patterson approach to be the benchmark of exceptional bridal jewelry design, operating at a different level of technique and innovation. To date, Mark Patterson has created more than 30,000 bridal pieces and evolved that initial “Promise” to encompass dozens of engagement ring and wedding band styles. Mark and his partner, Josette, have also tailored their offerings to fit a range of looks, from clean and modern to romantic and vintage-inspired. Mark Patterson’s newest designs include engagement rings with oval and marquise accent stones, and oval and marquise bands.
Platinum and 18K Rose Gold Emerald Cut Diamond Engagement Ring Setting
18K Rose Gold High Polished Platinum Edge Band
18K Yellow Gold Half High Polished and Half Satin Finish
Platinum Oval Cut Engagement Ring Setting with Round Diamonds and Platinum Band with Round Diamonds
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