Every hand is different and every person looks good in a different style of jewelry. When choosing a diamond engagement ring, you have to consider the receiver as much as if you were buying them clothes.
We got a request from our reader looking for an ideal ring style and a diamond size for his partner whose hands are a bit thicker. He was asking the right questions and we appreciated that he cared so much.
Here’s the reader’s original email:
“Would appreciate your thoughts on getting a surprise engagement ring for Valentine’s Day. My max is $4,000 and my girlfriend has big hands–8 1/2 ring size. She likes round stones. Should I look for a setting with stones rather than a solitaire?
I was impressed with James Allen site–What do you think about their setting 11103W? Is it a substantial enough setting for her hand or would you recommend something else?
Is there a particular stone you would recommend–While bigger would be better, I don’t want anything with visible defects nor a stone that appears yellow in any light. If you could direct me to a particular stone or setting on James Allen or Blue Nile I would be most appreciative.
Thank you for your assistance.”
The style he chose isn’t exactly ideal. The band is pretty slim all the way around which suits slimmer fingers more.
For larger hands, it’s better if the wearer focuses on thicker bands, three-stone rings, or side-stones that create volume. That way, the center of attention is the ring and not the size of the finger.
Different Styles For Different Hands
There is a reason for the countless number of settings you find in jewelry stores. It’s not only for people to have enough to choose from, it’s also because there are different types and shapes of people’s hands and fingers.
From tall and long fingers to short and chubby, every shape and size deserves a ring that looks proportionate. But how do you know which ring suits your hand?
For instance, petite fingers look best with a thin band, no matter if in solitaire style or with added pavé diamonds.
The reader chose a setting exactly like that. A simple and thin channel band that looks gorgeous but wouldn’t really suit his partner’s hand. Since he mentioned that his girlfriend has big hands, we recommended switching to something wider.
- One of the options is to go with a channel setting like he originally wanted but add a little volume to the band. This Graduated swirl pavé from James Allen is a great example of what we’re talking about. The channel starts thick and slims down as the band curves around the finger. A simple solution with minimal effort.
- Another way is to go for a three-stone ring. The extra diamonds on the side will create the thickness that you need with the band itself staying thin. We chose this Diamond medley ring that uses four smaller stones on each side to create the illusion of a three-stone ring. It works perfectly.
- Lastly, you can go with an untraditional setting shape that will give you the right distraction and a larger look. To show what we mean, this Modern Leaf Bypass ring setting presets it nicely. The setting itself hugs the center diamond and the accent diamonds on the sides add volume to the design.
In the end, the reader chose a thicker channel band for $1,400 which left $2,600 for the center diamond.
Center Diamond For $2,600
If you’re looking for a center round cut diamond for a pavé or a side-stone setting, you can definitely get away with an I color. That said, some people prefer to get a higher color regardless because they feel more comfortable with it. There is nothing wrong with that approach as long as you realize that you’ll spend more for basically the same appearance.
Since the reader’s budget for the center diamond was $2,600, he could afford a nice 0.90ct diamond, similar to this 0.92ct H SI1 round cut from James Allen.
Conclusion
No set of two hands looks identical. That means that every person should pick jewelry based on what fits them best and matches their style. Knowing what you like and what suits your hands the best is the key to a successful ring purchase. We created a guide that helps people get an idea of what ring style should suit their hands the most. Take it as a starting point from where you can search further.
Also, don’t let anyone tell you what you should or shouldn’t do. We all can give you advice on what we feel is the best solution, but ultimately, you need to find what you like and what you’ll be happy with as a wearer.
If you’re unsure or want to discuss the setting style or the center diamond choice with us, don’t hesitate and contact one of our experts. We’ll talk you through the whole process and make sure you find the ring of your dreams.
What we love about them:
- No questions asked returns within 30 days of shipment. James Allen will send you a paid shipping label to return the ring.
- Lifetime Warranty
- Free International Shipping
- Free prong tightening, repolishing, rhodium plating and cleaning every 6 months
- Provide insurance appraisals
- One free resizing within 60 days of purchase
- Free ring inscriptions
- Best-in-class high quality imagery of all diamonds in stock
- 24/7 Customer Service
- Best-in-class packaging
What we love about them:
- No questions asked returns within 30 days of shipment. Blue Nile will send you a paid shipping label to return the ring.
- Lifetime Warranty
- Free Shipping
- Free prong tightening, repolishing, rhodium plating and cleaning every 6 months
- Provide insurance appraisal
- One free resizing within the first year of purchase
- High quality images of about half of their diamonds
- 24/7 Customer Service
- 100% credit towards future upgrades (must be at least double in value)
- Best in class fulfillment
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