We can’t all be Beyonce, or Mariah Carey, or any of those ladies rocking the carbon equivalent of an ice ring on their engagement finger. But how can we get a bit more dazzle if the budget is tight and you want to create a bigger diamond effect on your hand?
It isn’t always about the stone size itself. Some of us have fingers that don’t suit demure little stones, and we want something that works on our hand. Some of us are magpies, we like sparkly things. So here are some ways to max out a bit of a supernova on the engagement ring finger.
1. A Halo Ring
Halo engagement rings are actually a fairly recent ring development where the stone is surrounded by tiny little diamonds. But they look classic, and all sorts of styles are available. Single or double halo rings can be sourced (heck, you can have as many rows as you like!) with the key being that in general, you can get away with a more demure centre diamond, and still make it a lot more dazzling. From a distance the look is one bigger diamond, and if the side stones are good quality the sparkle is even better!
Where you have larger fingers, this is a good way of exacting a bit more impact with the stone. The other great thing about halo settings is there are so many configurations you can choose from, to create something sleek and modern, or more vintage.
2. A Cluster Ring
The thing with diamonds, as I’ve explained in other blogs, is that the bigger and better they get, the more they cost. Keep the size down, and you can get a lot of stone for a much lower cost. And the most classic look here is the cluster ring. Smaller diamonds clustered together, to make a bit of a glitterball. When done well, it makes for a ring which can feel more contemporary, ramp up the wow factor, while still keeping costs in check. The great thing with all the little stones, is how they reflect the light, while keeping a lower profile.
3. A Dress Ring
We are moving into more modern territory here, but for some women, this is the perfect look for their hands, rather than a little solitaire. Here, the diamonds are small, but perfectly set to make a much more impactful ring, and spaced in order to cover a greater area. The look is more dramatic, and covers a greater area. While this isn’t creating a bigger diamond, it is creating a carpet of sparkle.
4. Illusion Settings
There are a couple of other tricks employed on the high street to give customers the impression of a bigger diamond. The first is where the stone is actually set within metal faceted or polished to look like an extension of the diamond. This is a popular trick, especially at the budget end of the market, where when done well, the effect is not immediately noticeable.
Another option, is a ring where the stones are grouped to look like a big diamond. In Art-Deco jewellery, this was a very fine technique, where stones were cut to order and set with fine wires running between them, making a carpet of diamonds. But Beaverbrooks have an entry level ring collection which works to this effect, as well as the cluster.
We don’t offer these ring styles, the reason being that for a business of my size, I can’t deliver the right value to customers, especially where diamonds might be being cut to specification. That is fine for larger stones, but smaller, it is always going to be better to buy in bulk, which is not what we do. However, Beaverbrooks are a great company, if that is what you are looking for.
Final Thoughts
A diamond engagement ring accounts for about 90% of all engagement ring purchases, it is almost traditional. That doesn’t mean that it should be a budget breaker, as I’ve said in several blogs, starting your married journey in debt doesn’t do much for the stress levels! The design of an engagement ring is so important. Something that you are going to wear for the rest of your life will feel like a chore if it doesn’t suit you. So it is worth being realistic about what your means are, and decide what variation on the theme is most appropriate for your hand. It will still be beautiful!
If your heart is really set on a big rock, then be prepared to drop your standards if your budget is tiny. There are one carat diamonds out there for £1,500. I’ve seen them and wouldn’t sell them in my worst nightmares, but there are plenty of sources who will! The other option is to pick a different gemstone for your centre. Sapphires are great and give make a a bigger impact on a ring while still being pretty hard wearing. They come in virtually every colour going too. Spinel is also fantastic if you want a deep red stone.
As ever, if you want more advice, get in touch.