Dainty engagement rings: the ultimate guide

When people think of diamond engagement rings, they tend to imagine a large centre gemstone set upon a sparkling band, glamorous and eye-catching. But for the modern bride sometimes a large diamond just simply isn’t their style. A larger stone can feel flashy and might not suit the daintier, minimalist look that many people are opting for these days.

Not just a style preference, dainty engagement rings can be a good lifestyle choice for someone who works with their hands or doesn’t want to be wearing something cumbersome each day. A dainty engagement ring can be both beautiful and practical. If you are considering a smaller, minimal engagement ring, read through our guide to help you choose the perfect style.

Dainty engagement rings usually begin with a thin band on which to set gemstones, diamonds, and other design features. A thin band usually ranges from 1.6mm to 2mm in order to achieve a slender, minimal look. Thin bands can be made in either yellow gold, rose gold, white gold or platinum. A delicate engagement ring can also feature a pavé band set with tiny sparkling diamonds. When made with high quality metal, even the slimmest band will be robust and will be able to hold gemstones securely. Another advantage of a thin band is that it allows your centre stone to appear larger, thereby drawing more attention to the diamond.

Although some are made with slim bands, dainty engagement rings can be made with normal band widths as well and with smaller centre gemstones.You can also choose to set a minimal amount of stones on the band to give the ring a delicate appearance without a smaller band size. A dainty diamond ring can feature a centre stone size of about 0.25-0.60ct, or a cluster of smaller gemstones that sit in an intricate pattern or shape on the ring. Diamonds come in an array of shapes, a small pear or marquise diamond would look beautiful set upon a thin band.

Because of the slimmer bands and smaller centre stone sizes, a dainty engagement ring is typically a more budget friendly option compared to a more classic engagement ring design. The Demure, one of our most popular solitaire engagement rings, starts at £570 excluding the price of the centre diamond. The Dulcet, our thin band engagement ring with pavé, starts at £1,170 excluding the price of the centre diamond. The final price of your engagement ring will depend on the exact size and shape of your centre diamond or gemstone, but a smaller centre stone will make your ring more affordable.

There are many benefits to thin bands. The simple design makes it perfect for those who are a minimalist at heart and love all things understated. A dainty ring or wedding band has a soft and subtle feel that can easily match with other jewellery. Thin bands tend to stack well with wedding or anniversary bands, making a thin band a perfect addition to your jewellery collection. A thin band allows the centre stone to appear larger, which is a big advantage. Thin bands are also less expensive, as they require a smaller amount of gold or platinum.

There are however a few disadvantages of a thin band. Firstly, they can potentially be susceptible to bending and losing their shape due to the slim structure of the ring’s shank. This is usually preventable if your band is over 1.6mm, however it’s best to avoid wearing your ring when using your hands for anything too strenuous, rough, or repetitive.

For a contrasting look, pair a larger diamond centre stone with a thin band. Cuts such as an emerald cut diamond, oval cut, or round brilliant cut would look beautiful on a dainty band as the diamonds will appear to be of a larger size due to the smaller band size.

Coloured gemstones also come in all shapes and sizes, working well to offer a burst of colour that makes any engagement ring more dynamic. A sapphire can be found in a range of colours, not just blue. Sapphires can be yellow, orange, pink, or purple. A small emerald would be a stunning centre gemstone, the intensity of the green would contrast beautifully on a rose gold or platinum band.

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