How To Choose an Engagement Ring to Suit Your Hand

An engagement proposal is equally exciting for both sides of the party. For many, they’ve dreamed of asking the love of their life to commit to marriage. For the receivers, there’s undoubtedly been countless hours scrolling pinterest looking at engagement rings and wondering when the big question is going to be popped. 

And while most brides-to-be probably have an idea of what kind of engagement ring they’d like, there’s one consideration that is harder to quantify when scrolling through images online - choosing the right engagement ring to suit your hand. Sure, the stone itself is the centre-piece, and the design should emulate your personality and style, but it’s true that some hands and fingers suit different designs. If you’re going to be looking down at that ring for the rest of your life, you want to make sure that it’s a design that you love (and that looks amazing when worn). 

So whether you’re the one who’s going to be wearing the ring and you’re wondering how to choose an engagement ring style, or you’re the partner who’s wondering how to find the right fit - we’ve got you covered.

Engagement rings for small and petite hands

For those with smaller hands, the ideal type of engagement ring doesn’t have to be very big in size. Smaller hands usually mean smaller fingers, which means that even a delicate ring with a simple design will stand out. 

For small hands, keep the ring design as simple and elegant as possible — avoid intricate patterns as these will likely be too minute to add to the overall appearance of the ring when worn. The same goes for bulky designs, such as having an excessively big gemstone; this can end up looking very unwieldy and awkward on the smaller hand and finger when worn. 

Instead, consider thin bands combined with a single prominent setting (like a solitaire setting).

Engagement rings for larger hands

Larger-sized hands are tricky, as they act as a bigger canvas for an engagement ring. If you pick a ring that is comparatively thin or petite compared to the hand, the diamond can end up looking smaller than it is.

Choose an engagement ring that can complement the large hand - either with a larger stone or a large design. The principle is that the ring has to stand out,which can typically be achieved with a more complex ring design. Think three-gemstone settings, or halo settings where the centre stone is accentuated by the surrounding stones.

Engagement rings for short fingers

When it comes to finding a ring for distinctly shaped fingers, achieving a balanced look is the guiding principle. 

Shorter finger? Look for an engagement ring that helps to create the illusion of length. Diamond cuts and settings that feature more vertical shapes will be ideal — examples of diamonds cuts include oval, emerald, and marquise. 

Shorter fingers already have a naturally petite appearance, so ikeep to a simple ring design and choose a centre stone that is not too big.

Engagement rings for long fingers

If your partner has long and slender fingers, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to the engagement ring design. Most engagement ring styles look stunning on long fingers, even more creative or unorthodox designs. 

Our tip for choosing an engagement ring for long fingers is to exercise your own judgement. You’ll have the opportunity to explore more unique designs to find one that matches your partner’s personality or to make a statement. While more unique styles can seem like an appealing option, it’s never a bad choice to keep it simple with a classic choice like a slim band and round brilliant cut diamond combination.

Engagement rings for thick fingers

Thick fingers can present a challenge in choosing an engagement ring, especially when it comes to comfort. Even at the right size, thinner bands can end up placing pressure on the finger when worn for long periods, leaving an uncomfortable mark at times. Opting for a thicker band can help the ring to be more comfortable to wear, as well as to conceal the thickness of the finger for a more seamless look. 

For stones, high-carat diamonds will be ideal to create a more stunning appearance over the thickness of the fingers. Settings like cluster and halo styles can make the centre stone look more prominent and attract more attention to the ring. 

Engagement ring colours to match hand skin tones

Hand skin tones generally fall into two categories: warm and cool. Choosing the right combination of colours for the engagement ring can make a big difference in how it blends naturally (or stands out) on the hand.

Warm skin tones

Yellow gold, rose gold, and copper-toned metals beautifully complement warm skin tones. Earthy gemstones like pink, yellow, and champagne diamonds, along with rubies, are some of the best choices for a stunning look.

Cool skin tones

If you have cool skin tones, white metals such as silver, platinum, white gold, and even rose gold are ideal for the choice of ring band material. For gemstones, bright and vibrant hues like blue, purple, and green sapphires will enhance the hand’s overall appearance.

Now that you’re aware of what to look for when choosing an engagement ring to suit your partner’s hand, it’s time to start shopping! GS Diamonds can help you create a bespoke engagement ring that can be customised in every aspect from colour to design. 

Our collection of diamond engagement rings is of the highest quality and comes with expert customer service to guide your decision-making.