Not everyone wants an engagement ring that’s flashy, large and makes a statement. There a trend towards simplifying and de-cluttering things these days, and in the world of bridal jewelry, more couples are opting for engagement rings that are simple, understated and classic.
Minimalist engagement rings may be a trend that’s on the rise, but one benefit of these ring designs is that aren’t likely to go out of style. Unlike some trending engagement ring designs, there’s little fear that your minimalist ring will look dated down the track. And a well-chosen small diamonds and designs can have as much impact as a large rock.
Let’s take a look at what a minimalist engagement ring looks like and how you can choose your own with some inspiration.
What is a Minimalist Engagement Ring?
This might seem like a basic question, but it’s a fair one. Minimalism is the notion that less is more. As some define it, it’s promoting those things that we value and removing the things that distracts us from them.
So how does this apply in an engagement ring?
It’s the paring back of excessive embellishments and flash to end up with a ring that is simple but classy. And you can still have all the elements of an engagement ring, just on an understated scale.
Take a look at the two three-stone engagement rings featured below.
The first ring contains a lot of embellishments including larger diamonds, a channel set shank with a number of melee diamonds, more elaborate prongs and a thicker band in general. Overall, the ring is larger and clearly visible when worn.
The second ring is dainty and petite, still containing three stones but very different from the first. Is the first better than the second? Not at all. Which one you choose depends on your preferences and style.
How to Choose a Minimalist Engagement Ring?
There are many types of simple, understated rings on the market but here we outline the essential features of a minimalist style ring.
1. Unembellished (Thinner) Band
An unembellished smooth band is very simple and understated. Regardless of the thickness of the band and the size of the stone, a simple solitaire always has a clean, minimalist look. The thinner the metal and the smaller the stone, the more minimalistic it’s going to look.
2. Smaller Stones
Choose a smaller sized diamond or gemstone for your engagement ring to emphasise the daintiness of the design. Like we said before, a small stone can still sparkle and look as attractive as a large stone. Most people desire a 1 carat diamond, but this varies across the globe. For example, in Japan, the average diamond size is .30 carats. You can go down as low as .07, as featured in the ring above, and still have a ring that catches your eye.
3. Pick Your Setting
The most popular engagement ring setting is the classic solitaire, where the diamond is held up by 4-8 prongs. The prong setting is timeless and beautiful, allowing maximized light performance while keeping the stone protected.
However, you can also opt for a bezel or flush setting for a more minimalist look. With the bezel setting, the stone is surrounded by a lip of metal, that keeps it safe and protected from damage, exposure and hard blows. The flush setting is where the stone is flushed into the metal and sits level with the metal.
This is also a very protected position for the stone and keeps it safe. However, both these settings tend to minimize the sparkle of the stone due to the excessive metal used to hold it.
4. Add Some Unique Features
To make your ring stand out from the masses, while still keeping it understated, opt to add some unique features to it. For example, you can choose to set your stone horizontally as opposed to vertically, for an instantly intriguing look.
Some ring designs feature a combination of gemstones, like the ring below which pairs ruby and diamond in a very unique way. The end result is a ring that is simply gorgeous.
Find a way to make your ring special, if you want it to be a unique design.
5. Nature-Inspired Elements
Minimalism is all about keeping it natural and simple. Nature inspired designs are an excellent way to add some natural looking features to your ring. Leaves, vines and flowers are popular choices and can be utilized in a myriad of ways.
Another way to go about this is by opting for a rough gemstone, like raw diamonds, rubies or sapphires. Raw diamonds, especially, have a very attractive look and are often paired with rustic settings.
Who Should Buy a Minimalist Engagement Ring?
You might be wondering if a minimalist engagement ring is right for you. Minimalist rings are perfect for you if you relate to the one or more of the following:
- You prefer something small and understated that is comfortable to wear daily and won’t get in the way of using your hands. Not many people think about this, but a large flashy diamond ring can be a pain to wear. Not only do these things get caught in everything from sheets to hair to clothes, but they can also make typing or using your hands actively for work difficult. If you’re planning to wear your ring on a daily basis, then a minimalist design might work better for you.
- You don’t care what society’s norms or what others think. Many people opt for large diamond rings as it is the ‘thing to do’. After all, shouldn’t an engagement ring be a diamond one, and isn’t a larger diamond always better? That may be what society says, but is it what you really want? Remember, an engagement ring should be a symbol of your love and commitment to your other half not a fashion statement that is dictated by societal expectations.
- You don’t want to spend a load of money on your engagement ring but would rather invest those thousands of dollars in something worthwhile like a house or travel. Most diamond engagement rings cost on average about $6000. You can find a gorgeous minimalist ring for about $500.
- You just like small, dainty jewelry and always have. Now you don’t want to suddenly change your style and sport a massive rock because it just doesn’t feel like you.
Where to Buy a Minimalist Engagement Ring?
Because this is fast becoming a growing trend, you’ll be able to find minimalist ring designs on many well-known jewelry retailers. You can also easily have a minimalist ring custom created for you at a reasonable cost.
We recommend starting your search on Etsy and Amazon, as these two platforms brings a world of artisan jewelers in one place. You’ll find unique, handcrafted and stunning minimalist engagement rings on both platforms.
However, as each Etsy and Amazon shop has its own polices, it might take some time to review all their details ahead of making a purchase, but that’s usually time well-spent.
