How to Choose an Engagement Ring to Suit Your Hand Shape

You're dreaming about wearing an engagement ring on your finger or proposing to someone with the perfect ring. Style and preferences go a long way in making this choice. What guides the decision, even more, is knowing how to choose an engagement ring to suit your hand shape or your partner's.

Seeing engagement ring styles on your hand rather than in photos will help you decide what flatters your hand shape. If you can't try rings on, consult the guide below to answer the question, "What type of engagement ring is right for my hand?" or discover beautiful styles for your significant other.

 

How to Determine Your Hand Shape

While knowing you or your partner's ring size is an essential part of getting an engagement ring, so is knowing the hand shape. Every ring finger is unique and deserves an engagement ring that's just as special. Before you learn how to choose the right engagement ring for your hand or your partner's, consider hand shape and size. These factors contribute to someone's hand shape:

• Length of the fingers
• Width of the fingers
• Size and shape of the palm
• Overall size of the hand

Another consideration might be how long or short you or your partner keeps their fingernails. Longer nails have an elongating effect on your fingers, which influences the hand's shape and appearance.

There aren't necessarily standards among each category for an individual to measure their hand against. Many individuals have a combination. Some have longer fingers and shorter palms, larger palms and shorter fingers or everything in between. No matter the size and shape of your or your significant other's hand, there's a ring style out there to suit it.

 

Rings for Slim Fingers

Slimmer fingers will mean a smaller ring size, but what type of engagement ring is right for a slim hand? Smaller stones on a thicker band provide balance in the ring's style. That gives the illusion of width if you or your partner wants a wider finger appearance. Horizontal, wider stones will also add width to the ring finger.

If you or your significant other wants to keep the slim look of their fingers, choose diamonds cut in longer styles. A narrow marquise style has a vintage feel as an oval with pointed ends, but other symmetrical stones also maintain the look of a slim finger. Square diamond engagement rings are modern, while round varieties are classic.

Rings for Wider Fingers

Those with wider fingers who want a slim look should avoid narrow stones. A narrow diamond reveals a lot of the finger and gives the illusion of a wider finger. A larger stone covers more of the width of the digit to make it look slimmer. Select a larger diamond in these shapes.

• Asymmetrical: Pear-shaped engagement rings are a popular selection for wider fingers because of the asymmetrical teardrop look. Wear the ring with the pointed end facing toward the fingertips to elongate wider fingers. 
• Angular: Geometric shapes balance any roundness in a wider finger. Emerald-cut diamonds are a rectangular or square shape with eight sides, while a princess-cut diamond has four sides. Either would look stunning on a wide ring finger.

An oblong diamond shape in a vertical setting elongates the finger and makes it look slimmer and longer, perfect for those with wider fingers. Cover more of your finger with clusters of diamonds around the center stone, in either a three-stone or halo setting with diamonds that encircle the center. Choose anything from a medium to a thick band to hold the gemstones. The band will help draw attention to the ring and away from your finger.

 

Ring Shapes for Short Fingers

If you or your partner have shorter fingers and want an elongated look, try longer diamonds in a vertical setting. While round or square diamonds are appealing for their symmetrical appearance, they won't provide the contrast and balance that make shorter fingers appear longer. Instead, choose these ring shapes for short fingers:

• Pear
• Oval
• Marquise

A narrow band will make your fingers look longer, as well, because you'll see more of the finger. Following that thought, you should also avoid oversized diamonds, as they could overwhelm the look of the finger. If you or your significant other have short, wide digits, try a narrow band with a pear-shaped diamond.

Best Engagement Ring Shape for Long Fingers

Those with long fingers that aren't necessarily slim or wide have plenty of engagement ring options. With long fingers, you don't need to worry about overwhelming the digit. Instead, larger, more dramatic styles are a stylish choice. Bold ring styles for long fingers include the following.

• Snake styles: These rings twist up part of the finger for drama. You'll find varieties with pavé diamonds along the band or more subtle gemstone additions. The dramatic style draws attention to the engagement ring and long fingers.
• Stacked rings: Get a similar look to a snake-style ring without as much drama with stacked rings. A ring set or a single piece with two bands emphasizes the length of the finger.
• Thicker bands: If you or your partner's style is a bit more subtle, consider a traditional engagement ring style with a slightly thicker band. A thicker band complements a larger diamond style, as well.

Round-cut engagement rings on a long ring finger look the best. Princess cut will also look lovely. Whatever you select, don't be afraid to go big if it's in your budget, or select a halo setting to give the illusion of a larger diamond on a long ring finger.

 

The Best Ring Shape for Square Hands

A square hand features a ring finger, middle finger and pointer finger that are similar lengths, often all short. A ring that softens the look of a square hand may be the best choice. Rounded diamond shapes add contrast and balance to a square hand, making the best ring shapes for square hands one of these options:

• Round
• Oval
• Pear
• Marquise

Square diamond shapes will mimic the shape of square hands, which some may not prefer, especially if they enjoy feminine styles anyway. Make the feminine look of rounded cuts more masculine and sleek with a bezel setting. A bezel encircles the diamond with metal from the band and makes a sleek ring that doesn't stand out too much, but is still beautiful and unique.

 

Best Rings for Large Hands

Those with large hands often have larger palms and longer fingers. A delicate ring with a thin band could look lost on a larger hand. So if you or your significant other wants an engagement ring that stands out and has a larger hand, opt for a more dramatic style.

The styles that suit long fingers are also suitable rings for large hands. Select larger bands or intricate designs. For the diamond, a larger style complements larger hands, but almost any shape works. If you or your significant other wouldn't want to wear a single, large diamond, choose a bezel or halo setting. Find a thicker band to hold the larger diamond or impressive setting and complement a larger hand.

 

Rings Best for Small Hands

A small hand usually means a smaller palm and shorter fingers. Flatter the shape of small hands with delicate rings. Slender bands and small stones create gorgeous engagement rings that suit small hands. If you or your partner have smaller hands, the possibilities for diamond shapes are endless.

Select a heart-shaped, round or princess-cut diamond for a romantic or classic look. If you have small hands and wide or short fingers, consider the styles that suit those hand shapes, like angular diamond shapes. Those with smaller hands but slimmer fingers should combine a thin band with slightly longer diamond shapes.

 

Choose Koser Jewelers to Help You Find the Perfect Engagement Ring

Whether you're suggesting a jeweler to your partner or need a place to find the perfect engagement ring, choose Koser Jewelers. We believe an engagement ring should be special. It should let you speak without words to display your love to the world. That's why we ask specific questions when we help you select an engagement ring. We'll happily discuss your or your significant other's style or desires when it comes to an engagement ring, including what would be the best choice, based on hand shape and size.

Browse our diamond engagement ring collection and contact us at Koser Jewelers today. Our staff will go out of their way to make sure you find the perfect engagement ring.