Different engagement
rings flatter different finger types. Find the most flattering ring for your
unique finger shape and size, be it short, long, slender or wide.
Luckily, with a small
amount of guidance you don’t need to spend hours trying on rings from a display
case in order to narrow down your options. Whether you’re openly choosing your
engagement ring with your groom-to-be or trying to influence him subtly (or
not) from the sidelines, use these pointers to jumpstart your search and find
the most flattering ring for your unique finger shape and size.
Finger length x width + ring shape + style = the perfect match
When looking at
different rings, consider the length and width of your finger — along with the
overall size of your hand — against a couple key things:
•
Shape and size of the main stone
•
Width and style of the ring itself
Also consider your
typical nail length and shape: are they usually trimmed short or long,
manicured and shaped? Longer nails lengthen the appearance of your fingers, so
also become part of the equation.
Of course, your unique
finger and hand shape is only part of what factors into choosing the perfect
engagement ring. Your personal style and lifestyle are equally important.
We’ve created some
helpful guidelines here. But if your heart is set on a particular stone and
shape, you need to honor that — but perhaps consider using the right ring style
to create the most flattering look on your finger. We also advise trying on
different styles — even if it’s “just for fun” before he pops the question — to
be sure you find the style with the perfect fit.
Long
fingers
Most styles work nicely
on engagement rings for long, thin fingers, but consider these points when
choosing:
• Princess-cut and round stones are
especially flattering.
• Wider bands tend to complement
length.
• Long fingers can carry a bold style
— but only if that suits you.
Slender
fingers
When choosing an
engagement ring for slender fingers, the main consideration is not to overpower
them:
• Smaller stones can help make thin
fingers appear wider
• Thicker bands work well to widen the
look of your finger
Short
fingers
An engagement ring for
short fingers should help elongate your fingers – no matter their width:
• Oval, pear or marquise stones help
lengthens the appearance of your finger.
• Rectangular emerald-shaped stones can
lengthen short fingers, as long they aren’t so big they overwhelm.
• Slender, narrow-width bands create
the illusion of length.
Wide
fingers
The trick to choosing
an engagement ring for wide fingers is to find a style that doesn’t show too
much skin on either side of the ring, or fingers may look even wider. On the
flip side, having wide fingers gives you more room to have fun that ranges from
funky to classic, and to really make a statement. Consider the following
styles:
• Go for a wide oval, marquise,
rectangular or emerald shape — narrow stones will make wide fingers look even
wider.
• Cluster styles and round stones in
larger settings flatter wider fingers.
• Choose a medium to thick band.
• Angular shapes and asymmetrical
designs both minimize the width of the finger.
Big
knuckles
Don’t like your
knuckles? The right ring will draw attention away — not toward — them.
• Look at thicker, heavier bands —
these draw attention to the ring instead of the middle of your finger.
When choosing your
ring, keep in mind the larger context — it’s not just about your finger, but
also your hand.
Small
hands
• With small hands, it’s best to keep
the overall proportion of your ring small.
• Small round, princess-cut, oval or
heart-shaped stones work especially well.
Large
hands
• Try larger rings that suit your
personality – you have room to get creative.
• With larger hands, you can easily
get away with bulky, chunky styles.
Most importantly, try
on different rings and see which shapes and styles look best to you. In the
end, you’re the best judge of the perfect engagement ring for your finger.
