How to Choose an Engagement Ring to Suit Your Hand

After more than 15 years designing jewelry and engagement rings, Dana Rebecca Designs founder Dana Gordon is an indisputable expert on how to choose an engagement ring to suit your hand. She knows what women are looking for—and that, most often, they aren't quite sure themselves. "Every bride tends to come into our showroom with some qualm about their fingers, whether long, wide, short nails, et cetera," Gordon says. "We maintain that brides should pick the cut they love most; the happiest customers are always the brides who pick something that they truly love and that resonates with them the most." However, she continues, "There are some tricks of the trade we can suggest." Below, Gordon and Greg Kwiat—the CEO of Kwiat Diamonds and Fred Leighton—share their engagement ring shopping tips and suggestions for styles based on hand shape.

• How to Find an Engagement Ring That Suits Your Hand
• Engagement Rings for Slim Fingers
• Engagement Rings for Wide Fingers
• Engagement Rings for Short Fingers
• Engagement Rings for Long Fingers
• Engagement Rings for Big Hands

How to Find an Engagement Ring That Suits Your Hand

"The only rule of engagement ring shopping is that there are no rules," Greg Kwiat says. "The best choice is the one that speaks to your heart and that you can envision wearing for a lifetime." That's why his top shopping tip is to trust your gut. "In my experience, brides are often drawn to a particular diamond shape or style. Be confident in that choice, and let the ring reflect your personal style." Here, he and Gordon offer a few other tips.

Consider your everyday life.

"Sometimes clients come in without manicures and apologize for not having perfect nails," Gordon says. "We always joke that you should love your ring on an un-manicured hand too, especially if that's more common in your lifestyle." Along those lines, while a bigger diamond may suit your hand shape, a smaller one may be more practical for your day-to-day. Think long-term.

Try it on—in person and online.

"Find a company that offers a virtual try-on feature, such as the one we have on our site," Gordon says. "You're able to upload a photo of your hand and see how rings look on your finger, to scale. It's a great starting point and an easy tool to identify what shapes and styles you're gravitating toward. That way, when you're ready to go try on in person, you'll feel confident, focused, and able to maximize your time." Kwiat agrees. "The hardest part of online shopping is understanding scale; a virtual ring try-on function can help with a visualization of the ring on your hand," he says. "Ultimately, it's always best to see a diamond shape or ring style in person to make sure it's exactly what you love."

Complete the picture.

"When clients can't decide how they want to set their diamond, we recommend they keep it classic and simple with a solitaire setting," Gordon says. "This way, you can enhance the style of your ring with your wedding band or stacking rings. We also suggest trying on wedding band options with engagement rings to get a feel for the full picture. Often, this can help seal the deal on engagement ring styles."

Consult the pros.

"There are so many nuances to the diamond engagement ring process," Kwiat says. "Having a knowledgeable guide who can help you through the process will prove invaluable. At Kwiat, we pride ourselves on the good guidance and advice we give to our clients, and the result is a beautiful ring that is perfect for the wearer."

Think timeless.

Though certain diamond shapes and cuts come and go in terms of trends, "an engagement ring is one of the few pieces of jewelry that you will own and wear for a lifetime," Kwiat says. "You want to select something you will love now and always."

Engagement Rings for Slim Fingers

Photo: Grown Brilliance

Slender fingers have lots of options when it comes to engagement rings. "Elongated diamond shapes—like the oval, cushion, emerald cut, radian, and marquise—all look beautiful on slender fingers," Kwiat says. (Check out Kwiat's proprietary Ashoka cut, an elongated diamond with 62 facets for optimal brilliance.) Try on a variety of carat weights to make sure the ring doesn't move around too much or overpower the hand, especially if you're opting for a solitaire.

Engagement Rings for Wide Fingers

Photo: Dana Rebecca

"Elongated shapes are great for someone who wants their finger to feel more slender," Gordon suggests. "Think ovals, radiants, emerald cuts, or pear shapes." But it's not just about the shape of the stone: Gordon says to think about the setting and orientation as well. "With wider fingers, one might consider adding side stones or setting the center stone east-west to cover more of your finger and keep the focus on your ring."

Engagement Rings for Short Fingers

Photo: Kwiat

While the assumption might be that an elongated diamond shape would elongate the fingers, it might have the opposite effect. "With shorter fingers, elongated shapes can take up too much space on the hand," Kwiat says. The best ring shape for short fingers is round. "Ultimately," Gordon advises, "we find round-cut stones to be the most universally flattering on fingers of any shape or size."

Engagement Rings for Long Fingers

Photo: DRD Bridal

Though the best ring shape for long fingers is just about any shape, an elongated stone might draw the fingers even longer. If you're hoping to avoid that, opt for something more symmetrical, like a round diamond or square princess cut. Longer fingers also mean there's room to stack up the bling: Opt for a pavéd band or double row of diamonds. For your wedding band, consider a wide diamond eternity style—then add stackers for milestone anniversaries.

Engagement Rings for Small Hands

Photo: Héloïse et Abélard

The best engagement rings for petite hands tend to be smaller themselves. "Delicate ring styles look great on smaller hands," Kwiat says. Fear not, though: It's all about scale. So, a smaller carat weight will look larger on your hand due to the proportions. In addition to carat weight, there are a wide variety of ways rings can be delicate, such as the setting. Try a bezel-set diamond or a low-profile engagement ring.

Engagement Rings for Big Hands

Phtoo: Brilliant Earth

"Delicate ring styles might look great on smaller hands but could seem a bit too dainty for larger hands," Kwiat says. "In that case, a wider band may provide better proportions and balance." The best news? Engagement rings for large fingers and hands can be extra blingy: The hand shape provides a perfect canvas to showcase a big diamond. Not in the budget? Explore moissanite, white sapphire, or some lab-grown diamond styles for a bigger rock for your buck.