Dainty Engagement Rings: A Purchasing Guide

In the past, rings were large, bold, and had a weightier appearance to them. However, over time, tastes and fashion have changed. Today, diamond engagement rings are thin, slender, and increasingly minimalist. The aim with designs like this is to offer something sophisticated, proving that more can truly be achieved with less.
Danhov AE100 Abbraccio Diamond Engagement Ring
Danhov AE100 Abbraccio Diamond Engagement Ring
These designs are more popular than ever before and will continue to be as time progresses. So what should you be considering before you buy? Does a thinner ring mean they’re less durable? Do smaller rings cost less? In this piece, we’ll be reviewing the answer to these questions and more. Here’s what you need to know when buying a dainty engagement ring.

A Beginner’s Guide to Dainty Engagement Rings

‘Dainty’ is just one word used to describe smaller engagement rings. They can also be called ‘thin’ or ‘skinny’. What these words mean is that the band will measure 2mm or less. Like other engagement ring sizes, you will find them in multiple designs and fashioned from mainly white gold, rose gold, yellow gold, or platinum. The smallest sizes of dainty engagement ring are sometimes referred to as ‘whisper’ engagement rings.
The main benefit of a dainty engagement ring is that, with a thinner band, you create the feel of a larger diamond, which is helpful if the center diamond is of a small carat weight. In rings with wider bands, diamonds like these can sometimes get lost, so it’s worthwhile choosing a thinner band.
There’s also a true feeling of sophistication when wearing a dainty engagement ring. They sit lightly and gracefully on the finger, and don’t have that chunky, in-your-face feel which can be so off-putting in some rings.
Danhov LE112 Per Lei Halo Diamond Engagement Ring
Danhov LE112 Per Lei Halo Diamond Engagement Ring

Are Dainty Engagement Rings Durable?

With a thinner band, surely there’s a risk to the longevity of the ring itself? This is actually a common misconception. If the ring has been crafted from high-quality metals, there will be no reason for you to worry about durability or longevity.
With a smaller band width, there’s actually less space for any dents or scrapes that appear over time to be shown. This means that even with everyday wear, a dainty engagement ring may look newer over time.

Are Dainty Engagement Rings Less Expensive?

You might assume that because a thin engagement ring uses less material, it will be less expensive than other examples, and you could be right. But jewelry—especially engagement rings—is complex when it comes to how it is priced.
Not only will the price of an engagement ring depend on the type of metal used, it will also depend on:
  • The karat purity of the metal
  • The carat weight of the diamond (not to be confused with the former)
  • The quality of the diamond, such as cut and clarity
  • The overall design of the ring itself
Ritani 1RZ1321 French-Set Halo Diamond Engagement Ring
Ritani 1RZ1321 French-Set Halo Diamond Engagement Ring
The Ritani 14k White Gold French-Set Halo Diamond Engagement Ring measures 1.8mm in width, meaning it’s on the larger end of the dainty engagement ring scale. However, that doesn’t make it any less sophisticated.

How to Choose a Dainty Engagement Ring

Here are several considerations anyone should make before or while searching for a dainty engagement ring.

1. The Ring Should Match the Lifestyle

What does your partner, the intended recipient of the ring, do for a living? Does their job entail them working with their hands a lot? Do they have a very active personal life? A dainty engagement ring may be better at being less intrusive than a larger ring.
However, always remember to look for a high-quality ring, one made with materials you can trust to be robust and durable over time.

2. Consider the Design

A dainty engagement ring doesn’t guarantee the design will be minimal. It could actually still utilize an intricate design that your partner may not like. On the other hand, they may prefer the more intricate pieces available. Remember to inquire about what they like in jewelry before making your purchase.
Tacori 2638RD P Dantela Crescent Motif Pave Diamond Engagement Ring
Tacori 2638RD P Dantela Crescent Motif Pave Diamond Engagement Ring
Tacori’s 18k White Gold Dantela Crescent Motif Pave Diamond Engagement Ring is an example of a thinner engagement ring (2mm) that still has an intricate band design, with a delicate and regal gallery and pave-set ceiling.

3. Choose a Low Carat Weight Diamond

With thinner engagement ring bands making the center diamond appear larger, you don’t want to choose a diamond that’s too big. This will make it look and feel top-heavy, as if the diamond and the band aren’t truly meant for each other. The best diamond engagement rings are ones that maintain cohesion in their design.
We would recommend opting for a diamond that is anywhere up to 1.5 carats. Diamonds of 2 or 3 carats will simply appear too big for their settings, which doesn’t look right and defeats the purpose of a dainty engagement ring.

4. Consider Larger Engagement Bands Too

While the purpose of this article is to educate you on dainty engagement rings, they don’t represent the whole range of engagement ring designs available today. If you can’t find one that you like, consider opting for a wider band for an increased range of options. For example, you can browse our entire range of beautiful engagement rings by clicking here.
Also, remember that there are specialized and experienced jewelers who can help you decide. If you’ve found a particular style that you like, but can’t find it in the right width, ask your chosen jeweler to suggest some alternatives that fit the prerequisites you are looking for.

5. Consider A Wedding Band

How will your engagement ring look when paired with a wedding band? It’s increasingly common for couples to choose rings that are cohesively designed or paired. If you’re choosing a dainty engagement ring, will your wedding band suit being smaller than a traditional width too?
For more information, explore our article on pairing engagement and wedding rings.
Valoria Petite Open Cathedral Diamond Wedding Set
Valoria Petite Open Cathedral Diamond Wedding Set

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Dainty Engagement Rings

You might still be unsure about whether to invest in a dainty engagement ring, so we’ve taken recourse to list the advantages and disadvantages of these types of ring.

The Advantages

  • Sophisticated look, light feel
  • These rings suit many types of fashion
  • Designs will rarely detract from the center diamond
  • Emphasis is placed on the center diamond
  • Pairs extremely well with a wedding band
  • Suits all hand types, but compliments slender hands the most

The Disadvantages

  • A thinner ring doesn’t necessarily guarantee a smaller price tag
  • These rings may be more susceptible to bending over time
  • Dainty rings have less space for multiple diamonds or other precious stones

Can Dainty Engagement Rings Be Made Wider?

Dainty engagement rings can be made bigger if you or your partner decide the design of the ring needs to be changed after owning it for some time. Rings can potentially be made thicker by adding gold to them, a process carried out by experienced jewelers.
The jeweler will remove the thinnest part of the band, which is usually the bottom part, known as the lower shank or sizing area. This is replaced by a thicker band of gold (of matching color), which is soldered to the ring. This extra gold will increase the strength of the ring, particularly on the ‘grip’ portion, if you are experiencing abnormal wear.

Finding the Perfect Dainty Engagement Ring

So where can you find the right thin engagement ring? You need to choose an experienced jewelry retailer whose work has been enjoyed across the entire globe for many years. Fortunately, you’re already in the right place.
Here at Whiteflash, we’ve been providing the very best quality diamond jewelry for over two decades. We offer the finest quality diamonds and the most beautiful jewelry designs, which we complement with our knowledge and passion for all things jewelry.
To start looking for your perfect dainty engagement ring today, just click the button below. We’ve already filtered the results you’ll see to diamond engagement rings with a width of 2mm or less.

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