While white diamonds go with every engagement ring band, non-diamond stones may not always be as straightforward to pair with every type of band. Your dream ring may be something contemporary, with a design that requires metals and stones to balance perfectly. You may be thinking of mixing metals and stones. Whether you’re considering something different or simply considering options for your custom ring design, knowing how to pair bands and stones will help you choose the best options for your dream ring.
Pairing Bands and Stones in Engagement Rings
While there are no set rules when choosing an engagement ring that feels made to suit your style, some things to keep in mind include the following:
The colours
This doesn’t always only apply to the colours of the stones themselves, but also the tone of the band. For a balanced ring, it can help to consider the overall tone of the band and the stone, as this can enhance the stones you choose. For example, cool-toned bands such as platinum and white gold often work well with cool-toned stones such as blue sapphires, emerald, Tanzanite, aquamarine, and coloured diamonds in purple, blue, or green. Stones that bring out the warm shades of metals such as yellow or rose gold include rubies, morganite, pink, brown, or champagne diamonds, yellow sapphires, and even warmer shades of teal sapphire.
The styles
The style of the ring is another thing that can enhance the overall look. Delicate bands look best in simple, understated styles that add balance. These can include cluster, three-stone, solitaire, classic pavé, pear-cut, round-cut, oval-cut, tiara, sunburst, wrap-around, swirl, Toi et Moi, or any other design that does not overpower the band. Prong and bezel settings are often a good choice for fine bands, as they keep stones secure. Thicker bands pair well with a wide variety of designs, from multi-stone to flush, bezel, solitaire, multi-row, vintage, East West, emerald-cut, or any other style that does not make the band look too wide.
The detail
Along with the style and setting you choose, the detail is another aspect to keep in mind. Ornate rings with accent stones, filigree detail, complex settings, clusters, smaller stones rather than a single stone, or anything else that can make the band look bigger or smaller should all be chosen carefully. A vintage-style ring requires a sturdy band, for example, so that it can balance the design. Rings like these will typically be too much in a mixed metal design, and if you add additional stones, the ring will become way too over-proportioned. If you’re adding subtle detail such as pavé, small diamond side stones, a halo, a detailed prong setting, half-bezel, or something else that does not make your ring seem too big if you have a thinner band, it won’t throw off the proportions.
Working with an experienced jeweller is the best way to plan your ring, right down to the last detail. At Cape Diamonds, our goal is to help you find the ring of your dreams. Contact us today and let us get started with your custom engagement ring.