SHOP NOW: Loren Stewart, $361
When it comes to engagement rings, it’s hard not to imagine a pretty diamond nestled on a gorgeous band, right? There's similarly a misconception that when you’re on the receiving end of such an engagement ring, the bigger, the better. Well, that’s simply not the case for every woman. Shocker! Instead of a flashy sparkler, some women would prefer an elegant band. And while certainly more understated than a beautifully set diamond or gemstone, some are just as, if not blingier than their traditional engagement ring counterparts. Eternity baguettes, anyone? More on this later.
Whether you’re one for subtlety, subscribe to a minimal style aesthetic, simply don’t have the budget for a conventional diamond ring, or you straight up don’t like bling, there’s more than enough reason to not want the expected diamond ring that most people envision. If you do still want a “normal” engagement ring, bands are the perfect backup on occasions when you choose not to wear your bigger bauble.
Obviously, we’re hardly ones to argue the appeal of a large diamond ring. However, if a band is up your alley, you have a multitude of gorgeous styles to choose from. For those who still want diamonds, offerings range from dainty to extravagant. Think: Thin bands sprinkled with tiny diamonds to timeless pavé eternity bands to incredibly brilliant and stunning baguettes in an eternity settling (talk about wowza!). Then there’s the most restrained route: A simple gold or silver band modestly unadorned. Demure, yet lovely. There’s also the alternative of going unconventional. Perhaps a contemporary two-tone band with wavy diamond pavé? Or, what about a fluid ‘tiara’ shape with a series of multi-shaped diamonds in various sizes? Super dynamic.
The most important thing to realize is that bands are just as stunning as a traditional engagement ring. It’s merely a style preference, not a compromise. Qualms about sacrificing style or beauty needn’t exist because you’re foregoing a bigger stone.
If you think a band is right for you, ahead, we culled an edit guaranteed to suit every style and budget. Get inspired!
SHOP NOW: Loren Stewart, $361
SHOP NOW: Jane Taylor, $660
SHOP NOW: Arik Kastan, $730
SHOP NOW: Suz Somersall, $750
SHOP NOW: Anne Sisteron, $815
SHOP NOW: Vrai & Oro, $817
SHOP NOW: Dana Rebecca Designs, $1,045
SHOP NOW: Love Adorned, $1,145
SHOP NOW: Catbird Jewelry, $1,296
SHOP NOW: J.Luu, $1,400
SHOP NOW: Zoe Chicco, $1,425
SHOP NOW: Porter Gulch, $1,500
SHOP NOW: KatKim, $1,680
SHOP NOW: Nora Kogan, $1,745
SHOP NOW: Après Jewelry, $1,750
SHOP NOW: Anna Sheffield, $1,750
SHOP NOW: Yi Collection, $1,750
SHOP NOW: Eriness, $1,805
SHOP NOW: Blanca Monrós Gómez, $1,825
SHOP NOW: Gillian Conroy, $2,200
SHOP NOW: Bario Neal, $2,340
SHOP NOW: Lori McLean Fine Jewelry, $2,348
SHOP NOW: Lauren Wolf Jewelry, $2,400
SHOP NOW: Ken & Dana Design, $2,550
SHOP NOW: Rebecca Overmann, $2,585
SHOP NOW: Suzanne Kalan, $2,700
SHOP NOW: Swati Dhanak, $3,360
SHOP NOW: Adel Chefridi, $3,625
SHOP NOW: Temple St. Clair, $3,950
SHOP NOW: Jade Trau, $4,000
SHOP NOW: Eva Fehren, $4,125
SHOP NOW: Nak Armstrong available at Barneys New York, $4,280
SHOP NOW: Claire Kinder, $4,400
SHOP NOW: Pamela Love Fine Jewelry available at Twist, $5,000
SHOP NOW: Kavant & Sharart, $5,950
SHOP NOW: Yael Designs, $6,138
SHOP NOW: Harry Winston, $6,200
SHOP NOW: Fernando Jorge available at Twist, $6,240
SHOP NOW: Cartier, $6,350
SHOP NOW: Harry Koltar, $6,410
SHOP NOW: Rahaminov Diamonds available at Forevermark, $7,200
SHOP NOW: Jemma Wynne, $7,350
SHOP NOW: Pluczenik available at Forevermark, $7,700
SHOP NOW: David Yurman, $8,800
SHOP NOW: Tiffany & Co., $12,500
SHOP NOW: Todd Reed, $13,225
SHOP NOW: De Beers, $14,100
SHOP NOW: Mark Broumand, $14,995
SHOP NOW: Grace Lee, $15,880
SHOP NOW: Lizzie Mandler, $18,120
SHOP NOW: Spinelli Kilcollin, $24,000
SHOP NOW: Piaget, $25,100
SHOP NOW: Mindi Mond, $32,300
SHOP NOW: Ashley Zhang, $32,500
SHOP NOW: Van Cleef & Arpels, $33,300
SHOP NOW: Diamond Scene available at 1stdibs, $37,400
SHOP NOW: Monique Péan, Price Upon Request
SHOP NOW: Martin Katz, Price Upon Requet
SHOP NOW: Ana Khouri, Price Upon Request
SHOP NOW: Nikos Koulis, Price Upon Request
SHOP NOW: Erica Courtney, Price Upon Request