We're firm believers in freedom of choice; our ethos is, if it feels good, wear it. An engagement ring is an investment piece - a 'forever' jewel - so it's really important that our client feels theirs is a comfortable extension of themselves. Part of this process is ensuring the ring itself is a befitting celebration of the hand wearing it. The good news is, cracking this code is easier than you might think. This blog post is our simple guide to picking an engagement ring to suit her hand.
Each hand is a unique genetic composition and symbolises a lifetime of experiences lived, sensations felt, skills acquired and messages conveyed. No two sets of hands are the same. Before you do anything, you need first to establish the defining characteristics of hers.
As well as the overall size of her hand, take into account the length, width and shape of her fingers. Consider whether she keeps her fingernails long or trims them short; low-cut nails can have a shortening effect on the finger, whilst long nails have the power to elongate.
It’s also worth considering her skin tone. Warm-hued materials like yellow gold and red rubies are beautifully enhanced by dark and olive skin, whilst the white tones of platinum, white gold and colourless diamonds are set off nicely by a fair complexion.
Dainty designs with slim bands and small stones run the risk of languishing on the larger hand. To strike a proportional balance, seek a large stone, a wider band (somewhere in the region of 2.5-3mm) and an attention-grabbing concept. Don’t be afraid to explore the avenue of cocktail rings! Our chunky Atahensic Twins toi et moi engagement rings are made for the Amazonian woman who likes to turn a head, whilst the proud centrepiece of our Hestia design packs a punch on a smaller budget.
Proportionally, a modest stone and slender band are the features best suited to the smaller hand... Unless she's a "More is more" kind of dresser! There really are no rules against making a statement, after all.
At Lebrusan Studio we specialise in show-stopping diamonds and coloured gemstones, so very few of our engagement ring designs embody extreme minimalism, but our Fancy Hera pieces - like this 0.39ct sapphire trilogy ring for £1,690 - are a triumph in delicacy and attention to the finer details.
Those who have been blessed with long fingers will probably find they can pull off most ring styles effortlessly. Whether she’s a classic girl who’d fall head-over-heels for the round central diamond and raised claw setting of our traditional Athena solitaires or a trend-setter who’s not afraid to branch out with an elaborate alternative, her ring’s going to look great. However, if she's keen not to further emphasise the length of her fingers, square and round gemstone cuts are a safer pick than lengthening shapes like baguettes or ovals.
Tall, narrow gemstone cuts like the oval, marquise, pear or baguette are fantastic at elongating shorter fingers. Slim bands and raised gemstone settings also create a similar illusion. Many of our ready-to-wear Fancy Athena ringsring boast substantial centrepieces in fancy cuts that detract attention from the base of the hand to create the impression of more statuesque fingers.
Broad fingers are best celebrated by large gemstones, east-west settings and wide wraparound styles like our Fancy Athena trilogies, whose gemstone-dominant designs cover most of the finger. There is lots of fun to be had in shopping for this style of engagement ring.
Slender fingers aren’t always flattered by designs that swamp them. A smaller central stone not only frees up a little space elsewhere in the budget, it works cleverly with a wider band to strike a balance – neither overpowering the finger nor over-accentuating its narrowness. Our nature-inspired Foliage ring ticks both of these boxes.