Those dainty diamond rings have been coming out of the proverbial Pinterest woodwork lately. These delicate drips seem to be taking over, and TBH we love to hear it.

Dainty engagement rings can be an excellent choice for smaller hands (and smaller budgets). We are living for the fresh new looks and low-key vibes they are turning up. They are giving that never dull brand of understated that can only be described as main character energy.

If you’re looking for your own little slice of smol glam, look no further. Here are our 6 tips for dainty drips.

Who You Callin’ Dainty?

Dainty diamond rings are those thin-banned beauties that can only be described as delicate from the finger-down view. Dainty rings have a smaller center diamond from 0.5 to 0.9 carats in most cases. But if you like a thin band with a huge rock, there’s certainly no reason you can't mix it up. On the other hand, you may choose to opt for a ring without a center stone in favor of smol shinies throughout the band.

When talking dainty, the minimalist narrative gets pushed around quite a bit. If you love the simple cleanness that is a teeny solitaire, we love that for you–we’ve got that for you. But if you are someone who loves to live a little extra, we’ve got you there too.

Think understated, not ordinary. Delicate bands use softer structural designs, and no one said that had to be boring. Take our Penelope with a chonky little radiant diamond, delicate? Yes. Boring? Far from it.

Simple Can Take Several Seats

Why simp when you can get something unique that perfectly fits your style? Our nature-inspired The Twig is an absolutely fire example. It's super popular on Etsy and has even been featured (*ahem* number one) on BuzzFeed.

It goes without saying that a ring doesn’t have to be flashy to be beautiful. The same goes for the diamonds themselves. While you can always size up if you prefer, the delicate design of these rings lends themselves to smaller (more cost-effective) stones.

Oh, and did we mention that delicate hands look great with delicate rings? It seems super obvi, but most people focus more on the size of the rock than the size of the finger.

In actuality, a traditional engagement ring (or a super chonk-city one) might look bulky or out of place on smaller hands. Make sure you find a ring that your partner can wear, not the other way around. And speaking of that gorge wearer of rings, consider lifestyle when making your ring choices. Not everyone wants a giant ring. Small and sleek might be ideal for more active people.

Delicate Dankness

The thickness of the band helps determine just how dainty a ring appears to be. While being totally gorge for other purposes, Thicker bands detract from a ring's delicate appearance. This Pave Alex with a 1.5ct diamond dripping in dankness and its all-day delicate vibes.

Somewhere between 1.5mm-2mm, you hit the magically smol sweet spot. Thin enough to have a dainty look but strong enough for daily wear.

Bands thinner than 1.5mm are more likely to become distorted with wear, especially if the person is active or uses their hands a lot. In comparison, a traditional band is usually around 3-4mm on average. Remember, the width of the band has everything to do with structure. You want a band that slaps, not slumps, so don’t go too thin.

Gimme That Gold

If you’re looking for the perfect opportunity to go with a 22k gold setting, this ain’t it. Due to the delicate nature and skinny miny structure of these dainty rings, it's a good idea to go with a strong metal setting. 14k gold would be ideal, but we're about to let you in on a little secret.

Is 18k gold softer than 14k? Yes, yes, it is. But you'll still have to deal some serious damage to misshape a ring just by wearing it. Still, if you are more active or want to be on the safe side, 14k is the way to go. Plus, it'll save you a pretty penny.

Smol Stones V the Chonk

For a dainty diamond ring, anywhere from a 0.25ct - 0.5ct round cut diamond would make a perfect center stone. For something like a marquise or a pear, you could size it up to 0.8ish carats and still maintain that dainty minimalist appearance. Smaller stones tend to look more prominent on smaller hands and vice versa. This is just something to keep in mind if you’re trying to keep the whole vibe on the delicate side.

Take our Pave Kamellie, for example. We’ve got a 3ct round diamond on the left and a 1ct round on the right. The band looks delicate on both, but the ring on the right holds onto the dainty vibe overall. A major chonk may be overwhelming if you're trying to keep it dainty, but there's no reason you can't get a hefty hunk of ice if that’s what you're after.

Setting styles

There are oodles of options when it comes to dainty settings. Pave and eternity bands can be the absolute tea when it comes to classic thin band fare. But they’re not the only game in town. Multi-stone bands like this Art Deco Jasmine can bring an unexpected, romantic vibe and a dainty dreamy quality we live for.

Skinny solitaires keep it classic without distracting from your center stone. And hidden halos can bring an unexpected sparkle and leave you with an anything but simple twist while they’re at it.

Lil Ring Lil Guap

Dainty rings are smaller, they use less material, and yes, they're more affordable than a traditional ring. They’re also oh-so-hot right now, and we absolutely live. If you want to double down and save some skrilla, consider staying in that dainty diamond range below 0.5ct. It’ll suit the ring (and your wallet) beautifully.

Shoulder and side stones also bring the sparkle without breaking the bank, and you already know we pavé all day. So, if you want that gorge sparkle, endless sparkle moment, she’s waiting for you, Henny. If you really want to make the most of your money, consider a lab diamond. Below on the left is a gorge lil 0.5ct G VVS2 Natural Diamond, and on the right is a snatched 0.5ct E VVS2 Lab Diamond.

0.5ct G VVS2 VS 0.5ct E VVS2

The difference? Around $400. Oh, and the lab diamond has a better color grade. It’s an easy way to save a few hundred on the same diamond, and the earth will thank you.

Down For Something Dainty?

We love to hear it. Dainty rings are giving everything, sans the kitchen sink. It’s totally possible to have everything you want in a diamond ring and keep it delicate. Pavé? You got it. Uniquely you? You already know.

The best part is there’s a dainty ring that works within every budget. And hey, just because you’re on one doesn’t mean you have to look like it. The real tea is dainty diamond rings are super popular right now, and it’s super easy to get on the bus. Whether it’s a solitaire, she’s got several stones, or it’s snatched for all eternity. There’s a dainty ring out there for everyone.

6 Tips For Dainty Drips - Dainty Diamond Rings

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