Our Guide For Minimalist Engagement Rings

April 22nd, 2020 / Alese Oldenburg

Are you looking for an engagement ring that emulates a minimalistic style? Then you’ve come to the right place. With a variety of simple engagement rings to choose from, there’s no doubt you’ll find a style you love. With minimalist simulated lab diamond engagement rings, you don’t have to worry about choosing flashy design elements that end up costing you a fortune. You can get the look you want with a variety of dainty engagement rings.

Not only are minimalist engagement rings stunning, popular, and timeless, but they may also help you save money. How, you might ask? Read on as we outline the top minimalist engagement rings and how they can benefit you. 

What Are Minimalist Engagement Rings?

Unlike bolder styles—such as halo or three stone engagement rings—minimalist engagement rings are on the simpler side. They may feature just one center stone in a high setting engagement ring, or many smaller stones in a classic setting so that the overall design is relatively dainty. This engagement ring style isn’t just popular and loved by many, but it is also one of the most timeless styles. This is because it features such minimal design elements that there’s a good chance it will still be in style years from now. While that might not be the first thing on your mind when shopping for an engagement ring, it should at least be considered.

Not only are minimalist engagement rings timeless, but they may be more affordable than other styles. Without extra accent stones on the shank, elaborate metalwork, or a giant stone, it’s likely the engagement ring will cost less. Keeping the shank simple, the sparkle to a minimum, and choosing a reasonably sized center stone are all key minimalist engagement ring elements that help keep the cost down. Along with setting style, opting for lab grown diamonds can save you thousands without compromising on the highest quality.

Types of Minimalist Engagement Rings

If you’re considering simple engagement rings with a minimalist style, then get to know each of the different design features you can choose from. Something as iconic as a solitaire or as modern as a claw prong setting can be the difference between a ring you like and a ring you absolutely love.

After getting to know the styles that catch your eye, you can begin your search for your dream engagement ring. At Diamond Nexus, we can help you find the best engagement ring online once you know your favorite style! Here are the top types of minimalist engagement rings to choose from.

Simple Engagement Rings:

As a subset of minimalist engagement rings, simple styles can be a great starting point in your shopping journey. Some of the most popular minimalist looks fall under this category, such as simulated solitaire diamonds and classic setting styles. Take a look at these different engagement ring styles to help you in your search.

Solitaire: Of all the design styles you could choose, there’s no doubt the classic solitaire style is the most popular. This design holds just one stone at center stage–whether a diamond, simulated diamond, or gemstone—in the setting of your choosing. Since this look is so simple, metal elements like a sweeping trellis setting or claw prongs bring a little more dazzle to the mix without additional sparkle. This is also the most timeless style of them all, as it never goes out of fashion and can be handed down for generations.

Shop Solitaire Styles

Classic stone shapes: The most traditional stone shapes—like round, princess cut and oval—not only give your engagement ring a very minimal look, but they also create a timeless style that will be trendy for years to come. Along with all of these benefits, classic stone shapes are also the closest to having ideal facet patterns. This means they are the most sparkly compared to all other stones. So, really, what can you go wrong with choosing a simple stone shape?

Shop Round Styles

Bezel set: If you live an active lifestyle or just merely enjoy the look, bezel settings create an excellent minimalist style. A bezel setting supports the center stone by completely enclosing it in metal with a flush opening against the top of the stone. This is one of the most secure settings, making it a great choice for those who have hands-on jobs or enjoy doing outdoor activities frequently. It’s also a very unique setting as it looks quite different than all other settings.

Shop Bezel Styles

Sparkly Engagement Rings:

A misconception about minimalist engagement rings is that they are less sparkly than other styles. While there is some truth to that, simple engagement rings can still feature an abundance of sparkle without the look going overboard. If you want a minimalist engagement ring but still want a little extra flourish here and there to enhance its luster, take a look at these particularly sparkly engagement rings.

Minimal accents: While you may find some ring styles with what they call an eternity band—or accents that stud the entire shank—you may be surprised to know that those styles often run into more issues than simpler ones. Having accents on the bottom of your ring can increase the risk of the stones falling out as they will commonly hit other objects. If you like the look of accents but want it to be on the simpler side, try adding only a few accent stones to either side of the center stone.

Shop Accented Styles

Peek-a-boo halo: Halo settings are usually on the more dazzling side, but more modern styles have a more minimalist look. Hidden halos or peek-a-boo accents on the profile of the ring are becoming increasingly popular. While they won’t be seen from the typical bird’s eye view, you’ll be able to see the additional accents whenever you see your ring from the side. It’s the perfect compromise between stunning and simple.

Shop Halo Styles

Petite side stones: As a more toned-down style compared to three stone or five stone rings, adding very petite side stones to your shank can complement your center stone perfectly. This will add just enough sparkle to the center of your ring to be the center of attention, while also keeping in minimal enough for everyday wear.

Shop Three Stone Styles

Dainty Engagement Rings:

Of the most popular minimalist engagement ring styles, dainty designs are by far the most sought after. With dainty styles, you can have the best of both worlds: sparkle and minimalism. Since dainty designs are similar to regular designs but merely shrunk down, accents shanks and settings appear smaller and more minimalistic. Take a look at a few of the most popular dainty engagement rings.

Thin shank: Not only is a thin shank minimal, but it is also a very modern style. The thinner the shank, the bigger the center stone looks, the more prim and polished your fingers look. Although if you do opt for this look, you should consider the downfalls. The thinner the metal is, the more malleable and prone to damage it is. This also affects accent stones as the metal setting will be more likely to break, resulting in a stone falling out. Your jewelry will be able to give you details about the width of your shank and its durability before purchasing a ring.

Metalwork Accent stones are not your only option for adding details to your ring. Metalwork is less noticeable than dazzling stones, which creates an abundant but minimally detailed style. Metalwork also allows you to add a personal touch. For example, if you love the outdoors, choose metalwork with floral patterns or a shank that resembles twirling branches. Those designs are quite common and can add a touch of your personality to your adornment.

Multiple prongs: If you do opt for a really simple style, like a solitaire, there are very small details to add that make a world of a difference. Multiple prong rings add more metal to the center of your ring, which can draw more attention to it. This style looks great with simple oval engagement rings. Plus, double or even triple claw prongs are extremely modern and will be popular for the foreseeable future.

Guide to Minimalist Engagement Rings

Minimalist engagement rings are one of the most popular styles right now and can feature a variety of different design elements. In sum, a minimalist engagement ring features the following details:

• A simple setting
• Minimal sparkle
• A classic stone shape
• A thin shank
• Minimal metalwork

If you’ve found the ring you want and it has some or all of these attributes, then chances are it will appear minimal and will be perfect for everyday wear. If you still need help choosing a dainty ring, speak to one of our amazing jewelers or talk to a jewelry designer. They can help you find the right style for you so that you can be sure this major purchase is one you will love for the rest of your life. Whether she loves the look of white gold or rose gold engagement rings, each one of our unique styles can be set to a minimalist look she will adore. Simple rings are an excellent choice for anyone looking for a ring that is both dazzling and practical.

*Here at Diamond Nexus, we strive to provide valuable information while being clear and honest about our products. The Nexus Diamond™ alternative is a patented lab created diamond simulate that, among all simulants, most closely imitates the look, weight and wear of a diamond, with two exceptions – it is absolutely perfect in every way, and it costs significantly less. Price points and environmental facts expressed in this blog were taken from popular online retailers and may vary. Learn more about the environmental impact of mining by visiting our blog.