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What Shape Diamond Looks Best On Fat Fingers?

What Shape Diamond Looks Best On Fat Fingers?

Here’s the thing: If you have chubby, short fingers, or large knuckles, chances are you’ve had your fair share of self-awareness. You’re not alone. Or maybe someone you want to surprise with a ring has such a problem?

Either way, you’re wondering what shape diamond looks best on fat fingers and how to make the best decision when buying a ring.

Don’t worry; you’re in the right place. Not only is it possible to find a great fit for large fingers, but there are also some hidden advantages to them, as well!

Stick with us until the end, and you will pick up everything you need to know about diamond and ring shapes. You will also learn how to pick suitable designs for yourself or your significant other.

That being said, let’s get to work!

Rule #1: Proportion Is Key

Diamonds come in all shapes and sizes. 

And in order to understand what makes a diamond ring look good on a particular hand, we need to look at how proportion works and how a diamond shape – and ring shape – can affect proportion.

In most cases, the entire science can boil down to two basic principles: Either you want to accentuate something or divert attention away from it. 

In both cases, the ultimate goal’s to create an overall sense of proportion that looks pleasing to the eye. 

You’ll have an easier time choosing a diamond ring if you know a few rules and tips – rather than memorizing what kind of ring goes on what kind of finger.

That being said, lots of folks still make mistakes when getting their diamond ring – either due to simply not learning about proportion or knowing the principles but applying them the wrong way.

Related Read:

Fat Fingers Don’t Mean The End!

One of the problems people with stubby or large fingers have is that most rings will look silly or out of place when they put it on – or so they think. 

That is simply not true, though.

Regardless, one can easily become overly self-aware. After all, diamond ring advertisements in commercials don’t often feature people with big fingers or knuckles. The ads feature fair, thin, and long fingers, as if out of a fairy tale. 

Hand models are a thing, after all.

And on the other hand, in movies, big diamond rings are worn by mafia bosses that usually have fat fingers. That’s probably not the vibe you’re going for, huh?

This self-awareness is something you should work on resolving – because, at the end of the day, it’s unjustified. 

Like anything else, confidence plays a role in how good something looks on you.

What Shape Diamond Looks Best On Fat Fingers?

When picking out a diamond shape, the main idea is to give an elongated look to your fingers to even out their width. Here are a few examples:

Round Brilliant

If you’re wondering if there is a single diamond cut that would look good on any hand – regardless of the finger length or width – this is it. 

A round brilliant diamond is considered the most universally beautiful. It’s the diamond cut that is thought to be timeless and ideal – the definition of the perfect cut – making it very sought after. 

Naturally, this means that round brilliant diamonds are often the most expensive. It’s something to remember as you make your choice.

Marquise

The marquise is similar to the brilliant cut. The first noticeable difference is that the marquise is more narrow, elongated, and is closer to an ellipse. 

It also has the advantage of appearing more prominent than it is due to its shape, which is good news for your wallet.

Pear

Also called the “teardrop” or “the pendeloque,” this shape has a distinct glamor to it. The pear cut is loved far and wide – not only due to its gorgeous shine but also its mystical allure.

Oval

Two words that describe the oval cut would be “simple” and “elegant.” Much like the marquise, the oval shape can also be deceptive of its size. Any oval stone you get will appear larger than it really is.

If you’re on the fence between an oval and round cut, we have you covered.

Related Read: Oval Diamond Guide: Oval Diamond Size Chart On Hand


Best Ring Design For Fat Fingers

Great! We’ve gone over a few ideal diamond cuts that introduce some finesse into how a large hand looks.

But that’s not where the story ends. There is still another side that hasn’t been explored, and that’s the actual shape of the ring: It’s not all about the cut and shape of the diamond itself; ring shape and design are just as important.

The ring’s design should complement the stone it features – and the finger it rests on, too. With that said, let’s go ahead and look at what design you should go for and why.

Wide Band Ring Design

The standard ring size, especially when talking about engagement rings, falls between 1.8 to 2 millimeters. That’s not to say that anything just above 2 millimeters is a wide ring, though. 

The change is much more gradual.

However, rings with a width of 2.5 or higher bring about a different look. These are called wide band rings. 

And wide-band rings are an excellent recommendation for fat fingers or large knuckles! 

They look great and won’t appear too big. However, you need to be careful not to go overboard with the band’s thickness: Extra thick bands will eventually accentuate the thickness of a finger.

While we keep mentioning wider and thicker bands, what if you’re just not a fan of them? You don’t like how they look, or maybe the fit is just uncomfortable. That’s perfectly fine; you still have options. 

Instead of a wide band, consider opting for a wide stone setting instead of the band. 

The effect of a wide stone is the same as with the broader band – except you won’t face the same discomfort you did with the alternative. What the wide stone design does is span across your finger; the gems leave little to no room on the sides. 

And this leads to a more slim-looking finger overall. Just look at the next entry on this list – the three-stone setting.

Three Stone Setting

The name “three-stone setting” says it all. In a three-stone setting, there is a middle or center stone, with two other stones on each side – and these side stones accentuate the center one.

A good recommendation is to leave little to no room off the sides of the stones for your finger to show. Instead, look for the ring where the gems stretch all the way across; that will make the finger look thinner.

As previously mentioned, this setting can serve as an excellent alternative to wide bands if you happen to find them uncomfortable – or just don’t like how they look.

Horizontal (East-West) Setting

Rings with this setting can often be seen featuring a rhombus-shaped stone – but any horizontally-oriented gemstone works. 

For example, all of the major diamond cuts mentioned earlier – the marquise, pear, and oval shape – can all be oriented to fit a horizontal design and make it work beautifully.

Halo Setting

Halo settings, or halo designs, are very easy to explain: 

They feature a large gem – which functions as a centerpiece – and the large stone is surrounded by lots of smaller ones. These smaller gems, in turn, accentuate the center stone, making it look bigger. 

Pavé designs are pretty common when putting together the surrounding halo.

Related Read: What Is Diamond Accent? Everything You Need To Know

Double Halo Setting

The double halo setting is a step up from the previous one. 

As the name implies, these rings feature two surrounding halos instead of one. That often adds to the already present effects of single-halo rings.

Double Shank (Split Shank) Design

These rings are a fantastic choice for pretty much anyone. You may not have heard of the design’s name – but you’ve probably run into it at some point.

The split shank ring features two or more bands that usually come together around a center stone or a halo. They can interlock along the way, giving off an impression of elegance and movement.

The Split Shank design works wonders for wide fingers. In a way, it has the best of both worlds:

First off, it gives off an impression of a wider setting and all the advantages that go with it. At the same time, it’s not as big or bulky as a wide band ring would be. 

Statement Rings

Remember those advantages we mentioned at the beginning? 

Having big fingers means you can get away with much bolder designs. If we approach bigger and wider fingers as a bigger canvas, it opens up many options! 

The same principle that applies in art holds true here, as well: A larger canvas allows for more intricacies, details, and a bigger story within the design.

You can essentially go along with any statement design and pull it off as an accessory. And these are not exactly easy to pull off, trust us.

The reason for that is simple; it’s in the name. A “statement” design puts you out there. 

Whether it’s some sort of status symbol, like in the old days, or just a personal expression, you’re making a statement – and you can carry it with confidence.

Art Deco

All this talk about “statement rings” is usually accompanied by discussions about Art Deco. And for a good reason, of course: Abstract shapes and geometric elements are found in both.

Now, Art Deco is a distinct, unique style. 

What sets an Art Deco ring apart from a regular statement ring is the addition of a vintage feel. After all, the style itself did blossom during the first half of the 20th century. It is also characterized by different colored gems – apart from just diamonds.

That being said, a ring can be both Art-Deco-inspired and a statement ring!

Diamond Ring Shape For Large Knuckles

If you happen to have large knuckles, it’s the same as every other problem: Find a solution that brings balance to the overall look of your hand.

In this case, the ring can absolutely be an attention grabber. A proper design, in this case, would draw all the attention away from the rest of the hand. 

So, what’s this “proper design” for big knuckles? Consider a more elaborate ring, a three-stone placement, or really anything that stands out – but not too much! 

You want to go for wider bands because, on the other hand, a thin band would make the thing you’re trying to conceal stand out even further.

What To Avoid When Picking Out A Diamond Ring

It’s easy to get carried away with all the creative and unique ways to find your style. That being said, let’s take a look at what is possibly the main culprit of poor ring choice: 

Forgetting the most crucial thing of all – balance! Going back to the beginning, always keep proportion and balance in mind. 

In practical terms: 

  • Avoid smaller rings and thinner bands. Not only will they negatively impact your overall proportions, but the narrow bands can cut into your fingers and cause discomfort or even pain when clenching. 
  • Don’t overdo it. Bands that are way too broad or diamond shapes that are too long will achieve the exact opposite of the desired effect.

Conclusion

As you can see, having large hands or fingers does not, in fact, mean the end of the world. Quite the contrary, right?

There are so many options to go with; it’s easy to lose yourself in them. That is exactly why it’s essential to keep the bigger picture in mind.

Go with the cut and design that balances out the look of the fingers. Expressive details are great  – and people with wide fingers have the opportunity to try some wild designs and ideas here.

Don’t go overboard with the design, though – and remember to take good care of your ring!

Related Read: What Diamond Shape Looks The Biggest?