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What is the Most Flattering Ring for my Hand Shape?

Sheri Cyprus
Sheri Cyprus

When you want to find the most flattering ring for your hand, take a look at the shape of your fingers as well as the size of your hand. Different hand shapes look best with varying shapes and sizes of stones. The guidelines below can help you pick the most options for you. Keep in mind that you don't have to give up ring shapes you really love; these are just guidelines. Consider a different size or choose a cluster style that has flattering stones shapes around your favorite shape of gem.

Remember that a person with large hands and short fingers is likely to look best in different ring styles that a short-fingered person with small hands. Also, the width of the fingers can affect how a ring looks on the hand. Nail length and shape can make a difference too. When choosing rings, think of the proportion of the fit as well as the ring style you love. Try on different shapes and sizes of rings next time you go shopping to discover the rings that look best on your hand.

Cluster rings look nice on long, thin fingers.
Cluster rings look nice on long, thin fingers.

Long fingers — Marquise shapes often make long fingers look even longer. The marquise is a stretched out, oblong shape with pointed ends. Pear or oval stones may also not be very flattering on long fingers. Round rings are often the most flattering ring for this finger type.

Short fingers — Round stones can seem to make short fingers look even shorter. The marquise shape can help add the illusion of length, and pear or teardrop shapes are also usually flattering. Big rectangular rings are probably the least flattering, as they can overwhelm short fingers.

Round cut stones can look good on wider fingers.
Round cut stones can look good on wider fingers.

Narrow fingers — Heart-shaped or round stones may not be flattering on a hand with narrow fingers. Thicker band styles of rings may help add horizontal lines to narrow fingers to help them look wider. Wearing rings with small stones may also help thinner fingers look wider as well.

Wide fingers — Wider types of marquise styles may flatter short, wide fingers. The idea with wide fingers is not to have too much skin showing on each side of the ring or fingers may look even wider. Round stones in larger settings may look best on this finger type. Cluster-styles may be the most flattering on hands with wide fingers.

Large hands — Rings with small stones may just look lost on large hands. Try larger rings that suit your personality. You may even be able to wear really bulky or chunky ring styles well.

Small hands — Small heart-shaped, oval, round, or square stones may all be flattering on small hands. The main thing to remember is to keep the proportion of the ring small. Small ovals may also make flattering rings for those with small hands.

Discussion Comments

anon296816

@CopperPipe: Pick out whatever ring you think she would love and would look beautiful on her. It's not such a huge deal. Take a peek at her other jewelry to get a hint of what her style might be.

When you propose, the last thing she will think about is whether a diamond ring will look unflattering on her fingers.

TunaLine

What about for mens rings? Is there any particularly good or bad shape for them, or do you just choose by stone?

For example, my husband likes to wear an emerald pinky ring, so if I get him one, should I look for a particular shape? He has regularly long fingers that are a tad thick -- what shape would be the most flattering for that?

closerfan12

@copperpipe -- Why not try one of those 3 stone diamond rings -- they are pretty universally flattering, unless your fiance has really short, very wide fingers.

Or you could try to find out what her favorite stone is -- my husband knows that my birthstone is aquamarine, so he always gets me aquamarine rings for our big anniversaries.

I would say that your best bet though is to go with a white gold 3 stone diamond ring -- universally appealing, and universally flattering.

Congrats, by the way.

CopperPipe

I never even knew there was so much of a difference in what kinds of rings were suitable for different fingers. I've been trying to find jewelry and rings to propose to my fiance, and wanted to know what cut of ring I should get, but now I'm totally intimidated -- I don't even know what kind of fingers she has, according to this chart. Can I just go with a regular diamond solitaire ring and be done with it?

When it comes to a ring with diamonds, is there really that much of a difference when it comes to finger shape?

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    • Cluster rings look nice on long, thin fingers.
      By: Syda Productions
      Cluster rings look nice on long, thin fingers.
    • Round cut stones can look good on wider fingers.
      Round cut stones can look good on wider fingers.
    • The shape of a person's hands and fingers should be considered when choosing a ring.
      By: Vladislav Gajic
      The shape of a person's hands and fingers should be considered when choosing a ring.