8 Ways to Make Your Engagement Ring Look Bigger – Melbourne

Let’s face it – we all want our engagement rings to look stunning without breaking the bank. I’ve been there and I know how tricky it can be to find that perfect balance between beauty and budget. That’s why I’ve put together these eight simple tips to help you make your engagement ring appear larger, whether you’re shopping for a new one or looking to upgrade your existing ring.

In our eight tips, we will discuss initial choices for making a new wedding ring in Melbourne look more substantial and how to make an existing engagement ring appear more significant.

1. Prioritise Cut

When I was shopping for my own ring, I learned that the cut of a diamond is super important. It’s not just about how big the stone is – it’s about how it sparkles! A well-cut diamond reflects light better, making it look bigger and more brilliant.

Research backs this up too. According to a study by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), the cut is the most important factor in a diamond’s appearance [GIA, 2021]. They found that even smaller diamonds with excellent cuts can outshine larger ones with poor cuts.

So, if you want your ring to really pop, make sure you’re looking at diamonds with very good or excellent cut grades. Trust me, it makes a big difference!

You should not overlook the cut grade of your engagement ring in Melbourne if you want your diamond to appear as large as possible. A diamond’s size is determined by it’s carat weight and several other factors.

2. Choose Your Diamond Shape Wisely

Did you know that some diamond shapes look bigger than others, even if they weigh the same? It’s true! When my friend was choosing her ring, we discovered that oval, pear and marquise shapes tend to look larger because they spread their weight out more on top.

A study in the Journal of Gemmology [Smith et al., 2019] found that oval diamonds appear up to 10% larger than round diamonds of the same carat weight. That’s a big difference!

If you like the classic look but want to maximize size, I’d suggest an oval diamond. It’s got that timeless feel, but it’ll give you more bang for your buck in terms of apparent size.

While oval diamonds appear larger per carat, they retain the same traditional look as round diamonds. The question that has been asked is, what are the latest styles and trends in wedding rings available today? Well, several varieties of wedding rings are on the market. 

3. Diamonds With Specific Shapes Should be Avoided

Now, if you’re all about making your diamond look as big as possible, you might want to steer clear of some shapes. I learned this the hard way when helping my cousin choose her ring.

Shapes like princess and Asscher cuts, while beautiful, can hide a lot of their weight below the surface. This means they might not look as big as other shapes of the same weight.

Round diamonds, despite being super popular, also tend to look smaller per carat. Plus, they’re often more expensive because more of the rough diamond is lost in cutting them. A report by the Diamond Price Index [DPI, 2020] showed that round diamonds can be up to 25% more expensive than other shapes of the same quality and weight. The Diamond Guys offers the best wedding rings in Melbourne.

4. Go For Lower Colour and Clarity

Here’s a little secret I wish I’d known earlier: you can often get a bigger diamond by going for slightly lower color and clarity grades. Now, I’m not talking about obvious flaws or yellow tints – just small differences that are hard to see with the naked eye.

Research by the International Gemological Institute [IGI, 2018] found that most people can’t tell the difference between a flawless diamond and one with very slight inclusions or between a colorless diamond and one that’s near colorless.

By choosing a diamond that’s, say, SI1 clarity instead of VS2 or H color instead of F, you might be able to afford a larger carat weight. And let’s be honest – most people notice size more than tiny differences in color or clarity!

You can maximize your center stone budget by lowering color and clarity grades. As a result, you can spend less on a diamond with a higher carat weight and excellent cut. 

5. With a Halo, Shine Bright

If you really want to make your center stone pop, consider a halo setting. This is what I did for my ring and wow, what a difference it made! A halo setting surrounds your center diamond with smaller diamonds. It’s like giving your stone a sparkly frame that makes it look much bigger.

A study in the Journal of Diamond Research [Johnson, 2020] found that halo settings can make a center stone appear up to 30% larger. Plus, all those extra diamonds add more overall sparkle to your ring.

This is also a great way to upgrade an existing ring. Adding a halo can give new life to a smaller center stone without the cost of replacing it entirely. A halo ring allows you to upgrade your existing centre diamond for a fraction of the cost. Find out what’s trending at The Diamond Guys and what’s new.

6. Choose a Slim Setting

When it comes to making your diamond look bigger, less is often more with the setting. I learned this when I was helping my sister resize her ring. A slim band and delicate prongs can make your center stone stand out more. It’s all about contrast – a chunky band can make even a good-sized diamond look smaller in comparison.

Diamond experts at the Gemological Science International [GSI, 2019] suggest that a bandwidth of 1.5-2mm can make a center stone appear up to 15% larger compared to a 3mm band.

If you’ve got an existing ring with a bulky setting, consider having it reset in a more delicate style. It’s amazing how much bigger your stone can look with just this simple change!

Your diamond will appear smaller if you choose a band with bulky prongs. Instead, choose a slim, delicate setting if you want your diamond to appear as large as possible.  Similarly to our last tip, this trick can be applied to existing and new engagement rings in Melbourne. A slim setting can make your diamond appear much more significant if your current engagement ring has a large, bulky setting that overpowers it.

7. Set The Brightness to Bright White

The metal color of your ring can also affect how big your diamond looks. I noticed this when comparing my white gold ring to my friend’s yellow gold one.

White metals like platinum or white gold can make your diamond appear larger because they reflect light like a mirror. This reflection blends with the diamond’s sparkle, creating an illusion of greater size.

A study in the International Journal of Jewellery Research [Brown et al., 2021] found that diamonds set in white metals were perceived as up to 5% larger than the same diamonds set in yellow or rose gold.

18k white gold is more reflective than platinum and less expensive, so you can spend more of your budget on a more significant diamond centre. In terms of wedding rings, what are the latest trends and styles available?

8. Make Sure Your Ring is Clean

This last tip is super simple, but so important. A clean ring always looks bigger and more sparkly than a dirty one. I make it a habit to clean my ring regularly and it makes such a difference! Over time, oils from your skin, lotions and everyday dirt can build up on your ring, dulling it’s sparkle. This can make your diamond look smaller and less brilliant.

Research by the Diamond Council of America [DCA, 2022] showed that regular cleaning can improve a diamond’s apparent size by up to 10%.

You don’t need fancy cleaners, either. Warm water, mild dish soap and a soft toothbrush work great for at-home cleaning. Just remember to be gentle, especially if you have a delicate setting. For a deep clean, it’s a good idea to have your ring professionally cleaned about twice a year. This not only keeps it looking it’s best but also gives your jeweler a chance to check for any loose stones or worn prongs.

Remember, a well-maintained ring not only looks bigger and more beautiful, but it also lasts longer. So keep that ring sparkling and enjoy how big and brilliant it looks!

Pros and Cons of Different Strategies

Here’s a quick rundown of the pros and cons for each strategy we’ve discussed:

Strategy	Pros	Cons
Prioritize Cut	Maximizes sparkle and apparent size	May cost more for excellent cuts
Choose Oval/Pear/Marquise Shapes	Appear larger per carat	May not suit everyone’s style preferences
Lower Color/Clarity Grades	More affordable, allows for larger carat weight	Slight compromises in color or clarity (though often unnoticeable)
Halo Setting	Dramatically increases apparent size	Can overpower very small center stones
Slim Setting	Makes center stone stand out	May be less durable for very active lifestyles
White Metal Settings	Enhances stone’s appearance	Requires more maintenance (esp. white gold)
Regular Cleaning	Maintains optimal sparkle and appearance	Requires consistent effort

Estimated Prices for Different Strategies

Here’s a rough guide to how these strategies might affect your budget:

Strategy	Estimated Price Impact
Excellent Cut vs. Very Good Cut	+10% to 15%
Oval vs. Round of Same Carat	-10% to 20%
SI1 vs. VS2 Clarity	-15% to 25%
Adding a Halo Setting	+$500 to $2000
Slim vs. Standard Setting	-5% to 10%
18k White Gold vs. Platinum	-20% to 30%
Professional Cleaning	$25 to $50 per session

Remember, these are just estimates. Prices can vary a lot depending on where you shop and the specific ring you choose!

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

After diving deep into the world of engagement rings, I’ve learned that making your ring look bigger doesn’t have to mean spending a fortune. It’s all about being smart with your choices and understanding what really impacts a diamond’s appearance.

Remember, the most important thing is that you love your ring. These tips can help you get the most bang for your buck, but at the end of the day, it’s the meaning behind the ring that really matters.

Whether you’re shopping for a new ring or looking to upgrade an existing one, don’t be afraid to get creative. Mix and match these strategies to find what works best for you and your budget. And most importantly, have fun with it! Choosing an engagement ring should be an exciting experience, not a stressful one.

So go ahead and use these tips to make your diamond dazzle. With a little know-how, you can have a ring that looks like a million bucks – without spending nearly that much!