Wide Band Diamond Engagement Rings

Band Widths

Ring bands are measured in millimeters, and most women’s engagement rings are between two and four millimeters in width, whereas men’s rings are generally between five and eight millimeters wide. The disparity is because most men wear only one ring, whereas women often have bridal sets or use ring enhancers paired with an engagement ring, effectively doubling its width. Furthermore, women’s fingers are naturally narrower than men’s and have less space between the knuckles – a wider ring may be uncomfortable, particularly for women with delicate, slender fingers.

Why Choose Wide Band Diamond Engagement Rings

Why, then, would women choose a wide band? Some women prefer a simpler ring such as an eternity ring or simple band instead of a full set or multiple rings, and they have the flexibility then to choose a wider design. Wide band diamond engagement rings are also perfect for women who are more active but don’t want to remove their ring frequently; most band designs lack the elevated center stone and instead imbed the diamonds into the metal in a more protected setting. Wider bands are also more suitable for women with thicker fingers – the width of the band helps to elongate the finger and is more proportional to the hand than a narrow band.

Wide Band Designs

There are many stylish options for wide band diamonds engagement rings. In fact, because there is more surface area to work with, wide bands can incorporate more intricate details than narrow rings – including filigree patterns and engraving -- where any embellishment on narrow rings is limited to the crown and setting. Popular wide band designs include:

• Celtic Engagement Rings: The intertwined strands of knots add delicacy and intricacy to a wide band, and diamonds or other gemstones (emeralds are a popular choice) can be interspersed in the vertices of the knots.

Wide band scatter set ring.

• Scatter Set Diamond Rings: Scatter settings take advantage of the width of a ring to create zigzag patterns or other arrangements of diamonds other than common straight lines.
• Mokume Gane Engagement Rings: The delicate contrasts of multiple metals in flowing mokume gane patterns are far more noticeable and extraordinary in wider bands. Some mokume gane rings incorporate scatter set diamonds, while others may have a center stone.
• Multi-Tone Engagement Rings: Rings using multiple precious metals often are wider than normal so all the metals can be seen. One metal may form the core of the ring while a contrasting alloy forms the edging or separates stones in the setting.
• Multi Gem Rings: A unique variation for a wide diamond band is to use larger stones or those with elongated shapes – marquise or emerald shapes, for example – set along the band instead of just as a center stone. The width of the gems, then, increases the width of the band.
• Pave Setting Engagement Rings: Pave settings frequently use more than a single row of diamonds to highlight the band, either as a flat ring or with a subtle curve for comfort and dimension. Multiple rows naturally create a wider ring.
• Thick Channel Set Rings: Channel settings with thick casings can create exceptionally wide rings with multiple stones recessed in the metal.

Naturally, soldering two rings together – typically the engagement ring and the wedding or anniversary ring as well – will create a wider band, but two rings together are not frequently used as a single engagement ring.

Wide Band Designs for Men

Wide bands are common for men’s engagement rings, though it is only in recent years that more men have opted to include diamonds in their rings as well. The designs are typically different from women’s wide band diamond engagement rings, however, with several distinctive characteristics:

• Men’s rings almost universally use fewer stones, though a few accent diamonds can add flair to a soon-to-be husband’s ring.
• Men’s bands are usually plainer, with fewer embellishments or intricate details than a woman’s counterpart.
• Men’s rings are generally heavier than women’s, often using heavier metals such as titanium or tungsten instead of more common metals.

Finding Wide Band Rings

Most jewelry stores offer a limited selection of wide band diamond engagement rings. While they are usually marketed as men’s rings, there is no reason that a woman cannot choose an attractive diamond band so long as it suits her personality and her finger adequately. Wide band rings typically have higher prices than narrow rings because of the quantity of metal used, though if the carat weight is lower (if the ring lacks a center stone, for example), that may lower the cost significantly. Couples should note, however, that many diamond bands are difficult to resize, and they should take great care to purchase the proper size.

Wide band diamond engagement rings are an attractive alternative to traditional narrow women’s rings and elevated settings. Contemporary engagement rings have many designs for stylish women’s bands, with plenty of room for personalization and individual flair that narrower rings may not allow, while still encompassing the love the couple shares regardless of the ring’s width.