How to Make Your Engagement Ring Look a Whole Lot More Expensive Than It Is

Let's get one thing straight right off the bat: the most important thing about your engagement ring [1] is that you love it, not that you immediately know and approve of how much it costs. That said, there are so many ways to customize a sparkler that will make friends, family, and Instagram followers (you know how it is) [2] go wild. Wide-eyed, they'll ask you, or rather slide into your DMs: "What type of stone is that? What's the band made of?!" And I'm sure you know at least one gal that's always guessing carat size at her first glimpse of a ring, whether it's a BFF's or a celebrity's [3].

While I'm still adamant that the price tag is of no real importance, I was curious to talk to a pro about little hacks for designing a mind-blowing ring that feels special and unique. Stephanie Muehlhausen, Women's Accessories Senior Fashion Director for Macy's, talked to me about the trend shifts she's noticing for 2019 brides-to-be [4] and the gems that are reigning supreme.

Stephanie said that most women are pining for emerald, pair, or oval shapes right now and they're increasingly struck by aquamarine, blue topaz, prasiolite, and emerald stones when it comes to colour. But how can you synchronize these little details to craft a piece that's truly jaw-dropping? Well, there are three ways to make your engagement ring appear more expensive than it actually is, even though, you know, money is really no matter.

Best Engagement Ring Settings

"Illusion settings make a diamond appear larger by setting a smaller diamond in a pattern of precious metal." Alexa Ray Joel's sparkler [5], a piece by Carelle Jewellery, consists of an emerald cut diamond that's only amplified by the design of her intricately shaped band.

Engagement Rings With 2 Different Stones

"Mixing smaller stones together like baguettes and round can create the illusion of a larger cut stone." Neither of Emily Ratajkowski's differently shaped stones [6] is small — absolutely not! — but her entire ring takes up a lot more surface space thanks to a pairing that's slightly separated.

Best Engagement Ring Shapes

"The trend in shapes, like oval and emerald cut, allow a stone to have more surface area so the diamond appears larger with less carat weight." Hailey Baldwin's Solow & Co. sparkler [7] was designed by Justin Bieber, who confirmed that he sees Hailey's face when he looks at the diamond he chose. Hailey's thin 18K gold band offsets the large stone even more, which really makes it pop. No close-up necessary.

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