20 Minimalist Engagement Rings to Fall in Love With

These dainty styles make a big impact.

Photos, from clockwise: Catbird, Capucinne, Vrai, Melanie Casey

Updated Nov 21, 2024

There's a misconception that minimalist engagement rings don't stand out or make as big of an impact. Quite the contrary: Often, the delicate, feminine appearance of a dainty engagement ring is what garners it a second look. Minimal doesn't always mean less sparkle, either; sometimes engagement rings have a minimalist look due to a thinner band, a low-profile setting or a lack of accent stones in place of a larger focal stone. The best part? Opting for a simple minimalist engagement ring can make shopping for engagement rings less of a stressor: The style is often more affordable for price-conscious couples. Here, we rounded up 20 dainty styles to serve as engagement ring inspiration.

1. Marrow Fine The Elodie Emerald-Cut Engagement Ring

Jeweler Marrow Fine this year introduced its Minuette collection, a range of dainty yet bold styles designed to fit budgets from $2,750 to $6,000. This pretty piece features a high-quality diamond set in a trending east-west orientation.

$5,350 | Marrow Fine

2. Melanie Casey Stargaze Ring

Melanie Casey is a queen in the dainty engagement ring space, and what makes her rings so minimalist isn't a lack of bling but rather the delicate bands they're set upon. Her Stargaze ring features a bold emerald-cut diamond surrounded by rounds on a 1.2 mm band.

From $3,750 | Melanie Casey

3. Linjer Maia Moonstone and Diamond Ring

Thing gold band with oval gem and diamonds

Dainty rings are a great way to showcase other gemstones besides diamonds; a unique or colored stone can often bring more visual impact in a smaller size. Here, light catches and plays off of an oval rainbow moonstone in beautiful ways.

$649 | Linjer

4. Shane Co. Honey Bezel-Set Diamond Engagement Ring

Bezel-set rings are simple, minimalist and ultra-modern. Some are set without additional adornments, but the Honey ring—featuring a 1-carat oval natural diamond—has a hidden surprise: a halo of 18 round diamonds set below the bezel.

$6,985 | Shane Co.

5. Vrai The Signature V Trillion Engagement Ring

For a minimalist look, opt for a solid gold band rather than one studded with pavé stones. The bonus: The style allows the center stone to really shine, so select a unique one. In this Vrai signature piece, a triangular trillion-cut stone is set into the V-shaped band.

From $1,250 | Vrai

6. Marrow Fine The Michelle Oval Three-Stone Engagement Ring

Three-stone is a classic and totally timeless engagement ring style. It can be super blingy if that's your vibe, or more demure; here is the latter from Marrow Fine's Minuette collection. It features a trio of oval diamonds totaling 0.5 carats in yellow, white or rose gold and is ideal for everyday wear.

$4,270 | Marrow Fine

7. Brilliant Earth Marlene Freshwater Cultured Pearl and Diamond Ring

Some simplistic engagement rings can serve as either the engagement ring or wedding band; here's an example of one that could go either way. It has a center diamond—a 0.06-carat prong-set stone—surrounded by two stunning freshwater pearls in a classic trio engagement ring style. But with all three small stones sized similarly, nothing competes for attention, making it a beautiful dainty band option, as well.

$890 | Brilliant Earth

8. Elsa Peretti Wave Single-Row Diamond Ring

Thin gold engagement band with a circle diamond

Tiffany & Co.'s Elsa Peretti collection is full of artistic interpretations of the classics. The subtle curve in the band of this minimalist engagement ring is inspired by the designer's love of the sea; completing the circle is a 0.06-carat round brilliant-cut diamond.

$1,075 | Tiffany & Co.

9. Satomi Kawakita Hexagon White Diamond Ring

A vintage-style minimalist simple engagement ring can be hard to come by, as many art deco pieces are rife with intricate detail and bursting with diamonds. But this Satomi Kawakita piece fits the bill: Milgrain detailing is a nod to the past, while the solitaire style is modern and minimalist.

From $1,180 | Catbird

10. Capucinne Dorothea Diamond Ring With Hexagonal Diamonds

Low-profile settings make for some of the best minimalist engagement rings; the ring sits flat on your finger rather than rising up like a solitaire stone. Look for unique designs to make the style pop; this one features interesting hexagonal diamonds.

From $7,000 | Capucinne

11. Sarah Elise Jewelry Peridot Ring

Many Etsy minimalist engagement rings feature moissanite or other gemstones in place of natural diamonds. We love that this minimal engagement ring goes bold with color rather than with size or design. A pretty green peridot is a bezel set in gold; try it in contrasting rose gold.

From $246 | Etsy

12. Wove Kinsey Ring

Understated engagement rings often feature just one stone and add unique interest in other ways. In this case, it's the peaked knife-edge band, which angles in toward the solitaire. The V-prong setting is also unique, showcasing the pear diamond in a chic and modern way while staying super minimal.

From $920 (setting only) | Wove

13. Emi Conner Eva Aquamarine and Diamond Ring

For more affordable minimalist engagement rings, explore gemstones other than diamonds, at least for the center stone. Heat-treated aquamarine is a stellar option, with a watery hue that's the perfect something blue. Here, the pear-shaped stone is flanked by two lab diamonds for extra sparkle.

From $450 | Emi Conner Jewelry

14. Plum Diamonds Emerald Cut Diamond Ring

Low-profile minimalist engagement rings feature a diamond that doesn't jut up too high off the hand, making them super wearable for everyday life (they won't get caught on everything!). This stunner from Plum Diamonds has the look of a classic engagement ring with a solitaire emerald-cut lab diamond and a wide gold band.

From $1,290 | Plum Diamonds

15. Alexis Russell The Magnolia Ring

Split shanks are yet another way to add visual interest to simple modern engagement rings, such as in this bezel-set solitaire. It features a 1.08-carat rose-cut lab diamond and can be engraved with a special message for the recipient.

$4,295 | Alexis Russell

16. Angara Classic Solitaire Oval Emerald Promise Ring

Emerald engagement ring with silver band

Emeralds have been said to represent wisdom, wealth and growth—concepts many hope to bring into relationships—so a minimalist emerald engagement ring is rife with significance. Choose your carat weight and emerald quality to personalize this piece (and its price point!) as a custom engagement ring.

From $229 | Angara

17. James Allen Diamond Cable Solitaire Engagement Ring

Minimalist rose gold engagement rings can be a pretty choice—they offer a touch of femininity but are understated enough for everyday wear. Here, the delicate band offers a twist on the classic look, quite literally.

$1,360 | James Allen

18. Melanie Casey Poppy Seed Ring

Six tiny round diamonds accent the center stone in this minimalist emerald-cut engagement ring, but the color is the true star: The focal point is a bluish-green lab-grown diamond. It's substantial at 3.01 carats but still has a minimal look thanks to its breezy open basket setting and delicate band.

$8,300 | Melanie Casey

19. Brilliant Earth Six-Prong Petite Comfort Fit Engagement Ring

Two-tone settings are trending and are the perfect way to add interest to minimalist dainty engagement rings. This one comes complete with a comfort-fit band that glides on smoothly and feels cloud-like all day.

$1,560 | Brilliant Earth

20. Grace Lee Emerald Diamond Bezel 3 mm Square Band

Thick gold engagement band with small square diamond

Some minimalistic engagement rings combine the look of an engagement ring and wedding band, offering more minimalism in that you don't need an additional piece. Here's a stunning example: This piece features a 3 mm square band and a petite emerald-cut diamond. It's a stunner on its own, but should you want to add more gold or shimmer later, it makes a perfect stacker, too.

$2,880 | Grace Lee