Engagement rings with smaller stones, from Australian jewellers
Image via @thelineofsun / instagram
words by Lara Daly
When big bling isn’t your thing.
ICYMI, a recent episode of The Summer I Turned Pretty, where Jeremiah proposes to Belly with a teeny-tiny diamond ring, has gone viral, with fans of the show divided on Belly’s dainty bling. The exact ring has been identified as a 14k gold sparkler from New York label Catbird, priced at USD $298 (approx. AUD $460), featuring a 3mm recycled diamond.
Of the divisive social media comments, many are joking about the ring’s ‘microscopic’ size, with one fan on X commenting “is the engagement ring in the room with us?”. Others are running to Jeremiah’s defence, saying the ring choice is both realistic (he’s a college student, after all), and just as meaningful as a big rock.
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Whatever your view, when it comes to engagement rings, we love to showcase the best at both ends of the spectrum. We’ve covered the untraditional, the fashionable and the bespoke, so it only feels right to highlight some modest designs that pack just as much punch. Here, seven local jewellers tell us about a favourite engagement ring style they’ve made with a smaller stone or without a stone altogether.
Emily Fanner, EF Studios
“I think the perfect ring for the ‘tiny diamond’ brief is our Oval Flat Diamond Ring. Originally designed as a pinky ring or a wedding band, it’s quickly become a favourite among modern brides who want a statement piece that still feels unexpected, compared to a traditional engagement ring.
There’s so much I love about this ring, from the bespoke creation process to the values behind the ethically grown lab diamonds and recycled metals, but my favourite part is seeing how each bride has styled it their own way. One paired it with a beautiful oval eternity band for a bold ceremonial stack and another opted for a classic gold band for a more minimalist look.”
Alice Smith, The Line of Sun
“We have a couple of designs [with] small gemstones subtly immersed in textured molten gold… our Radiant Ring and Celestial Ring is our interpretation of the traditional solitaire ring, sculpted with the ancient technique of lost wax carving whereby precious gemstones are set directly into the wax.
The molten gold encases a 3.75mm to 2.75mm radiant cut white diamond, creating a contrast between the geometric gemstones and soft liquid shapes. The sparkle of the gems peek out from the gently textured gold [in a way that’s] elegant, subtle and unique.”
Kieran Jackson, Kieroy
“My Drop Rings make a really unique engagement ring and wedding band stack – I’ve been lucky enough to make these for a few happy couples. I love their movement and flow, and the way they nest into each other creating a near-perfect fit. Keeping a low profile is a big draw for people who aren’t into large stones.
For some clients, we’ve even kept one Drop Ring plain as the wedding band and added small diamonds to the other to emulate an engagement ring. These start from $1,450 and go as high as $3,680 per ring.”
Holly Ryan, Holly Ryan Jewellery
“This 18ct yellow gold and 1ct diamond engagement ring is organic and textural, and handcrafted using the lost wax technique. The client trusted me to design and create something unique for his future wife, and I’m happy to confirm that this diamond throws rainbows.”
Kari Layton, Lott Studio
“There’s something deeply meaningful about creating a piece that embodies a couple’s shared vision. Working with metal to form beautiful, bold curves is a joy and this particular ring remains a favourite of mine. Sculptural in nature, it carries a harmonious balance of form. When creating a ceremonial piece, I consider each as its own sculptural element, intended to be curated and styled autonomously by the wearer, for many years to come.”
Olivia Cummings, Cleopatra’s Bling
“Our Petite Theseus Ring in solid 18k gold, features a 0.63 ct east-west set white diamond, framed by a delicate halo of 18 pavé-set diamonds. Understated but luminous, it’s a practical yet poetic take on the traditional engagement ring.
I recently made this piece for my cousin, who is a rice farmer in rural NSW. She needed something she could wear every day, low-profile, so it wouldn’t catch on gloves or tools, but still with a sense of beauty and occasion. The ring is named after the Ship of Theseus, a philosophical thought experiment about identity and transformation. As we move through life, parts of us shift and evolve, yet we remain ourselves. This ring represents a commitment to growing together through those changes, which feels especially meaningful in the context of lifelong partnership.”
Nadia Ridiandries
“I had the pleasure of working with a wonderful client, Wyatt, who approached me with a beautiful idea to create an ocean themed white gold ring featuring an Australian opal and natural pearls he discovered while diving. As someone who specialises in non-traditional engagement rings, I was truly honoured to bring his vision to life in a way that felt both meaningful and one-of-a-kind.
The design features a stunning Australian opal as the centrepiece, flanked by four natural pearls, with two on each side. To add a personal touch, Wyatt asked for a starfish design on the back of the band. This is something I’d never done before, which made it even more special. His proposal was underwater, while they were both diving, with the ring presented inside a clam.”
For more on bespoke jewellery, try this.
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