5 Wedding Band Hacks to Make Your Engagement Ring Look Bigger

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Since this is a safe space when it comes to all things bridal, it's totally OK to admit that sometimes, size does matter (even if just for one random day, when you let yourself daydream what it would feel like to wear Kim Kardashian's crazy-huge rock). When you start to think about what sort of wedding band you want to wear alongside your engagement ring, it quickly becomes apparent that there are a ton of options. Still, not everything is going to actually make your engagement diamond appear larger.

To help, Emily Parker, a GIA-accredited private client consultant at Gemvara, broke down what factors will make bands extra-flattering to your engagement diamond.

Consider colored stones.
Classic diamonds are the most popular choice for wedding rings, but colored stones are gaining in popularity. "They'll definitely make a diamond pop, which can add to the overall look and help trick the eye into thinking the center stone appears bigger," Parker explained. If you don't want to break with tradition too dramatically, look for pale colors like light pinks, blues, and greens. They'll add something different without being too shocking.

Skip multiple bands.
"If you have a smaller diamond in your engagement ring, I wouldn't do multiple bands because they can take away from the diamond," she said. Wearing your engagement ring on your right hand post-wedding, keeping only your new band on the left, is another surefire way to make sure it's not overpowered by the new bling.

Keep everything else small.
In order to keep your engagement diamond looking like the largest stone, make sure it is the biggest one. Pick a thin wedding band with small accent stones, avoiding anything chunky or thick.

Look for a matched set.
Specially crafted bridal sets have fallen out of style a bit, but they're actually designed to show off your engagement ring, making them a wise choice. "Curved wedding bands designed to sit with a specific engagement ring will highlight the ring very nicely. They're typically made to sit right under the setting of your engagement ring, so it won't take away from the center stone."

Clean it.
"Regular cleanings will help keep diamonds sparkling, making it pop more. The more sparkly and white it is, the more it'll stick out on your hand, helping to make it appear bigger." Parker said to aim for having your pieces professionally cleaned a few times a year, though intricate settings can collect dirt easier, requiring more frequent sudsing.

If you're currently shopping for an engagement ring and hunting for the biggest look you can get for your buck, Parker says to look for a super simple setting with a thin band. Stone-wise, consider oval. "They're bigger in size at the same carat weight as a round stone, and they also appear bigger to the eye, especially when set on a thin band."