This week, Dua Lipa set Instagram alight with a picture of what many assume to be her engagement ring. Although the singer is yet to confirm whether or not she is indeed set to marry her actor beau Callum Turner, the internet certainly believes this to be the case, and if this is in fact her engagement ring, it suggests that Lipa will not be a traditional bride.
The ring, which is rumoured to be from Tiffany & Co, features a large white diamond set on an incredibly chunky gold band. The style is a move away from traditional delicate engagement jewellery and reflects a wider trend that has been underway for some time.
“Historically, engagement rings leaned towards delicate designs with a focus on a central stone,” says Sarah Ysabel Narici, founder of jewellery label Dyne. “Thin bands were likely favoured because they highlighted the stone, aligning with traditional ideals of femininity.”
In recent years, however, strict traditions set around engagement jewellery have started to fall away, and this includes the embrace of chunky yellow gold bands. Jessie Thomas, a London-based jeweller who specialises in these ‘bombe’ style rings, says that it has become about finding that line – people want something that is unique but still relatively timeless.
“Thankfully, preconceptions around what an engagement ring should look like have dramatically changed, and I am increasingly seeing clients who want something more statement,” she says. “I love the bold, sculptural aesthetic and clean lines of a chunky gold ring; it feels more unique and makes for a cool, wearable statement piece, yet it remains timeless.”
Another plus is that a chunky band adds a minimalist feel to your jewellery. While people often opt for skinny bands to make the stone look bigger, a chunky band does the opposite. “It’s a great way to set a large stone if you don’t want to be too showy.”
Another brand which has been championing these unconventional engagement rings is the lab grown-diamond specialist Kimaï. Co-founder Jessica Warch says that chunky bands reflect a shift towards individuality.
“Dua’s style of ring is unconventional – she clearly isn’t afraid to break away from tradition. We see this with our customers. Today’s generation is much more daring, we express ourselves through what we wear and try to reflect our personalities. Chunky gold bands and unconventional designs represent a shift towards this – it is about showing your character, rather than following tradition.”
If you want to follow in Lipa’s footsteps and choose a chunky gold engagement ring, make sure you try on lots of styles to get a feel for what you like and what suits your hand.
“Chunky doesn’t mean heavy or uncomfortable,” advises London jeweller Rachel Boston. “Make sure you try different band widths to get a sense of what feels comfortable to you for everyday wear. A good option can be to opt for a tapered band which narrows at the back for comfort. I personally think a flush set or bezel stone works best with a chunky band as it creates a streamline and understated look.”
And, when it comes to choosing a wedding band, there are plenty of options, whether you want something complementary or want to contrast with stones and textures.
“I would choose either a plain gold band or a diamond eternity ring – both look great and don’t detract from the simplicity of the ring itself,” says Thomas. “Or some of my clients who opt for a chunkier style treat their ring as a hybrid engagement-wedding ring.”
