Believe it or not, not every woman wants a giant diamond for her engagement ring. Gasp! With a more minimal aesthetic, she’s instead drawn to dainty diamonds that are demure but still exquisite. We love this aesthetic—there’s something about a subtle ring that’s achingly chic and feels impressively one-of-a-kind. Not to mention a smaller style will typically cost much less than a flashier ring.

While an understated ring is much less attention-grabbing than a larger cut stone, this by no means equates to a boring or less than extraordinary style. Teensy stones and delicate bands come with beautiful design that can appear even more intricate than bigger baubles.

If you like a classically cut stone in a pared-back setting, Sarah & Sebastian’s single diamond set within a simply pointed band is perfectly sleek. Wwake’s pear diamond nestled in a slim band with a super petite round white diamond as an offset feels modest, yet incredibly modern. Vrai & Oro’s east-west set emerald-cut diamond on a smooth band is likewise delicate and sophisticated.

For more character, Kataoka’s rose cut diamonds in snowflake-shaped settings are elegant on a thin milgrain band—not to mention innovative. Jemma Wynne’s open handmade 18-karat gold band tipped with pear and square-cut diamonds combines classic polish with relaxed femininity. Blanca Monrós Gómez’s rose-cut white center diamond framed by two smaller brilliant cut white diamonds set on a pavé band makes for a remarkable cluster style.

A diamond band sans center stone is also an option. Paige Novick’s delicate wave-shaped diamond pavé row band is the epitome of understated elegance with a bit of nuance. For a vintage-inspired take, Lizzie Mandler offers princess-cut white diamonds set in a row which is stunning in a knife-edge silhouette. For an avant-garde take, Suzanne Kalan’s firework-set baguette stones in 18K rose gold is spectacular. We also love the look of Spinelli Kilcollin’s three linked bands in rose gold and pavé-set diamonds joined by two connectors of 18k yellow gold.

If you’re the non-showy type, peruse our edit of dainty diamond rings ahead. We guarantee there’s one for you.