The CLASSIC 1ct Round Diamond Engagement Ring

Bonnie, can you make more diamond blogs of sizes that are closer to one carat?

Yes, I absolutely can. Welcome back to my blog, diamond lovers. This is Bonnie with By Bonnie Jewelry, where I talk about all things diamonds and craftsmanship. And yes—today’s post is a highly requested one.

You’ll be surprised to hear about a trend I’ve been noticing lately. So if you read all the way through, I’m going to share all the juicy details—and of course, show you a stunningly classic gold ring paired with a very special wedding band. The combo might just surprise you.

From Bold to Beautifully Minimal

Now, if you've been following my blog for a while, you know we’ve been featuring some serious carat weight. We’ve done 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and yes—even 8 carats. Each one bigger than the last. But lately? I’m seeing a surge in clients asking for something more minimal, something more petite—and I love it.

Now, if you're watching from Europe or somewhere where huge diamonds aren’t really a thing, this might sound normal. But here in America—come on, we love our big things. Big Macs, Costco, everything extra. So it’s refreshing to see people leaning into pieces that are smaller, more intentional. Because guess what? It’s not about the carat. It’s about what makes you happy.

Featured Stone: The 1.2ct Round Brilliant

For today’s blog, I’m featuring a 1.2 carat round brilliant. And I have to say—I love it. When you go a little smaller on the center stone, the craftsmanship has to be flawless. You need sparkle. You cannot have bad cutting or distracting details.

This one is an I color, VS clarity, and let me tell you—she’s shining. Also, a little insider tip: when you go with a yellow gold band like this, we actually use platinum for the prongs to keep everything looking crisp and white on top. It’s subtle, but it makes a difference.

Why Near Colorless Diamonds Deserve the Spotlight

Now let’s talk color: if you’ve been sleeping on near colorless diamonds, wake up! With the right craftsmanship and precision cut, they sparkle just as much as the colorless ones. Seriously. Don’t let a single letter on a chart talk you out of a beauty like this.

Oh—and yes, this is a natural mined diamond. And funny enough, I’ve had more and more clients say, “Everyone’s wearing these huge lab growns—I actually want something petite and mined.” I was like, yes please. Because again—it’s about what makes you feel good, not what’s trending.

That Wedding Band Pairing? Obsessed.

Now, let me show you the wedding band I paired with it—oh my god. I’m obsessed. It’s a channel set band with princess cuts, and the whole thing is smooth, prongless, chunky, and rich in gold. It’s got sparkle, but it’s subtle. 

If you’re into that more minimal gold look—this one hits. And when the craftsmanship is on point like this? It’s just flawless. It feels expensive without being loud.

Bonus Round: Radiants and Comparisons

The center stone here is super wearable. Not too high profile, and so elegant. And just to show a little contrast, check out this 2 carat radiant cut yellow diamond I’ve also been working with. I love a good three-stone design. It’s a completely different vibe, but both are gorgeous in their own way.

I also wanted to show you two recent client projects: one is a 1.5 carat round, and the other is a 1.5 carat oval. Perfect side-by-side if you’re torn between those two shapes. Oval is a bit more elongated and gives more finger coverage, while the round is all about symmetry and fire. You really can’t go wrong, it just depends on your hand and your style.

What I’ve been noticing is this cool mix: people are either going for a really big center stone with a skinny band, or a smaller center stone with that same skinny band. I think some of it is driven by safety. A lot of clients have told me they’re nervous wearing their big rocks out—and honestly, I feel the same. I don’t always wear my big ring either.

There are a lot of different factors influencing what people choose now. But the best part? There are options. And that’s what makes it so fun to blog about this world—I get to show you all the beautiful possibilities.

Final Thoughts: It’s YOUR Ring

So tell me: what did you think of this classic gold ring? Did you love the band pairing?
Drop your thoughts and don’t forget to follow me on Instagram @bybonniejewelry for more sparkly goodness. I’ll see you in the next blog post.