Chunky Is the New Classic

By Victoria Gomelsky | January 30, 2026

Despite (or because of?) the soaring cost of gold, the whisper-thin solitaire is out and, at least as far as engagement ring trends go, the wide, chunky look is in.

Take it from Dua Lipa, who keeps flashing her chunky yellow gold engagement ring all over Instagram. For years, the look of a cushion-, oval-, or round-cut solitaire diamond teetering atop a barely there band was de rigueur. Lately, however, the pendulum has been swinging in the opposite direction.

Because many thicker bands feature diamonds that are flush- or bezel-set, as opposed to set with prongs, they allow for a less ostentatious way of setting a larger stone. While admittedly attention-getting, the approach is paradoxically quite minimal.

With the ubiquity of lab-grown diamonds, and especially big lab-grown diamonds, a wider expanse of metal makes sense. But there may be more to it than simple proportions. With gold now trading at or above $5,000 per ounce, call it a double flex.

Below, we spotlight some of our favorite new-for-2026 styles, a seductive selection of bold, confident rings designed to be worn daily and admired up close. Chunky love all around!