Do you know that if you search for "how to make a diamond look smaller" in Google, ALL you get is results for how to make a diamond look bigger? How lame is that?

I can't be the only one in the world who inherited a bigger diamond than they're comfortable with, or maybe even wanted.

In my case, Mike talked to me about the ring a few times prior to him proposing. I knew that he was excited to give me the ring his grandma's ring. But when he told me about it, it was almost apologetically: She didn't have much money... it's old... I'm not sure about the quality... On and on with a worried inflection in his voice. So I was expecting a sweet tiny vintage ring, and I was stoked. It ended up being... not that.

I know that in a lot of circles my ring would not even considered big. But, for someone who doesn't wear much jewelry, it feels like I'm wearing a diamond-studded "rob me!" sign around Los Angeles all day long. So I need to find ways to make this ring look smaller, without getting rid of a wonderful family heirloom.

So, let's figure this out...

I know to avoid these things that make a diamond look bigger:

But what are the things that make a diamond look smaller?

Here are my guesses...

• If a halo setting makes a diamond look bigger, then it would stand to reason that the opposite - a solitaire setting - would be the best choice.
• If a setting that raises the diamond higher makes it look bigger, then go for a flush setting - something like this.
• Stack a bunch of rings together, or set it in a large setting like that Cherry Blossom ring (pictured above), or this one.
• Get a setting that is so awesome, it will distract from the stone. These are my favorite choices so far.

Has anyone else had this problem? What did you do to try to make your diamond look smaller?