The One Ring: A Thing of Beauty?

[Sardy]

Not so much as question as a topic for discussion. It occurs to me that whereas the three Elven rings are things of neary unsurpassed beauty (and I am less certain of the physical appearance of the seven and the nine), The One Ring is a simple gold band. Even under the duress of fire when the black verses are displayed, it remains a thing of utilitarian "plainness."

What does this say of it's maker's asthetic tastes? While I can see a certain industrial bent to Sauron (I would attribute this mindset more to Saruman, however) it also seems to me that he is one to enjoy striking fear into the very hearts of his enemies with both his appearance and his pyrotechnics: the Great Eye, for just one example...

Surely in crafting his accomplishment to beat all accomplishments, a little more flair might've been in order?

Any thoughts?