The setting of an engagement ring is just as important as the center stone. It impacts the appearance and aesthetic of the ring. Diamond ring settings are not one size fits all. Choosing a unique setting style is a great way to personalize your ring.
There are a lot of options in women’s fashion, which is partly because they have such interesting personalities. However, buying jewelry can be just as overwhelming, especially if you’re choosing a ring that will last forever. If that’s the case, congratulations! We’re very happy for you. We also want to help you out. Let’s start with the basics, like a list of the most popular ring settings.
What is a Diamond Ring Setting?
“The setting of an engagement ring refers to the way a diamond is attached to a metal band,” explains Nadine Tacorian Arzerounian, COO and design director of TACORI. “The setting is important for both its form and function. It protects and hold your center diamond, but also contributes to the look and feel of your engagement ring.”
Every engagement ring has a setting that impacts how it looks on the finger. The most important thing is that the setting keeps the center stone secure.
How Do I Choose The Right Diamond Ring Setting?
The “correct” diamond ring setting to pick depends on the center stone and your personal style. While it’s common for most traditional diamond engagement ring settings to have at least four prongs holding the stone in place, you might consider opting for more if the diamond is larger or a fancy cut shape. Alternative settings like a bezel or a halo can offer more security too.
How you lead your life on a day-to-day basis can also help you determine the best setting for your diamond ring. If you have an active lifestyle or frequently work with your hands, a high-set diamond (one that sits higher on your hand) can make your stone more likely to chip or even fall out. A lower setting can be safer for rings with larger stones.
You are not alone in this decision, a professional gemologist or jeweler will be more than happy to help you choose a setting that best suits your needs. If you want something more personalized, you can even get a setting that is custom-made just for you. “There are many benefits to commissioning a design,” explains jeweler Heidi Gibson. “Most large box stores have cataloged, ready-made settings that they just resize to fit your center stone. When ordering a custom setting, plenty of elements can be adjusted to your personal preferences, from the design to the metal choice and center stone options, as well as your finger size. Plus, knowing that your ring was made specifically to order for your finger is very special.”
What Engagement Ring Settings Makes a Diamond Look Bigger?
Alternatively, you could go for a bezel setting, which will also make the diamond appear larger. If you want your diamond to look bigger, you can choose a setting that will amplify the center stone. A halo setting with smaller stones surrounding the diamond will make it look larger to the naked eye. Alternatively, you could go for a bezel setting, which will also make the diamond appear larger.
A three stone ring or a ring with multiple side stones will make the ring look bigger because it takes up more surface area on the hand.
If you want your diamond ring to have extra sparkle, consider a pavé band or a solitaire stone with a hidden halo. The addition of smaller diamonds will illuminate your ring from all angles, making it appear brighter.
The Most Common Diamond Ring Settings
Solitaire Setting
Put simply, the solitaire engagement ring is popular because it showcases the stone. An ornate setting may be eye-catching, but a solitaire allows the chosen stone to take center stage.
Pavé Setting
For brides who believe that more is better, the pavé setting is the perfect choice. This setting covers the entire ring with small stones for a glamorous look. Keep in mind that each stone is an extra opportunity for the ring to become damaged. If you are active or work with your hands, you may want to take the ring off for physical activity. At Modern Gents, we also offer silicone rings that are perfect for this.
Cluster Setting
This ring uses a cluster of stones that surround a larger centerpiece stone. Many cluster rings are considered pavé rings, and many pavé rings are considered cluster rings. But it’s not the label that matters.
Eternity Setting
Eternity rings are a type of ring that has many small stones around the band. They are similar to pavé and cluster settings. They are popular for celebrating anniversaries or other momentous occasions between romantic couples. They have also become popular as wedding bands and as alternatives to traditional engagement rings.
Channel Setting
The channel set ring is named after waterways between two land masses, which are called channels. This type of ring has a row of stones in the middle of the band, held in place by strips of metal on both sides. This style of ring is evocative of classical Hollywood.
Side Stone Setting
The side stone ring features a central stone flanked by two smaller stones, just like having a friend by your side when you go out. With three stones instead of just one, this ring makes a strong statement.
Cathedral Setting
According to our study, 7% of respondents have an engagement ring with a cathedral setting. Arzerounian says that cathedral style settings have a more architectural look and allow for extra hidden details in the crown of the ring.
One advantage of this diamond engagement ring setting is that it makes the diamond appear bigger. It also protects the diamond more since it is elevated above the band. A disadvantage is that you have to be more careful not to damage the diamond.
Basket Setting
An engagement ring with a basket setting consists of traditional prongs that rise up from the base to secure the diamond, as well as horizontal bands that connect to the vertical prongs, forming a “basket” for the diamond to sit in. A ring with a basket setting typically sits lower than a traditional prong setting, which offers more security.Since it’s not held as high, a basket setting minimizes the risk of chipping or nicking the stone.
Bezel Setting
A bezel setting holds a diamond in place with a metal rim that surrounds the perimeter of the stone. This sleek setting protects a diamond from snags or chips because of how secure it is. According to Arzerounian, bezel settings offer maximum security for your center diamond and can even make it appear larger. Bezel settings are not as common as traditional prong settings; however, this style is gaining popularity among those who are looking for a more unique or modern aesthetic.
Tension Setting
In a tension setting, the stone is held in place by the pressure of the shank’s compression spring. This design minimizes the amount of metal visible, giving the impression that the stone is floating. This setting is only recommended for very hard stones like diamonds, sapphires, and rubies, as they can withstand the pressure required to keep them snugly in place. It is worth noting that, because this design is customized to fit the center stone, it can be difficult to resize at a later date. Despite this, the tension setting is one of the most unique types of settings, making it ideal for someone who wants something totally different.
Bar Setting
A bar setting for a ring is when there are two or more thin vertical bars of metal that go in between each stone to hold them in place. This can also be done around some or all of the ring. Having this setting will make the surface of the ring be relatively smooth and not stand out, which is perfect for those who are active. It also gives a classic engagement ring style a more modern feel.
Gypsy Setting
“Gypsy settings” are a type of diamond ring setting where the stone is set “flush” into the ring so that it doesn’t protrude at all. This style of setting is popular for engagement rings, wedding rings, and men’s rings because it protects the stone from being damaged and the ring from being scratched.
Tiffany Setting
The Tiffany setting is a diamond ring setting that features six prongs that are positioned to showcase a diamond’s sparkle as much as possible. It is typically paired with a plain band to draw all eyes to the diamond. Since Tiffany trademarked this setting, there is only one store where you can get it. Although it certainly amplifies a ring’s beauty, it features higher-set prongs, so you will want to get it checked yearly to make sure the diamond does not come loose.
Bead Setting
Bead rings are rings that have grooves indented into them for smaller stones to be securely inserted. You can tell if a ring is a bead ring if it has grooves on the inside of its band. It’s the outside of the ring that matters most, and bead rings can have a very dramatic effect.
Halo Setting
Halo settings are very popular for engagement rings, because they make the main diamond look bigger than it actually is. Our data shows that halos are the second most popular choice for an engagement ring, making up 19% of all designs. A halo setting usually has a larger central diamond, with smaller diamonds around it (pavé or micropavé), which makes the main diamond stand out more and look bigger. Arzerounian explains: “This is a great choice for someone who wants a ring with lots of diamonds. The extra sparkle from the smaller diamonds creates the illusion of a bigger central diamond.”
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