Have the different styles of engagement ring settings got you all confused? Looking for a simple explanation of terms like halo, pave, and prong? Well, we decided to write this article for you because we know that the world of diamond jewelry can be daunting.
Whether it’s an engagement ring and your first-time diamond purchase, or simply a gift for a loved one, we present to you our guide to ring settings, complete with definitions and photos for each term so that you can shop confidently on our online store.
1) Prong Setting & Solitaire Setting
The most common and classic ring setting is called a prong setting. A prong is a little metal claw that grips the diamond tightly, holding it in place. Prongs can be rounded, pointed, flat, or V-shaped (the latter being the most common for princess-cut diamonds).
Most prong settings feature either four or six prongs; with the former you can see more of the diamond, but the latter is more secure. A benefit of this setting is that there is a minimum presence of metal, so that there’s more diamond to see and more light that can pass through the diamond, thus adding to its brilliance.
Prong Setting Drawbacks
A drawback, however, is that the prongs can snag on clothing or other materials, especially if they are high-set. A lower-set prong setting can be more practical for women with very active lifestyles.
Most customers can wear this setting without any problems though it is a good idea to have the prongs inspected from time to time to ensure they have not become loosened.
Of the prong settings, the most common is the solitaire setting featuring one diamond or other precious stone. The solitaire setting draws all of our attention to the stone with little to distract us like other stones or fancy metalwork.
2) Bezel Setting
The bezel setting is the second most popular ring setting due to its modern look and suitability for an active lifestyle. Instead of holding the diamond with prongs, the bezel setting encircles the diamond, or center stone, with a thin metal rim custom-made to hold the stone tightly in place.
A bezel setting can be a full or partial setting: a full bezel completely surrounds the diamond whereas a partial bezel leaves the sides open. It’s a great choice for nurses, teachers, and others looking for a ring that won’t snag and will adequately protect the diamond.
3) Tension Setting
The tension setting is named for the tension of the metal band that secures the diamond in place; the result is that the diamond appears suspended between the two sides of the shank.
With the help of lasers used to calibrate the exact dimensions of the diamond, the jeweler expertly cuts tiny grooves into the sides of the band, or shank, so that the diamond, or other precious stone, is literally held by the pressure of the custom-designed metal band pushing into the sides of the stone.
Tension-style settings feature a comparable look of diamond suspension but are less expensive and complicated to make. The tension-style settings add an extra dose of security since they employ a prong or bezel setting on the side or underneath the diamond to anchor the diamond firmly in place.
4) Classical Tension Setting
In the two photos below, the one on top is a classic tension setting while the one underneath is a tension-style setting. Notice the bezel setting around the round diamond in the tension-style setting.
5) Channel Setting
The channel setting is a secure way to set smaller diamonds in a row into the band of the ring, making a metal channel of sparkling stones flush with the shank.
The diamonds, or other gemstones, are set closely together into the grooves of the channel and decorate the sides of the band or the entire band. This setting is also popular for wedding bands or stackable rings that feature only smaller stones and no center stone.
Since there are no prongs, this setting is also a good option for a snag-free and secure design. In the photo below, the diamonds in the shank are channel-set.
6) Pavé Setting
The pavé setting, pronounced “pa-vay,” comes from the French word “to pave,” as in paved with diamonds. By closely setting small diamonds together with minimal visibility of the tiny metal beads or prongs holding the stones in place, the effect is one of continuous sparkle.
The jeweler typically drills holes into the ring, carefully places the diamonds into the holes, and finally forms tiny beads, or mini-prongs, around each diamond to secure them into the holes.
This setting is also known as a bead setting and in the case of especially small stones, may be called a micro-pavé setting. Diamonds are said to be pavé-set when they are as small as .01-.02 carats and any smaller than that would be called micro-pavé.
Pavé Setting Benefits
Pavé settings makes the center stone pop and are a great option to give extra sparkle to a lower-set or less sparkly center stone. Just a word of caution: if the ring is pavé set around the entire band, ring sizing can be very difficult.
We recommend confirming ring size early in the design process in order to prevent any problems with fit when the ring is finished.
7) Halo Setting
The halo setting refers to the placement of diamonds or other gemstones in a concentric circle or square around a center stone. The halo setting makes the center stone appear larger — a great option to boost the appearance of a small diamond — and it increases the overall sparkle of the ring.
A halo setting, then, can be a way to save money on a smaller-carat diamond while not sacrificing the overall appearance of the ring. In addition, adding a halo of colored gemstones or setting the halo diamonds with a different color metal can make for a contrast in colors.
Halos are often paired with pavé bands but could certainly stand on their own with a simple unadorned band. And as the name implies, a double halo setting consists of two concentric circles of gemstones that encircle the center stone.
8) Cathedral Setting
The cathedral setting is one of the most elegant and classic engagement ring settings. Similar to the graceful arches of a cathedral, this ring setting uses arches of metal to hold the diamond or other gemstone.
The cathedral may be set with prongs, bezel, or tension setting since the defining characteristic of this ring is not how the diamond is held but rather how it is mounted with arches above the rest of the shank.
The arches can add extra height and make the center stone appear larger; they can also add cost-saving style for less money than adding more diamonds.
10) Bar Setting
Setting diamonds separately between vertical bars of metal is another way to set precious stones.
Bar settings are similar to channel settings, but the difference is that channel settings enclose the diamond on all sides whereas the bar setting leaves the diamond exposed on two sides, held in place by the metal bars that secure the stones on the other two sides.
This setting can compliment a center stone or stand alone for an impressive wedding band or stackable ring.
10) Flush Setting
A flush setting, also known as a gypsy setting, sets the diamond into a drilled hole in the band of the ring so that the ring sits “flush” with the band of the ring.
Then the jeweler hammers the metal around the diamond to hold it in place. Because the jeweler must hammer in this piece of metal to hold the stone in place, this setting is not suitable for softer stones, which could crack in the process.
This type of setting is a popular choice for wedding bands, especially men’s wedding bands, as the diamond sits securely in the band of the ring and is therefore highly protected from chipping or falling out.
11) Three-Stone Setting
The three-stone setting is a versatile setting that can be used for engagement, anniversary, or any occasion. The three stones, set closely together, are said to symbolize the couple’s past, present, and future.
These stones can either be all the same size or, as is often the case, the center stone is larger than the two side stones. The most popular diamond shapes for this setting are the round brilliant cut and the princess cut.
It’s possible to personalize this setting with colored side stones, such as sapphires, rubies, emeralds, or other birthstones.
12) Cluster Setting
A cluster setting “clusters” stones tightly together in order to look like a large diamond. It can either contain a larger center stone or cluster together stones of equal size.
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