With so many different styles of rings out there, it can be hard to narrow down your decision. Whether it be your first-time purchasing a diamond, or choosing an engagement ring, we have created this guide to deciphering which ring setting is the perfect fit for you.
Typically seen as one of my most classic ring settings; the prong setting is a universal pleaser. A prong is considered a small metal claw that secures the diamond tightly in place. Prongs can be seen as pointed, flat, rounded or even V-shaped. Typical prong settings feature four to six prongs. One of the major benefits of this setting is that there is a minimal metal appearance so that the diamond itself is the main attraction.
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Offering a little bit of history, in 1886 Tiffany & Co. developed a unique solitaire six-prong setting to heighten the light return on the diamond. Known as the “Tiffany setting”, this plain-band setting has come to be popularly known for the design of its prongs. Seeing as though Tiffany has trademarked this particular prong setting, it offers exclusivity to its wearers which can be more appealing to buyers.
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Seen as the second most popular ring setting, the bezel setting gives off a modern look that is feasible for an active lifestyle. The bezel setting itself encompasses the diamond or center stone with a custom made metal rim to secure the stone in place. Seen with a full or partial setting; it’s a great customizable choose for teachers, athletic professions and any other active professionals that are concerned with their ring snagging on material and clothing.
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A tension setting is one that applies tension to the metal band that secures the diamond in place. The result of this is that the diamond appears suspended between the two sides of the shank. Jeweler experts use lasers to calibrate precise dimensions of the diamonds so that the diamond or stone is held by the pressure of the custom-designed metal band encasing it. Tension-style settings are comparable to diamond suspension but offer a lower price. This type of setting also adds an extra level of security since the prong setting anchors the diamond in place.
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Similar to the previously mentioned setting, a tension style setting is a popular engagement ring that requires the diamond or stone to be set in the band, most commonly seen as a bezel setting.
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Another type of setting is referred to as a channel setting. This type of setting provides a secure way to set smaller sized diamonds in a row on the band of the ring. The stones are set flush with the metal used. Diamonds or stones are set closely together into the groves of the metal channel to enhance the look of the band itself. These are very popular in wedding and engagement jewelry seeing as though they can feature many smaller stones as opposed to one large center stone.
Seeing as though this setting has no prongs, it is a great option for a secure and snag-free design.
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A pavé setting (“pa-vay”) derives from French dialect which means “to pave”. This type of setting closely sets smaller diamonds together with minimal visibility of the small metal prongs or beads that hold the stones in place. This gives off the appearance of one continuous sparkle. When constructing, the jeweler will drill holes into the ring and then carefully place the diamonds into the holes. They then form tiny beads or prongs around each individual diamond to secure them.
This setting is also known as a bead setting or a micro-pavé setting. A typical pavé setting is one that holds diamonds that are .01-.02 sized carats, with any smaller than this being referred to as a micro-pavé setting.
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A halo setting is one in which the placement of the diamonds or stones is in an aligned square or circle surrounding a center stone. This type of setting makes the center stone appear bigger in size and is a great option to heighten the appearance of a smaller sized diamond. A halo setting can also be a great money saver on a smaller carat sized diamond while not sacrificing looks of the ring. Adding a halo of colored stones or adding a different color metal to the setting can add a beautiful contrast in colors. Halo settings can often be seen paired with a pavé band but can also stand alone with a simple ring band as well. A double halo is one that has two aligned circles of stones that encase the center stone.
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A cathedral style setting is considered of the most elegant engagement ring settings. Named because of its similarity to the arches of a cathedral, this type of setting uses arches of metal to hold diamonds or stones in place. A cathedral setting can be set with a bezel, prongs or tension setting seeing as though this setting is defined by how the stones are mounted with arches about the shank. Arches in this type of setting can be very cost efficient because they make the appearance of a center stone look larger.
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Setting diamonds between vertical placed bars of metal is another type of setting used for precious stones. Bar settings which are similar to channel settings; offer a slight difference of the diamonds being exposed on two sides. They are then held in place by metal bars that hold the stones securely on the opposing two sides. A bar setting can compliment a center stone or by itself to give a beautiful stackable ring or wedding band.
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A flush or gypsy setting, sets the diamonds into a hole that is drilled into the ring band so that the ring sits flush with the ring band itself. The jeweler will then hammer metal around the diamond to hold it in place. Because of the hammering aspect, this type of setting is not feasible for softer stones because they may be damaged in the process. Seen as a popular choice for wedding bands, the diamond sits securely in the ring band and is protected from falling out.
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Seen as a versatile setting for any occasion such as engagement or anniversaries; three stones are closely set together said to represent the couple’s past, present and future. The three stones can be of a similar size or have the middle stone be larger than the rest. The most popular gemstone or diamond shapes for a three-stone setting is a round brilliant cut or a princess cut. This setting can also be personalized with colored stones such as rubies, emeralds or even a birthstone.
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A vintage or antique style setting is usually designed to match a specific time period such as the Victorian or Art Deco era. Many times these rings feature detailed work such as filigree. Filigree is a type of metalwork that solders tiny metal beads or twisted threads together on the surface of the jewel.
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This type of setting clusters stones together tightly so that they appear to be a large diamond. It can be seen containing a larger center stone or clusters of stones equal in size.
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Although they are not exactly a type of setting; they are in fact a style of band that can be seen usually for a woman’s wedding band or other special occasion such as Valentine’s Day. These bands get their particular name from the “eternal” presence of diamonds or other stones that decorate the band of the ring in its entirety. Eternity bands can be made in a prong, channel, flush or bezel setting.
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A shank refers to the ring band or part that encompasses your finger. Most shanks are seen as round but they can also be seen as a square shaped or other unique shapes depending on your preference or jewelers capabilities. A split-shank is a ring where the shank splits into two seperate ones.
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Considering the setting of the ring is the foundation of the overall ring design, it is important to think your preferred setting through before finalizing your decision. The selection depends heavily on personal preference and lifestyle. Certain settings are better for active wearers where those who are not can perhaps go with a setting that is more intricate and unique. It is also important to consider how much maintenance and cleaning you are prepared to take on seeing as though certain settings require more than others.
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