Your guide to engagement ring settings

Engagement ring settings

The engagement ring setting you select will determine
the overall look of your ring.

Choosing or designing the perfect engagement ring can be a daunting but exhilarating experience.

That's why it pays to learn as much as you can about diamonds (or your stone of choice) and the engagement ring settings available, so you can make an educated decision about what you want.

To learn more about the all-important 4C's when selecting the perfect diamond, read our Diamond Buying Guide.

Engagement ring settings - choosing the perfect diamond is easy at Blue Nile jewelers

Your choice of stone or stones will influence the engagement ring setting, and the setting is every bit as important as the diamond. The type of setting you choose is an integral part of the design, and is a matter of taste and style.

Classic Setting

The prong or claw setting is the most popular for solitaire engagement rings. The simplicity of the prong setting allows the maximum amount of light to pass through the diamond, enhancing its brilliance. The prongs are usually made from platinum because it is the strongest metal and each prong extends upward and outward to securely hold the diamond in place.

The major disadvantages of a prong setting are that the diamond is more exposed and subject to damage and snagging, and the prongs may eventually loosen or wear, leaving your diamond at risk.

Channel Setting

Channel setting is generally found on the shoulders of engagement rings and in wedding bands. The diamonds are held securely by a metal channel creating a sleek, elegant line of stones. The small spaces created by using round diamonds offers greater brilliance, but baguettes used in a channel setting offers a lovely contrast to a central round diamond.

The diamonds are well protected in a channel setting as none of the edges are exposed.

A variation on the channel setting is the bar channel. Metal channels between the stones are positioned level to the top of the stones to make them a visible component of the overall design. This setting is particularly striking if the contrast between the metal and the stones is significant.

Bezel Setting

Bezel-set diamonds are a popular trend at the moment. A bezel is a frame or collar that wraps around the diamond and offers protection for the stone. The major drawback of a bezel setting is that it allows very little light into the diamond and can make the diamond look smaller.

A recent trend is the half-bezel, which is split into two sections adding height and light to the diamond.

Pavé Setting

Tiny diamonds, each fully cut with 58 facets, are mounted in small holes drilled into the metal to create a pavé setting. After the stones are positioned, tiny beads of metal are placed in the setting to hold the stone, giving pavé its glittering appearance.

Pavé is a demanding and time-consuming process and must be accomplished by hand, generally making pavé set engagement rings more expensive.

Cluster Setting

Cluster settings are a clever way to arrange a number of smaller diamonds into the engagement ring design to create the appearance of a much larger ring.

The design of cluster rings varies from contemporary abstract patterns to antique-style flower arrangements. The diamonds in cluster settings usually sit high, meaning they can easily get snagged.

Flush Setting

The flush setting creates a smooth sleek appearance because the stones are set into the ring so they sit flush with the surface. Also called gypsy-set or hammer-set, this technique offers great protection to the stones but limits the amount of light able to penetrate the diamonds.

Tension Setting

The tension setting uses state of the art technology to hold the stone in place with the minimum of visible support but the maximum protection and security.

This setting allows light to enter the diamond from all angles and enhances its brilliance. Platinum is the metal of choice due to its superior strength and resilience.

Illusion Setting

The diamond is mounted into a precious metal plate in the ring which acts as a mirror and gives the illusion of a much bigger stone. Although this setting enhances the size and brilliance of the diamond, it is a difficult setting to repair. *The images on this page are courtesy of Mondera.com, where you can view a wonderful range of engagement ring settings.