People have been captivated by the beauty of gems for as long as there has been a civilization. Not much has changed today; we are still attracted to the splendor and inherent value of both gems and precious metals. One of the most rewarding ways to display your favorite gemstone and precious metal is to carry it on your person as a piece of jewelry.

Rings are probably the most commonly worn pieces of jewelry, both for women and men. It is likely due to the fact that they are very prominently visible, but do not hinder our everyday activities. So, what style of ring setting is the best if you want to flaunt a large gemstone? There are a few equally valid options; which one you pick is purely down to your personal preference.

Halo ring settings

Halo rings offer a lot of variation in ring design. Basically, the main premise of a halo ring is a central gemstone which is surrounded by a halo or a ring of smaller gemstones. This simple, yet brilliant, design serves more than just one purpose. The halo of smaller gemstones serves not only to bring focus to the central gem, they are actually placed in such a way as to refract light onto the central stone, making it appear more prominent and shiny.

The basic design of a halo ring can be altered in a number of ways. For example, you can play around with different colors; although diamonds are the most used gemstone for haloes, any colored gemstone can be set into halo rings. Various color combinations can further enhance the center gemstone. Couple that with an ever-growing number of options for the precious metals used, and you can have a truly unique ring.

Multiple halo ring settings

While on the topic of halo rings, in an attempt to outdo the competition, some jewelry designers have made double halo rings in recent years, with not one but two rows of gemstones. And sometimes even triple that number. However, the primary design is still a single halo ring, with a central gemstone emphasized by a circle of smaller gemstones.

Three stone ring settings

A very popular design is a larger center gemstone set in the center of the ring with two smaller gemstones set on either side. There are as many combinations of this style as there are gemstones. Sometimes the center stone is a diamond and the side stones are rubies or sapphires. An equally fetching design is to set a larger colored stone in the center and flank it with sparkling diamonds. Gemstones of different shapes can lend even more variety to this style, for example using a round center gemstone and emerald cut side stones, or an oval center gemstone with round side stones. The possibilities are endless.

Signet ring settings

These rings are traditionally worn by men. Some of these rings bear the initials of the wearer, or a personal seal, much like kings of old used to wear. These rings typically do not have a gem embedded in them. However, other signet rings are made with (typically large) gems on them, with the gem serving as a symbol of the person, rather than the initials. There are also examples of the gems themselves being engraved. The gemstone may be his birthstone or associated with the wearer’s family history. All in all, these rings are used to show off the wearer’s wealth or affiliation.

Solitaire ring settings

If you are looking for a simple and clean look, this is probably an ideal setting for you. It is traditionally not overly ornate and puts the gemstone in the central and upraised position. These are typically associated with diamond engagement rings, but it is not uncommon to see them in right hand rings, set with a variety of gemstones and metals.

Custom ring settings

Some gemstones are left in their original and unique shape rather than being faceted or carved into a standard shape. These unusual gemstones are best set in a ring that has been custom designed to protect and flatter their shape. When it comes to custom jewelry, your imagination is practically the only limit.

Finding the ideal ring setting can be challenging these days because there is such a variety of options. However, at Leo Hamel Fine Jewelry & Engagement Ring Store, our experienced salespeople can help you to narrow down the choices to something that will truly suit your style. Our wide selection of new and vintage rings offers the best chance for you to find exactly what you want. Or our expert jewelers can help you to design a custom ring that will be yours alone. Visit our showroom and jewelry store on Sand Diego Avenue.