The diamond, or any other gemstone, is the center of attention in any engagement ring. But the way it sparkles and shines can be affected by one important factor that many people tend to overlook- the setting. There are many different choices for engagement ring settings, also referred to as mountings and semi-mounts. From the classic prong setting, to bezel settings, to the modern tension setting, it can quickly become very overwhelming. But that doesn’t mean your decision shouldn’t involve careful consideration.
As you more than likely already know, the 4Cs of a diamond determine its overall quality and appearance. However, engagement ring settings also play an important role. The mounting defines the look of your ring and displays the diamond to its best advantage. The way the diamond is set and the color of metal chosen can significantly impact the final look of your ring. You don’t want to fall in love with a loose diamond, select a style of setting you’ve always admired, and then ultimately decide you don’t like the way it looks on your finger. You’d have to start the entire process all over again! That’s why it’s best to consider the ring mounting before making any purchases.
It’s also wise to think about your lifestyle and budget. If you lead a more active lifestyle and plan to wear your engagement ring every day, it’s best to choose a setting that offers more protection of the diamond. Think about your ring being snagged on clothes or in hair, getting banged against your desk or walls, etc. Additionally, it’s always smart to think about your budget. While the diamond itself can make up a significant part of the overall cost of the ring, the type of metal and amount of metal used for the setting helps determine the total price.
And don’t forget about the wedding band! Do you plan on wearing your engagement ring and wedding band together? If so, you more than likely want them to sit perfectly together and share cohesive design elements. A great way to ensure this is by purchasing a wedding set. A duo will include an engagement ring and woman’s wedding band, while a trio will include an engagement ring plus his-and-hers matching wedding bands. This can help you save money, but you always have the choice of purchasing each ring separately, and even custom designing your rings.
As you can tell, there are many different factors that go into selecting the perfect engagement ring setting for you. Luckily, we’ve composed The Ultimate Guide to Engagement Ring Settings to help you make your decision. Below are the many different types of ring settings with a brief list of pros and cons for each one.
This is the most common setting for engagement rings. Prong settings involve three to six prongs, or claws, that hold a stone firmly in place in a metal “basket.” This type of setting offers a few different options: prongs can be round, flat, pointed, or V-shaped. Four or six prongs are the most common, but this can vary depending on the shape of the diamond. Fewer prongs allow for more exposure to light and thus more sparkle, but more prongs keep the diamond more secure.
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A bezel setting is the best engagement ring setting for those who lead active lifestyles. This is because the bezel setting offers maximum protection of the stone. The bezel setting encircles the diamond with a metal rim, either completely or partially. A full bezel completely surrounds the diamond, whereas a partial bezel leaves the sides open for more viewing of the diamond.
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A more modern approach to engagement ring settings, the tension setting gives the impression that the stone is floating. This type of setting features a design in which the compression-spring pressure of the band holds the stone securely in place. Jewelers expertly cut tiny grooves into the side of the band to secure the diamond in place. Diamonds, sapphires, and rubies are the only gemstones that are durable enough to withstand the required amount of pressure. There are also tension-style ring settings that have an additional metal band surrounding the diamond.
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This specific setting refers to the band of an engagement ring and is also widely popular for wedding bands. The channel setting features smaller diamonds embedded into the band of the ring. This creates a metal channel of sparkling stones set flush with the entire band or most of the band. Most channel settings feature round or princess cut diamonds. The advantage to using princess cut diamonds is there will be no gaps within the channel, making the ring sparkle even more.
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Similar to the channel setting, a pavé setting features diamonds encrusted around the perimeter of the band. However, instead of diamonds embedded within the band, several rows of small stones are set level with the surface of the ring. Then, surrounding metal is raised to form beads, like little prongs, that secure the stones in place. The finished look gives the impression that the ring setting is made entirely out of diamonds.
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Bar settings are more common in wedding and anniversary bands, but they are still used in engagement rings. Two metal bars secure the stone in place, leaving the sides exposed for viewing. This setting is similar to the design of channel settings; however, more of the diamond is visible.
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Halo settings are one of the most popular settings for engagement rings. Smaller diamonds or other gemstones encompass the center stone, creating a look of ultimate sparkle. Haloes are more commonly seen with round or princess cut diamonds, but they look great with any shape. This is a great option for smaller center stones since the halo makes them appear larger. There are also double haloes, which features two concentric circles of gemstones surrounding the center stone.
*Leo Hamel Hack: Set a smaller diamond in a halo setting to make it appear larger and save money on carat weight!*
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Cathedral settings have an elegant and classic appeal. This mounting is similar to the classic prong setting, but the diamond is set much higher up on the band. Metal arches are used to hold the center stone, much like the graceful arches of a cathedral. The arches are used to add extra height to the ring, elevating the center stone and making it the center of attention.
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Gypsy settings, also known as flush settings, feature a diamond drilled into a hole in the band of the ring. Metal is pressed and hammered around the stone to secure it; the gemstone does not protrude at all. This is a very popular style for men’s wedding bands.
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Appropriately named, three-stone engagement ring settings feature three stones: a larger center stone and two smaller side stones. This setting has a special meaning behind it as the three stones are said to represent a couple’s past, present, and future. Round brilliant and princess cut diamonds are the most popular for this particular setting. Personalization is an option by using different colored stones.
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Cluster settings are one of the newer styles for engagement rings. Many smaller diamonds are clustered together to create the appearance of a larger diamond. This style of setting can contain a larger center stone with many small stones clustered around it, or a cluster of stones of equal size.
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Shank is another term for band. Therefore, this type of mounting features a split in the band. The band splits into two separate shanks that come together at the center stone. Channel settings and pavé settings are typically combined with this style to provide more texture and sparkle.
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Now that you have a bit more knowledge about specific engagement ring settings, we hope you’ve been able to narrow it down to your favorites. Keep in mind that no specific setting for rings is superior to the others; it’s all just a matter of preference, lifestyle, and budget. So, which engagement ring setting is your favorite? Let us know in the comments section below! Still can’t decide? Stop by our jewelry store on San Diego Avenue to try on different ring settings. Our experts will help you find your dream engagement ring at a price that is right for you.