5 Different Types of Diamond Engagement Ring Settings
2018-01-09

Diamond engagement rings come in various styles and settings. The setting that you choose for your ring determines the cost and the effect that your diamond leaves. Therefore, you should be extra careful while choosing the ideal setting for the type of diamond that you have since some types of cuts would go well with specific ring settings and look bad with others. For example, a princess cut ring looks elegant while matched with a prong setting. 

There are different types of rings that you will find in most jeweler stores while shopping for a diamond engagement ring. Sometimes it can be challenging to pick one unique setting, but this guide will help you get what you are looking for. Some of the settings that you can always count on for an aesthetic appeal include:

Prong Setting

This is the most popular setting on the market today. A diamond engagement ring with a prong setting features 4-6 prongs that are either pointed, V-shaped, flat, or rounded. Prongs are claw-like metallic extensions that hold a diamond in place. The choice of the number of prongs depends on the size of the stone. Too many of them will overwhelm the diamond while too little will fail to hold a large diamond tightly. The elevated nature of the setting allows more light to pass through the diamond, thus giving it more brilliance and fire. The prongs should be tightened after every two years since they tend to loosen with time. 

Bezel Setting

This should be a perfect choice for anyone active with their hands since the ring features a rim that surrounds the stone and holds it in place perfectly. The frame can be full or partial where a full bezel surrounds all parts of the rock while a partial one covers some parts, leaving the sides open. Be very cautious while choosing this setting since it does not reflect light the way a prong setting does. However, you will love the protective features if you are buying a princess cut diamond engagement ring. 

Channel Setting

This snag free and secure design is commonly used for weddings and anniversaries, but it is also a perfect match for engagement rings. It features a row of small diamonds set together side by side on the band without any metal separating them. Some channel set rings will have a center diamond while others do not include one. A thin metal strip holds together the small diamonds that are mainly round cuts or princess cuts. Princess cut engagement rings are preferable if you do not want to have gaps in the channel while small round cut diamonds are ideal for anyone looking to add class to their ring.

Pave Setting 

Most people would confuse a pave setting with the channel, but the two have different features. A pave setting features a closely set small diamonds held together by tiny prongs or metal beads. The jeweler places the stones perfectly to create a solid diamond surface. The prongs in a Pave are usually inset adding more flashes and sparkle to the diamond. Some pave settings are entirely covered with diamonds while others only feature half a pave. Remember that it is tough to resize a wholly paved ring than a half one. 

Halo Setting

The fashion-forward appeal created by this ring setting has made it a favourite for most celebrities. The ring setting features a large center diamond surrounded by other smaller stones. The smaller stones are placed in a square or a concentric circle around the center stone making it appear larger than its size. You can save some money by buying a smaller carat center diamond and choosing a halo setting which gives a sparkle like that of a higher karat size.

There are many different settings to choose from when buying a diamond engagement ring, but the five stated above are most of the common ones in the market. Every setting has its own unique features hence there is a need to compare the different options available before settling for one type. You should highly consider the general maintenance of a particular setting since some could be challenging to clean.