How To Choose The Perfect Ring Style
Getting engaged is incredibly exciting, but it can also be somewhat daunting. The engagement ring must be the perfect ring because it will be a symbol of your love for one another for the rest of your lives.
There are so many things to consider when you’re looking for the ring that suits your engagement perfectly. Things like the setting, whether it should be gold or platinum, and of course, the quality and number of diamonds is of utmost importance.
Following are the various diamond ring setting available, to help you choose the one that is right for you.
The Claw Or Prong Setting
This is probably the most common of all settings for a diamond ring. It is an elegant setting that is the most popular choice for many couples, who want a classic design for their ring. The prong setting normally consists of between four and six metal claws placed on the surface of the diamond, to secure its position on the ring.
The purpose of the prong setting is to really focus on the brilliance of the diamond by exposing it to the fullest. The claws should, ideally, end on the surface of the diamond. If they extend too high, they will cover too much of the diamond’s surface and reduce its brilliance.
This specific type of setting can be shaped in a variety of ways. The prongs can be squared, rounded, elongated, pointed, or V-shaped.
Pros of the prong setting
- It shows off the diamond to its fullest
- It is a versatile setting that works well with diamonds of all shapes
- It is reasonably easy to adjust it for stones of different sizes
Cons of the prong setting
- Since the girdle of the diamond is covered only partially, the stone can be easily chipped
- Claw settings tend to hook on clothing
The Halo Setting
At the moment, the incredibly glamorous halo style is extremely popular with many couples. With this setting, the main diamond is encircled completely by smaller pavé or micro pavé accent diamonds, to form a halo. This halo of diamonds sparkle with light and focuses the eye on the main diamond in the middle. It is easy to personalise the halo setting with different metals, diamond shapes, and setting styles for the pavé accent diamonds.
Pros of the halo setting
- It makes the main diamond seem larger than what it is
- It is a dazzling setting that hides a centre diamond that is slightly flawed
- The many small diamonds in the halo setting can reduce the cost more than a ring that contains one diamond of the same weight.
Cons of the halo setting
- Wedding bands do not work well with all engagement rings with halo settings.
The Bezel Or Tube Ring Setting
With the Bezel setting, the diamonds are partially or entirely encircled with a border of precious metal that secures it in place. Also referred to as a “tube” setting, this setting highlights the diamond to give the ring a contemporary look. The bezel setting is used mainly for round cut diamonds, but an expert jeweller will be able to create a bezel setting for you for diamonds of any shape, including pear, heart, oval or other unique shapes.
Pros of the Bezel setting
- An engagement ring with a bezel setting is extremely durable.
- It is a secure setting that grips the stone firmly
- The diamond is well-protected against knocks
- It does not hook on clothing
- It is a perfect setting for less durable gemstones like Tanzanite
- It is the perfect setting for the woman that leads an active lifestyle and works with her hands.
Cons of the Bezel setting
- It hides quite a large part of the gemstone
- It can be a bit more expensive because more precious metal is used to create the setting.
The Channel Setting
Although it is similar to a pave setting, the channel setting is different, in that thicker metal is used in the design, to secure the diamonds. It is an incredibly elegant diamond setting, and well-known as a wonderful option for wedding bands and diamond anniversary rings. Square-shaped or round brilliant diamonds are used in this extremely graceful setting and features two walls of precious metals with the diamonds being suspended between them.
Pros of the channel setting
- The setting holds diamonds securely in place
- It gives better protection for the stones against knocks
- The many small diamonds used in the setting give the ring a stunning sparkle
- The design is ideal for everyday wear.
Cons of the channel setting
- It is quite difficult to resize or repair
- Dirt gets trapped inside the channels, making it quite hard to clean
- The stones in a channel setting are not as visible as the stones in other settings, such as the prong setting
The Pavé Setting
Also known as a bead setting, the pavé setting is derived from the French word for “paved” and refers to the paving of the diamonds in the setting of the ring. Diamonds used in this setting must be no less than 0.01 to 0.02 carats, to fall into the pavé category. If smaller diamonds are used, it is called a micro pave setting.
The setting is glamorous and involves many small diamonds set closely together to create a sparkling diamond-encrusted appearance. The overall impression of the setting is that the diamonds are “paved” all along the band. Tiny beads are then formed out of metal to keep the diamonds in place.
Pros of the Pavé setting
- It improves the appearance of the central diamond, in the event that a less than perfect diamond has been used in the setting.
- It is the ideal setting for the bride-to-be who wants a sparkling, dazzling engagement ring
- As mentioned earlier, many smaller diamonds in a setting are less expensive than one diamond that weighs the same.
Cons of the Pavé setting
- Stones in these settings can be lost
- The setting has more small gaps for dirt to accumulate
- This setting needs to be checked and maintained more regularly than other settings.
The Tension Setting
The diamond in the tension setting is held firmly in place with the pressure created by metal bands on either side of the stone. In other settings, two small ruts are carved into the metal at the place where the diamond’s girdle touches against the metal, in order to keep the stone in place. The tension setting is different, in that it seems as if the diamond is floating in between the two shanks, giving the ring a mesmerising look.
Pros of the Tension setting
- The entire diamond is visible in this setting
- It allows for plenty of light reflection, because of the minimal amount of metal around the stone
- It is the ideal ring for the woman who wants an unusual, minimalist ring, that is unique from others
- Unlike the prong setting, the tension setting requires less maintenance.
Cons of the Tension setting
- It is a classical setting that works only with hard gemstones like rubies, sapphires, and diamonds
- The stone in a tension setting must be of excellent quality because flaws will be more visible
- Since most of the diamond is exposed in this setting, it is not suitable for someone who leads an intensely active lifestyle
- It is not easy to resize a tension setting.
The Micro Setting
Also referred to as a micro prong or micro pavé setting, the micro setting is a dainty, elegant one that must be made by an expert jeweller with years of experience. The setting is made up of two or more rows of tiny diamonds set closely together and set firmly in place with tiny prongs.
The micro pavé setting is quite a new technique that uses smaller gemstones than the traditional pavé setting. The diamonds in a micro setting are similar to those in the pavé setting and give the ring an encrusted appearance and enhance the general design of the ring. This type of setting is used in micro-set diamond rings and halo diamond rings.
Pros of the Micro setting
It is perfect for the woman who wants her ring to dazzle!
As mentioned earlier, many smaller diamonds cost less than one diamond of the same weight.
The smooth surface of the setting makes it ideal for those who lead active lifestyles.
Cons of the Micro setting
The stones in a micro setting tend to get lost easily.
The Gypsy Setting
The gypsy setting is also referred to as a hammer style or Swiss setting and is frequently used in men’s wedding band designs. With this setting, the diamond does not protrude from the metal, but instead, lies flush with it. The metal is hammered and pressed around the edge of the stone to set it firmly in place, which protects the gemstone’s girdle from being exposed. The gypsy setting is perfect for everyday use.
Pros of the gypsy setting
- It is one of the most secure settings for a diamond ring
- It is an excellent choice for those leading an active lifestyle or works with their hands
- It protects the stone from being knocked.
Cons of the gypsy setting
- The stones in this setting aren’t as visible as the stones in other ring settings.
Other important Factors Regarding Diamond Ring Settings
It is all very choosing a ring that offers stunning eye appeal, but there are several other factors to consider when searching for the right diamond ring. For instance:
Which Setting Will Give The Gemstone Maximum Protection?
The gypsy and bezel settings provide the most security. The diamond is entirely surrounded by a precious metal, with the top of the stone being flush with the surface. Stones are well-protected against accidental knocks.
Can A Setting Make The Diamond Look Bigger?
Diamonds look larger than what they are when used in a halo setting. The smaller accent diamonds used in the setting enhance the gemstone’s sparkle and make the entire ring dazzle!
How Much Does The Setting Cost?
The cost of the setting you choose depends on the type of setting you choose, the complexity of the design, and what type of precious metal is used to create the ring.
How Are Diamonds Set In An Engagement Ring?
The experiences and skills of a master jeweller are needed to set a diamond in platinum or gold because it is a detailed procedure that must be done by hand. The shape and size of the diamond is an important factor when choosing a setting. The overall design must complement the diamond and show off the brilliance of the stone to the fullest.
Can Silver Be Used For A Diamond Engagement Ring?
Although silver can be used to create diamond engagement rings, professional jewellers prefer to use platinum or 18-carat gold. Diamonds are exquisite gemstones that need to be used with high-quality precious min ring designs that will last forever and be handed down from one generation to the next.
How To Make Sure That You Choose The Right Diamond Ring
As exciting as it is, there are several things to consider when choosing a diamond engagement ring. It is a large investment, so it is important that you understand the “4 Cs” before making your decision, namely the colour, clarity, carat weight, and cut.
- The colour – bear in mind that the less colour the diamond has, the higher it will be in quality. The jeweller will be able to help you with the different colour grades and their prices.
- The clarity- evaluation of small, natural inclusions and blemishes. Diamonds, whether lab-grown or mined, are seldom flawless and are completely different to each other, which makes them so sought-after and unique.
- The carat weight – although most people believe that the carat weight refers to the size of the stone, this is totally wrong. It actually refers to the total weight of the diamond, which can vary, depending on the cut of the diamond. It is, therefore, quite possible that two diamonds look the same size, but their overall carat weight is slightly different.
- The cut – the cut of a diamond is quite possibly the most important of the 4 Cs, because this will determine how well it returns light and its brilliance.
Taking a bit of time to familiarise yourself with each of these terms will be of significant help to you when it comes to making the right choice to find the engagement ring that is perfect for you. We offer a fine collection of vintage and antique engagement rings in platinum, gold from across the ages