Ring Setting Designs
Jewelry is an intricate art form. Despite the fact that gemstones are relatively tiny in size, jewelers take painstaking steps to create perfect pieces.
They pay close attention to the most minute details that most people might not even notice.
In fact, you might be surprised by how many different styles and techniques there are. During the “setting process” alone, where the jeweler designs clasps to hold the stone in place, they choose from dozens upon dozens of different styles.
Here are just a few common setting designs that a jeweler has to choose from:
Solitaire setting: A solitaire, or “prong” setting, is a technique that uses tiny, metal prongs to hold the stone in place. Typically, solitaire-set rings feature 4-6 prongs.
Tension setting: Tension-set rings feature a metal band that squeezes the stone from each side. This style is most commonly found on more expensive rings, as it’s slightly difficult to execute properly.
Tiffany setting: One of the things that makes Tiffany & Co. such a famous company is their unique setting techniques. They actually set their stones in such a way that allows the diamond to receive the maximum amount of light.
For more ring setting designs, check out this article.
Ring Styles and Names
Looking for a ring type that suits your style?
Here are some of the most popular styles of engagement rings:
Three-stone rings: These rings feature one large stone with two smaller ones on each side.
Halo rings: This type features a ring of small stones around a large, central diamond.
Double halo rings: Double halo rings have two parallel gemstone circles around a larger one in the middle.
Pave rings: This type of ring has diamonds adorning the entire surface, so it appears as if it is made completely from gemstones.
Bombe rings: These are similar to halo rings. However, it substitutes the circular gemstone pattern for a swirling, occasionally asymmetrical design.
Art Deco rings: This style takes its inspiration from the Art Deco movement. They range in aesthetic, but all have a 1920’s look (think The Great Gatsby).
Edwardian rings: Edwardian rings are another vintage style. They typically have a band of pearls around the band.
Shaped bands: This style substitutes a traditional, plain ring shape for a more ornate design. Some shaped bands are made from multiple, swirling bands and others are more geometric.
The Types of Wedding Ring Cuts
Typically, the setting method is determined by the diamond’s “cut”.
“Cut” is the word that jewelers use to describe the shape of a stone. A diamond doesn’t come out of the ground in a perfect emerald shape. It has to be cut that way…hence the term.
Diamonds can be shaped into a number of different styles. Here are a few of the most popular cuts:
Princess – “Princess” is the jeweler’s term for a square-cut diamond.
Emerald – Emerald-cut diamonds have a rectangular shape but are cut off at the corners.
Oval – Oval diamonds are cut into an elongated circle shape.
Marquise – A Marquise-cut diamond is shaped like a leaf – ovular with pointed ends.
Brilliant – “Brilliant” is the word used by jewelers to describe diamonds that are rounded on the top (instead of flat).
This helps to make the diamond shine more by reflecting more light. Any diamond shape – from round to heart-shaped – can have a brilliant cut.
For more info on wedding ring cuts, check out this article from Cosmopolitan Magazine.
Diamond Ring Types: Choosing the Right Metal
Let’s talk about metals. After all, there are several parts to an engagement ring.
And, while the diamond might be the part that everyone notices first, the ring itself is still important.
The most common metals used in wedding rings are:
Yellow gold: This a relatively affordable option. It’s strong but not as durable as other materials.
White Gold: White gold is slightly more durable than yellow gold.
Platinum: This is the most durable of the three materials listed here.
Each of these metals can be shaped into different-sized bands. They all make great rings. Ultimately, you should choose your material based on taste and how long you want it to last.
What is the Best Type of Engagement Ring Setting?
There’s not an engagement ring setting that’s objectively better than all of the others. For the most part, it depends on the buyer’s budget and preference.
Most buyers get a prong set ring, simply because it’s typically the most affordable option. They’re the easiest for jewelers to produce, so they typically cost the least amount of money.
A tension-set ring, on the other hand, is slightly harder to make. So, buyers usually have to pay more for this kind of ring.
On top of that, tension-set rings tend to require more maintenance. Therefore, buyers should expect to pay some money every few years to make sure that their diamond is safe.
Settings for Large Diamonds
For the most part, large diamonds are set using similar techniques to smaller ones.
There are a few exceptions because many settings (halo setting, cathedral setting, etc) are actually designed to make small stones look larger. So, these techniques are somewhat useless when it comes to large diamonds.
Whatever the style, large diamonds are set with smaller ones around them. This helps to balance out the ring’s composition.