Engagement Ring Settings
Engagement ring settings are most commonly associated with diamond rings, because they are the different kinds of mountings which connect a diamond to ring. Today there are a variety of different styles which can be choosen, this all depends on what kind of emotion and spirit the presepective bride would like to potray. When choosing the right setting for you, there is no need to rush, take your time, find out what is available and choose the one which suits your personailty and style the most.
Finding Your Best Engagement Ring Setting
Different people should consider different kinds of settings, it all depends on you. Some people do a lot of activities and they need a ring which will be secure and is unlikely to be damaged. Some people won’t wear their ring often and therefore can go for a less secure but more elegant design. A heavy ring may not suit delicate fingers and so on.
It is not just the wearer which will effect the type of ring chosen. The size, shape and type of stone will also be very important in the final choice for a setting which will trully match the ambition of the wearer.
Types of Engagement Ring Settings
If you are choosing engagement ring settings you have a lot of options to choose from, not only is there the main settings, but are also unique ones which you can have custom designed for youself. The following are what most consider to be main types of settings avaiable today:
Prong Setting
Probably the most popular and well know of all diamond engagement ring settings is the prong setting. If I were to describe the prong setting in the most basic language possible I would say it is like a basket in which the diamond is put in to. Not the most elegant of describitions I know, but I would definitly say that prong settings are themseleves elegant indeed. First invented in the late 17th century the prong setting keeps the diamond in place with three plus metal claws. If you were to observe the ring upside down the diamond would appear to be hanging. Most people choose a six prong setting, but that really depends on the look of the ring and size of the stone. I would recommend not choosing a prong setting if the stone is overally small, it is better suited for bigger stones.
Advantages:
- Allows for lots of light to enter the stone, makes your diamonds sparkle
- Very secure
- Easy to Clean
- Extremely elegant
Disadvantages:
- Can overshadow a smaller stone
- Can get stuck on hair, clothing etc.
- Prongs have been in some cases known to get bent or twisted
Bar Setting
If you like the prong setting but it still does not fully furfill what you are looking for then why not go with a variation of it. The bar settings is such a vairation, instead of claws which hold the stone in place, it uses elongated bars instead.
Bezel Setting
If you have been researching the different types of diamond engagement rings avaliable then maybe you have come accross or heard of the bezel setting. Of the engagement ring settings the bezel is one of the most famous and one of the best (in my humble opinion). A bezel setting desribes a metal band which wraps around the stone, offering a great look with great protection at the same time. A bezel setting can even make your stone look larger as well as cover any flaws it might have. Although a diamond on a bezel setting may not take in as much light as a prong setting, it is more sturdy and offers better protection for your diamond.
Advantages:
- Better protection for your diamond
- Bezel settings can accentuate a stone making it look larger
- Can hide a stones flaws
- Won’t get caught in clothes or hair
Disadvantages:
- Generally more expensive than a prong setting
- A prong setting will let in more light
Flush Setting
If you are looking for soemthing more modern in style then maybe you might want to choose a flush setting. Unlike bezel engagement ring settings where metal goes over the top of the stone in a flush setting a stone is placed surronded by pressed metal. To be honest I am not that mad about a flsuh setting because if there is any error in its design then there is a possiblitly of the diamond or stone coming loose.
Tension Setting
If you are looking for something which will give you added security and a modern look to match then tension engagement ring settings can be a good choice. Unlike other settings which seperate the metal which holds the stone and the metal which makes the band, a tension ring is actually just one piece of ultra strong metal. This makes a tension ring more expensive than others because they have to be made specially and they cannot be resized. You have to understand that for these rings, the strength which goes into holding the diamond comes from the whole.
Channel Settings
Not everyone can afford a huge diamond to adorne their engagement ring. Some can only afford smaller stones which cannot be presented in a manner which makes the stones a point of attention. If you need something along these lines then maybe you should choose a channel setting. A channel setting describes a setting where inset stones (which means very securly placed stones) are surroned a strip of narrow metal which holds the stones firmly. Unlike other engagement ring settings it will not highlight the stone as much, but it does offer something secure and elegant.
Invisible Settings
An invisible setting is a good cheaper alternative to a tension setting. Basically the stone is placed within a stable foundation and is kept in place using a slit design or a bypass. This may not be as strong and secure as a tension setting is but they are quite so. One advantage it will offer over a tension ring is with the ease in which a ring can be resized, it will also look as sleek and as modern as tension ring at a fraction of the cost.
Pave Settings
Looking for luxury? Then maybe you are looking for a pave setting. Today when it comes to engagement ring settings pave settings are becoming evermore popular. With a pave design the rings surfaced is covered with gems which are either out into a depression or kept in place with prongs. If you want to have pave setting engagement rings which just consist of diamonds then we are talking about something which is going to cost you a fortune. However, many today have opted for synthetic stones which will look the part and also make a pave setting an affordable choice.
Cluster Setting
Some people may have more than one stone in which they want to present, in a design like this where there is no one focule point for the ring a cluser setting can be a great choice. If you have seen a ring with more than one stone and the setting is shaped like a flower or soemthing along those lines then you have seen a cluster setting. It is a good option for people who want to present the beauty of more than one stone in unison.
Varied Engagement ring settings
If one setting is not enough for you then you should look for something with a varied setting. A varied setting means a ring which has two or more of the above settings which are used in unison to make the ring more stylish and elegant. This option may be more expensive than other engagement ring settings, but if you look hard enough affordable options can be found as well.
