Engagement Ring Settings: Your Guide to a Perfect Design
For many grooms-to-be, the focus for an engagement ring tends to fall on selecting the perfect Sapphire, Diamond or exquisite coloured gemstone for the ring. However, there are many details to consider, including the engagement ring settings.
While the centre gemstone is the heart of an engagement ring, the setting is its foundation. The setting does far more than simply secure the stone; it is the architectural element that defines the ring's style, brilliance, and ultimate durability.
This guide is crafted to walk with you on the considerations behind engagement ring settings, offering the knowledge required to select the perfect complement for your gemstone, or Diamond, as well as your unique love story.
What is an Engagement Ring Setting?
The setting of an engagement ring is the part of the ring that holds the gemstones in place. This structure serves a critical function.
A ring’s setting works as a protective shield, safeguarding the precious stone from the impacts and wear of daily life.
The Importance of Choosing the Right Ring Setting
The setting you choose is a defining factor of your engagement ring's character. This is because it is an element that influences the ring's overall aesthetic, dictating whether the piece feels vintage, contemporary, bold, or minimalist – or perhaps even a combination of these.
The setting also impacts how the gemstone may appear on the ring design on different ring settings allow for varying amounts of light to enter the stone, profoundly affecting its sparkle. For example, a bezel-setting covers all sides of a gemstone, whilst a prong setting makes use of intricate grips to secure a stone in place, allowing more light to pass through.
This comparison is also useful in explaining the ring's durability and wearability; because a bezel setting fully protects the perimeter of the stone, it would be suitable for gemstones that can be considered to be on the softer end of the Mohs hardness scale (like a Citrine, as seen on our Deco Pop Citrine Ring) and require more careful wearing.
Meanwhile, a Sapphire, which scores 9 out of 10 on the Mohs hardness scale, would look exceptional with prong settings, like our Jazz Age Monument Sapphire Ring, which features a Blue Sapphire. This is just one example of why one should consider the wearer’s lifestyle and daily routine when selecting the perfect engagement ring.
Types of Engagement Ring Settings
Understanding the various types of engagement ring settings is key to finding the design that perfectly captures your vision. Here is a detailed overview of the most popular and distinctive styles, each offering a unique expression of elegance and protection.
Bezel
The bezel setting is renowned for its modern, clean aesthetic and offers the highest degree of stone protection. This setting works by fully encircling the gemstone with a thin band of metal, securing the stone's entire perimeter. It is an excellent choice for a contemporary bride-to-be or for anyone with an active lifestyle, as it guards the engagement ring’s gem against chipping. It also allows us to create more obvious, geometric forms, like we’ve done with our Deco Centennial Collection.
Classic Solitaire
The classic solitaire engagement ring setting is the epitome of timeless elegance. It is a perfect choice for the ones who prefer understated sophistication. This style focuses entirely on elevating a single centre stone, placing the spotlight squarely on the brilliance of the Diamond or gemstone. Its simplicity is its strength, making it one of the most enduring and beloved engagement ring setting styles.
Cathedral
The cathedral setting is an elegant, architectural design. It features graceful arches of metal rising from the shank (band) to elevate the centre stone, much like the arches of a grand building, as you can see from our Enamoured Padparadscha Engagement Ring. This design adds significant height and presence to the engagement ring, giving the stone a magnificent, regal look.
Prong
The prong is perhaps one of the most classic and widely used of all engagement ring settings. In this setting, small metal claws securely grasp the gemstone. Its popularity stems from its ability to allow the maximum amount of light to enter the stone from all angles. Because it’s so minimal, it also allows more of the gemstone to be seen without interruption.
Halo
The halo setting adds a flair to the overall design. In this setting, a centre stone is encircled by a border of smaller gemstones or Diamonds, known as the halo. This clever arrangement creates the compelling illusion of a larger centre gem, whilst adding a complementing design detail to the engagement ring’s overall silhouette.
Pavé
The Pavé setting (from the French word for "paved") is a technique where the surface of the band is encrusted with tiny Diamonds set closely together, held by tiny beads of metal. This technique creates a field of continuous sparkle, making the metal appear to have been paved with gems. It is often used to accentuate the shank of the ring, adding brilliance to a classic solitaire engagement ring setting or a halo design.
Channel
The Channel setting is a sleek and modern design. Diamonds or gemstones are set side-by-side within a metal channel, creating a smooth, continuous surface flush with the metal. There are no prongs holding the individual stones. This setting is often used for accent stones on the band of a ring, providing exceptional durability and a contemporary aesthetic.
Your Perfect Engagement Ring Awaits at B.P. de Silva
The setting you select is that pivotal step that brings your engagement ring to life, solidifying your love and lifetime commitment to your better half. We encourage all our guests to see the process of selecting a setting not as a technical decision, but as a deeply creative and thoughtful journey.
As heritage jewellers that have crafted family heirlooms for over 150 years,, we understand that finding the right setting and style of engagement ring requires expert vision and uncompromising craftsmanship. That's why we are committed to helping you craft a truly unique and meaningful piece.
We invite you to visit our flagship boutique or book a virtual concierge appointment today to begin designing a bespoke engagement ring that tells your love story.
