When you look at an engagement ring and admire its elegance and sparkle, you don’t try to figure out why you like it at first, you simply enjoy looking at it, and that’s it. Let’s spill the tea here: an astonishingly beautiful ring usually means that a good stone was given the perfect setting that underscores its beauty manifold.
Even if the stone just pops out and catches the eye, it means that the setting is so carefully balanced against the stone that metal becomes almost invisible - but still works to complement the gem.
So let’s look closer at what engagement ring settings are popular and how they can add to the beauty and shine of the stone you prefer.
What Is a Ring Setting and Why It Matters
A ring setting is what makes a ring, well, a ring. No, that's not a typo. A precious stone alone may be stunning, but it cannot be worn as a piece of jewelry on your finger. First, you put it into some kind of holder and attach it to a band. Now you have a ring and can rock it whenever you want.
The combination of a band and a stone-holding part (called ‘head’) is the setting. And the setting defines whether the ring will look minimalist, vintage, avant-garde, or rich in luxurious detailing.
When you choose an engagement ring, you choose the setting first, even without realizing it, because similar stones can look totally different when placed into suitable or unsuitable settings.
When you want your ring to create a specific stylistic impression, or to elongate your fingers visually, or to make your hand look more robust, you turn to different types of settings.
So before you set out to scout for this important ring, let’s explore what settings are out there and what are popular for engagement rings.
Then you’ll know from the start what you are looking for, even if just as inspiration, and your search will be more focused and will definitely result in the ring of your dreams.
Solitaire Setting: Timeless and Minimal
Of all different ring settings and designs, a solitaire is the most versatile and easy-to-style, that's why it’s usually a go-to option for a classic engagement ring.
A solitaire is a single stone set on a simple band, without additional decorative elements. A solitaire allows picking the biggest stone on your budget (because there are no additional costs for smaller stones and excessive shank and ring shoulder detailing). Plus, it goes well with a wedding band and other rings that you will wear on the same hand.
Yet, its minimalist nature does not mean it is boring. The shape of the stone plays a big role in what the ring will look like on your hand. So you can experiment with various stone cuts before you decide on the one that wins your heart.
- A round stone is the classic of the classics, it’s a neutral shape that blends into any stacking set or ringscape.
- Rectangular cuts like emerald and baguette elongate the fingers and make the stone look bigger.
- Marquise cut is unusual and elegant, plus it also helps make fingers look longer.
- Princess cut is a square with overcrossing facets that create a star-like pattern of sparkle. This cut is very dressy and full of fire.
- Oval stone - very classic, but not as traditional as a round one.
Halo Setting: Brilliance and Extra Sparkle
If you want to gracefully upgrade a solitaire setting one notch up, try a halo setting. Halo stands for a line of small stones running around the central stone. They do form a sparkling halo and add significantly in the sparkling department of your ring. Stones in a halo can be tiny, hardly visible around the center, or they can be almost as large as the central stone itself, and in every case, the ring will look different.
There are two main versions of a classic halo: a clear central stone and clear halo stones, and a colored central stone set into a colorless halo.
When all stones are colorless, the fire is freely flowing from the centre to the halo and back, multiplying the sparkle and light reflection manyfold. That's why a cool jewelry trick is to get a smaller stone and set it into a halo - the effect will be dazzling.
When colorless stones surround the colored gem, the effect is that of an heirloom piece that looks more expensive than it is. This pairing is timeless and fits into daily outfits and goes well with occasionwear. When we compare solitaire vs halo, this one advantage point goes to the halo exclusively: you can combine colors and stones in a halo setting, while a solitaire is always a solo stone, whether colored or colorless.
Typically, round, oval and cushion stones are chosen for halo rings because a band of small stones flows smoothly around softly curved shapes. But if you want to get a halo ring with an emerald or princess cut center, who can stop you?
Bezel Setting: Modern and Protective
Bezel setting is more about how it’s done rather than what it looks like. Yet the distinctive process of stone securing lends the bezel setting its unique appearance. Bezel setting means that a stone is placed into a casing that covers and protects it at the bottom and around its sides, leaving only the top of the stone visible. To make the setting even more protective, the rim is rolled over the edges of the stone, so chipping is ruled out.
Thus a stone peeks out of its solid nest, and this setting gives the antique and cool hi-tech vibe at the same time.
Bezel setting is recommended for stones that are known for fragility and proneness to chipping, or else, they are excellent for rings that fit into a very active lifestyle.
Definitely, when you look at the prong setting vs bezel closely, you notice that the bezel setting somewhat reduces the sparkle of the stone. But when bezel metal matches the stone color nicely, the visual effect is no less impressive and interesting.
Bezel setting can be paired with solitaire style, three-stone style, and pave setting, so the options for design experimentation are endless.
Pavé Setting: Elegant with Subtle Detail
Pavé literally means ‘paved,’ so you can expect to find the band paved with small diamonds (or other colorless stones). Pavé detail adds a subtle but powerful upgrade in the ring appearance, because the fire and sparkle of the central stone are supported and enhanced by the sparkling band. Whether you go for a solitaire, a halo or a cathedral setting, a pavé detail can fit in easily. But the elegance and luxury feel that it gives to other types of ring settings are priceless.
Speaking about pricing, the pavé elements won’t make the budget go up steeply, since the stones are very small. To reduce the costs further, you can opt for zirconia or moissanites for pavé elements, the visual effect will still be stunning.
To pick up the sparkle on the band, you can choose a pavé wedding band to go with your ring. The pair will look significantly more expensive than you’ll actually pay for it.
Three-Stone Setting: Symbolic and Balanced
Every ring setting and design can have a special meaning, if you choose to assign it to a jewelry piece. Yet there are some styles that have this special meaning by default, and a three-stone ring is one of them. The stones set on the central part of the band signify the past, the present, and the future of your romantic journey and your relationships. The ring says that your journey began some time ago, develops and blossoms in the present, and has the future to look forward to.
It is as romantic as it can be among all popular engagement ring styles (another deeply symbolic one being ‘toi and moi’ or a two-stone ring). So if you want something deeply meaningful, go for a three-stone engagement ring with confidence.
There are two special advantages of three-stone rings, whether as engagement rings or ‘all-purpose’ rings. First, you can choose all-clear stones and get a shining bridge or river smoothly running across your finger. Or else, you can go fancy and get a colored gem as a central point and support it with two clear stones. This setting is very sleek and interesting and at the same time understated.
Second, you can choose a design where all stones are of equal size, and so the effect will be that of an East-West model. A more classic approach is to put a larger stone in the middle and add two smaller baguettes or triangles on its sides. The ring will be visible on your finger but won’t pop out loudly. It’s a perfect balance between ‘go big’ and ‘go minimal’, if you seek this subtle solution.
Cathedral Setting: Height and Architecture
The cathedral setting is very eye-catching and unapologetically architectural. The very name suggests what architecture is meant: the Gothic cathedrals with their sky-touching spires and graceful arches supporting the tall tapered roofs.
The point is, the stone in this type of setting is raised above the shank and hovers in the air, so to speak. The shank features clearly defined arches (like flying buttresses in Gothic buildings) that curve upwards and support a stone-holding part and the stone itself. In this design, the stone barely touches the band and is thrust upward for better visibility and lightness.
This setting looks regal and ethereal, but it has its potential limitations that you might want to consider. Since the stone protrudes significantly above the hand level, it can easily snag clothing or get caught in hair or accessories. Additionally, the lace-like setting may not be the best choice for active lifestyle and daily wear. The stone can get chipped or scratched, and the arches can break, especially if they are slim. So choose a ring that is on a chunkier, more robust side if you want to rock it regularly.
Otherwise, this setting allows light access to the stone from all sides, boosting fire and sparkle in diamonds and showcasing the amazing color and depth of colored gemstones.
Tension Setting: Contemporary and Dramatic
Tension in this setting type is both aesthetic and physics-based. In a tension setting, a stone is literally suspended mid-air between two sections of a metallic shank. No prongs, bezel, nest or any other support except the pressure exerted by pre-formed metal. The shank sections have tiny grooves that nest the edges of the stone, and the rest is done by physics and the properties of metals.
The stone floats between the shank parts, it seems, and light goes through it freely in all directions, like through a droplet of water hanging from a leaf. This setting is both a fruit of technological advancements and of the whimsical imagination of passionate jewelers who love to transcend boundaries and fuse science and art together.
The setting is very contemporary and futuristic, it’s a piece of modern art at first glance. Such an engagement ring will never go unnoticed and will be a conversation starter, so any ring setting guide is incomplete without it.
Yet, there is a catch. The calibration of the mould and measurements of stone need to be precise up to the fraction of a millimeter, otherwise the tension will not work and the stone will slip out. So you have two viable options if you want a tension ring. First, go for a chunkier band that can hold a stone securely, and second, you can get a ring with additional hidden elements that hold the stone safely in place, like tiny prongs, and the tension is not the sole means of keeping the stone attached to the ring.
In general, the setting is very dramatic, almost theatrical, so a ring will be a show-stopper alone and in combination with a wedding band and other rings from your jewelry collection.
Channel Setting: Sleek Rows of Diamonds
‘Channel your inner princess’ is the first thing that comes to our mind in connection to this setting, and for a reason. This setting lets the diamonds shine in all their clear splendor, so it’s like wearing a band of light on your finger.
As the name suggests, stones are set into a recess in the metal, or channel, and held in place by a small lip that extends over the edges of stones. There are no prongs, bezel or other metallic elements, diamonds are set flush in a clean row, and light travels freely through each of them. For security, inside the channel, on the top and bottom rims there are tiny grooves that stone edges fit into. So to make a ring, first a metallic channel with inner grooves is made, then stones are slipped into it from one side, and then the ring is soldered closed.
As a result, stones sit close to each other and reflect light and let the fire flow through the row uninterruptedly. The ring looks much more expensive than it actually is, so more and more brides opt for this interesting setting.
It’s not only diamonds that benefit from this styling. Rubies and emeralds are often put into channel settings to create smooth rows of color and glow. Channel setting is great solo or as a band style for a solitaire or a halo ring.
Pave and channel settings are similar but not the same. They both work to cover the metallic surface and to maximize the sparkle, but the pave features more metallic elements. In the pave setting, stones are set into individual nests and held in place by tiny prongs. Channel setting does not feature any prongs, stones sit in a channel and seem to float there.
Vintage-Inspired and Antique Settings
Some settings have strong historical roots and references, so if you want your ring to feel like an heirloom piece, explore vintage and antique settings.
Some popular examples of such settings are Victorian, Art Deco, Art Nouveau, and some other niche designs. Historically referenced designs often feature more intricate and complex detailing, a combination of stones and colors, and specific features that are trademarks of this style.
For Victorian settings, it will be a signature flower-like crown that holds the stone, with leaves or curves on the shank that develop the flower concept.
For Art Nouveau, it will be garlands, bouquets, bows, insects, female figures or faces all interlinked in endless patterns. Opals, amethysts, pearls and moonstones were highly popular at that time.
For Art Deco, it will have a strong architectural feel, complex ornamentation within a compact ring shape, bold and unusual color combinations, and use of all-diamond designs.
How to Choose the Right Engagement Ring Setting
You can buy a ready ring, when you already see it and can try it on, or order a custom ring that will be uniquely yours up to the tiniest detail. Before you decide on these points, explore some options that match your vision, browse through fresh ring collections online, create a moodboard, and set a provisional budget.
Now you can focus on searching for a ready ring or decide that you want it made from scratch.
Usually, reputable jewelry sellers also have their workshops where artisans can resize the ring, introduce some design changes, or create a bespoke ring for you. Once you've found such a jewelry outlet, any choice you make is a good one because you can trust these people and their vision. YourAsteria has been working on the nuptial jewelry market long enough to know all the ins and outs and underwater rocks that can appear along the way. Our ready-to-wear collections are handcrafted with expertise and passion and reflect fresh trends and timeless styling options.
If you want a ring that will be created for you only, we’ll be glad to collaborate and help bring your vision to life with precision and appreciation of your wishes and your romantic journey.
Factors to Consider: Lifestyle, Budget, Diamond Shape
If you feel that your attention is scattered all over the place because of the choice of settings, here’s how to approach the search in a more organized way.
- Consider your budget. When you have set the price brackets, it’s easier to focus your attention on affordable options. Plus, an affordable ring does not mean boring or cheap. There are many ways to embody your vision on a budget, you just have to know how much you plan to pay and what is off-limits.
- Lifestyle always matters. Some people spend their weekends hiking, some run farms and play sports, and some have office-based jobs, or practice arts, throw parties for friends, and enjoy quiet time with their loved ones. An active and hands-on lifestyle dictates its limitations in the jewelry selection, an engagement ring included. The setting needs to be secure, sturdy, with minimal chance of snagging, catching on something, and breaking from the impact. A more laid-back lifestyle allows choosing more intricate and sculptural rings, with protruding elements, but the chance of snagging at clothing is always present.
- The shape of the stone is of relative importance because, with deliberation and a bit of skill, any shape can be fit into the setting you like. But still, some shapes are great for solitaires, some are perfect for halos, and some work well for channel and bezel settings. Talk to your trusted jeweler before settling on a design, and this craftsperson will be able to give you tips on how to do it better and to bring your vision into life as a perfect ring.
Conclusion: Finding the Perfect Setting for Your Ring
We hope we explained all the essentials about ring mount types for engagement rings and you’re now able to pick exactly the setting style you like. There are many interesting models and collections out there, so you’re free to pick and choose among solitaires, three-stone, halo, cathedral and vintage settings.
And if there is nothing that matches your idea of perfection exactly, experienced jewelers at YourAsteria will gladly help you to create this unique ring that will reflect your mutual commitment, care and passion you share with your dearest one. Their handcrafting skills and your idea of what you want can work wonders together, we believe. The engagement ring is a very special ring, and it should also look absolutely special.
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