Introduction
The ring setting and the ring style that you choose for your engagement ring are extremely important. These two things are the primary key decisions you need to make in order to determine what kind of gemstone you need to buy for your engagement ring and what the look and feel of your engagement ring would be like, which is studded with gemstones such as diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, and rubies. So, what does ring setting and ring style mean?
Well, ring setting refers to the way in which gemstones are mounted or set into a band (or ring), which plays a very important role in accentuating the beauty of the gemstones. For instance, if you look at most of our casting jewelry at Rananjay Exports, you will find gemstone rings either in a prong setting or in a bezel setting. Looking at these rings, you will find that the prong setting employs the use of metal claws for holding the gemstones, while the bezel setting encircles the gemstone with the metal. Similar to ring setting, engagement ring setting describes the part of the ring which holds the center gemstone (such as a diamond) in its place. You can call the engagement ring setting to be the foundation of the ring. So, how is setting different from style?
Style showcases the overall design which is enhanced by the ring’s setting. It does not matter whether your ring style is a radiant circle of a halo, a focus of a singular solitaire, or a symbolic triad of a three-stone design, style provides the ring with its unique narrative and character. For the scope of this blog, we will be limited to the engagement ring settings, discussing different settings you can opt for. We will be discussing 16 different types of settings. So, without further ado, let us begin with our first engagement ring setting: the prong setting.
Prong Setting & Solitaire Setting
One of the most common ring settings you will find within the casting jewelry and designer jewelry of Rananjay Exports is the prong setting. What is a prong? Well, a prong is a small metal claw which is placed to grip the diamond (or gemstone) tightly to hold it in its desired position. Prongs are of different types, and they can be pointed, rounded, V-shaped, or flat.
Most of the prong settings that you will find in the market feature either a six-prong or a four-prong, with benefits each of their own. The six-prong setting is considered to be more secure, whereas the four-prong setting is the setting in which you can see more of the gemstone (such as more brilliance in the case of diamonds).
Among the different types of prong settings, the most common is the solitaire setting which features one gemstone (such as a diamond or any other precious stone). This setting tends to draw the viewer's attention to the stone with no distractions such as fancy metalwork or any other stones.
Bezel Setting
In today’s times, the bezel setting is the second-most popular engagement ring setting because of its suitability for an active lifestyle as well as its modern look. In this setting, instead of holding the gemstone with prongs, the precious metal (such as silver or gold) in the form of a thin metal rim encircles the gemstone (which is the center stone). This thin metal rim is custom-made for holding the stone as tightly as possible in its place.
Because of the presence of the bezel, the gemstone is held securely in its place, more than it ever could be if it was a prong setting. A bezel setting can exist as a full bezel setting or partial bezel setting: the full bezel setting completely surrounds the gemstone whereas the partial bezel setting leaves the sides open.
Tension Setting
The tension setting is named so because of the tension of the metal band or shank that secures the center gemstone in its place. In this setting, it appears as if the diamond (or gemstone) is suspended between both sides of the shank. Using lasers, the exact dimensions of the diamond are calibrated, through which the jeweler expertly cuts small grooves into both sides of the shank or band. This results in the center stone literally being held by the pressure of the custom-designed metal shank which is pushing into the sides of the gemstone. Tension setting, although complicated to make, is less expensive.
Channel Setting
The channel setting is the most secure way to set smaller gemstones in a row (which are generally accent stones) into the shank of the ring, turning the metal channel of glittering stones flush with the shank. The gemstones are set closely together in the grooves of the channel which beautify the sides of the band, or even the entire band. Not only is this setting popular in wedding bands, but it is also used in stackable rings that feature no center stone and only smaller stones. Because of the absence of prongs, this setting is good if you want something snag-free and safe.
Pavé Setting
The word Pavé is pronounced as “pa-vay”, and it originates from the French word which means “to pave”. As the name suggests, the Pavé setting is paved with gemstones. In this setting, the small gemstones are closely set together with minimal visibility of the tiny metal prongs or beads that hold the stone in place, thus resulting in continuous sparkle. In the making of this setting, the jeweler drills holes into the ring, and then diligently places the gemstone (such as small diamonds) into the holes, and finally forms mini-prongs or small beads, around each diamond so as to secure it into the holes. In the case of diamonds, they are said to be pave-set if they range between 0.01 to 0.02 carats, and any smaller than this would make the setting called micro-pave.
Halo Setting
In the case of a halo setting, diamonds or other gemstones are placed in concentric circles or squares around the center stone. When you look at the halo setting, you will find that the smaller diamonds make the center stone appear larger while also increasing the overall sparkle of the ring. You can also opt for a halo setting if you wish to save money by choosing a smaller-carat diamond. In addition to this, setting the halo gemstones with a different color metal or adding a halo of colored gemstones (both precious and semi-precious) can make for a beautiful contrast in colors.
Bar Setting
Setting gemstones one after the other between vertical bars of precious metal is another way to set stones. Bar setting is similar in a lot of ways to the channel setting, with the difference being that the channel setting encapsulates the gemstone on all sides whereas bar setting leaves the gemstone exposed on two of its sides, held in place by parallel metal bars which secure the stone on the other two sides. You can have this setting to compliment the center stone or else, you can have it stand alone for an impressive wedding band.
Flush Setting
The flush setting is also known as the gypsy setting. In this setting, the diamond is set into drilled holes present in the shank of the ring. This also means that the gemstones are embedded into the shank, where the gemstones do not protrude in any way, thus ensuring an even and smooth surface. You can say that the gemstone sits “flush” with the shank of the ring. In order to secure the stone (say diamond), jewelers need to hammer the metal around the diamond to hold the diamond in its place. Because hammering takes place, the flush setting is not suitable for softer stones which have the possibility to crack in the process. This type of setting is very popular in the case of men’s wedding bands.
Three-Stone Setting
The three-stone setting is another multipurpose setting that can be used for an anniversary ring, engagement ring, or any other ring that will be gifted on some special occasion. The three stones utilized in this ring are set closely together, symbolizing a couple’s past, present, and future. Oftentimes, the center stone set in a three-stone setting is larger than the other two side stones. Other times, all three stones are of the same size. The most famous diamond shapes utilized in this setting are the princess cut or the round brilliant cut. Last but not least, you can personalize this setting by choosing colored side stones of your choice, such as sapphires, rubies, and emeralds.
Antique/Vintage Setting
Most of the vintage or antique engagement ring styles have been designed in order to fit specific time periods of jewelry fashion, like Edwardian, Art Deco, and Victorian era styles. Most of the rings that have antique/vintage settings feature intricate detailing such as milgrain and filigree.
Milgrain is a type of engraving or embellishment that possesses tiny balls of metal decorating the crown of the ring and the sides of the band, thus providing the engagement ring an antique look. And filigree is a type of delicate metalwork in which tiny beads of metal or twisted threads of metal are soldered together to the surface of the jewel.
Cluster Setting
In a cluster setting, a group of small diamonds or gemstones are set closely together so as to create a false appearance of a larger stone. This design is popular because of its eye-catching and unique look, and its affordability compared to buying a single large diamond. The cluster ring is best for smaller hands or fingers.
Shank/Split-Shank Setting
This is another term you may have heard from many jewelers. By shank, we are referring to that part of the ring that actually encircles your finger or, in other words, the band of the ring. Generally, you will find most shanks to be round, however, there are also square-shaped shanks and other far more creative shapes in which shanks are made.
Split shank refers to the ring in which the shank or the band splits into two separate strands of shanks as it approaches the center of the stone. This often creates an open, airy look that accentuates the appearance of the diamond or gemstone present in the center. The additional strands of the band (or shank) can be decorated with gemstones, engraved patterns, or intricate designs, adding a personalized and unique touch to the design of your ring.
Infinity Engagement Ring Setting
Infinity setting features a beautiful and unique design with an “8”-shaped pattern made up of two interlinking bands. This “8”-shaped pattern represents infinity and is designed so in order to symbolize everlasting love and commitment between couples. This infinity symbol gives a graceful and elegant appearance that emphasizes the center diamond.
You can find infinity engagement ring settings in a wide array of styles. Some feature pave-set diamonds that frame and draw focus to the center diamond, while others feature a solitaire setting that combines a beautiful diamond at the center with the unadorned band.
Cathedral Setting
The cathedral setting features peaked shoulders or arches that rise up from the band in order to support the center stone contrary to finishing lower down beneath the gemstone. This engagement ring setting looks classic and elegant, and the arches that create a cathedral-like effect give it its signature name. This particular setting is perfect if you wish to showcase larger gemstones or diamonds, and it adds a touch of height and presence to the ring. The best part of the cathedral setting is the elevated placement of the center stone, which allows for the maximum amount of light to enter the gemstone, thus helping it add extra sparkle and brilliance.
Five Stone Setting
The five-stone setting possesses a row of five gemstones or diamonds that are set in a straight line on the band, perpendicular to the finger. Within this setting, you can have all the gemstones of equal size, or the center stone can be larger than the side stones. If you opt for the center stone to be larger than the side stones, you will find a tapered, graduated effect on the stone sizes, thus creating a beautiful look. The stones in this setting can be set via bezels, prongs, or a combination of both, depending on what look you desire.
East-West Setting
Most engagement rings that you will see in the market are placed in a vertical fashion, in which the gemstone points up and down from your palm to your fingertips. There is another brand new way to set engagement rings, known as the east-west setting (also called sometimes as north-south setting). An east-west ring flips the traditional setting on its side so the center stone is placed horizontally and it lays perpendicular (or at 90 degrees) to your finger. This small change creates a very chic and modern look.
In simple words, you can say that the east-west setting adopts a classic silhouette in the form of an offset with a horizontally placed gemstone across the band. The 90-degree rotation of the stone also creates the illusion that the stone is larger. Generally, the east-west setting features elongated gemstone shapes, such as marquise, oval, radiant, or emerald cuts.
Conclusion
The ring setting of an engagement ring may seem like small details that can be ignored at first glance. However, when you dive deeper into these ring settings, you will find that they play a vital role in determining the design of your ring, they add beauty to the ring, and they influence the security of both – the accent stones as well as the center stone. This is why, up until this point, we have discussed 16 different types of engagement ring settings, so you know them all and you know which ring setting you should opt for.
By the way, do you need engagement rings at wholesale rates because you are a chain store or a jewelry retailer? If yes, then browse through the website of Rananjay Exports – India’s top wholesale gemstone jewelry manufacturer and supplier. We deal in all kinds of sterling silver jewelry and gemstone jewelry, and our specialty lies in the number of gemstones we work in – we work in 250+ different natural and ethically sourced gemstones. From casting jewelry, and handmade jewelry to designer jewelry and custom jewelry – we sell it all – and everything we sell is made available to you at wholesale rates.
If you want to order engagement rings through Rananjay Exports, you can get them by placing a custom order with us. In custom orders, we craft custom jewelry for our clients which is based on their design. For this custom order, all you have to do is share either a photo or sketch of the design and then hop on a one-on-one consultation call with our technical team. On this call, we will discuss all the technicalities of the jewelry. We will also discuss things such as the gemstones that will be used, the base metal that will be used, the grade of the gemstones used, and several other factors that determine the look and feel of the jewelry. So, visit Rananjay Exports, and order your engagement rings via custom order to take your retail store to new heights!
