Falling in love is easy. Finding the perfect ring to reflect that love is a little more challenging. When selecting the pretty bling you’ll love and adore looking at for the rest of your life, it helps to know what makes a ring style stand out. We’ve already looked at the 4 key components of great diamonds so you know how to pick the perfect center stone. Just as important, though, is the ring setting, which has a huge impact on the beauty and uniqueness of each design. It’s a lot to think about, but don’t get overwhelmed. We’re here to break down some of the top ring settings so you can make a more informed decision.
1. Prong
The prong setting is the most popular, classic one. This setting features prongs that cling subtly to the edges of the center stone, holding it securely in place. Most of our styles have 4-prong settings, which allow lots of light to come in make your diamond shimmer and shine. The more prongs the setting has, the more secure the diamond will be, but less light will enter the stone so it won’t be quite as dazzling. Another thing to note is that prongs are more likely to catch on clothing and other materials, so if you’re a more active woman, you may want to consider a bezel-set ring.
2. Bezel
Known as the most secure ring setting, the bezel setting features a metal strip that wraps around the periphery of the diamond. This allows your diamond to remain extremely safe from damage, which is why this setting is often recommended for women who like to stay active. A Bezel setting also has a sleek, modern look, making it a great option if you’re looking for something that puts a unique spin on a classic setting. The downside is that this setting doesn’t allow as much light into the diamond, so your diamond may seem less sparkly. If you want more bling but still love the setting, try a partial bezel. In this photo, the smaller round accent diamonds are bezel set, though you can find styles with bezel-set center diamonds too.
3. Pavé
Pavé, which is French for “to pave,” gives you beautiful diamond-encrusted looks by drilling holes into the metal and embedding tiny diamonds into the slots, keeping them secure by placing metal prongs or beads in between the diamonds. Pavé is extremely popular in the band of engagement rings, creating a dazzling line paved with diamonds (hence the name) that elevates the center diamond and helps your ring sparkle from several angles. This setting is also pretty secure, making it suitable for a variety of lifestyles.
4. Halo
Much like its name implies too, a halo setting involves an outline of diamonds that hugs the edges of your center diamond. They can be delicate or dramatic but will always add extra shine and intrigue to your ring. This is a great, affordable option for women who want more dazzle or want to make their diamond appear larger. This setting holds your center stone in place well, but because there are more diamonds in the actual halo, there is a higher chance you could lose one.
5. Channel
Like its name implies, this setting creates a smooth channel of diamonds placed side by side in the band of your engagement ring. Because this setting doesn’t use prongs and embeds the diamonds in individual grooves within the band, it’s very secure and works well for active lifestyles. Though it serves to enhance the center stone and add shine like pavé, the channel setting has a bolder, more distinct look that plays with the contrast of shape and straight lines, whereas the power of pavé is in its delicate, collective look.
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