Types of Engagement Ring Settings
The setting is a huge part of the overall look and feel when it comes to finding that perfect engagement ring. As a matter of fact, it’s really the foundation that showcases your unique style and taste. Being a custom engagement ring designer, I’m here to walk you through all the amazing options so you can find the one that speaks to your heart.
What Is A Ring Setting?
So, what is an engagement ring setting, exactly? Quite simply, it’s how your beautiful center diamond or gemstone is attached and secured to the precious metal band. Every setting has its own characteristics—some are very minimalist, and others are all about the bling.
The way that gemstones are combined with the metal band of an engagement ring is known as its 'setting.' It is most commonly associated with how its gemstones are mounted or held in place. A ring's setting has two key components: the head and the shank (or band). The head includes the gemstones and sits at the top of the ring, while the shank encircles the finger.
Anatomy of A Diamond Ring
Learn more about diamond terms here.
Types of Engagement Ring Settings
Prong Setting or Solitaire Setting
The prong setting is a classic, timeless design that features either four or six metal prongs extending up from the band to cradle your center stone. Solitaire engagement rings are all about letting that beautiful single diamond take center stage. This setting works well with nearly every diamond shape and is super versatile.
Basket Setting
A basket setting is a classic and elegant ring design where the center diamond is elevated and secured by four or more prongs extending upward from a base. When viewed from the side, this base resembles a basket, thanks to the horizontal support bars or intricate metalwork connecting the prongs beneath the stone. This not only adds stability but also enhances the ring’s overall visual appeal.
The elevated design of the basket setting allows light to enter the diamond from multiple angles, amplifying its brilliance and sparkle. Another great feature of this setting is its practicality—it enables a wedding band to sit flush against the engagement ring, creating a seamless and polished look.
Cathedral Setting
A cathedral setting is a timeless design that features graceful metal arches rising from the band to hold the center stone, reminiscent of the soaring architecture found in Gothic cathedrals. These elegant arches curve upward from both sides of the band, creating a dramatic profile and stunning negative space around the center stone.
At the peak of the arches, the center diamond is typically secured with prongs or a bezel, adding both height and prominence to the ring. This design not only provides sturdy support for the diamond but also enhances its presence, as the elevated structure draws the eye upward and creates the illusion of a larger stone.
Cathedral settings offer incredible versatility, ranging from simple, classic designs to more intricate versions adorned with pavé diamonds or delicate filigree work along the arches. Whether you prefer understated elegance or ornate detailing, this setting brings sophistication and grandeur to any engagement ring.
Trellis Setting
A trellis setting is a beautifully crafted design where four prongs interweave or crisscross beneath the center stone, forming an elegant lattice pattern that resembles a garden trellis. This unique design not only securely holds the diamond in place but also adds a touch of artistic detail when viewed from the side.
The open design of the trellis allows ample light to reach the diamond from various angles, enhancing its brilliance and sparkle. With its blend of secure functionality and sophisticated style, the trellis setting is a perfect choice for those seeking a ring that’s both timeless and visually striking.
Bezel Setting
If you are looking for sleek and modern, then a bezel setting engagement ring is definitely worth your consideration. In place of prongs, this setting has a low profile that sits directly on the finger instead of raised prongs. A thin metal rim surrounds the diamond or center stone of a solitaire ring. It is perfect if you are active and need a ring that is extra secure and protected.
Channel Setting
Smaller diamonds set close together into a groove or “channel” in the band create a major sparkle all around with the channel setting. These little accent stones make such a big difference, making the ring feel extra luxurious.
Tension Setting
A tension setting is just the coolest, most modern thing. The center diamond actually stays in because of pressure from the metal band—just floating. It sounds so unique and striking that it really shows off your stone so beautifully. A tension setting gives an engagement ring a unique and modern look, with the added benefit of allowing light to enter and reflect off the diamond for exceptional brilliance.
Popular Engagement Ring Styles and Design Elements
Pavé Setting
For that “frosted in diamonds” effect, you want to see engagement rings with pavé or micro-pavé settings. Pavé is a French word for “paved,” which refers to small diamonds set super close together along the band or halo.
The diamonds are held in place by small prongs or beads that are barely visible, creating a continuous surface of sparkle and shine. This setting style gives an engagement ring a glamorous and luxurious look, with the added benefit of making the center stone appear larger due to the surrounding smaller diamonds. Pavé settings can be used in both engagement rings and wedding bands.
Micro Pavé Setting
Micro pavé is a unique diamond-setting technique that can add an all-over sparkle to any section of your engagement ring. The outcome is a micro pavé engagement ring that emulates the appearance of being paved with an uninterrupted sheet of diamonds, creating a stunning and glamorous effect. The main difference between the pavé and micro pavé techniques is that micro pavé stones are significantly smaller, with diameters that measure between 0.7 and 1.2 millimeters. It requires exquisite craftsmanship to execute flawlessly, but with a skilled micro pavé specialist, the effect is dazzling.
Halo Engagement Ring Setting
A halo setting is a center diamond surrounded by a circle, or "halo," of smaller accent diamonds. The center stone sits atop the center of the surrounding smaller diamonds, creating a beautiful and dramatic effect. Halo settings can be designed in various shapes, including round, square, oval, pear, and more. The smaller diamonds surrounding the center stone add extra sparkle and radiance to the ring, making it appear larger and more luxurious. This style has become increasingly popular due to its stunning appearance and versatility with diamond shapes and sizes.
Seamless Halo or Zero Gap Halo Ring Settings
A big flaw in most halo settings is the gap separating the center stone from the surrounding diamond accents. It tends to make the overall ring's quality look poor. A skilled diamond setter will create a ring that closes that gap so you can't tell where the diamond ends and the accent stones begin, giving it a seamless appearance. You can learn more about how to get seamless halo settings here.
Double Halo Setting
A double halo ring setting is an engagement ring design with two concentric circles, or "halos," of smaller diamonds surrounding the center stone. The first halo encircles the center diamond or gemstone, while the second one surrounds the first. This creates a stunning and dramatic effect, making the center stone look larger and more brilliant. This ring-setting style has become increasingly popular in recent years due to its luxurious appearance and ability to make any diamond or gemstone stand out.
Three Stone Engagement Ring
A three-stone engagement ring style is deeply meaningful. It features one larger center stone flanked by two smaller diamonds or gemstones on either side. These three stones symbolize your past, present, and future together. You can also get creative with different diamond shapes or introduce a pop of color using a blue sapphire, ruby, emerald or other gemstones.
Side Stone Engagement Rings
Three stone rings can also be known as rings with side stones that flank the center stone.
Vintage Inspired Settings
Calling all old souls—if you adore intricate details and a touch of nostalgia, vintage-inspired engagement ring settings are for you. Think delicate filigree, milgrain edges, hidden diamond accents, and Art Deco vibes. These designs are full of unique character and timeless charm.
Art Deco Style Emerald Cut Engagement Ring
Vintage Inspired Custom Engagement Ring
Vintage Inspired Custom Diamond Halo Engagement Ring
Ring Metal Matters
When choosing an engagement ring, the metal for the band plays a significant role in its overall look and feel. Here’s a quick overview of the options:
• Yellow Gold: A traditional favorite, yellow gold has a warm tone that’s timeless and elegant.
• White Gold: Sleek and modern, white gold offers a bright silver finish that pairs beautifully with diamonds for a sophisticated aesthetic. It's less expensive than platinum, however, white gold can fade over time and turn more yellow or brown.
• Rose Gold: This soft, pink-toned metal has a romantic and vintage-inspired vibe, making it a perfect choice for a distinctive yet classic look.
• Platinum: Known for its durability, platinum is the most expensive option with a cool white tone that enhances the sparkle of any diamond.
Each metal offers a unique style, so take some time to consider which one resonates most with you or matches your personal aesthetic and enhances various styles of settings.
You can opt to have a combination, or two-tone ring setting. It's common to use platinum metal for prongs and yellow or rose gold in the band.
Diamond Settings: Showcasing Your Dream Diamond
When it comes to choosing your perfect diamond, you’ve got plenty of options. Whether you’re drawn to the eco-friendly appeal of a lab-grown diamond or the timeless elegance of a natural diamond, the goal is to find a stone that dazzles and reflects your unique style.
But here’s the truth—even the most stunning diamond needs the right setting to truly shine. Think of the engagement ring setting as the ultimate wingman for your center stone. It should enhance the diamond’s shape, size, and personality without stealing the spotlight.
Not sure where to begin? Don’t worry. Start with the 4 C’s—cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. These factors determine your diamond’s sparkle and quality. If you need a refresher, check out this helpful guide on the 4 C's or Diamond Basics.
Once you’ve selected your ideal diamond shape—or narrowed down the options—it’s time to consider the setting. Different styles work best with various shapes and sizes.
Learn more about diamond shapes in our Guide To Diamond Shapes and Cuts.
For example:
• A simple prong setting or a modern bezel lets the diamond take center stage, perfect for larger carats or unique cuts like emerald or asscher.
• If you’re all about glamour, a halo setting or pavé band delivers extra sparkle. The halo surrounds the center diamond with smaller stones to make it look bigger and brighter, while pavé bands add glitter with tiny diamonds along the band.
• For something symbolic, a three-stone setting offers a meaningful touch. It features a central diamond flanked by two smaller stones that represent your past, present, and future together—cue the happy tears.
The key is striking the perfect balance between your diamond and its setting. They should complement each other beautifully, creating a stunning representation of your love story.
That’s where working with a custom jeweler—like me—makes all the difference. I’ll guide you through the process of exploring setting styles, finding the one that makes your diamond shine its brightest, and even crafting a design that’s uniquely yours. Together, we’ll create a ring that feels like the ultimate expression of your love.
Designing Your Own Engagement Ring: Custom Make Your Perfect Ring
Watch Vanessa Nicole create Jami's 3 carat diamond engagement ring of her dreams.
When it comes to designing your perfect engagement ring, nothing beats going custom. That’s because going custom lets you turn your singular vision into a reality, crafting a completely one-of-a-kind symbol of your love story.
A custom engagement ring is a piece of art created just for you and built by masters. There’s just no contest between mass-produced, machine-made rings and those that come out of real skill, care, and attention to detail.
Each diamond and gemstone is selected to perfectly fit into the design, giving it a seamless look. A skilled diamond setter pays great attention to proportion, symmetry, and the play of light so that every angle of the ring sparkles with maximum brilliance.
Techniques like micro-pavé setting styles and hand-formed prongs allow a precision and creativity simply not possible with mass production. This results in a ring that not only looks amazing but also feels comfortable and secure on your finger.
How It Works: Custom Engagement Ring Settings
The custom design process typically involves a few key steps:
1. Initial consultation: This is where you physically sit down with your jeweler, or virtually, to go over your vision, budget, and timeline.
2. Design and revisions: We'll create a detailed 3D rendering of your ring from the input you provide. You can provide feedback and make revisions until it is absolutely perfect.
3. Creation and delivery: After having approved the final design, I'll proceed to handcraft your ring, using only the best materials and techniques. Then comes the grand unveiling!
Engagement Ring Settings Chart
How to choose the right engagement ring setting
Choosing the engagement ring setting for that milestone moment in your life can be an exhilarating yet overwhelming experience. After all, it's an important decision that will symbolize your love and commitment for years. So how do you choose the perfect engagement ring setting? Here are some tips...
1. Start with the center diamond. The diamond's shape or cut, carat weight, and quality will set the stage for other future decisions.
2. Consider Your Lifestyle – Consider how active you and your partner are to determine the durability of the engagement ring setting. If you're involved in activities that could potentially damage the ring, such as sports or manual labor, opt for a low-set engagement ring setting or one that's more secure, like a bezel setting.
3. Think Long Term – Don't forget that engagement rings last a lifetime, so consider the long-term outlook of the engagement ring setting. Choose an engagement ring with a timeless style that won't go out of fashion soon!
4. Customize It – Purchasing an engagement ring is also an opportunity to customize it with detailing that's unique to you and your partner. Consider adding engravings, filigree designs, or accent stones for a truly one-of-a-kind engagement ring.
5. Also, consider a custom made engagement ring. Working with a master diamond setter like Vanessa Nicole will help you consider all of these factors so you can get the highest quality ring that your partner will adore for a lifetime.
Where To Buy Engagement Ring Settings Only
Many jewelry retailers will sell you a setting only; you can even find some on Etsy. Before buying ring settings from these sources, consider that you must find someone with expertise in helping you find and set your stone into the setting. It needs to be done correctly. If the setting may not match the size and shape of the center diamond, there can be gaps in the design, and it won't look seamless. There is also the danger of the diamond coming loose.
If you have a solitaire stone and are looking for a setting, consider contacting Vanessa Nicole. She is a master diamond setter who can help you create the perfect setting to showcase your diamond and match your style. You can check out her reviews here.
FAQ's
What is the most popular setting for an engagement ring?
Solitaire or prong settings are classic and have been popular for decades because of their simplicity. Pave, and Halo settings have become extremely popular in recent years because of their glamorous and luxurious look.
Is 4-prong or 6-prong better?
A 4 prong setting is a more classic and traditional option. It allows for more of the diamond or gemstone to be visible, as fewer prongs cover the stone. This can create a more open and airy appearance while allowing more light to pass through the diamond, enhancing its brilliance.
On the other hand, a 6-prong setting provides additional security for the diamond or gemstone. The extra prongs help hold the stone in place and reduce the risk of it becoming loose or falling out. However, having more prongs covering the stone can reduce its visibility and make it appear slightly smaller.
What is the average cost of an engagement ring setting?
The average cost of an engagement ring setting can vary depending on a few factors, including the type of metal used, the complexity of the design, and the number of diamonds or gemstones included in the setting. A simple setting can run about $1,000. Whereas a more elaborate setting with additional diamonds or gemstones could cost anywhere from $2,500 to $5000 or more.
