Wedding Ring Settings | Engagement Ring Settings and More.....

Wedding ring settings and engagement ring settings are more than just about how a ring looks, they're also about protecting your diamond.  Take a look at our page on unique ring settings to find your perfect setting but first, read on to learn about the options and the pros and cons of each.

The first consideration for your setting (or ring mounting which means the same thing) is what precious metal to use and your most common options are platinum and gold.

Platinum Ring Settings: Since it is rarer than gold it is more expensive. It's the strongest and most pure metal so it will last for generations and won't wear away. It develops a satin-like finish over time and won't tarnish but it is difficult to repair and polish (especially in comparison to gold).

Gold Ring Settings: Gold is the true classic. 18K gold is the most common metal for wedding ring settings. The gold needs other metal alloys added to it in order to give it strength, that's why you'll rarely find engagement rings that are pure gold or close to it..... after all it is attached to the all- important diamond.

Over time, and we mean a really long time, it can wear away (especially in engagement ring settings because you'll likely be wearing the ring every day and that causes wear and tear on the setting)  but the good news is that it is very easy to repair and polish.

Engaging Fact: Approximately 15% of women are allergic to nickel. A nickel allergy can cause a rash or irritation. Many white gold wedding and engagement rings are mixed with nickel to create the gold alloy.

Wedding ring settings can be as varied as the bride who wears them, the possibilities are endless but how the diamond itself is set into the ring is what we are describing in the three settings below:

Prong Settings: These typically allow more light into the diamond for maximum gorgeous brilliance and sparkle, that's why they are so common.

Engagement Tip: The number of prongs will vary on any given ring depending on the shape of the diamond. But no matter how many prongs you have—check that they are evenly spaced, that is the key.
 

Prong settings are most often used to hold a diamond solitaire (as shown above). They are what hold the diamond and secure it to the band. Prongs are delicate stems of metal gently folded over to secure your diamond in its setting. If done right they provide safety without becoming the focus of the piece. If you have ever worn a ring that seems to constantly be snagging on everything, you know what a bad prong can do. We've had many a cashmere sweater ruined by a renegade prong.

Engagement Tip: You can do a quick and easy test to make sure that the prongs are not going to cause you heartache. Take a piece of paper and try to slip it under the prongs. If the paper fits between the prong and the stone, it is not secure enough and needs to be fixed by your jeweler.

Rings courtesy of JamesAllen
Bezel Settings: Bezel Settings are good for protecting the diamond and are very secure and durable. They basically consist of a metal band that surrounds the stone and keeps it in place (kind of like a picture frame), so there is never any question of snagging. Bezel set engagement rings can be a little more expensive than other types of settings but often make the diamond appear to be bigger than it would look in a prong setting since the entire stone is framed.
Channel Settings: Channel Settings are just that. A channel is created to hold the stones in place and are most often found on the band of a ring. The great thing about this type of setting is that the edges of the stones are completely protected much like a bezel setting so no chipping or snagging is likely. In the case of wedding ring settings they are usually accompanied by a solitaire diamond held by a bezel or prong mount.
Tension Settings: Tension settings are where the stone (usually a diamond because of its hardness) is seemingly squeezed between the two ends of the metal band of a ring. It's one of the more secure wedding ring settings since the girdle of the diamond is actually set within a groove holding it very securely in place.

Need more inspiration on choosing the perfect ring setting? Take a look at these celebrity engagement rings and drool worthy celebrity wedding rings.

Also, be sure to check out one of the most popular engagement ring designs of all--  The Split Shank Engagement Ring

Want more details on some of these settings and a couple of others? Visit our page on unique ring settings

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