Not only is an engagement ring a timeless symbol of love, it’s a piece that you’ll wear and cherish for a lifetime. That's why your engagement ring setting is an important element to consider. While fundamental in the look of your ring, it also needs to be compatible with your lifestyle, providing sufficient protection to the stone while elevating its overall appearance.
Let’s explore all you need to know about engagement ring settings.
What is an engagement ring setting?
Is an engagement ring setting synonymous with the ring’s style? Not quite.
So what is a ring setting?
An engagement ring setting is the foundation that secures the stone in place, whereas engagement ring style refers to a ring's design (like a halo or a solitaire). Some diamond setting types include the classic prong or claw, pavé for Art Deco-inspired beauty, and bezel settings for a modern take on the traditional forever piece.
The perfect ring setting should complement your stone's shape and highlight its brilliance. Ring setting will also affect how high the stone sits from the band and how light interacts with it.
For example, a bezel setting encircles the diamond, offering protection and creating a beautiful frame of precious metal to complement your diamond. A prong or cathedral setting holds your diamond much higher, leaving plenty of space for light to pass through.
What are the different ring setting types?
When it comes to choosing your forever piece, there are several engagement ring setting types available, including prong, bezel, pavé, channel and cathedral.
Discover the engagement ring setting that best suits your personal style below:
Pavé set engagement ring
What is a pavé setting?
Inspired by the French word for pavement, a pavé set engagement ring is made up of small rows of diamonds resembling a cobblestone path. Each diamond is closely set together using tiny prongs or metal beads. This accentuates the look of your diamonds, exposing light throughout the setting to create brilliance from all angles.
Pavé set engagement rings are perfect for those who love elegant pieces with intricate radiance. It's also important to remember that a pavé setting is delicate and, like all fine jewellery, should be treated with the utmost care to maintain its appearance.
Prong/claw set engagement ring
Prong or claw settings are among the most iconic, evoking timeless style and sophistication.
As the name suggests, a prong or claw setting features metal claws or prongs that firmly holds the centre stone in place. This type of setting uses minimal metal to allow more light to pass through the stone and can be adjusted to fit a range of diamond shapes and sizes. Jewellers may create a lower or higher setting to further highlight the beauty and brilliance of your gemstone.
Bezel set engagement ring
What is a bezel setting and how does it complement your personal taste and style?
A bezel setting offers the best of both worlds, combining classic craftsmanship with sleek, modern design. Instead of prongs, the centre stone is held in a metal frame, creating a halo-like effect. This provides an extra layer of protection to the stone while beautifully echoing its angles and curves.
Channel set engagement ring
Giving classic glamour a modern twist, a channel set engagement ring sets small stones into a groove within the band, held together by two rows of precious metal on either side.
A channel setting doesn't require prongs or bars to hold the gemstones in place, resulting in a clean, bright look. The protective metal walls serve to anchor the stones securely. Like a pavé setting, a channel diamond setting will result in a greater amount of brilliance while providing a more balanced look to your centre stone.
Cathedral set engagement ring
A cathedral set engagement ring is made up of two precious metal bands sloping upward on both sides of the centre stone, inspired by the breathtaking archways and ceilings of a Gothic-style cathedral.
Combining functionality with style, this type of setting is often used in solitaire styles, drawing focus on the centre stone. The wider band often seen in this type also allows more room for embellishments, such as a pavé band. Because of its arched shape and higher setting, a cathedral set engagement ring is perfect for layering with statement diamond wedding and eternity bands, if you are seeking a bold look. Like a pavé setting it evokes classic, vintage-inspired elegance.
Which type of setting makes a diamond appear larger?
Ring settings such as pavé, cathedral and prong or claw can all create the illusion of a larger diamond.
A prong or claw setting shows off your diamond and allows more light to reflect through the stone, especially with a 4-prong setting. The elevated arches of most cathedral settings will raise the diamond, giving it a slightly larger appearance when viewed from above. The intricacy of a pavé setting, meanwhile, offers a scintillating radiance from all angles to create an overall brighter look.
What is considered a high setting engagement ring?
On a high setting engagement ring, the centre stone is raised, creating a significant amount of space between your finger and the stone, allowing more light to enter through the bottom of the stone and the base of the ring.
High setting engagement rings are often characterised by their aesthetic appeal, appearing larger and more brilliant, as more light passes through the stone. High settings are also more versatile in terms of design, making it easier to create a bridal set and accommodate a range of embellishments, including hidden halos and side stones.
What setting is best for an engagement ring?
An engagement ring is one of the most significant pieces of jewellery you’ll ever own, so it’s important to find a setting that will complement your personality and overall style.
Each setting comes with its own unique character and charm. Some love the beautiful simplicity of a prong or claw setting, enhancing a diamond's brilliance. Others might prefer the grandeur of a pavé or cathedral set ring or choose to break with tradition with a sleek and modern bezel setting.
Ultimately, choosing the right setting comes down to what fits best with your aesthetic and lifestyle.
For more inspiration, browse our collections of engagement rings at Michael Hill, exploring by diamond shapes or by ring styles. Or explore the latest Engagement Ring Trends.
