The right setting can enhance the look of a diamond and it can be one of the most important factors to consider when buying an engagement and wedding ring. There is a different ring setting style to cater for every taste.
Here is a snapshot of the most popular settings for engagement and wedding rings.
Channel Setting
In a channel setting the stones are set flush between 2 strips of metal holding them in place side by side with no additional prongs between the stones. This type of setting protects the edge or the girdle of the stone making it a very secure setting. Channel set stones provide a smooth setting making them less likely to get snagged on hair or clothing.
Bezel Setting
The earliest method of setting gemstones into jewellery, the bezel setting is a technique where a gemstone is surrounded by a thin flat frame of metal around the circumference of the stone at its girdle (the thin edge of the stone). It can wrap all the way around the stone or only partially, depending on the style of the ring. This type of ring setting is good for protecting the girdle of the stone and often appears to make the stone look larger.
Pavé Setting
Pavé’s literal translation is ‘paved’. Similar to channel setting a pave ring setting has a band with dozens of tiny diamonds resulting the metal barely showing through. These diamonds are often very small and held in place with mall claws or beads, making the band look like it is entirely made of diamonds.
Claw Setting
The most common type of setting style, especially for solitaire rings as it holds the stone securely while still allowing a lot of ligh
t to enter and illuminate the stone. To increase this effect the centre stone is sometimes raised above the shank to give the stone a position of prominence with only a suggestion of metal showing. The claws are attached to the central setting of the ring known as the head or the basket with each claw extending outwards griping the diamond with an arch at the top. Claws can be placed at 4 corners of a stone or at 6 points evenly spread around the stone. Other variations include v-claw setting which is used on marquise and pear shaped stones to protect the delicate tips from chipping or breaking.
Cluster Setting
When stones are set close together in a group the result is known as a cluster setting. Sometimes they can be arranged into floral shapes. The arrangement of stones can be open and airy or they can be more tightly arranged. Cluster rings usually have multiple levels with considerable height above the hand.
The post Engagement and Wedding Ring settings appeared first on Perfect Engagement Rings Ireland.