The diamond setting is one of the most important attributes of the diamond ring design. Note that there are plenty of diamond ring setting options available and hence, you may find it a bit overwhelming or challenging to zero in on a single choice. After all, the mesmerizing world of diamond jewelry is somewhat daunting. The best choice to tackle this issue will be to do a pro-con comparison between some popular diamond ring settings as given below. This will let you narrow down the choices irrespective of whether you are purchasing diamond engagement rings, simple rings to gift your friends, or this is your first-time diamond jewelry purchase.
The Prong Setting
This is one of the classic diamond ring settings that never fail to amaze diamond lovers. In this setting, the center stone is held securely in place by means of tiny metal protrusions called prongs or claws. There are different types of prongs available such as pointed, beaded, V-shaped, flat, etc., and you may choose an option that suits your lifestyle and persona.
Unsurprisingly, this is a coveted option when it comes to diamond engagement rings. Usually, four or six prongs are used to set a diamond. While the former is ideal to expose more surface area of your gemstone, the latter is ideal to secure it well. It is worth noting that a 6-prong or higher setting is usually considered to hold a diamond of 5ct and more.
The Pros
- The setting feature minimum presence of metal and hence, more area of the diamond will be exposed allowing a maximum amount of light to pass through it. Needless to mention, this will raise the fire and brilliance of the diamond
- Highlights the center stone to the fullest
- Complements a vast range of diamond sizes, cuts, and shapes
- Offers a timeless and spellbinding look
- Easy to clean and maintain
The Cons
- The metal protrusions are likely to snag on your clothes, furniture, and other fabrics, especially when high-set. This makes it an unsuitable choice for the people who lead an active lifestyle. Otherwise, go for a lower-set prong for relatively better convenience
- The prongs tend to loosen over time. Note that it is recommended to inspect the prong setting of your ring at least every one year or six months depending on your frequency of wearing the ring. Otherwise, the diamonds are likely to fall out of the mounting
The Bezel Setting
This is the second most popular setting for diamond engagement ringsand is known for its streamlined appeal and safe mounting. In the bezel setting, a diamond is encircled by a thin metal frame and hence, it will be secured from every angle. This makes it a suitable choice for an active lifestyle. On a related note, there are two types of bezel setting; full and partial. The former tend to border a diamond completely whereas, the latter leaves the sides open.
The Pros
- Secures the diamonds to the fullest making it a suitable choice certain professions such as a nurse, teachers, etc., and active lifestyle
- Do not snag on fabrics or other materials
- Offers a stylish and elegant appeal
- Secures the gemstone from every angle
- Doesn’t have to check the condition of the setting often like prongs
- Simple to clean and maintain such diamond rings
The Cons
- Tends to expose only less area of the gemstone when compared to the prongs setting
- Exhibits relatively less light reflection and brilliance
Channel Setting
This setting is ideal to set small accents in a row on the diamond band in a secure and appealing way. Needless to mention, this will create an appeal of a sparkling circle around your finger. In the channel setting, a channel that features multiple grooves is made on the diamond ring band and small diamonds are inserted into these grooves and are closely packed.
Unlike prong settings, the gemstones tend to sit flush with the band in this case. This type of design is extremely popular when it comes to wedding rings, eternity bands, and stackable diamond rings that usually feature just a row of melee diamonds and no center diamond. However, the channel setting is ideal to enhance the appeal of the some solitaire diamond rings.
The Pros
- Snag-free and secure diamond ring design
- Alleviates the overall sparkle of the ring
- Features a sharp design without negotiating on its stability
The Cons
- Require more time and effort to clean a channel-set ring
- Hard to repair or resize in the future
- Exposed surface area and, thereby, the brilliance is low when compared to the prong setting
Which Setting to Choose
The diamond ring setting is regarded as the foundation of ring design and the choice mainly depends on the lifestyle, priority, and personality of the wearer. Consider how a setting will fit into your lifestyle for choosing the right design. Note that the settings that feature intricate and high-set stones such as prong, halo, cathedral, etc., tend to the folks who do not work much with their hands whereas the options such as bezel, channel, pave, etc., are ideal to complement the active lifestyle of the buyers. Furthermore, think whether you will you able to upkeep a complicated setting as well if you are choosing one before jumping into a conclusion.