Diamond Ring Style Guide

Diamond Ring Style GUide

Diamond Ring Style Guide created by Casting House.
Diamond rings come in so many shapes, sizes and style it can be truly overwhelming. Especially when designing something like an engagement ring. In the beginning most engagement rings were a solitaire diamond set on a simple band style setting now referred to as the “Solitaire” setting. While still a classic design than many still choose today, jewelry designers were not content to stop there. First they started adding diamonds on the band to accent the solitaire in the center. After that they began to get truly creative as now you see style like tension set, halo, and vintage art deco style designs to name a few. While there are some simple cathedral designs that will get confused with a simple solitaire setting, there are many more with accent stones that will make your jaw drop. Split settings are another style that can go from a simple solitaire look to an extravagant designer look. What is truly amazing is the fact that almost every style, minus the halo as it’s design is based around the accent stone, can be made to look from the solitaire look to and accented designer look.

Bar Set:

Bar set are typically used for anniversary and wedding bands. Each stone has a small gold (or whatever metal it is) bar in between each stone. This design is also heavily used on tennis or line bracelets

Bead Setting:

Bead settings are similar to pave settings. The ring is lined with small  diamonds each with multiple beads around them to secure the diamond.

Bezel Setting:

A Bezel setting has a small lip of gold that encircles the diamond 360° creating a metal rim. These are probably the most secure setting but you do lose a little of your diamonds size as it is hidden under the bezel.

Cathedral Setting:

Cathedral settings are a raised setting with diamond sitting higher than the band it is sitting on making the center stone the most prominent part of the ring.

Channel Setting:

Channel setting uses a small rim of gold around the top and bottom of the diamonds and placing the diamond flush against each other tightly to use the rim and the tension to secure the diamonds.

Cluster Setting:

Cluster settings use multiple smaller diamonds mounted snuggley together for the appearance of a single large diamond. Most cluster setting rings look like a flower pattern.

Fishtail Setting:

A fishtail setting offers a vintage look with small diamonds lining the band with V cutouts to make the diamonds appear larger.

Flush Setting:

While made almost exactly like a channel set, flush setting raise the diamonds so they are flush with the band they are set in.

Halo Setting:

Currently the most in demand settings for enagament rings, the halo setting has smaller accent diamonds than encircle the center diamond. Most halo setting also have small accent diamonds that run down the sides of the band.

Knife Edge Setting:

Knife edge settings incorporate a band that tapers down to a sharp edge (not sharp enough to cut you) to give the setting a sleek look that is perfect to pair with other designs.

Pave Setting:

A pave setting features a lot of small diamond embedded into the band at different angles to spread out the sparkle effect of the diamond. The one down side to pave setting is resizing them can be difficult.

Side Stone Setting:

Side stone setting use a large center stone with slightly smaller stones set to each side. An example of a side stone setting would be the classic 3 stone ring.

Solitaire Setting:

The solitaire setting is just that. A simple band with a single larger diamond in the center. This is the most classic style for engagement rings and is still a widely used style to this day.

Split Setting:

Split setting is when the band splits near the center diamond forming a V and can compliment several stone shapes and sizes. The split portion is versatile and can twist or be adorned with small diamond or colored stones.

Tension Setting:

Tension setting is a modern look doing away with the prongs so almost the entire diamond is visible. Tension and minuscule grooves hold the diamond in place.

Twist Setting:

Two twisting strands form the band. Twists can be tight or wide. This style is becoming increasing more popular.

Vintage Setting:

VIntage setting feature intricate detail work. Many Vintage settings have an art deco look. These are an extremely popular design.