Engagement Ring Types, Settings, and Styles
Finding the right engagement ring can make anyone feel a little anxious. It may sound easy to choose a ring that you love that fits your personal style, but once you start shopping, that choice can feel overwhelming.
No matter your engagement ring style or budget, we can help you narrow down the realm of possibilists to find the hand-selected diamond and engagement ring type that’s right for you and you alone. Our in-store Engagement Concierge and online resources can help you sort through an endless selection of designer and exclusive styles.
Engagement Ring Types
The type refers to the way the ring is configured.
Solitaire
The solitaire engagement ring has long been the archetypical engagement ring. A single diamond set in a traditional, plain mounting, usually with four or six prongs. This is a traditional engagement ring, and can be personalized with diamond bands, or a ring guard or wrap. The classic solitaire is timeless and elegant engagement ring.
Halo
The halo is a circle of micropavé diamonds that surround the center diamond or other gemstone, visually expanding the appearance of the center by as much as a half-carat. Diamond shapes such as the round, cushion, asscher, princess and oval may be accented with a halo of round micropavé diamonds. This type of engagement ring brings out the brilliance of the diamonds.
Side stone
This engagement ring type offers a great opportunity to express your creativity and uniqueness. It has a larger diamond (or center stone), with smaller diamonds on each side. You can choose to add a wedding ring or decide that this engagement ring style looks great on its own.
Three stone
The three stone engagement ring represents yesterday, today, and forever™ - which is symbolic for any couple in love, wishing to capture the significance of the time they have and will spend together. These three stones are inline with each other to create a beautiful ring type.
Curved
A curved-style engagement ring (also called a contoured ring) has a band that arcs rather than forms a continuous circle. This curve can add visual interest and can pair with a similarly-styled wedding band. This style can also accentuate the center stone - as the band forms a point when the center stone is nestled.
Split Shank
A split shank band splits into two or more strands, creating an open, airy look. This style adds uniqueness and can bring focus to the center stone. A split shank style works well with either a metal or pave band.
Twist
An engagement ring with a twist is similar to a split shank, but instead of the band splitting into an open style, it weaves around itself, adding a beautiful nod to your two lives coming together.
Engagement Ring Diamond Settings
The term “setting” can refer to two different things. “Engagement ring setting” is the term used to refer to the engagement ring without the center stone. You can choose the ring setting and center diamond separately so that you can pick the exact ring style and look you want as well as the exact center diamond cut, size, and rating.
The “diamond setting” refers to how the diamond (or diamonds) is affixed. This describes both how the center stone is attached to the ring and how other diamonds (such as sidestones and pavé diamonds) are attached.
Common Engagement Ring Center Stone Settings
Prong Setting
In a prong setting, a single diamond set in a traditional, plain mounting, usually with four or six prongs. This is a traditional engagement ring setting, and can be personalized with diamond bands, or a ring guard or wrap.
The prong engagement ring setting is the most common setting and is sometimes referred to as the claw setting because the prongs hold the diamond in place like a claw. This setting really emphasizes the diamond.
This setting maximizes light entry for brilliance.
Illusion Setting
An illusion setting is smaller stones, usually princess cuts, set next to each other and held from below to give the illusion of a larger diamond. This setting is more intricate than others and creates a visually interesting piece.
The illusion ring setting can also be a small diamond surrounded by patterned precious metals which provides the illusion that the diamond is bigger than it actually is. In either setting, the purpose is to provide a unique and attractive ring.
Cluster Setting
The cluster setting surrounds a larger center stone with several smaller stones. It is designed to create a beautiful piece of diamond jewelry from many smaller stones. The cluster setting provides the appearance of a larger stone. Sometimes the cluster is formed into shapes or designs to enhance the look of the ring. This attention getting setting is often more unique and adds character of which can be timeless. Clusters often form flower-like patterns.
A cluster setting differs from an illusion setting in that it generally places the diamonds closer together as a single focal point.
Common Diamond Band Settings
Channel Setting
A channel setting is often used to set pavé diamonds or other sidestones in an engagement, wedding, or anniversary band. A channel setting sets the stones right next to each other with no metal separating them and the outer ridge of metal is then worked over the edges of the stones. This protects the girdle area of the diamonds better than a bead or prong setting and provides a smooth exterior surface. The channel setting enhances the diamond with additional glamour and style.
Bar Setting
Similar to the channel setting, the bar setting is also commonly used in anniversary and wedding bands, but can also be seen in bracelets and necklaces. The Bar setting type includes a band of diamonds where each stone is held by a long thin bar shared between two stones. The bar setting combines a contemporary and classic look. The diamonds are exposed on two sides so you can often see more brilliance of the diamonds.
Bezel Setting
With a Bezel setting, a rim holds the stone and surrounds the gem. Bezel settings can have straight edges, scalloped edges, or can be molded into any shape to accommodate the stone. The backs of the bezel settings can be opened or closed and they are used to set earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and rings. Warmer-colored diamonds look stunning when bezel set in yellow gold.
A bezel setting can add a modern look and provides extra security.
Pavé Setting
pavé-set diamonds are similar to a channel setting or bezel setting, in that several small stones are set closer together in a row. However, a pave setting uses minimal metal, creating a “paved” surface of sparkle.
Flush Mount Setting
The band on the flush setting is one continuous piece that gets thicker at the top. The band is shaped like a dome and the stone is inserted in the middle and flush with the band. There are no prongs in the flush mount setting, so the look is smooth and clean.
The flush mount setting is sometimes referred to as shot setting or burnish setting. Similar to the bezel setting, the crown of the diamond is the only exposed area within the flush mount setting.
Tension Setting
A tension-set diamond setting is held in place by the pressure of the band's metal, which is designed to "squeeze" the stone. The result is a highly contemporary, fashionable look and can be used to set necklaces, earring and rings. The tension setting is a modern or futuristic look in which the diamond appears to float in midair. The tension setting allow the diamond to be seen in full view and are usually easy to clean.
Common Engagement Ring Styles
Modern Engagement Rings
Modern style engagement rings are distinctive, unique, and angular. They tend to favor wide bands, clean lines, channel set diamonds, open shanks, and tension-set diamonds in gold, platinum and palladium.
Vintage Engagement Rings
Vintage engagement rings include unique details that give an air of nostalgia.
Other Engagement Ring Setting Features
Hidden halo
A hidden halo is a row of tiny diamonds that encircle the lower section of the center diamond. You can only see the hidden halo when looking at the ring from the side. A hidden halo gives the illusion of a floating center diamond.
Milgrain
Milgrain accents decorate the edges of the band with tiny bead-like details to add depth and vintage elements. In engagement rings, milgrain details are often hidden beneath the center stone (sometimes called a sculptural or basket detail).
Hidden accent
An engagement ring can have a number of hidden accents that add to the uniqueness of the ring: secret details that only you know about. In addition to hidden halos or milgrain accents, a ring can have other hidden elements such as a surprise row of diamonds on the side of the band or beneath the center stone.
Engraving
You can personalize any ring with engraving. Your message is a secret between the two of you: initials, a special date, or a private message or inside joke.
Other Ring Types
Wedding Ring Set
This is a traditional engagement ring style that fits together with a wedding ring in the same style. The band is presented at the wedding ceremony, but is purchased with the engagement ring to ensure a perfect match.
Promise Ring
Promise rings originated centuries ago as lovers promised each other they'd get engaged to wed one day. This romantic tradition lives on in the form of these beautiful styled promise rings that symbolize loyalty and commitment pre-engagement, during a relationship, or as a vow to a loved one.
Once you’ve learned about Engagement Rings, check out the rest of our jewelry buying guides.
