When most people think of settings or mountings for engagement rings they have a mental image of the traditional prong style settings that secure the diamond to the band. While these types of settings are beautiful, simple and very discrete, there are other types of settings or mountings that can be used on engagement rings to highlight and enhance the appearance of the diamond.
Many engagement rings settings are designed specifically to maximize the amount of light that can enter the diamond both from the top as well as the sides. This light entering into the diamond causes the flashes in color that make diamonds such an appealing stone for engagement rings and other types of jewelry. Mountings also elevate the diamond above the band, providing more options for capturing light as the hand moves.
There are some solid types of mountings that also are designed to maximum the security of the diamond but also attract light. One such option is the bezel setting, very common on both antique and modern styles of engagement rings. Bezel settings are like a collar around the gem and can be full or half, depending on the style of the ring and the shape of the diamond.
For a flat surface for engagement rings or wedding bands the channel setting is very popular. This type of setting has a groove that runs through the center of the band, plus an additional slight groove off to the sides. Round or baguette style diamonds are inserted into the channel for a dazzling appearance. The small grooves on the sides of the channel hold the stones in place but also allow light to filter between and through the diamonds in the channel setting.
Adding a small piece of metal between the diamonds in a channel setting results in a bar channel setting. The metal between the diamonds actually reflects the light back into the diamond, providing additional flash and fire.
Ornate types of settings are called bead settings on engagement rings. Smaller or larger drops or beads of metal are engraved and styled to both add to the appearance of the ring but also secure the diamonds and other gems in place.
For those that don’t want to see the settings at all, pave style settings will be the perfect match. Smaller diamonds are placed in tiny holes drilled in the band, resulting in crusting of diamonds over part or the entire band. To finish off these types of engagement rings small beads are placed to secure the diamonds without obstructing the light reflection.
Engagement rings with these unique types of settings are both beautiful as well as practical. With any type of engagement rings featuring any type of setting, routine checking of the mountings is always recommend so any loose settings can be immediately repaired.
