11 Sep

Engagement Ring Settings

Engagement Ring Settings

Engagement ring settings refers to how the diamond (or center stone) is attached to the ring and sure-enough, there are many ways to do so. At Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers, we carry an wide array of engagement rings with various settings.

ENGAGEMENT RING SETTINGS

PRONG SETTING:

The most common settings you’ll find in the market are four and six prong settings on solitaire diamonds. Jewelers prefer this setting because it elevates the diamond, showcasing the stones fire and brilliance while offering a clean, timeless look that is easy to maintain. The pieces of metal that hold the center stone in place (the prongs) often have a rounded, points, flat or v-shape. These metal prongs extend up and gently fold over the diamond to secure it in place. Whats the benefits over one or the other? Simply put, a four prong setting will show off more of the diamond while six prongs will make the diamond more secure. Additionally, six prong settings make the diamond appear more round (versus square with a four prong). Prong settings in general use less metal than other settings, so either way they will be more visible.

Vada Engagement Ring from Naledi - 6 Prong Setting, Round Brilliant Diamond with 18k White Gold Prongs and 18k Rose Gold Mounting
Vada Engagement Ring from Naledi – 6 Prong Setting, Round Brilliant Diamond with 18k White Gold Prongs and 18k Rose Gold Mounting

However, because the diamond is elevated, should you have an active lifestyle or wear lots of loose fitting clothing, you will run a heightened risk of the setting getting snagged on clothing. So we recommend having annual “check-ups” with this type of setting.

TIFFANY SETTING

A special six prong setting scientifically developed by the famed light blue box jeweler Tiffany & Co., in 1886. This setting maximizes the light returned on the diamond by using a knife edge of its shaft and design of its prongs. The benefits and cons are similar to your standard prong setting.

CATHEDRAL SETTING

Jewelers consider the cathedral setting as one of the more elegant and classic engagement ring settings. While the center stone may be set using prongs, tensions or bezel settings, what defines this setting is really the arches mounted above the rest of the shank. These arches add additional height making the stone appear larger and more accentuated. That height, however, comes at the added risk of being snagged on clothing, furniture and other objects.

BEZEL SETTING

Due to its modern look and suitability for active lifestyles, the bezel setting is quickly becoming a popular style. Instead of elevating the diamond with prongs, jewelers use a metal rim custom-fitted to encircle, either fully or partially, the center stone in place. The absence of prongs will no longer snag on clothing as well as protects the diamond very well. However, with extra protection comes more center stone being hidden and less light being allowed in.

Claire Ring Design by Naledi - 18k White Gold, Bezel Setting with Round Brilliant Cut Diamond
Claire Ring Design by Naledi – 18k White Gold, Bezel Setting with Round Brilliant Cut Diamond

CHANNEL SETTING

Often times jewelers set smaller diamonds on the shank or band of the ring to enhance the ring’s overall sparkle while minimizing snagging opportunities and maximizing stone security. Using grooves in a metal channel (or row), the stones are set, flush against each other. The downside, is that it is difficult to clean within the grooves as well as resize.

PAVE SETTING

While very similar to the channel setting, jewelers will drill holes into the ring, place the stones into the ring then form tiny beads (prongs) around each stone to secure them. Pave settings provide additional brilliance and sparkle to highlight the center stone, more so than channel setting, but is much more difficult to resize that a channel set ring.

Martin Flyer Cutdown Halo Engagement Ring - 14k  white gold, 4 prong center stone setting, micropave set diamonds in halo and shanks.
Martin Flyer Cutdown Halo Engagement Ring – 14k white gold, 4 prong center stone setting, micropave set diamonds in halo and shanks.

If diamonds are smaller than .01 carat, it is called micro-pave, which you see often with our Martin Flyer collection.

HALO SETTINGS

At Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers, we carry many engagement rings using halo settings as they provide a beautiful way to make a smaller carat center stone bigger or a lesser quality center stone more vibrant. This setting refers to smaller stones encircling the center stone, like a…wait for it, halo (or doughnut). The downside of halo settings is that it may become hard to resize but it adds additional security to the center stone as well as can provide contrast if you decide to use different gemstones or metals.

SPLIT SHANK

For a more modern look (or classic, depends on how you go), the split shank is a beautiful way to go. The shank, or the part that encircles your finger, splits into two (or more) to hold the center stone. This type of setting provides a unique, attention grabbing appearance that offers additional area for side stones as well as gravitates the eye towards the center stone.

There are many other types of engagement ring settings such as: cluster, flushed, bar, antique, tension, bezel, three stone and more. At Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers, we have an in-house goldsmith that will let you craft the perfect, custom engagement ring. Otherwise, you can find an outstanding, engagement ring from one of our highly-trustworthy designers such as: Rahaminov, Martin Flyer, Memoire and Naledi.

07 Jan

Solitaire Engagement Rings

Martin Flyer - Flyer Fit Solitaire Engagement Ring

Solitaire engagement rings pack a lot of significance and beauty, within its unassuming and simple designs. Structurally, a solitaire engagement ring only has two parts, the center stone and the setting, both can be customized to your specifications (i.e. marquise cut diamond set in platinum to a princess cut set in 14k yellow gold) however the ring still remains understated. At Schwanke-Kasten, we are by no means saying that is a bad thing either!

A solitaire diamond ring places the focus on the center stone, like your love for your one “true rock”. Additionally, the ring, being a shape with no beginning and end and a diamond, a pure carbon structure material, symbolizes pure and endless love for your partner. Furthermore, this style of ring is a perfect option for any budget!

Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers custom diamond solitaire engagement ring

At Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers, we love this timeless design for its ability to showcase the true shine of the diamond ring.

Buying Guide – Solitaire Engagement Rings

Here is a list of things to consider when looking at diamond solitaire engagement rings:

  • The Diamond (or center stone)
    • Shape (Cut) – Oval, round, princess, pear, emerald, etc.
    • Color – The more colorless the better, when shopping for traditional white diamonds
    • Clarity – the higher grade, the more pure (or transparent) the stone is
    • Carat – The size of the diamond
  • The Band
    • Metal – 14k, 18k or platinum? Yellow, Rose or White?
    • Width – How wide should the ring be
  • The Setting – bezel set, channel set or prong set? Furthermore, be sure to consider whether your future partner wants more sparkle or a more discrete or low diamond height.
rahaminov diamond engagement ring
Rahaminov Diamond Engagement Ring – Tapered with Diamonds

We recommend stopping by our store in either Whitefish Bay or in Milwaukee to get an idea of styles and prices and then work with one of our specialists to find an engagement ring that is truly reflective of the special bond between you and your partner!