How To Choose A Diamond Ring Setting

There are many settings to choose from when buying a diamond ring. Which one should you pick for your special lady? Here are some things to consider as you decide.

Find Out What Style They Prefer

Diamond rings come in many styles. Does the recipient like vintage-looking jewelry or more modern jewelry? Illusion, star, and invisible settings can be used in retro style rings. Modern rings can be set in anything from four or six prongs to a halo setting to a single wrapping prong. Does she like simple or extravagant jewelry? The pronged solitaire setting and the bezel setting are beautiful, basic settings, while the halo, cluster, and infinity settings can be made to look very lavish. Determining her style will help you determine the type of setting that is best for her ring.

Diamond Size

As our Four C's of Diamonds guide states, "Prong settings can be manipulated to fit virtually any size diamond, but tension-set diamonds and bezel set diamonds have more limitations on size." If you already have a diamond size in mind, you will need to choose a setting that will accommodate it. If you would like to purchase a small diamond, but you would like to make it look larger, you should consider an illusion, cluster, halo, pavé, bezel, or invisible setting. By adding metal or more diamonds to the area surrounding the diamond or by grouping several tiny diamonds together, the ring will appear to have a larger diamond.

Diamond Shape

The shape of your diamond can also help determine the type of setting you need. If you choose a princess cut diamond, you will need a prong or bezel setting to keep the corners from chipping. If you choose a cut with points (marquise, pear, etc.) and desire a prong setting, you should ensure that the prongs on the points are v-shaped to ensure the diamond doesn't slide to one side of the prong. Bezel settings are best suited to round or oval diamonds.

Choosing a ring setting can be overwhelming. Schedule an appointment with the experts at Ballard & Ballard to learn more about the various diamond ring settings, and let us help you choose or create a ring that is right for your lady.