12 engagement ring settings and styles to consider

So many amazing ideas for an engagement party everywhere you look. But before that, there must be a marriage proposal, acceptance, and a symbolic engagement ring. The engagement ring gets all the attention when you share your news with everyone. Oh, the excitement!

You want people to coo at your ring and not make a face because it’s not all that. So you must consider two things when choosing your engagement ring–the stone cut and its setting. They determine the ring’s beauty, appearance, how it sits on your skin, and more. Whether you’re a minimalist, vintage, classic, modern, or rustic inclined. Get tips from this engagement ring settings guide.

1. Solitaire

Solitaire is arguably the most enduring of engagement ring trends. It has a prong ring setting that surrounds, holds, and elevates the stone. Solitaire protects and makes the stone center of attention at the same time. It is an understated beauty that is just perfect for the minimalist and classy bride. Solitaire simple ring settings are classic and timeless.

2. Halo

This is the arrangement of gemstones in a square or concentric circle surrounding a center stone. This model gives the illusion that the center stone is larger. Hence, this ring setting style is one of the most budget-friendly. You can buy a smaller diamond without sacrificing the overall appearance of the ring. A halo also increases the ring’s sparkle, especially for mixed gemstones.

3. Bar

This style is similar to channel settings. However, where the channel snuggles the diamond all around, bar settings leave the gemstones exposed on both ends. These gems are well rooted in place by metal bars. Bar settings can complement center stones or stay independent as a wedding band or stackable ring. This style offers more visibility to gemstones because of the minimal use of metals. Also, it enhances the ring’s sparkle.

4. Cluster

This is the clustering of stones together to look like a larger gem. It is quite hard to distinguish that they’re smaller stones. Cluster impresses the unique look with chic dimension and texture. You also get to save money than when you buy a large center stone. The options here are endless as this style can be well crafted into distinct shapes. Women within smaller hands will find this setting appealing.

5. East-West

This is an unconventional yet classic setting where the gemstones are oriented horizontally on the band. It is a perfect style for encasing different stone cuts like Marquis, pear, cushions, emerald, and oval. Assembling these cuts on an east-west horizontal setting gives a fresh aesthetic effect.

6. Pave

Pronounced as “pa-vay,” small diamonds are closely set together, almost obscuring the prongs or metal beads. The end point is a band paved in diamond, eliciting an endless chain of sparkle. It’s a detailed ring setting style but worth it.

7. Split shank

The split shank is either a square or round band that encircles the finger with a divide/split. It’s a timeless style that can be designed for a modern, classic, or vintage look. The final look is unique and attention-grabbing. If you’ll add stones to your ring at some point, this ring setting provides a surface area for it. Split shank also diverts attention to the center stone.

8. Tiffany

As one of the oldest and most popular diamond engagement ring settings, Tiffany holds its own. Often boasting a six prongs solitaire setting style, it maximizes the return of light to the diamond. It also holds different carats perfectly. The knife-edge style of its shaft distinguishes it. 

9. Channel

Perfect for a snag-free and secure design, this style sets smaller diamonds in a row on the ring band. The stone of whichever kind are clustered into the grooves of the channel, decorating the entire band. They’re great for stackable rings and those without a center stone.

10. Tension

Tension setting is a recommended style for unique diamond engagement rings. Named after how the metal tensions and secures the stone, the dual gives an illusion of suspension. This is as a result of tiny grooves drilled into the sides of the band causing pressure that holds the stone. It helps save cost by adding less diamond while giving the center stone a larger illusion.  

11. Cathedral

This is a unique ring setting style that’s graceful and mimics the high arches of Cathedrals. It uses high arches which may take the set of bezel, prongs, or tension to build the stone. This ring style is more defined by how the stone is mounted with arches above the shank and not how it’s held.

12. Bezel

The bezel is one of the best ring settings that can either be full or partial. It is modern and durable for an active lifestyle, making it the second most popular ring setting. However, unlike the prongs, it encircles the stone or diamond in place with a slim custom metal rim.

Make the best ring choices, its appearance, and what suits your budget. Take tips from our engagement rings style guide.