SETTINGS
Prong setting is the most common setting in jewelry, and it is often used in solitaire diamond rings because it uses the least amount of metal to hold the stone, thus showing off the diamond to its best advantage. This setting is typically a number of gold posts (usually four or six), called prongs, arranged in a shape and size to hold the stone, and fixed at the base. After the stone is inserted between the prongs, a tool is used to bend the prongs gently over the crown of the stone. When a center stone is surrounded by a halo of smaller stones, that is given the self-explanitory name of a halo setting. It is the biggest thing to hit engagement ring design since the prong setting and now serves as a modern classic. The halo adds visual interest to a single stone, while making it look much bigger. Designers have recently adopted the halo into square and hexagonal frames, featuring colored gemstones and diamonds, as well as baguettes.
Bezel setting is also popular. This is when the metal is rounded or bent into the shape and size of the stone. The diamond is then inserted into the bezel, and the metal is rubbed over the stone, holding it in place. This method works well for either cabochon or faceted stones. Rings are sometimes surrounded by smaller diamonds on the shank that are pavé set — closely set together with minimum visibility of the tiny metal beads or prongs that hold them in place. The effect is that of a surface “paved” with diamonds. Some women prefer a so-called east-west setting, when an elongated stone such as an oval, radiant cut, or marquise is set sideways across the finger, as opposed to the traditional north- south direction up and down the finger. This modern setting has reignited the popularity of cuts like pear and marquise.
NO MATTER WHICH RING YOU ULTIMATELY CHOOSE, YOUR RING WILL FOREVER BE A REMINDER OF THE VOWS YOU TOOK AND THE JOURNEY YOU ARE ON TOGETHER .
50 ] B R O W N & C O . J E W E L E R S M A G A Z I N E
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