Diamond Mounting Types

Congratulations; you have finally decided on the diamond of your dreams. Well, let’s say you did, the pressing question is what setting style will best suit you and your stone? To simplify, there are four main setting types. These are solitaire, halo, three-stone, and side stone. Obviously, custom designs exist to which there are no end. For example, check out this remarkable custom designed pink diamond dress ring below!

A 2.86 carat Fancy Intense Purplish Pink Custom Designed Diamond Dress Ring

Still, the most popular styles each have their own advantages and disadvantages. They all appeal to different people, and we wanted to go through each of them for you.

Solitaire

The most popular mounting type is the solitaire ring. This is because of a few reasons. For starters, most engagement ring consumers purchase one diamond, thus making the other three categories irrelevant. Secondly, the prongs can give a diamond a larger and a more prominent appearance as they can raise the diamond above the band, contrasting a thinner ring with a wider and fuller stone. There are four-pronged settings and six-pronged settings. The former allows more of the diamond to be seen while the latter holds the diamond somewhat more securely. Both options allow more of the diamond to be revealed than the other solitaire setting, the bezel. They also allow more light to enter the diamond resulting in greater brilliance. The solitaire prong setting is easy to clean (which is a huge benefit) and maintain and offers a classic and timeless look. The downside of this mounting style is that it can snag on clothing, especially if it is set high. As a result, with time the prongs could loosen putting your center stone at risk. Therefore, it is highly advised to have the prongs inspected every two years or so to ensure that they are secure. A bezel solitaire setting on the other hand offers more security and does not snag on clothing. It offers a sleek modern look and is suitable for an active lifestyle. The downside is that it conceals part of the diamond and allows less light to pass through resulting in a less brilliant diamond. Therefore this setting is recommended for shapes other than the round brilliant.

Solitaire diamond and gemstone ring styles

Halo

Halo diamond rings consist of a main center stone surrounded by a ring of smaller stones. There are many advantages to this setting. For one, you can go for a smaller center stone and still achieve a larger diamond look. This can be done by spending less than a larger diamond even with the cost of the smaller diamonds. You can combine different diamond colors or stick with the same color.

Halo diamond and gemstone ring styles

Three-Stone

For those who cannot suffice with just one diamond, a three-stone diamond ring is a great option. The ring can look quite different depending on the sizes of the stones. You can use an average-sized center stone and select much smaller diamonds to put on the side. Or, all of the diamonds can be the same size. They can be small, medium, or large. They can be the same color or contrasting colors such as a pink center stone and two colorless diamonds on each side. The prong or bezel setting can be used for this style.

Three-stone diamond and gemstone ring styles

Side Stones

Last but not least, there is the option of mounting your diamond onto a band complete with side stones. This too can be done with a prong setting or a bezel setting. The side stones adorn the band on the sides of the center stone. They can be the same color as the center stone or a different color. They can also alternate colors, such as yellow, colorless, yellow etc.

Side-stone diamond and gemstone rings

Choosing a setting for your diamond really boils down to individual taste and preference. Some women are after something practical while others want the splashiest ring possible. Unless your lifestyle truly leaves no room for the ring you want to get, you shouldn’t let it dictate which ring to buy. It doesn’t have to be worn all of the time but it does have to make you as happy as can be. If you choose something based on how practical it is, regardless of how well it fits your taste, it will likely end up not being worn or adored. Follow you heart and choose your dream setting just as you chose your prized diamond. Most importantly, before any decisions are made, start exploring the different types of rings available and become better acquainted with your options.