Different Stone Settings and Their Benefits

There are many factors to consider when shopping for an engagement ring, and a big one is the setting of the stone being used. The setting for a diamond ring or other stone refers to the manner in which the stone is raised or displayed on the ring itself, and at AAA Jewelers, we have a number of different elegant setting styles.

What are these different styles, and how can they potentially benefit you? Let’s take a look.

Prong

The prong style is one of the most popular out there, and allows the maximum amount of light to hit the diamond. Prongs or claws are bent from the support metal over the stone, evenly spaced to present the stone in the center. This allows for many different shapes of stones, as prongs around the outside can be manipulated in a variety of ways.

There are several subsets within the pronged setting realm. Four prong is common, and six prong can offer even more support. Multiple prongs reveal more features, while micro prong settings are among the least invasive on the market.

Bezel

In a bezel format, the center stone is set deep in the ring, and is fully encircled by metal setting. Bezel settings are often used by those looking for the maximum protection possible for the stone. Bezels can accommodate any gemstone shape, and is used in many kinds of jewelry.

Full bezel refers to a situation where the entire stone is submerged in metal, where a semi-bezel shows off a bit more of the stone while still protecting it.

Channel

A channel set is typically for smaller gemstones, which will be set side-by-side in a groove. These stones will usually all be the same size, and they’re meant to form a beautiful pattern. Channel set diamonds are common in wedding bands, and can also be great accents to a center stone on an engagement ring.

Micro Pave

This is a format where stones are set closely together, separated by small beads of metal. This will often be accompanied by a process called millegraining, which gives a metal edge a beaded texture.

Invisible Set

Invisible set diamonds look like square cut stones, but they’re actually a unique and special kind of diamond. They’re cut with notches and grooves, and are designed to fit together into a metal frame or matrix – something like a jigsaw puzzle. They offer a thicker, fuller diamond look.

Interested in learning more about stone settings, custom jewelry or any of our other jewelry services? Speak to the pros at AAA Jewelers today.