;

Learning About the East-West Engagement Ring Setting

east-west engagement ring setting

For many individuals in the market for a beautiful engagement ring, standing out is a top priority. Every engagement is its own special event, and many of us want a unique kind of stone and ring to help commemorate it and provide a lasting symbol of love and devotion.

At AAA Jewelers, we’re thrilled to provide a wide range of engagement ring options here, including many custom engagement rings to fit your most precise desires. One design style that’s gaining popularity outside the usual range of engagement rings is what’s known as the east-west setting – let’s define this setting and explain it here, plus break down some of the benefits and drawbacks it comes with as you look for ways to differentiate your ring from many others.

Defining East-West Settings

Also simply known as unconventional settings in some circles, east-west settings refer to situations where the diamond or other stone involved in the engagement ring is placed in an unusual position on the ring band. The most common format here is an elongated horizontal shape, one that covers more of the finger itself with the actual stone, such as a thinner oval or an emerald cut.

Other formats exist as well, including several asymmetrical shapes like pear. The level to which you’re willing to change up symmetry and other typical ring details is all dependent on how outside the box you’re comfortable with going.

Shapes and Setting Considerations

Virtually any setting can be customized to create the east-west format, which can be done with numerous shapes – radiant, marquise, oval, cushion, and those we’ve mentioned above among them. Some of the more popular designs include halo or pave diamonds, eye-catching stones that draw much of the attention for the ring while promoting an elongated, horizontal format. Ratio is important here – too thin a stone won’t have quite the same accent.

Benefits of Unconventional Settings

There are a couple notable benefits of east-west settings for those who choose them:

  • Highlights band: The wedding band often doesn’t get enough attention, but the east-west style can help here. Many traditional settings actually provide a cover for most of the band while placing all the focus on the stone – east-west options allow for a better top view in many cases.
  • Comfort: For people with certain finger types, the east-west style is more comfortable to wear and doesn’t get in the way during the course of the day.

Limitations of East-West

While this style might be more comfortable for some finger types, it also might not work as well for certain others – this all depends on your personal preference. In addition, certain styles like a three- or four-stone ring will not usually work well with the east-west style unless the stones in question are very small.

For more on the east-west setting for engagement rings, or to learn about any of our diamond or other fashion jewelry, speak to the staff at AAA Jewelers today.