Jewelry Articles

If you’re thinking of buying that perfect engagement ring for the sweetheart in your life, then look no further than diamond engagement rings. Long considered a classic standard for the engagement ring, diamonds are beautiful gemstones, symbolic of the undying bond between you and the love of your life.

However, if you don’t know diamond engagement rings from a baseball diamond, then you could use a few pointers from 25karats that will help you ensure that whatever diamond ring you purchase, it will be of the highest-quality and impeccable standards…

…just like that of your sweetheart!

Diamond Engagement Ring Cuts. Getting the perfect diamond engagement ring cut can make all of the difference to your future fiancée. Remember, this is the perfect engagement ring that she’s been dreaming about since she was a little girl – and you want to ensure that you get it right!

There are a multitude of cuts available to the ring shopper – however, they can all be broken down into three categories: the step cut, the brilliant cut and the mixed cut. The step cut has simplistic incisions made into the face of the diamond, which gives off the appearance of steps (hence the name). This kind of cut gives a romantic vintage look to the diamond, and is popular with stone-shape styles like the emerald, or rectangular, shape.

The brilliant cut creates a multitude of facets within the diamond, which maximizes the amount of light that the stone reflects; hence, this cut is immensely popular with those who love to optimize the sparkle in their gemstones. Common shapes within this category include the classic round, solitaire and oval diamond engagement rings.

Finally, the mixed cut combines the step and brilliant cuts to form a breathtaking and gorgeous diamond engagement ring. By combining these cuts, the mixed cut minimizes any flaws within the diamond while maximizing the brilliancy of the gemstone. The most common shapes for this cut include the ever-popular princess shape, trillium and heart-shaped diamond engagement rings.

The Four Cs. Besides the cut of the perfect engagement ring, you’ll need to consider the next three of the four Cs of your diamond: color, clarity and carat. Once you’ve chosen the cut, these other three factors determine the final price and quality of the potential diamond purchase. To further understand these factors, let’s break them down into their respective categories:

The color of the diamond can have a huge influence on the price of the engagement ring. Colorless diamonds (often known as “white” diamonds) are the most common – but hardly so in terms of quality! – and are usually graded on a D-E-F scale. The latter letters (i.e. G through Z) are also used to determine color, and imply that the diamond has yellowish tints. The more yellow the diamond, the less expensive it will be. Colored diamonds have their own grading system. Fluorescence can also affect color, as seemingly colorless diamonds can appear yellow under this type of light.

The carat of the diamond will probably be more familiar to you, as the higher the carat weight, the more expensive the diamond will be. Quite simply, the carat is the measure of mass for a diamond, and is often referred to by point value (with each point represented 200 milligrams). A diamond engagement ring’s total carat weight will be the sum of all of the same stones within the ring.

Finally, the clarity of the diamond ring is a measurement of how flawless and clear a diamond is. While most diamonds contain minor flaws, the more cracked and visible these flaws, the lower the quality (and the price) of the diamond. Clarity of a diamond can be improved with fracture filling treatments; however, look for a diamond that has a clarity rating between VS1 to IF, as any flaws within the diamond are not easily seen, even by an experienced grader.


Remember, you don’t have to be an experienced jeweler to determine these important diamond factors; insist on a diamond grade certificate from a reputable gemological lab (such as GIA or EGL), as all of the relevant diamond ratings will be shown on the certificate.


Diamond Engagement Ring Settings. The setting of the ring will play a big role in how much your sweetheart will love her unique engagement ring, as there are many different designs out there. We’ll explore some of the more popular settings:

The tension ring> setting has risen the ranks in popularity. The engagement ring band itself holds the diamond in place, instead of the more traditional prong setting. Despite the simplistic style, there’s an enormous about of work that goes into making a tension engagement ring, as the gemstone is held in through pressure alone.

In the cathedral setting, the sides of the ring band swoop up into a beautiful arch that demonstrates the beauty of the centerpiece diamond. Bezel settings are similar to cathedral settings, and can show off a smaller stone that might get overshadowed with other setting styles.

The solitaire setting engagement ring is a gorgeous and elegant design, as a centerpiece diamond is held into place by a prong setting. It’s perfect for the fiancée who has understatedly elegant tastes.

The pave setting is designed to show off the band itself, rather than a center stone like with other engagement ring styles. This gives off a smooth and luxurious appearance, as a multitude of smaller stones are used in this setting type.


There are many other setting styles out there – be sure to have a friend clue you in on which one your future fiancée has been dreaming about!

Bezel Set Diamond Engagement Ring

Metal Type. Again, your fiancée might have a keen idea of what she wants for her ring, so be sure that you’re prepped with the right information before getting that perfect diamond engagement ring!

Remember, you don’t want the metal of the band to upstate the diamond; rather, it should protect, highlight and supplement whichever diamond style and setting you use. Platinum and palladium represent the most popular kinds of metals, as these are strong yet gorgeous metals protect the diamond while highlighting its clarity and color. White-gold metal has a strong resemblance to platinum and is considerably cheaper, although it’s not as strong.

Finally, traditional yellow gold can be used with an engagement ring, although this gives the best results for colorless diamonds – yellow gold can highlight any yellow imperfections that a diamond might have.

Choosing an elegant, gorgeous and perfect engagement ring for the love of your life can be a thrilling and wonderful experience.

Share and Enjoy:

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

The perfect engagement ring is more than just a diamond on a band – it’s a symbol of the love that you and your sweetie will share for the rest of your lives together. It’s a declaration to the world that you have finally found “The One” that you’re ready to share your world with. It’s also a wonderful way of showing off just how unique and special the relationship is between you and your future spouse!

Whether you’re looking for a unique engagement ring or inexpensive engagement rings, you’ll need to do a fair amount of research before you head to your nearest jeweler. After all, it’s not just the design of diamond itself that you’ll need to consider: you also need to investigate which engagement ring setting is just right for your sweetheart.

If you don’t know the difference between a prong setting and a tension setting – and every other setting in between – there’s no need to worry. Get ready to learn about the wonderful world of engagement ring settings!


What Is An Engagement Ring Setting?
Simply put, an engagement ring setting is the mounting which attaches the gemstone to the ring’s band. In this light, considering the right engagement ring setting isn’t just a question of style and taste – a great setting will also ensure that your sweetie’s precious gemstone doesn’t detached from the band.

Different engagement ring settings can lend an air of sophistication and elegance to a ring, or it can make a funky and unique statement; no matter what setting you choose, make sure that it reflects the tastes of your bride-to-be. The perfect engagement ring is something that she’s been dreaming about every since she was a little girl – and you want to make sure that you get it right when you finally go down on one knee!

Now that you know what an engagement ring setting is, let’s examine the different styles of settings that won’t just make an impact when you propose – they’ll commemorate the day that you and your love decided to share the rest of your lives together.

While the prong setting style is ideal for larger diamonds, it’s not suited for smaller gemstones, as the prongs can appear to overwhelm delicate gemstones.

Prong Set Engagement Ring

Prong Setting As one of the world’s most popular styles for engagement ring settings, the prong set engagement rings are featured in gorgeous and unique designs like the solitaire ring. Designed in 1886, the prong setting features what appears to be metal “claws” (otherwise known as the prong), which creates a basket shape where the gemstone sits. Four and six-prong styles are among the most popular choices for this particular setting, as it provides a firm yet symmetrical setting that allows for maximum light to shine through the diamond. Additionally, prongs can be flat, pointed or V-shaped; the shape you’ll choose depends on the cut of the gemstone. Ideally, heart and pear-shaped stones look best with V-shaped prongs, while emerald-cut stones stand out with flat prongs.

Bar Set Engagement Ring

Bar Setting The bar setting functions like the prong setting, except the prongs are fused into thin metal bars which run vertically between the gemstones. This keeps the stones firmly in place while also showcasing the appearance of the ring’s metal. It’s a contemporary spin on a classic look; however, the unevenness of the design can cause discomfort to the wearer, especially if she’ll wear her ring every day.

Bezel Set Engagement Ring

Bezel Setting A bezel setting on an engagement ring can not only keep your gemstone securely in place – the setting can also make smaller diamonds appear larger and intensify the look of colored gemstones! A metal band wraps around the perimeter of the circular gemstone, which protects the stone from receiving nicks or chips from everyday wear. If you’re decided on a bezel set engagement ring, then choosing the right type of metal can make a big impact on the brilliance of the stone. For example, a white metal surrounding a white or clear stone can make it appear much larger (perfect for those on a budget!), while a yellow metal setting can bring out the colors from a red or green gemstone. However, don’t choose a yellow metal for a white stone, as this will actually work to make the gemstone appear smaller.

Channel Set Engagement Ring

Channel Setting Channel settings have always been a popular choice for unique wedding bands, but now this style has been picked up by sleek and contemporary engagement rings. The channel setting – perfect for those engagement rings which have multiple stones – features a row of beautiful gemstones, which aren’t separated by any metals bands or prongs. This channel can extend on part or all around the ring, and is perfect for the woman who wants to wear her engagement ring on special occasions. While the channel setting provides more of a secure hold on gemstones and has a smooth surface, high-quality engagement rings featuring a channel setting can be extremely difficult to resize. Therefore, make sure you know your sweetie’s ring size before you venture into online diamond shopping!

Lucida Set Diamond Engagement Ring

Lucida Setting The Lucida setting derives from an exclusive design created for Tiffany & Co., and has been an extremely popular choice for engagement ring styles within the past decade. Lucida – which is the Latin word for “clear” – is a setting that features four sweeping metal claws and a very high crown. Because of this, the Lucida setting is perfect for princess-cut engagement rings, as it’s a simplistic yet luxurious design that highlights the brilliance and clarity of the stone. Perfect engagement rings featuring the Lucida setting are also much easier to clean; however, this setting is ideal for larger stones due to the high crown of the ring.

Invisible Set Diamond Engagement Ring

Invisible Setting An engagement ring featuring an invisible setting is an extremely modern yet sleek choice for the bride-to-be that loves making a statement. The featured stone appears to be attached to the ring without any assistance from metal prongs or claws; hence, the origin of the “invisible” setting. However, don’t let your eyes deceive you: the stone actually rests inside a stable cup, which is then attached to the ring in a split design. The invisible setting is perfect for small-to-medium sized diamonds, as they’ll be much more secure within the cup than that of a larger diamond, as this can overwhelm the delicate illusion that this setting gives off. Unlike with tension rings, an engagement ring featuring an invisible setting can be easily resized and clean.

Tension Set Diamond Engagement Ring

Tension Setting As a newly popular choice for engagement rings, the tension setting gives the diamond the appearance of “floating” between the metal band. However, the gemstone isn’t floating at all; rather, it’s compressed between the metal band to keep it firmly in place. The tension setting is perfect for hard stones like diamonds, sapphires and rubies, as they’re the only gemstones which can withstand the large amount of pressure that’s required to keep the stone in place. Additionally, the tension setting allows plenty of light to hit the stone and maximize the brilliance. Smaller and larger diamonds can be used within the tension ring; however, the tension ring setting isn’t ideal for extremely small or large diamonds, as the size will then clash with the wedding band. If you’re thinking of getting a tension engagement ring for your sweetie, note that repair and maintenance is quite difficult due to the design of the setting, and can often only be done by the manufacturer.

Pave Set Diamond Engagement Ring

Pave Setting Pronounced “pah-vay”, the pave setting is a French-inspired design which features three or more rows of small stones fitted into holes that then place the gemstones at level with the surface of the ring’s band. The surrounding metal is raised to form tiny beads that are not only pleasing to the eye – they serve to keep the stones securely in place. The pave setting can give the illusion that the gemstones are much bigger than what they actually are, although the beads can provide a less secure setting than a prong or tension setting. Therefore, only smaller diamonds should be used with this type of engagement ring setting. Pave set rings are also more expensive than other engagement rings due to the number of stones needed; however, the impact that this gorgeous and elegant setting makes on the special day is more than worth it!

Cluster Set Engagement Ring

Cluster Setting A cluster setting is perfect for the bride-to-be who wants a more personal touch to her perfect engagement ring. Featuring a cluster of multiple stones (typically made of semi-precious stones), this setting can accommodate personalized designs like a flower, heart or butterfly. The cluster setting can also be used to give off the appearance of a larger diamond, which is perfect for those future grooms on a wedding budget. Therefore, the cluster setting is appropriate for smaller gemstones, as they won’t serve to overwhelm the wedding band. While cluster settings can be difficult to clean due to the number of gemstones, this engagement ring style is a popular favorite for those brides who are looking for a more personal ring from their sweethearts.

Varied Setting Engagement Ring

Varied Setting However, these engagement ring settings aren’t the only styles that you’ll find during your online diamond shopping – in fact, the only limit is your imagination! From engagement rings that feature two or more settings on a single band to a traditional prong setting flanked by smaller gemstones, don’t forget to expand your engagement ring search to include these beautifully varied settings. Additionally, varied settings can offer those on a budget with more affordable engagement ring choices, particularly if bought within a bridal set.

What Should You Consider When Choosing The Setting?
To help you choose the perfect engagement ring for your sweetie, you’ll need to consider several factors that will help you to narrow down your choice.

First, budget plays an important role in deciding which engagement ring you can buy. Traditional prong, bar and bezel settings can provide an affordable engagement ring choice for couples on a budget – however, if you’re looking to buy a channel, Lucida or tension engagement ring, be prepared to fork over a little more of your wedding budget, as these rings tend to be more expensive.

Of course, budget isn’t the only factor you should consider when it comes to online diamond shopping; you’ll also need to think about the upkeep of the ring. Your sweetie will need to clean and tighten the settings on her ring in the future – are you prepared to pay a professional to do this, or would you prefer to do this yourself? For example, tension rings can only be maintained and resized by the manufacturer, while rings featuring an invisible setting are far simpler to clean and resize.

Most importantly, you’ll need to consider the taste of your bride-to-be. Is she a more traditional bride, or is she looking for a unique engagement ring? Does she want her ring to make a statement, or does she like a clean and elegant look? These aesthetic questions will ultimately help you to refine your search – as well as help you to choose the perfect engagement ring setting!