Choosing the right setting can be just as important as choosing the diamond itself. Think of the setting as representation of your style; the meaning of this diamond, and how you want that meaning presented to the world. Consider the following questions:

• Will it be yellow gold, white gold or platinum?
• Will the band be simple or adorned with smaller stones?
• Does her taste run modern, vintage, floral, romantic or more contemporary?
• Would you like the diamond to be set with additional side stones or alone?

Prong Setting:
Show it Off
If you're looking for a setting for a solitaire diamond ring, the Prong Setting is the most popular. It's designed to highlight the diamond. The prongs hold the diamond securely while at the same time allowing light to shine up through the diamond. The four prong solitaire setting and the six prong solitaire setting will allow maximum sparkle and brilliance for the diamond. Learn more about solitaire settings.

Channel Setting:
Go Bold
Two strips of gold or platinum create a dramatic channel for stones set side-by-side. The gems are set flush with the metal, offering protection from snags, but slightly diminishing the ability for light to shine through.

Pave Setting
All Sparkle
Like a metal honeycomb, small gemstones are placed very close together in tiny holes of the frame. All you see is diamonds since no metal is visible to the eye. This setting reflects quality, elegance, and brilliance.

Bar Setting
Beauty with a Modern Flair
Stones are actually placed in the channel with supporting bars on either side of each stone. This style creates a beautiful display of uniformity in presentation. Since there is no additional metal between the stones, more light is allowed to pass through to the diamond.

Three-Stone Diamond Setting
Brilliant Tradition
Three stones are mounted together, in three prong settings. Often a larger, more impressive look is created by placing three smaller diamonds together. This setting allows more light to pass through for heightened color, brilliance and fire.

Diamond Halo
Pure Bling
A ring of diamonds is set around the center diamond to create a diamond "halo" effect. The diamond halo often makes the center diamond look dramatically larger, increasing the visual size by as much as 100% - making a 1.00 carat diamond appear the same size as a 2.00 carat diamond.

Bead Setting
All Sparkle
Small diamonds are placed in a tight row and share double prongs. This method represents an antique setting style while still allowing the diamonds to sparkle brightly. Larger diamonds are used to create the brilliant effect. Often times, bead set diamonds will be combined with milgrain accent work to create a truly estate style appearance.

Split Shank Setting
Contemporary Design
In this setting style, the "shank" of the ring (often known as the ring's band) splits into two separate branches to hold the center diamond in place. Split shanks can be metal only, or be set with additional diamonds to increase the sparkle of the ring. This setting style is often used for larger stones, over the 1.00 carat weight. This setting style has greatly increased in popularity the last 3 years.

Shared Prong Setting
Understated Accents
Two diamonds share one prong. This low amount of metal to hold the diamonds in place allows for maximum light to reach each diamond, increasing the brilliance and sparkle from each diamond. The shared prong stones can be as small at .10 points each, all the way to over 1.00 carat each, depending on the appearance you would like. This setting style is extraordinarily popular, one of our most requested setting styles.

Antique Dome
Antique Elegance
A raised dome of metal surrounds the center stone accenting it beautifully. The dome creates a thicker shank (band) on the ring and is ideal for an active woman looking for a large look. The milgrain accents create a beautiful antique and estate elegance.

Fishtail Setting
Wow Factor
Small accent diamonds are set tightly in a row. The diamonds create an understated elegance that accents the center diamond perfectly. The diamonds are known to sparkle beautifully when the light hits them. This style is absolutely stunning when combined with a diamond halo.

Elegant and Simple Band
Classic Elegance
A diamond band can be used to accompany a matching engagement ring or be worn alone. Diamond bands can be made in any width, in any setting style mentioned above and for almost any budget. This is an excellent choice for someone on a tight budget but still looking for an impressive and elegant option for proposal, anniversary and any other occasion. Bands with a combination of diamonds and colored gemstones (often in the birthstone) are known for fabulous birthday gifts as well as in celebration of the birth of a child.

Milgrain Accents
Estate Beauty
Milgrain accents are hand-created, small "dots" or "beads" of metal that outline the edge of the ring. Milgrain accents add extra decoration and flair to the ring and is often used to achieve an antique and estate-style appearance. This technique adds an extra decoration to the ring. Milgrain accents can be added to any of the setting styles mentioned above.

Select a Setting She'll Love Without Blowing the Surprise
Discovering what kind of ring she likes can be a challenge if you want to keep your proposal a secret. Below is a list of all the points you'll need to know before you begin shopping, as well as some secret methods for discovering her ring size and her taste in engagement rings.

• Take a good look at the color of jewelry your partner wears. What color is the metal?
• Ask her friends or mother if there is a type or style of ring she likes.
• Is she very active or not used to wearing jewelry? If so, consider a cathedral or contour setting, which will protect a diamond from rough treatment.
  

Engagements are rarely an out-of-the-blue surprise, so it is common to discuss engagement ring choices with your partner. The only way to ensure you find a ring that will match her taste and style is to shop for a ring together.

Still Not Sure What Setting to Select?
Our recommendation is to mount the diamond in a simple solitaire setting. The setting is extremely affordable and versatile. After presenting the diamond to her, have the diamond remounted in the setting of her choice. If you purchase the stone from Shapiro Diamonds, we will gladly credit you the full cost of the solitaire setting toward the remount.