It's All in the Details: Understanding Diamond Settings

Every detail in an engagement ring or wedding band can elevate the function and look of the design. Side stones, in particular, can enhance the brilliance and beauty of your romantic gift. Beyond the side stones, a variety of diamond settings can show off the stone in unique and brilliant ways. Our guide takes you through the most popular side stone setting options.

Prong Setting

Classic, elegant, and beautiful — the prong setting gently cradles the side stones with distinctive metal tips that form a delicate and graceful basket around the stone. Generally, prong settings have four small metal prongs keeping the stone in place.

The prong’s sharp tips hold on to the edges of the stone. Choose from prongs that are pointed, flat, rounded, or V-shaped (for square stones). Due to the small amount of metal used in this setting, plenty of light can shine through to the stone, although the prongs can snag on things sometimes.

Shared Prong Setting

In a shared prong setting, the prongs are wrapped around the crown of the side stone to keep it in place. The only difference between a shared prong setting and a traditional prong setting is that a shared prong secures several stones at once using the same metal tips.

Shared prong settings are traditionally used with diamonds that are too large to fit in pavé and channel settings. The shared prong setting uses the least amount of metal so that more light can reach the diamond and create a brilliant sparkle.

Pavé Setting

At the intersection of drama and elegance, the pavé setting for side stones secures the diamond by using tiny beads. In this setting, side stones are placed in small holes in the ring’s band and secured by small pieces of metal set low around them.

As a result of this unique design, the surface of the ring appears seamlessly covered with stones, offering a fiery and brilliant look. This setting works best with small diamonds and requires greater care and maintenance to avoid loose stones.

French Pavé Setting

As an alternative to the traditional pavé setting, the French pavé setting offers a more sophisticated look. The side stones are set into a V-shaped groove featuring small beads on the prongs. This design allows a greater amount of light to reach the side stones for a sparkling effect.

Micro Pavé Setting

A micro pavé setting is designed for very small diamonds, smaller than 0.01 of a carat. When placed close together, these diamonds give the illusion of a completely diamond-paved ring. In this setting, the band can hold several rows of diamonds.

Channel Setting

A channel setting can be confused for a bezel setting. While they may look alike, there are distinct differences. Small side stones are kept in place between vertical metal walls. Within this smooth channel, side stones are set flush against the strip of metal with no metal in between.

Channel settings can vary in length with some going completely around the band. This setting is one of the most secure on the market, especially since they won't snag like prong settings. However, they do require special care to clean within the channels.

Its clean and elegant look is very popular in men's wedding bands. Overall, it’s the perfect setting for small diamonds.

Bar Channel Setting

If you are looking for greater security with the same look as a classic channel setting, a bar channel setting for your side stones is a good option. In this setting, the side stones are kept in place between two vertical metal walls on either side of each diamond.

In this look, the stones are recessed leaving only the top visible and exposed to light. As a result, the ring’s outer surface is relatively flat, significantly reducing the risk of snagging on clothing or having loose stones.

Bezel Setting

In a bezel setting for side stones, a metal ring frames the diamond or gemstone by the girdle to keep it secured. Unlike the classic prong settings, these side stones are completely lined on the insides with metal.

A thin metal strip surrounds the side stones keeping them in place and making them appear larger than they really are due to the reflective metal. In addition, a bezel setting provides excellent protection from everyday wear.

Find Your Perfect Side Stone Setting at Morgan Jewelers

For more than 100 years, Morgan Jewelers has helped customers celebrate their most precious moments. Since our humble beginnings, we have expanded across 16 states in the Rocky Mountain Region.

Stop by any of our showrooms in Utah, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. We have an extensive selection of diamond and gemstone jewelry with a variety of diamond settings. Our expert jewelers can help you decide on a favorite to complement your wardrobe.