Engagement Rings Education Hub
26 December, 2025
The Styles That Shape the Sparkle
Jump to a Setting
From timeless solitaires to dazzling halos, the setting of an engagement ring is what brings the design together. It determines how the diamond sits, how much it sparkles, and how the ring reflects your personal style.
Below are the core setting styles you’ll come across, followed by popular sub-setting techniques that add detail, structure, and shimmer to your ring design.
💠 Main Engagement Ring Styles
🔹 Solitaire
➜Easy to pair with most wedding bands
➜One single centre diamond
➜Clean, classic and elegant
➜Perfect for showcasing a high-quality stone
🔹 Three-Stone
➜Can include matching or contrasting stone shapes
➜One centre diamond with two side stones
➜Symbolises past, present and future
➜Balanced, symmetrical and sentimental
🔹 Side-Stone
➜Works beautifully with round, oval, and cushion cuts
➜Centre diamond with smaller diamonds along the band
➜Adds sparkle without taking focus from the centre
➜Can feature pavé, channel, or claw-set stones
🔹 Halo
➜Complements most diamond shapes (especially oval, pear, round)
➜A circle of small diamonds around the centre stone
➜Makes the centre appear larger and more brilliant
➜Ideal for adding glamour on a budget
🔹 Toi et Moi ➜
➜Unique, artistic and increasingly popular
➜Two main stones side by side
➜Symbolises two souls, one love
➜Often features different shapes or colours
🛠️ Popular Sub-Setting Styles
These secondary settings are used within the styles above to define how stones are secured, styled, and supported.
🔹 Bezel Setting
➜Commonly used in: Solitaire, Side-Stone
➜Metal rim fully or partially surrounds the stone
➜Sleek, secure and low-profile
➜Excellent for active lifestyles or daily wear
🔹 Channel Setting
➜Commonly used in: Side-Stone, Three-Stone, Wedding Bands
➜Small diamonds set between two strips of metal
➜Smooth surface—no claws or prongs
➜Ideal for sparkle along the band
🔹 Pavé Setting
➜Commonly used in: Side-Stone, Halo, Solitaire with pavé band
➜Tiny diamonds set closely together with minimal metal
➜Creates a continuous shimmer effect
➜Often used for bands, halos or hidden details
🔹 Cathedral Setting
➜Commonly used in: Solitaire, Three-Stone, Halo
➜Band arches up to meet the centre stone
➜Adds height and elegance
➜Offers more structure to the setting
🔹 Split Shank
➜Commonly used in: Halo, Three-Stone
➜Band splits into two as it nears the centre stone
➜Adds open space and visual interest
➜Can enhance both modern and vintage designs
🔹 Cluster Setting
➜Small diamonds grouped together to form one visual shape
➜Can mimic a larger diamond or create a floral design
➜Adds texture and character, great for vintage styles
🔹 Claw (Prong) Setting
Commonly used in: All settings (Solitaire, Halo, Three-Stone, etc.)
Metal claws hold the diamond in place
Maximises light entry = more sparkle
Available in 4-prong, 6-prong or double-claw styles
🏁 Final Thought
Your setting choice is where style meets structure. From sleek bezels to sparkling halos, there’s a combination that’s just right for your partner’s lifestyle and your love story.
💡 Think of it as the frame for your forever stone—designed to hold your memories and milestones for life.
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Diamond Basics – Diamond Anatomy
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💎 The 4 Cs – Diamond Cut Explained ✂️
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