What is a solitaire?
A Solitaire diamond is a single diamond. This popular term refers to jewellery set with a single diamond.
“Solitaire” refers to any jewellery set featuring a single gemstone. Popular solitaire designs include rings, pendants and earrings.
Most people associate a solitaire diamond with the classic engagement ring design.
Misconceptions: Solitaire vs Monolithic
In recent weeks, we received a request for a monolithic engagement ring. In basic translation, this refers to Mono (one) and Lithic (stone), but is incorrectly used to describe a large single stone pillar or monument.
Our Kensington ring design is our latest contemporary addition, featuring a Tiffany-style setting and knife-edge shoulders, as shown here with a 1-carat lab-grown diamond (Price approx. £ 1,600, updated).
At the same time, the alternative definition of Solitaire relates to a popular card game.
This card game dates from the mid-18th Century. Today, many people play solitaire games on their phones or devices.
The most popular single-stone ring
New clients often ask which of our solitaire styles is the most popular for buyers. The Lila design has been in great demand for the last few years. Its simple styling and choice of options make it a popular design.
Furthermore, we create the Lila engagement ring with large lab-grown solitaire diamonds and Starlight Moissanites. Buyers can get the look of a two- or three-carat diamond at a much lower cost than a natural diamond.
Most popular amongst solitaire rings? The ‘Lila’ ring design.
The iconic solitaire ring design
The most popular type of solitaire jewellery is the iconic round brilliant-cut diamond engagement ring. Think of the Tiffany setting when you think of an engagement ring.
Tiffany & Co. brought the engagement ring to true fame with the classic round diamond engagement ring. Tiffany boosted Platinum engagement rings to new heights. Set with a single diamond, a Platinum solitaire provides a secure setting. Additionally, it gives sufficient strength to hold a diamond.
After round diamonds, the square Princess cut is the second most popular diamond cut for solitaire rings.
Beatrice, a beautiful traditional engagement ring available for most diamond sizes.
Popular diamond solitaire shapes
Video showing some of the popular solitaire diamond shapes.
Diamond shapes
Video showcasing some of the most popular single-stone diamond shapes.
The most popular diamond solitaire engagement rings feature round brilliant cut diamonds. However, many other diamond shapes exist.
In addition to the popular Round and Princess cut, many more diamond shapes exist. In fact, many unique diamond shapes exist. For example, the Ten Commandments diamond cut!
Finally, Antique diamond cuts arise. Typically salvaged from Vintage jewellery, the Old Mine Cut, surfaces at auction.
Round brilliant cuts, Princess-cuts and other shapes
Round Solitaire – The round brilliant cut diamond. The most popular round diamond shape with 57 facets. This design frequently features single diamond rings.
Princess Solitaire – Square princess cut diamond. The second most popular, the square Princess cut, features over 70 facets.
Emerald-Cut Solitaire – Rectangular step-cut diamond. A more subtle diamond shape, cut for fire rather than brilliance.
Oval Solitaire – Similar to the round brilliant but elongated. Excellent for size but less popular than the round.
Marquise Solitaire – Boat-shaped with pointed ends. Marquise diamond gives a beautiful elongated diamond with plenty of elegance.
Heart Solitaire – Most romantic heart-shaped, brilliant cut. Popular for Valentine’s Day buyers either love or hate the heart shape.
Why are diamond solitaire rings so popular?
In addition to Tiffany, DeBeers gave solitaire rings a boost. DeBeers came up with one of the most popular advertising campaigns in the World.
A young copywriter working for N. W. Ayer & Son, Frances Gerety coined the phrase “Diamonds are Forever.” As a result, the solitaire diamond experienced a surge in popularity.
De Beers provided us with a suggestion on how many months’ salaries were committed to a purchase. Their romantic TV ads helped forge the modern proposal on one knee.
As a result, the solitaire ring became an iconic symbol of romance.
Butterfly-inspired Papillon solitaire engagement ring
Is it possible to buy a solitaire setting without the diamond?
Many ring buyers already own their diamonds. For example, an inherited diamond. For this reason, it is possible to purchase just a solitaire setting without the stone. Furthermore, we make finished settings without a diamond.
We offer this service for private and trade clients. Some of our solitaire settings appear with an option to purchase without a stone. Browse our guidance page on ring mounts or contact us for more help.
The Annabelle solitaire ring is crafted in a choice of precious metals
How much would you pay for a single diamond engagement ring?
Expect to pay anything from £500.00 for a small diamond ring. Remember, the price varies greatly depending on the size and quality of a diamond. In addition, the choice of metal affects the price.
Single gemstone rings
We make single-stone engagement rings with coloured gemstones. Gemstones add a vibrant burst of colour.
Clients supply some. But we also source gems for clients. Many exist as limited edition coloured gemstones. Many designs appear on our website.
Unusual Purple Spinel solitaire ring featuring forked shoulders. This was a bespoke commission created in the style of the Elsa Solitaire ring.
What is the best quality for a solitaire diamond?
Four factors affect the value of a diamond. They are referred to as the 4 C’s. They include colour, clarity, cut and carat weight.
The value of a diamond comes from all four factors. To explain, the combination of carat weight, colour, clarity and cut gives a diamond its value. For example, take a D-colour diamond.
Factor in a Flawless clarity grade. Then, add an excellent cut. Finally, choose a high-carat weight. As a result, you have a very expensive diamond!
Examples of diamond engagement rings
At Serendipity Diamonds, we create amazing solitaire engagement rings. We deliver solitaire designs worldwide.
We are one of the few jewellers to include tax and duty. Our solitaire rings are sent to the furthest corners of the World.
We carry most designs on our website and within our brand-new Ryde showroom.
Besides online purchases, we help many clients in person by phone or by email. Additionally, we have clients visiting us from the UK and abroad.
Click on the images below to view the design.
Solitaire in the Unity ring design
Unity. Our most popular solitaire engagement ring. Shown here is set with a 1.20-carat diamond.
The diamond is held between the sides of the ring over a polished setting. We created a matching-shaped wedding ring to match this design.
The Ella engagement ring. A perfect four-claw round solitaire ring design. In addition, we craft many other four-claw solitaire styles in many contemporary styles.
This example shows a 1-carat round diamond solitaire engagement ring.
Beau solitaire ring style. Similar designs feature slight differences. This elegant set features a simple four-claw arrangement. 1-carat round diamond solitaire engagement ring set into white gold.
The Orion solitaire engagement ring design breaks tradition. A solitaire style with a fresh, clean look. Crafted with a sweeping part-bezel, the opposite claw holds the diamond in place.
The flute engagement ring is styled with six claws. This solitaire diamond setting benefits from added height. The tall, fluted setting features a web-like design, characterised by slim shoulders.
View additional designs by continuing to browse the full collection in our shop.
Where does your diamond come from?
When you buy a diamond ring, how do you determine its origin? Certainly, the ring came from the jeweller. But where did the diamond and Gold originate? Few buyers ask such questions about the origin.
One of our unique services helps to answer this question. Many of our rings include details about the origin of the materials.
For example, some of our diamonds originate from Canada. Additionally, they include details about the mine of origin.
These include the Ekati and Diavik mines. CanadaMark diamonds include a unique serial number to identify them.
This number accompanies the diamond from the mine to the cutting process. Then, through to the final polished diamond.
The number appears on the side of the diamond in addition to the GIA report number. The final, most important aspect sets CanadaMark diamonds apart. All CanadaMark diamonds are 100% ethically sourced.
Both systems, CanadaMark and Fairtrade, are independently audited. Both provide reassurance to people about how our jewellery is made. And, most importantly, where the materials came from.
Alternatives to the classic solitaire engagement ring
Without straying off-topic, we have many options to the solitaire engagement ring. For example, two-stone, three-stone and cluster ring designs.
Are solitaire rings cheaper than other styles?
If you choose a ring with more than one diamond, the price will be lower than that of a single-diamond ring. This is based on the same colour and clarity of diamonds.
For example, a one-carat solitaire engagement ring costs more than a 1 carat two-stone engagement ring. Smaller diamonds have a lower cost per carat.
This is due to their rarity. Larger diamonds are rarer than smaller diamonds. As carat weight increases, so does cost.
Can you put a bigger diamond into the same ring?
Most settings are made to hold a specific diamond size. For this reason, a bigger diamond cannot be added to the same ring.
When we carry out this work, we remove the original setting. This can only be done if the ring is a two-part ring. This means it has been created with a separate shank and head.
Firstly, we remove the original setting. Next, we create an identical setting built for a bigger diamond. Next, we mount the new setting on the original shank.
Finally, we set the bigger diamond and polished the ring. The result is the same ring design. The ring features the original band, but with a new, larger diamond.
We offset the cost of the new ring against the value of any scrap metal. Some clients provide additional items of jewellery to scrap in this way. We drop the item on the scales.
Then, we calculate the gram weight and scrap metal cost on the day. Finally, we subtract this price from the cost of all work.
About Mark Johnson
My name is Mark and I'm founder at Serendipity Diamonds. I have 30 years or experience in polished diamonds and jewellery. Today, I work with an expert team in our Isle of Wight jewellery showroom located in Ryde. Most of my work involves helping clients in our showroom, working on our two websites and photographing jewellery commissions.
