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   A Guide to Jewellery Setting Styles

A Guide to Popular Diamond Setting Styles


Learn how to buy just the ring setting


Jewellery settings hold diamonds or gemstones securely in an item of jewellery. Different styles exist, and each type has a very different appearance. The setting of a ring performs three main functions.  Firstly, it provides security for the diamond.  Secondly, it frames your diamond and finally, it allows light to penetrate the diamond. Light reflects from the facets of a diamond. In addition, like is refracted and reflected internally, returning light to the eye. 


A well designed ring setting enhances the beauty of a piece of jewellery. A well-considered setting reveals the beauty of a diamond and never hides it. Choosing the correct setting requires a little experience, looking at different settings to decide on the best design for circumstances. 

Claw or Prong Settings


Claw settings are sometimes called Prong settings. This term is more popular in the US. Claws vary in length and quantity. In addition to the number of claws, height often varies from one setting to another. Strike a balance between prominence and practicality. If you prefer a clear view through the claws, opt for claw settings without an under-bezel. Under-bezels bridge claws to give additional strength to the setting of a ring.


View the Ava setting style

Rubover Settings


The rub-over setting is sometimes referred to as a bezel or rubbed-over setting. The Diamond sits within a ring of metal shaped around the stone. The edges of the setting are pushed over the outer edge of the diamond. Bezel settings provide security and protection for both diamonds and gemstones. In addition, bezel settings enhance the shape of fancy shaped diamonds and gemstones. Furthermore, they offer protection for less durable gemstone types. 

Pavé Jewellery Settings


Pavé settings cover the surface of precious metal with Diamonds. Pavé settings pave the metal with small Diamonds. From a distance, it creates a sparkling surface of diamonds. Small beads of precious metal hold each tiny stone. Pavé settings require many equally sized diamonds. Pavé settings are especially striking when coloured diamonds are Pavé set in bands against white Diamonds. 

Channel Settings for Rings


Channel settings feature a continuous channel cut into the ring. Each diamond sits within the walls of the channel in a continuous row. Channel settings are popular for diamond shoulders and diamond set wedding rings. Square diamond shapes offer a seamless row of diamonds without any spaces. Both Princess cuts and Baguette cuts feature in many channel set ring designs. Another ring style associated with channel settings includes diamond eternity rings.

The Flush Setting


Flush settings feature diamonds sunk at surface height into the surface of the metal. Typically spaced, or set along, each flush set diamond goes into a drilled hole of a similar size to the diamond. Flush diamond settings give a clean look. Furthermore, they seat the diamond into the body of the precious metal. Flush settings make an affordable way of adding a few diamonds spaced around a ring or added in a scattered pattern to a wedding ring. 

Tension Ring Style Settings


Tension settings clamp a diamond under pressure within a setting. Many tension settings are not true tension settings. They give the appearance of a tension setting. However, a true tension setting requires a solid ring build. The diamond snaps into place and is very hard to remove. We advise anyone considering a tension setting to ensure they work to the correct finger size. Size adjustments are never advisable in tension settings. 

Bar Settings for Rings


Bar settings suit square diamond shapes with straight edges, holding diamonds between each flat edge. Small bars of metal secure diamonds either alone or in a repeat arrangement. Although bar settings suit square stones, many round diamond examples exist. Rectangular bar settings add contrast between each round diamond in many diamond wedding ring styles. 

Grain Set Diamonds 


Grain settings secure diamonds within small beads of metal. We make many of our shaped diamond wedding rings with grain settings. The addition of a shallow channel gives the illusion of a channel setting. At the same time, diamonds rest securely within the metal itself—held between grains of precious metal. In addition to diamond wedding rings and eternity rings, grain settings feature in many diamond shoulder engagement ring styles.