Prong Set - This is the recommended way to set an engagement ring diamond. The prongs allow the maximum amount of light to enter a stone from all angles. This helps make the diamond look more brilliant and can even make it appear larger.
Bezel Set - This is a popular setting for active adults who want their diamond to sit low on their hand and to avoid snagging on objects.
Channel Set - This setting style is most frequently used for wedding and anniversary bands. The setting protects the girdle of the diamonds and provides a smooth exterior surface.
Invisible Set, Figure 18 - Invisible setting is a relatively new concept. Diamonds with slits are placed into a frame with ridges to hold them in place. No metal appears between any stones.
Pavé Set, Figure 19 - The round stones are patterned very closely together and the only metal visible is what is actually used to hold the stones in place.
Your fiancée will be wearing the ring everyday for the rest of her life while driving, opening doors, working, doing housework and so on. The setting should be robust enough so that she doesn’t feel like she needs to take it off to do everyday tasks.
Some settings are “hot” right now because of current trends of fashion. Bearing in mind she will have it for the rest of her life (unless she wants to get it reset) a setting that is classic or traditional will stand the test of trends and time much better.
The setting should match the type of hands that she has. If she has long, slender fingers a slender band will look more in proportion to her hand. If she has short, squat fingers a fatter band will be in proportion to her hand.
If your girlfriend is an active, “get-herhands-dirty” type, a tougher metal such as platinum or titanium will be more suitable so any knocks her hands take don’t mark the ring.
