You bought the diamond, now what?
From stone selection to the type of engagement setting, today's
engagement rings have a vast number of options. Learning what you like and being able to communicate that to your local jeweler will help simplify and demystify the purchase process (email us to find a retailer near you info@jabel.com). In previous blogs we have reviewed the necessary vocabulary associated with diamond as well as the anatomy of a ring, now, lets discuss the various types of setting options for both your main stone as well as smaller accent diamonds that your future ring may use.
Prong Thin metal projections that hold a stone(s) in place. Both 4 and 6 prong settings are popular with round center stones. Variations on the prongs include V-Prong, popular with pear, heart and trillion shape stones. (Example, see center stone above in DM4391)
Bezel A perimeter of metal that hugs the entire circumference of the stone(s) (Full Bezel).
Semi-Bezel Similar to a full bezel, the semi-bezel setting has two breaks in the perimeter hugging the top and bottom of a stone(s).
Channel Two parallel strips of precious metal suspend the stone(s). (Example, see accent diamonds above in DM4391)
Bead Metal is moved from the ring over strategic points of the stone(s) using a tiny chisel called a graver or burin.
Burnished Similar to Bead Setting but a burnishing tool pushes gold all around the full circumference of the stone(s).
Tension Pressure is used to hold the stone(s) in place.
Bar Precious metal bars are used to hold the stone(s) in place.
Pave - This term is French for Paved. As described, numerous diamonds are strategically held together closely to cover the surface with shimmering stones.
