A Pro Con Comparison between the Popular Diamond Ring Settings
When it comes to choosing a perfect diamond engagement ring, one of the few things that may pop into your mind will be the cut of the center stone. Of course, the direct impact of this attribute on the sparkle of the diamond is the main reason for this. Note that a diamond tends to exhibit its incredible light show depending on the quality of the cut. After all, this ultimate scintillation is the factor that made diamonds one of the incredible paucities in the world. Apart from this, you may consider the factors such as the color, clarity, carat weight, shape, etc. of a diamond when choosing one.
Diamond Ring Settings
Having the best diamond cut is unlikely to give the best appeal to your diamond ring if it does not have a sound setting. It is to be noted that an appropriate diamond ring setting is significant to highlight the mesmerizing beauty of your precious bauble. Plus, diamond setting plays a key role when it comes to securing your main gemstone in place.
There are more than ten types of diamond rings settings and you may choose the one that suits your style and personality. If you are confused about which diamond ring setting to choose, doing a pro con comparison of various diamond ring settings will be a great option. In order to help you out with this, below is an in-depth comparison between three of the most popular diamond ring settings.
The Prong Setting
This is the most popular and classic diamond ring setting so far. In this setting, the center stone in a ring will be securely held in place employing metal protrusions called prongs. There are different types of prongs such as classic, V-shaped, flat, pointed, bead-shaped, etc. Most prong setting feature four or six number of prongs; you can choose this depending on the size of the diamond. The main upside of the prong setting is the minimum coverage of metal. Hence, more surface area of the gemstone will be visible enhancing the amount of light flow through the stone. Needless to mention, this will take the brilliance of your diamond to the next level.
The Pros
- Elevates the beauty of the diamond
- Supports a wide variety of diamond shapes and cuts
- Offers a timeless elegance to your rings
- Easier and simple to clean and maintain
The Cons
- The pointed prongs are likely to snag on your clothes and other fabrics, especially if you lead an active lifestyle. In such cases, it is recommended to consider a low-set prong instead of a high-set one.
- Prongs tend to wear down over time and this can pose the risk of loosened prongs or your diamonds falling out of the setting.
The Bezel Setting
The bezel setting is the second most popular diamond ring setting after the prong setting. The main reasons behind the immense popularity of this setting are its sustainability for a hands-on lifestyle and captivating appeal. In this setting, the main diamond will be encircled by a metal rim. Hence, a bezel set diamond will be well-secured from every angle. Depending on your style and budget, you may choose either a full or partial bezel setting. While a full bezel setting surrounds the diamond completely, a partial bezel setting tends to cover only two opposite sides of the gemstone.
The Pros
- Secures the diamonds in the best way possible
- Perfect to provide a classic and stylish appeal to the gemstones
- Does not snag on fabrics
- Bezel set diamonds will be resistant to damages when compared to prong set rings
- Maintenance and repairs will be relatively less
- Easy to clean
The Cons
- Only a minimum surface area of a diamond is exposed making it less gleaming
- Tends to make the diamond look smaller since it is covered from all angles
The Tension Setting
The tension setting is a modern way of setting your beautiful diamonds. As the name indicates, the tensile force exerted by the diamond ring bands secures the gemstones in this setting. Since there are no metal elements to hold the diamonds in a tension setting, it will create an illusion of the diamond floating in the air. However, there will be extremely tiny or invisible groves at the edge of each diamond ring band in order to add extra protection to the diamonds. When compared to other diamond ring settings, tension setting is comparatively easier to go with and is less expensive since the metal usage is minimal here.
The Pros
- Holds the gemstones securely in place
- Highlights the central stone to the fullest
- Offers a distinct and stylish appeal to the diamonds and the rings
- Since the metal surrounding the diamond is minimal, the light reflection properties of a tension set diamond will be inimitable
- Requires less maintenance and is easier to clean
The Cons
- It will be challenging and expensive to resize a tension set ring in the future
- A tension set stone can rarely fall out of the setting if struck hard by an external force
- Not suitable for diamonds with smaller carat weights