When most people think of settings or mountings for engagement rings they have a mental image of the traditional prong style settings that secure the diamond to the band. While these types of settings are beautiful, simple and very discrete, there are other types of settings or mountings that can be used on engagement rings to highlight and enhance the appearance of the diamond.

Many engagement ring settings are designed specifically to maximize the amount of light that can enter the diamond both from the top as well as the sides. This light entering into the diamond causes the flashes in color that make diamonds such an appealing stone for engagement rings and other types of jewelry. Mountings also elevate the diamond above the band, providing more options for capturing light as the hand moves.

A more solid type of setting for engagement rings is called the bezel setting. This is like a collar of the same metal as the band that wraps around the diamond and lifts it off the ring’s surface. Bezel settings are ideal for modern styles of engagement rings plus they are exceptional for unusual shaped diamonds that may be hard to secure to the bend using prongs. With a bezel setting the collar may go completely around the diamond or it may only be over half, allowing light to enter the stone.  

Inset diamonds into the band of engagement rings or wedding rings are set with the channel setting style. A uniform groove in the ring itself plus a side groove just under the lip of the channel holds each diamond in place. These rings are often made with smaller round diamonds, diamond chips or baguette type diamonds for maximum brilliance 

Another option on the channel setting or engagement rings is the bar channel. In this style each diamond is separated from others with a thin bar of metal, usually white gold or platinum. The light from the diamonds reflects off the metal rather than through other diamonds.  

More artistic or free style types of rings often use a bead setting. These settings use beads of metal that are styled and designed to be part of the design of engagement rings, rather than to be hidden

Pave settings are usually reserved for smaller sized diamonds and diamond chips. These settings are almost invisible with the individual diamonds each inserted into small holes in the engagement ring’s band. Very tiny beads of metal are then used to secure the diamonds in place. The result is a solid paved with diamonds look on the band  

Checking the settings on engagement rings, regardless of the setting style, is very important. Jewelry stores often offer free inspections of engagement rings and other diamond jewelry to determine if there is any need for repair