Diamond Mountings

Setting

The setting style has the ability to enhance the beauty and transform the look of a jewelry piece.

Prong

The prong is one of the most classic setting types, typically seen in engagement rings, stud earrings, and tennis bracelets. The setting has small metal prongs that bend over the girdle of the gemstone. This allows much light to pass through the diamond, which enhances the brilliance of the jewelry. It is ideal for larger diamonds.

Channel

A Channel setting refers to a type of stone setting often used in mounting a number of small stones of uniform size in a row, held into place on each side by a continuous strip of metal. This is a popular setting type for a variety of rings, and looks beautiful on its own or as an adornment to a large center stone.

Bezel

A Bezel setting is when a diamond is completely surrounded by metal. By encasing the diamond in a border of metal, this setting presents a clean, sturdy look, and can even make the diamonds appear larger. The bezel setting is often used with round shaped diamonds but also works well with other diamond shapes. As it sits right next to the diamond, the color of the bezel setting metal can enhance the hues of the colored diamond it embraces.

Half-Bezel

A Semi-Bezel setting or Half Bezel setting is when the diamond is only partially surrounded by a metal setting. In this setting, the diamonds are protected from daily wear by the metal frames, yet light is allowed to penetrate each precious stone from the borderless sides. This setting type is popular with diamond bands and tennis bracelets.

Pave

The pave setting (pronounced “pah-vay” —from the French for “paved” or “cobblestoned” ) is covered with a series of small diamonds, creating a the effect of a continuous surface of radiance and shimmer on the ring band. This effect allows light to reflect off the many facets of a center diamond. This setting type is preferred for engagement rings and earrings.

Common Shared Prong

A Common Shared Prong setting is a variation of the traditional prong setting in which a row of gemstones are each individually wrapped by prongs, yet share a common prong with its neighboring stone. This setting minimizes the appearance of metal and allows additional light to pass through a diamond.

Tension Setting

In a tension setting the stone is held in place by physical pressure, giving the illusion that the diamond is floating in mid-air. In a properly adjusted setting, the pressure is applied in an exacting manner that secures the diamond in place even better than a more traditional prong setting.

Illusion

This setting technique places a collection of small stones next to one another in a highly polished metal frame, thereby creating the illusion of one larger diamond. This is a cost-effective way of creating the illusion of a large centerpiece diamond.

Gypsy/Flush

A gypsy or flush setting gives a similar appearance as a bezel setting, in that the crown of the gem is the only exposed part. However, in this setting the gemstone is sunk into the metal and rests below the surface of the setting.

Trellis

A trellis setting features sweeping metal claws and a very high crown, creating a simple, elegant look. this setting is ideal for larger stones due to the high crown of the ring.

Bar

This setting technique alternates gemstones between parallel bars, leaving the sides of the gem open.