What You Should Know When You Choose Your Setting

Purchasing a diamond ring involves choosing two different items. You will want to choose a diamond for your ring, and you will want to choose the setting for your diamond ring. There are many different settings to choose from, with several different types of metal. It is important to know a little bit about the setting of your diamond ring in order to ensure that you will be able to enjoy it for years to come. For example, some settings cannot be resized. Other settings protect the diamond more securely.

Prong Setting

The prong setting is fairly common. In this type of setting, a few fingers of metal come out of the ring and hold the diamond securely in place. There are often between four and six prongs that hold the diamond in place. There is also a common prong setting that is used when there are several gems located side-by-side in a ring. This type of setting allows in a lot of light that allows the diamond to shine, but you should have a jeweler check the prongs about once every six months. Over time, the prongs could weaken, and this could lead to the loss of your diamond.

Bezel Setting

If you own a watch, you have probably seen a bezel. A bezel surrounds the diamond in a continuous collar, giving the diamond a lot of protection. While this is a more secure setting than the prong setting, the drawback to choosing this setting is that less of your diamond will be visible, as part of it will be covered up with gold

Channel Setting

In a channel setting, several round diamonds are placed side by side in a channel. The sides of the diamonds are protected in the channel. This type of setting will protect your diamonds quite nicely. Like the bezel setting, none of the edges are exposed, so it may be a good choice if you work with your hands.

Tension Setting

In a tension set ring, the entire ring acts as a giant spring, holding the solitary diamond in place by putting pressure on its sides. Because light can enter the diamond ring from all sides, the diamond will have a lot of sparkle to it. Tension set rings have to be built tough. More gold is used in a tension set ring, and the metal will undergo a special hardening process that gives it extra strength. Tension set rings are harder for jewelers to make. If you choose to purchase a tension set ring, make sure that you purchase the ring from a reputable jeweler who has plenty of experience making rings in this setting.

Settings that Can't Be Resized

You may need to resize your ring at some point in the future. Often, if you gain weight, your ring size will increase as well. People who lose a lot of weight also seem to experience a drop in ring size. Before you pick out the setting for your ring, think carefully about whether it can be resized or not.

Tungsten rings, as well as tungsten carbide rings, are usually impossible to resize. Your great-grandma's antique ring might not be able to be resized either. Years ago, metalworking techniques were not as good as they are today, and the ring might not be able to take resizing. If you decide to purchase a ring with intricate carvings all the way around the band, be aware that resizing will probably be noticeable. You may also find yourself unable to resize a ring with multiple stones. Prior to purchasing a ring with several stones on the band, discuss whether resizing is a viable option with that setting. Tension set rings also cannot be resized.