In my last blog, Rings Setting Guide: The Settings that Carry the Stones, I talked aboutProng Setting,
Tension Setting, Bezel Setting,Channel Setting,Halo Setting.In this blog, I will go over a few more intricate and exceptional jewelry setting types.

1. Pave Setting: To achieve the paved look, tiny incisions are made in the metal and then small stones are set into those incisions. Microscopic prongs are then created to hold the stones in place. This creates the illusion of one continuous sheet of diamonds and increases their luster. The only issue with pave setting is the difficulty in making changes after the pave has been set. 

2. Three Stone Setting: In line with the name, this setting is made using three stones, either of similar size or with a larger center stone. The stones are set extremely close to each other, either in a single, straight line, or with the center stone slightly raised. This is a very symbolic setting, especially when used as an anniversary ring as it is believed to represent the past, present and future.

3. Cathedral Setting: A single stone or a small cluster of multiple stones is set atop a ring, with graceful arches raising it above the shank. The overall look and feel of this setting is that of the arches of a cathedral – thus giving this setting its name. This style is most commonly used for solitaire rings, particularly for engagement and wedding rings. This setting style uses the arches in combination with either prong, tension or bezel setting styles to keep the stone in place.

4. Cluster Setting: Somewhat similar to Halo setting, Cluster setting utilizes multiple small stones set almost flush with each other in a cluster to create the impression of a single comparatively larger stone. The cluster itself can be of any shape – round, square, oval, or anything else that catches the imagination. However, the setting is best suited for round diamonds.

5. Invisible Setting: An extremely tough setting to achieve, Invisible setting requires micro grooves to be cut into the diamond or stone on the side facets, below the girdle. The stones are then set flush with each other and two micro plates or strips of metal are passed through the grooves such that from the top, there is absolutely no indication of any metal contact with the diamond. The impression created is a bunch of diamonds, set perfectly, without any metal support. The Invisible setting is ideal for Princess cut diamonds as the diamonds sit perfectly aligned with their sides flush against each other.

There are of course several other settings that are in use around the world. However, these are the more popular and in demand settings.

Interesting Trivia: One particular setting is called “The Cathedral Setting” because of its appearance of raised arches of a church or a cathedral. It is a fantastic setting for an engagement or wedding ring as it gives a divine look to the ring. But, it is also quite delicate and prone to snagging and bending because of the diamond’s height above the shank of the ring.

Every piece of jewelry that is studded with diamonds or gemstones, whether it’s hand-made or crafted using advanced CNC machines, requires immense attention to detail when it comes to the Setting. The Setting not only determines the aesthetic appearance of the jewelry, but it also ensures that the studded stones do not fall off.

Interesting Trivia: The widely used prong setting has been modified into many other interesting variations including the Tiffany Setting, which is a trademark style of the jewelry powerhouse – Tiffany. The Tiffany setting consists of six prongs uniquely designed to hold a diamond securely in the center which enhances its overall brilliance and shine.

In order to fully understand and appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into the making of studded jewelry, it is definitely necessary to understand the different kinds of settings that are used to set the stones into the metal. At the same time, knowledge of the setting also allows buyers to better assess the value of their jewelry piece.

Prong Setting: This classic and time tested technique is also the most commonly used setting style for embedding diamonds and gemstones. It consists of tiny metal claws – anywhere from three to six – to hold the diamond or gemstone firmly in place. The upper edges of the claws sit just on top of the crown of the diamond or stone and ensure that it does not loosen or fall off. There are also different types of claws or prongs – round, V-shaped, flat, sharp edged. Depending on the shape of the diamond or stone being used and the overall style of the jewelry, the type of prong setting is chosen.

Tension Setting: Another setting that has been around for a while is the tension setting. In this style, there are no prongs; instead the stone or diamond is held in place through the pressure created by the two open ends of metal band. This is a setting style that is best suited for rings and is quite popular in solitaire rings. 

Bezel Setting: An elegant and stylish setting that is extremely popular in rings is the bezel setting. Unlike prong or tension, the bezel setting works by completely encasing the diamond or stone in a thin metal bezel. This makes it one of the strongest and most stable settings, just ideal for daily or regular wear rings and jewelry.

Channel Setting: This is widely considered to be the best and safe setting for smaller diamonds. A metal channel is created in which the stones or diamonds are set closely and tightly against each other. This gives them unparalleled security. The setting is ideal for stones or diamonds that are to be set into the shank of a ring.

Halo Setting: As the name suggests, there is a central gemstone or diamond in the halo setting around which other stones are set. The halo can be either a round or a square. The purpose of the halo setting is to create the impression of a bigger center stone by comparing it to the smaller stones around it.

These are just five of the many settings that are used to embed diamonds and stones into jewelry. In my next blog, I will go over many other setting styles that are prevalent today.