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.

Who doesn’t dream of this romantic proposal?

Interesting Trivia: The concept of modern “Engagement Ring”, which has become an expression of love and commitment of marriage worldwide, was born in Europe in the 15th century.

Let’s look at some interesting historical facts about the engagement ring. While rings have been in existence and use for thousands of years (they have been discovered in Egyptian as well as Sumerian tombs), the ancient civilizations never used the rings as expressions or symbols of love. They were mainly used as adornments to be worn to show off status, stature and taste.

So when exactly did the concept of an engagement ring, that sets it apart from any other ring, come into existence? If we trace the roots of the engagement ring back to the third century BC, we can see that Egyptians were known to exchange rings made of gold or silver. They wore them on the ring finger of the left hand which represented marriage and symbolized love as they believed that the vein of that particular finger connected directly with the heart.

The first certified and recorded mention of a man betrothing a woman for marriage goes back to 1477 when Archduke Maximilian of Austria presented a special engagement ring crafted with diamonds to Mary of Burgundy.

The custom of presenting a Daimond engagement ring a highly artistic multi-diamond rings with a solitaire in the centre that caught the fancy of lovers. s an expression of love and commitment became popular from then on, though not all men presented diamond rings to their ladies back in the day in Brazil and later on in South Africa, that Daimond engagement ring became popular. From simple flat rings at the. It was only after abundant supplies of diamonds were found, first outset, design artists soon created

After 1950s, the concept of diamond engagement ring became even more popular worldwide after De Beer’s launched their famous “A Diamond is Forever” marketing campaign.

Hard Fact: Rings are a part of both the engagement and the Wedding. However, the rings in both these symbolic celebrations of love differ. While a Wedding band is usually a plain metal band (gold, silver or platinum), an engagement ring is a more elaborate affair with either a solitaire or a bigger diamond in the centre with smaller stones set around it.