Are you searching for the perfect engagement ring but having trouble narrowing down the right engagement ring setting? We get it; this is a huge decision, and it can be overwhelming with so many diamond ring settings out there. Before you go any further down the rabbit hole, please take a moment to read through our engagement ring setting guide.

Then, if you’re still having trouble choosing the perfect engagement ring, you can set up a consultation with one of our diamond experts!

What Engagement Ring Setting is Best for My Diamond?

People often wonder which you should pick out first — your diamond shape or your engagement ring setting. Similar to the chicken and egg, it’s hard to know which comes first.

We recommend that you go with personal preference. If you’ve always really loved a specific engagement ring setting, or you know which type of diamond shape looks best on your ring finger, go ahead and start there.

Choose Shape for The Center Diamond

If you know what diamond shape you’re interested in, it can be easy to narrow down your engagement ring setting options. Some settings can’t accommodate specific shapes and cuts, making your decision pool a bit smaller. Round stones are the most popular and will give you the most options for engagement ring settings.

For example, many halo settings can only hold round or cushion stones. If you’ve had your eye on an emerald-cut center diamond, it might be best to go with a more universal diamond setting, such as a solitaire. We offer guidelines on every ring to show what diamond shapes can fit into that particular ring.

Once you know what engagement ring settings can’t hold your desired center stone, it’s time to narrow down the ones that can. Your engagement ring setting says a lot about your personality and your preferences. There are many decisions to make, such as do you want a tension setting or accent stones? Should you get a matching wedding band?

If you’re looking for a two stone engagement ring, that’s important, too. You want to make sure that the shapes of the two diamonds complement each other.

Shop by Engagement Ring Styles

If you prefer simple styles simple and want something timeless, consider a solitaire or classic ring. If you’re interested in something a bit more ‘showy,’ you might take a look at a pavé setting with a large center stone to accentuate the diamond’s sparkle. You also may want a custom ring so that you get the engagement ring of your dreams.

If you haven’t yet chosen your diamond shape and want first to pick your setting, your options open up quite a bit. Just know that once you select a setting, your diamond options might then be minimal.

If you have an active lifestyle, you may want to search for low-profile engagement rings. The higher the setting raises, the more likely it will get caught on something. Additionally, you will want a setting that protects the center stone. Smaller stones may also be advisable if you are very active.

Choose the one that you think will matter most in the long run. If you think that you’ll want to upgrade your center stone in a few years, then you might want to focus more on a setting that you love that can eventually accommodate a larger stone.

How Large of a Diamond Can My Setting Hold?

Speaking of upgrading a diamond, let’s discuss size in reference to what your ring will be able to hold. When looking at each individual setting for a diamond, you’ll also see a section labeled “Center Stone Options.” This area will tell you what shapes can be used in the ring, along with the setting type and the carat size range.

There isn’t really a rhyme or reason to what each ring can hold — it will vary from setting to setting, so be sure to check out these details before making your purchase; if you have a petite or a grand setting, you’ll need to select your diamond accordingly.

As mentioned above, it will be important to try and think a bit into the future. Say you and your significant other aren’t planning on spending too much money on your diamond at the moment. But you think a diamond upgrade will be in your future, go ahead and secure an engagement ring setting that will be able to handle it.

Also, consider how your style might change over the years to come. Although you might be interested in one diamond shape or setting now, things might change 10 years from now. We find that for this reason, many couples try to find a more timeless look.

How Do I Choose Between The Different Settings?

We know, we know: There are so many to choose from! Let’s break it down a bit. Here are the most popular styles of engagement ring setting.

Halo Engagment Ring Settings

If price plays a big part in your decision and you aren’t planning on purchasing an enormous diamond. You may still want your ring to appear as large as possible. Then you’ll definitely want to consider a halo engagement ring setting. Due to the small perimeter of diamonds that create the ‘halo,’ your ring will look larger than it really is and provide extra sparkle. This can make a big difference when your budget is forcing you to downsize your stone.

Solitaire Engagment Ring Settings

As one of the more popular settings for diamonds, the solitaire engagement ring collection offers simplicity at its best. Somewhat ironically, although the setting is simple, the diamond shapes tend to be endless. Frequently the fanciest diamonds are paired with this classic setting.

Classic Engagement Ring Settings

You can look at classic settings as a solitaire with an upgrade. The main difference between a solitaire ring and a classic ring is the band. In a classic ring, you’ll find a row (or two) of smaller ‘accent’ diamonds that run along with the band. A classic setting is great if you’re hoping for a timeless look with more sparkle than a solitaire tends to offer.

Vintage Engagment Ring Settings

If you or your significant other really love the heirloom look, a vintage engagement ring will be perfect. These settings are modeled after some of the most significant historical periods in terms of design. From Art Deco to Victorian, you’ll be able to find a period piece that has undoubtedly stood the test of time.

Other Engagement Ring Settings

There are a few other settings not listed above in the most popular styles.

Like a halo setting, a bezel setting uses a type of elevated collar that surrounds the center stone. It doesn’t consist of smaller diamonds as a halo does. Instead, a bezel setting consists of a solid metal edging that conforms around the stone. This type of setting provides extra protection for your diamond.

A cathedral setting highlights the center stone that is flanked by arches of metal that come up from the band, supporting the diamond. A prong is the most classic and straightforward diamond setting — prongs simply attach to the band and hold the diamond in place.

What Color Band Should I Get?

The last big decision you’ll need to make in terms of your setting is the color. Although some sites only offer specific settings in certain colors, at Clean Origin, we offer all of our engagement rings in white, yellow, and rose gold, as well as platinum. This gives you another layer to your ring that continues it down the classic path or helps it stand out amongst the crowd. Clean Origin offers 14k gold for all its rings and 18k for yellow gold and white gold, as well as platinum.

White Gold Engagement Ring Settings

If you’re looking for classic, you’ll likely want to go with white gold. As the current best-seller in terms of color, this metal is super versatile and looks great with almost every color. If you prefer white gold for its appearance but want something slightly more robust, you can also go with platinum for a more durable material.

Yellow Gold Engagement Ring Settings

Yellow gold was super popular in the 90s and early 2000s, but just like chokers and jean skirts, it too is making a comeback. If you wear a lot of gold jewelry, this might be a good option so that you know for sure all of your accessories will always match.

Rose Gold Engagement Ring Settings

Finally, there’s rose gold. The new kid on the block for engagement ring color, this pinkish metal is making a huge splash in the jewelry industry, and future brides everywhere are gushing over its appearance. If you’re into making a bold statement and choosing something unique, rose gold is absolutely the route you should take!

We completely understand that this entire process of looking at engagement rings can be overwhelming. Especially if your significant other gave you no guidance on what they want their ring to look like. That’s why we have a team of diamond experts waiting to learn about your preferences, likes & dislikes, budget, and future. They’ll be able to help you find the ring of your dreams without exceeding your budget. Please make use of the help. It’s free of charge!