Solitaire rings

Solitaire rings are maybe the ‘quintessential’ engagement ring style. The word solitaire literally means “alone or isolated” so as the name suggests, a solitaire ring features a single gemstone, typically a diamond, as the focal point. Solitaire rings are admired for their minimalist design, focusing all attention on the central stone, to highlight the diamond’s beauty without distraction. Yet beneath this simple concept and minimalist design, are subtle intricacies with endless variations, which all come together to create unique pieces that elevates and enhances the stone's brilliance and beauty, with an aesthetic that never goes out of style.

Carla - Princess Cut Diamond set with a demi-bezel on a bypass shank
Ela - Round Diamond held in a 4 claw basket setting with plain shoulders
Isla - Emerald Shape Diamond set in a 4 claw trellis style setting with cathedral shoulders

Halo Engagement Rings

A halo engagement ring is a ring design where a central diamond, is surrounded by a "halo" of smaller diamonds. This design not only enhances the appearance of the centre stone but also adds extra sparkle and brilliance. Halo settings often make the centre stone appear larger than it actually is, and they combine elements of vintage glamour with modern sparkle, making them attractive to people who appreciate a timeless yet fashion-forward look. Halos come in a variety of styles, including halos with different stone setting methods, floral halos and hidden halos allowing for a variety of designs from classic to unique. The combination of extra sparkle, perceived size, and customisable design options makes halo engagement rings an appealing choice for those seeking something eye-catching and luxurious.
Rosa - A beautiful emerald shaped halo with French pavé diamond set shoulders
Magdalena - An elegant floral inspired halo design surround a round diamond

Hidden Halo Engagement Rings

A hidden halo is a modern twist on the traditional halo engagement ring design. Unlike the standard halo, where the smaller diamonds surround the centre stone from the top view, a hidden halo features a row of small diamonds set beneath the centre stone, just below the prong setting. This means that it’s not immediately obvious from the top but adds a dazzling effect when viewed from the side, offering a subtle element of brilliance.
Most of our Solitaire rings could be modified to accommodate a hidden halo for an extra dimension of luxury.

Alicia - A hidden halo around a stunning 2ct oval diamond.

Diamond-set Engagement Rings

A diamond-set engagement ring features a centre stone accompanied by smaller diamonds adorning the shoulders or gallery to enhance the overall sparkle while not detracting attention from the centre stone. Although a lot of Halo rings are included in this category, the “diamond set” refers to the diamonds being set into the band rather than the head.

Penelope - A round-cut centre diamond dazzles between floral-inspired diamond shoulder details
Vida - Oval-cut centrepiece complemented by channel-set diamonds on the shoulders

Not yet settled on an engagement ring style? Or need help unpacking all of the terminology involved in buying an engagement ring? You’ve come to the right place.

When it comes to types of engagement rings, we know the range of options can feel never-ending at first. For example, if you’ve been tasked with finding a solitaire engagement ring, you may not be aware that the seemingly simple single stone choice has so many variants involved; for starters there is the stone shape, then you discover all of the setting styles, do you go for a high set or low set stone? cathedral or basket? claw or bezel? a pinched or bypass shank? To list just a few. We appreciate that all of these combinations make for seemingly never ending choice, but hope this guide gives you a good foundation of knowledge and we’re here to help if you have any questions, or can’t quite find what you’re looking for.

The Difference between Engagement Ring Styles & Settings

Ring styles and settings are both used to describe the features of a ring, rather than of the diamond. To learn more about diamonds and diamond terminology, take a look at our Diamond Guides.
The style and setting of an engagement ring are often used interchangeably, but they are slightly different. The engagement ring style refers to the shape and design of the ring, while the setting refers to the method used to secure the diamond. They’re closely related, but not quite the same.

The anatomy of a diamond ring

Understanding the anatomy of a diamond ring provides several key benefits when shopping for an engagement ring. Knowing the parts and ultimately the differences helps you understand what you're buying. You'll be able to recognise which features are most important to you or your partner and how they affect the appearance, and price of the ring.

Selecting a diamond is separate to choosing the setting, to learn everything you need to know when picking a diamond, including the 4Cs, see our comprehensive Diamond Guide.

Our Categories

Prong

A prong setting is one of the most popular and classic ways to set a diamond or gemstone in a ring. In this setting, small metal claws or prongs hold the stone in place, allowing it to be prominently displayed. There are typically four or six prongs holding the stone, though there can be fewer or more, depending on the design and the shape of the stone. One of the main advantages of a prong setting is that it allows a large portion of the diamond to be exposed and viewed from more angles. The minimal metal coverage lets more light enter the stone from various angles, which enhances its brilliance and sparkle, and shows the full beauty of the diamond.

There are many styles of prong each of which contribute to the design of the ring, button prongs are small and round, claw prongs are pointy, double prongs offer a thicker and more secure setting, and block prongs are used on the points of diamond shapes that have corners

Nancy - a pear shaped solitaire held by two round prongs and one block prong at the point

Ela - a four prong solitaire with a plain yet slightly pinched shank and a heart shaped gallery rail

Cathedral

Cathedral settings rise up from the band in a way that looks a bit like cathedral arches. This is a great choice to make a diamond look larger and more sparkly, as the cathedral setting requires the diamond to be set a bit higher off the band of the ring, magnifying the stone and letting more light in. Cathedral settings by nature have higher set diamonds, this means that generally they fit well next to a wedding ring (see wed-fit rings)

It’s easiest to see what a cathedral setting looks like from the side, as from above they can look very similar to a standard prong setting. Take a look at these examples to see the difference:

Sara - A solitaire ring with cathedral shoulders and a prong setting

Violet - A solitaire ring with plain shoulders

Bezel & Demi Bezel

A bezel setting (sometimes called a 'rub-over' setting) is a type of ring setting where the diamond is encircled by a metal rim, which holds the stone securely in place. Instead of using prongs, the metal completely (full bezel) or partially (demi bezel) surrounds the edges of the gemstone, offering sleek and modern designs such as a wave shank which can't be achieved with any other setting. Bezel settings can accentuate the shape of the stone by framing the diamond's table in a lustrous precious metal, however, the encased stone may appear smaller as the girdle is hidden. The bezel setting may also slightly reduce light entering the diamond from the sides compared to prong settings. With that said, the entire top surface (table) of the diamond is fully exposed. This allows light to enter the diamond from above, which is the most critical angle for creating brilliance and sparkle - it still allows ample light to interact with the stone, ensuring that the diamond retains its sparkle. As with a prong setting, choosing a well proportioned diamond will maximise sparkle. With the absence of prongs or claws, there’s also less risk of it getting snagged on clothing or other objects.

Wioleta - Demi bezel solitaire with a wave style bypass shank
Esme - Full bezel wed-fit solitaire

Engagement Ring Settings

Having a knowledge of the diverse ways diamonds can be set helps highlight their brilliance and allows for the selection or creation of a ring that perfectly reflects personal style and preferences.

Pavé

The term "pavé" comes from the French word for "paved," reflecting how the tiny stones appear to pave the surface of the band. In this setting, each diamond is typically held in place by tiny metal beads or prongs, which are minimally visible to enhance the seamless, glittering effect. Pavé diamond set bands are prized for their brilliant, eye-catching appearance and their ability to add significant sparkle without overpowering the central gemstone. They offer a luxurious and elegant look, making them a popular choice for those seeking both beauty and sophistication in their wedding or engagement jewellery.
Miley - A halo of pavé set diamonds encircle an emerald shaped centre stone
Poppy - Pavé diamond set shoulders accentuate a brilliant round-cut centre stone (photographed)

Shared Claw

A Shared Claw diamond set band features multiple diamonds placed side by side, with each pair of diamonds secured by a set of shared prongs or "claws." These prongs hold adjacent diamonds, minimising the metal used and allowing more light to pass through the stones, enhancing their brilliance. There are different types of shared prongs, such as split prong and scallop settings, that add unique design elements to the band.
In a split prong setting, each prong is divided into two, creating a more delicate and intricate appearance while securely holding the diamonds in place. A scallop setting is similar but the prongs are shaped like tiny arcs, creating a soft, flowing effect. Both offer security and a subtle, elegant sparkle.
These prong styles in shared claw settings add to the overall elegance and sophistication of an engagement band, highlighting the diamonds while keeping the design sleek and minimal.

Aida - Split prong diamond-set tapered shoulders gives the brilliant round diamond extra sparkle
Caroline - Pear-cut centre piece is expertly set in a halo of split prong accent diamonds

Channel Set

Channel set diamonds are secured in a groove, or "channel." In this setting, the stones are placed flush within the band without the use of individual prongs, creating a sleek, smooth surface where the diamonds are held in place by the channel walls. The result is a modern and streamlined look, where the stones appear to flow continuously along the band.
This setting offers both beauty and durability, as the channel protects the edges of the diamonds and reduces the likelihood of snagging or damage. The channel set style is popular for engagement rings and wedding bands, as it highlights the diamonds while providing a clean, minimalist aesthetic. It’s also ideal for those seeking a secure setting that emphasises both the sparkle of the diamonds and the sleekness of the band.

Norah - This ring features all setting styles; the shoulders are adorned with channel set diamonds, while the halo of pavé set stones surround a 4 claw set centre diamond. The centre of the bridge features a bevel set diamond from which hidden accent stones are set with shared prongs into the basket/gallery.

Wedding and Engagement Ring Consultations

We aim to make choosing your perfect wedding or engagement ring as easy and stress-free as possible, which is why we offer flexible no obligation consultation options to suit your needs. Choose from either a virtual online appointment, in-person at our showroom in Hessle near Hull, or our new service Joshua James at Home where we bring the showroom to you. At this appointment we can go through your ideas and help you to create the perfect piece of jewellery within a budget you are happy with.

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Engagement Ring Styles

Diamond Set Band Styles

Engagement rings featuring diamond set bands offer a stunning combination of elegance and craftsmanship. As we'll explore, while they enhance the ring’s delicate, timeless charm, there are different ways in which this effect is achieved.