There are almost as many ways to set a diamond as there are diamonds themselves, and diamond ring settings can influence the appearance and character of your ring as much as the diamond itself. From simple, unadorned mountings to settings richly set with diamonds, the ring setting you select can support your diamond with understated elegance or with exuberant flair. Good diamond ring settings show off your diamond.

Certain diamond ring stores will have a wider variety of diamond ring settings than others, so whether you are buying a ring off the shelf or having one custom made just for you, ask to browse the store’s ring catalog before you select the right jeweller for you. Simple settings, like the prong setting, are more commonly available, so be prepared to do a little extra legwork if you are looking for a jeweller that sells diamond rings with more usual settings.

The prong setting is most commonly used for solitaire rings, and can set a single stone off perfectly. This kind of setting can allow your diamond to sit either close to the hand, or elevate it for further prominence. A prong setting, which creates a sort of basket shape in which the diamond rests, exposes more of the diamond than other types of diamond ring settings, and while this can display a diamond beautifully, it also leaves the stone more exposed, and vulnerable to damage.

Another diamond ring setting is known as the bezel setting, in which the diamond is surrounded by a kind of collar. This type of setting is more secure than the prong setting, and is a popular choice for this reason. This type of setting can provide a ring with a more streamlined, understated look.

A channel set ring is one in which several stones are aligned in a channel – this setting is ideal for those who would like more than one stone in their ring. This style is popularly chosen for engagement rings, as the tidy line created by this setting allows for the easy matching of a wedding ring. A setting similar in appearance to this setting is the invisible setting, in which gemstones also sit alongside one another.

It is said that diamond ring settings are representative of the foundation of your marriage, so as with the diamond you select, choose a setting that best reflects your feelings for one another. Try to visit as many diamond ring stores as you can – and when you have found the right setting for you, you will fall in love all over again.