by Maegan Crandall
An engagement ring is something you will wear every day for the rest of your life, so choosing a ring style that you absolutely love is paramount. You have many engagement ring settings to choose from when looking for wedding jewelry. The ring setting will define the style of the jewelry, as well as determine the diamonds you can select. It is not always easy to narrow down your choices when shopping for engagement rings and wedding jewelry, but familiarizing yourself with ring settings and other aspects of wedding rings will help you select the very best engagement ring for your lifestyle and budget.
Evaluate modern and traditional settings: Engagement ring settings have evolved over the years. The result is a wide variety of rings to choose from. Traditional and vintage wedding rings include settings with emerald-cut and square stones, an abundance of baguette embellishments and a variety of pave designs. Emerald diamonds are rectangular and offer an Art Deco look. Baguette stones sit on the sides of the main stone to give the ring more sparkle. Pave settings take several stones and set them into a pattern to create the look of one large stone. Modern settings include simple solitaires with round diamonds and princess-cut stones, channel-set embellishments and three-stone rings. Generally, traditional and antique ring settings are more elaborate and modern jewelry settings are simpler.
Look at multi-stone settings: Solitaire engagement rings are very popular; these rings offer one large stone, usually in a prong setting. To choose the right ring for you, don't automatically select the trendiest design. Multi-stone settings offer a different aesthetic than solitaire settings. A three-stone setting allows you to have a trio of diamonds or gemstones. Pave settings can give you an elaborate ring on a budget. Consider a variety of ring settings before selecting the one for you.
Select a favorite stone shape: Diamond shape doesn't determine the setting, but it can play a big part in the setting you choose. A simple round diamond, for example, often looks best in a prong solitaire setting while an emerald-cut diamond may excel in a bezel setting. Knowing which diamond shapes you prefer will help you when choosing among engagement ring settings.
