Engagement Ring Style Guide
Your Kansas City Engagement Ring Style Guide
An engagement ring is one of the most important purchases you’ll ever make. Not only is it a financial investment, it’s a symbol of your lifelong love and commitment. We made this ring to help you get familiar with different engagement ring styles before you make this big decision. We hope this guide gives you some inspiration and helps you shop for your engagement ring in Kansas City.Engagement Ring Settings
Bezel Setting
Bezel settings cup and encircle a diamond, accenting its silhouette and holding it very securely in place. They have a distinct vintage flair, but have made a major comeback in recent years. Simple, striking and sturdy, bezel settings are ideal for any bride-to-be who leads an active lifestyle.
Bypass Setting
With a bypass ring, the band wraps around the finger, but the ends split around the center stone. One end cradles the top of the stone while the other cradles the bottom. The design of the bypass ring is meant to symbolize two lives coming together to form one union.Cathedral Setting
Cathedral settings get their name from their resemblance to cathedral arches. The diamond sits in a basket-like structure. Metal arches rise up from the shank on either side of the stone and curve inward toward the basket. They’re a great choice for anyone who appreciates vintage aesthetics and small but impactful design details.
Channel Setting
Channel settings hold diamonds in place between thin, horizontal metal bars. They’re a very secure setting, as having a bar on either side of the stone offers quite a bit of stability. They’re not quite as popular for center stones. However, they’re commonly used for accent and side stones, and they’re very popular in wedding bands.Cluster Setting
Cluster settings feature a number of small diamonds set very closely together. From afar, it creates the illusion of one large diamond. Cluster settings are unique compared to solitaire, two stone or three stone settings, which feature one to three large diamonds as the focal point of the design.Prong Setting
These are considered the classic engagement ring setting. Small, thin metal prongs hold the diamond in place. A standard prong setting uses four prongs, but there may be more depending on the size and shape of the diamond. Though prong settings are secure, prongs will wear down over time. It’s important to get your prongs re-tipped occasionally to make sure they keep a good grip on your center stone.
Tension Setting
Tension settings create the illusion that the center stone is floating. With a tension setting, the center stone is held in place by compression from both sides of the metal ring band. It takes a lot of skill to design a secure tension setting, so these unique rings aren’t a very common sight. When done correctly, however, they are truly stunning.Engagement Ring Styles
Halo
With a halo engagement ring, the face of the center diamond is surrounded by a circle of smaller accent diamonds. This adds extra sparkle and can make the center stone appear even larger than it really is.Hidden Halo
Hidden halo rings feature the same circle of small accent diamonds, but placed around the base of the center stone rather than the face. This means that the halo is not visible from the top down, and is instead only visible when looking at the ring from the side. It’s a more subtle way to increase the sparkle and perceived size of the center diamond.Pavé
Pavé bands are lined with many small, closely set diamonds–creating the appearance that it has been paved with diamonds. In fact, pavé comes from the French word for “paved.” If you want your engagement ring to sparkle brilliantly from every angle, this is a great band style for you!
Solitaire
Solitaire engagement rings are the most traditional and most popular style on the market. These rings feature one center stone. Having only one center stone means that diamond (or other gemstone) steals the spotlight. It’s a classic, timeless and elegant look for any bride-to-be.Three Stone
As their name implies, three stone engagement rings feature three center stones. Usually the stone in the middle is the largest, and it is flanked by two smaller stones that may also be different shapes. However, the stones can technically be any shape and size. These rings may even feature multiple different gemstones, such as a diamond and two sapphires. As long as there are three of them, it’s a three stone ring!Engagement Ring Metals
Gold
Gold is the classic metal choice for an engagement ring. Pure 24k gold is almost never used for engagement rings, because it is too soft and malleable to be worn every day. Instead, gold is mixed with stronger metals such as silver or copper. This makes it more durable. It can also change gold’s color, creating white or rose gold.
Platinum
Bright, durable platinum is more expensive than gold, but its luster and longevity make it worth the extra cost. Unlike gold, it is strong enough that it does not have to be combined with other metals. This makes it hypoallergenic and a great choice for anyone with sensitive skin.
Rhodium Plating
Rhodium plating is a process which covers your engagement ring or wedding band in a thin layer of the metal rhodium. Rhodium is a bright white and especially durable metal. It is often used to enhance the appearance and longevity of white gold.Engagement Ring Diamond Shapes
Round Cut Diamond
The most popular choice for engagement rings, round diamonds provide a classic and elegant look. The standard cut for a round diamond is called the ‘brilliant cut,’ which maximizes the diamond’s sparkle and also helps to disguise any flaws.Oval Cut Diamond
Oval diamonds have become incredibly popular in recent years, and it’s not hard to see why. These elegant diamonds strike a balance between vintage and modern. The elongated shape will flatter the wearer’s finger, and can even make the diamond look larger than it actually is. Oval diamonds are also brilliant cut, so they give off an impressive sparkle.Princess Cut Diamond
Princess cut diamonds are the second-most popular diamond shape after round diamonds. These diamonds are cut like pyramids, with square faces that taper into a pointed base. These diamonds are also brilliant cut for maximum shine.
Emerald Cut Diamond
Emerald shaped diamonds are loved for their bold angles and sleek lines. Like oval shaped diamonds, emerald diamonds make the wearer’s finger appear long and slender. They are step cut rather than brilliant cut, which gives them a glassy and reflective appearance.Pear Cut Diamond
Pear shaped diamonds, with their rounded bottoms and pointed tops, are also called teardrop diamonds. These stunning diamonds offer both classic charm and modern elegance. They are commonly used as center stones, but also make beautiful accent stones.Marquise Cut Diamond
Once an uncommon sight, marquise diamonds have become more popular in the late 2010s and early 2020s. Another brilliant cut, marquise diamonds have a larger surface area than round diamonds, making them appear larger. Marquise diamonds can be used as center stones, but they are also commonly used as side stones or accent stones.Cushion Cut Diamond
Cushion cuts are like squares, but with rounded corners–much like the pillows for which they’re named. These diamonds boast a long history, and can be traced all the way back to the 1700s. Simple, classic and undeniably attractive, these brilliant cut diamonds are an increasingly popular choice.Alternative Engagement Rings
Not all engagement rings are brand new diamond rings! Younger brides have gravitated toward alternative engagement ring styles, including rings that feature gemstones and vintage engagement rings.Gemstone Engagement Rings
You can add some color to your engagement ring with a gemstone center stone or accent stones! Using custom jewelry design, you can create a unique and vibrant engagement ring featuring your favorite gem. Be advised that some gemstones are too soft and breakable to be worn every day. Our custom design team can help you figure out which gems are safe to use in your ring.
