Faye's Diamond Mine Jewelry Store

Faye's Diamond Mine

Settings

The setting (also called the mounting) is another area of selection when purchasing jewelry. The setting, like the shape of the stone itself is purely a matter of personal style. In addition to the style, the metal that the setting itself is crafted from is an important consideration. Here, we present several of the most popular setting styles, along with brief descriptions of what makes each one special.

Setting Styles
Prong
Tiffany
Bezel
Channel
Bar
Invisible
Pavé
Cluster
Tension

Faye's Diamond Mine
Northside Shopping Center
Highway 65 North
Clinton, Arkansas 72031
501-745-8434
faye@fayesdiamondmine.com

Prong Setting
In a prong setting, the gemstone is held in place by a number of metal prongs, which rise above the main body of the ring and are bent over the stone to hold it in place. The number of prongs varies according to the stone’s shape, as does their height above the main body of the ring.

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Tiffany Setting
Very popular in bridal rings, this four- or six-prong style is called a “Tiffany” setting, because it was originally developed by the founder of Tiffany & Co. in 1886. A prong setting allows the most light to enter a gemstone from all angles, maximizing its brilliance. Six prongs also provide added security in holding the stone.

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Bezel Setting
A bezel setting holds a gemstone in place using a thin band of metal that surrounds the stone at its middle, or girdle. It can completely or partially surround the stone, depending on the style and look desired. This type of setting provides good protection for the middle (girdle) and bottom (pavilion) portions of a stone. Bezel settings can have straight or scalloped edges, an can be molded to accommodate many shapes of stones.

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Channel Setting
In a channel setting, two strips of metal (gold, platinum or silver) hold the gemstone(s) in place at the sides, with no metal between the stones. This type of setting protects the girdle area of the gemstone, as well as securing small stones more effectively than a prong setting. Channel-set gemstones also sit flush with the mounting, making them less likely to get snagged on other objects, such as hair or clothing.

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Bar Setting
A bar setting is very similar to a channel setting (see above). Used in circular bands, a bar setting uses a thin bar of metal to hold the stones in place on either side, so that each bar has a stone on either side of it.

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Invisible Setting
Invisible-set gemstones are placed very closely together, with the metal concealed underneath the stones, giving them the appearance of a continuous, uninterrupted surface. Since the metal of the setting is not seen, this type of setting is an excellent way to showcase the brilliance or color of the gemstones themselves. It also allows an increased amount of light to enter the stone (and, thus give off more brilliance or color), since there are no prongs or bezels impeding the light’s entry.

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Pavé Setting
In pavé setting, gemstones are fit into small holes and set almost level with the surface of the ring. They are set in rows, with no metal between them, giving the appearance of the gemstones having been paved (Pavé is French for paved), like a cobblestone road.

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Cluster Setting
In a cluster setting, several stones are mounted together in a group, for a cluster effect. It is frequently seen with several small stones surrounding a central, larger stone.

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Tension Setting
This setting uses pressure to hold a stone between two open ends of the metal mounting, making the stone appear as if it’s floating.

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