Gemstone Settings

Have you ever considered how the gemstones on rings and other jewelries are set? Probably not! Today’s post saves you lots of research time before visiting your jeweler. Settings are to be considered depending on the prospective wearer’s daily activities. For instance, a setting that is suitable to wear for an office executive might not be suitable for a construction worker.

In fact, a type of setting may be combined with another. Who says you are restricted to a single one? Therefore, as you read about the gemstones settings available, check out the corresponding pictures to have a vivid description in mind before hitting the stores. Happy shopping!

• BEZEL – the oldest method of stone setting. A metal strip or rim, that forms a ridge, is soldered with its head wrapping around the gemstone. The gem sits in the ridge, protecting the stone from scratches. There is also half or semi bezel, where the head splits into two or more sections. Since the metal covers most part of the gem, it doesn’t show off the brilliance or sparkle of the stone. However, the stone is protected from active lifestyle.
• PRONG – the simplest and commonest setting; popular on engagement rings. A set of wires, called prongs or claws of a particular shape and size, the central base forming a basket, hold the stone(s) in place. This allows maximum light to the sides and bottom of the gemstone, emphasizing brilliance and sparkle. The stone is exposed to damage and not suitable for very active hands.
• CHANNEL – the stones are held in a metal channel or groove without any metal separating them; stones are suspended between two bars. The gems in a channel setting are safe from hard knocks and scratches. An Eternity Ring uses channel setting.
• PAVE – it’s derived from the French word ‘pavement’. Small gemstones are set closely together with tiny metal beads holding them in place. It gives an illusion of a bigger jewelry or a continuous surface of gemstones. A more glamorous pave setting uses a larger centre stone complimented with several smaller gemstones. The metal is less visible
• TENSION – the gemstone is actually held in place by pressure and pressed by the girdle on both sides of the ring. This gives an appearance of a stone floating in air. Tension rings cannot be re-sized easily; it is appropriate for hard gemstones like diamonds and sapphires.
• BAR – this is similar to channel setting in that the stones are held in a metal groove and suspended between two bars. However, in bar setting, the stones are separated from each other by a metal strip; the stones are set between bars. Since the stones are exposed on both sides, the brilliance and sparkle is seen.
• FLUSH – This setting is also called burnish or gypsy. The stones are sunk in holes that have been drilled on the surface of the band. It is usually used for diamonds because of its hardness. The brilliance of the diamond cannot be flaunted well since maximum light is not allowed into the gem. 
• INVISIBLE – the metal is not visible from in-between the stones, thereby giving better brilliance than pave settings. The stones are secured by grooves cut in their girdles below the visible surface. Square and princess cut stones are commonly used in invisible setting. 
•  CLUSTER – it presents multiple stones in figural designs like star, flower or butterfly. It is used, more often, for gemstones rather than diamonds. Sometimes the gemstones are grouped to cluster around a larger centrestone. 

• BAR	CHANNEL	BEZEL
  CLUSTER	FLUSH	PRONG
  INVISIBLE	PAVE	TENSION