Skip to content

Top Navigation

Martha Stewart Martha Stewart
  • FOOD
  • HOLIDAYS
  • ENTERTAINING
  • HOME
  • GARDENING
  • CLEANING & ORGANIZING
  • WEDDINGS
  • SHOP
  • DIY
  • BEAUTY & WELLNESS
  • LIFE
  • NEWS
  • MARTHA'S BLOG
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Martha's Blog
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Your Content
  • Logout

More

  • Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home!
  • Martha's Blog
  • Weddings
Login
Pin FB

Explore Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart Martha Stewart
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 5 Kitchen Cabinet Paint Colors That Will Never Go Out of Style, According to Interior Designers

      5 Kitchen Cabinet Paint Colors That Will Never Go Out of Style, According to Interior Designers

      Choose a shade that works with a range of backsplash and countertop materials. Read More
    • Let Go of These 8 Household Items as We Start the New Year

      Let Go of These 8 Household Items as We Start the New Year

      Reclaim your space by parting with things in your home you no longer use or have been damaged over time. Read More
    • 93 Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes to Make Any Night of the Week

      93 Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes to Make Any Night of the Week

      From chili and chicken cutlets to spaghetti and meatballs and sheet-pan salmon, consider this your ultimate guide to making a fast weeknight dinner. Read More
  • FOOD

    FOOD

    See All FOOD
    93 Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes to Make Any Night of the Week

    93 Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes to Make Any Night of the Week

    From chili and chicken cutlets to spaghetti and meatballs and sheet-pan salmon, consider this your ultimate guide to making a fast weeknight dinner.
    • Breakfast & Brunch Recipes
    • Lunch Recipes
    • Dinner Recipes
    • Appetizers & Snacks
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Drink Recipes
    • Salad Recipes
    • Side Dishes
    • Soup Recipes
    • Healthy Recipes
    • Quick & Easy Recipes
    • Vegetarian Recipes
    • Cooking How-Tos
    • Baking
    • Menu Planning
    • Food News & Trends
    • Wine
    • Mastering the Holiday Meal
    • What's for Dinner
    • All Recipes
  • HOLIDAYS

    HOLIDAYS

    See All HOLIDAYS
    40 Valentine's Day Dessert Recipes That You'll Fall in Love With

    40 Valentine's Day Dessert Recipes That You'll Fall in Love With

    The sweetest way to say "I love you" is with one of these heartfelt, homemade Valentine's Day desserts. Whether you're looking for a treat for your partner, your Galentine's crew, or the co-workers who adore your home baking, you'll find plenty of inspiration in this collection, filled with heart-shaped cakes, cupcakes, and cookies—plus, easy chocolate truffles and decadent mousses and parfaits. Our recipes include desserts for two to share and sweets that feed a crowd. We rate them all above a bunch of red roses any day.
    • Father's Day
    • Fourth of July
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Hanukkah
    • Christmas
    • New Year's Eve
    • Valentine's Day
    • St. Patricks Day
    • Passover
    • Easter
    • Mother's Day
  • ENTERTAINING

    ENTERTAINING

    See All ENTERTAINING
    6 Things to Always Clean Before Guests Come Over

    6 Things to Always Clean Before Guests Come Over

    You don't have to give your house a top-to-bottom scrub before guests arrive, but there are a few areas you should pay attention to.
    • Seasonal Entertaining & Decorating
    • Halloween Party Ideas
    • Dinner Party Ideas
    • Adult Halloween Costumes
  • HOME

    HOME

    See All HOME
    6 Kitchen Paint Trends to Consider in 2023

    6 Kitchen Paint Trends to Consider in 2023

    Bolder tones, like cherry red and deep olive green, will dominate in the heart of the home.
    • Home Design & Decor
    • Paint Colors & Palettes
    • DIY Home Projects
    • The Well-Kept Home
  • GARDENING

    GARDENING

    See All GARDENING
    How to Winter Sow—Plus, 6 Expert-Approved Seeds to Plant During the Cold-Weather Months

    How to Winter Sow—Plus, 6 Expert-Approved Seeds to Plant During the Cold-Weather Months

    These blooms are tolerant to the chilly conditions, which will allow you to get ahead on your spring flower garden.
    • Container Gardening
    • Flower Gardens
    • Houseplants
    • Landscaping
    • Vegetable Gardens
  • CLEANING & ORGANIZING

    CLEANING & ORGANIZING

    How to Remove Hard Water Stains From a Glass Shower—and Prevent Future Build-Up Before It Forms

    How to Remove Hard Water Stains From a Glass Shower—and Prevent Future Build-Up Before It Forms

    The spots develop when water dries on glass and leaves behind the minerals that were trapped inside.
    • Cleaning
    • Storage & Organization
    • Laundry & Linens
  • WEDDINGS

    WEDDINGS

    See All WEDDINGS
    Experts Say These Are the 7 Things Happy Couples Regularly Do Together

    Experts Say These Are the 7 Things Happy Couples Regularly Do Together

    • Real Weddings
    • Wedding Party
    • Wedding Planning & Advice
    • Wedding Ceremony & Reception
    • Wedding Jewelry
    • Dresses & Style
    • Wedding Beauty & Wellness
    • Wedding Registry
    • Wedding Showers & Parties
    • Love & Marriage
    • Wedding Travel
  • SHOP
  • DIY

    DIY

    See All DIY
    Ready for a New Hobby? These Are the 8 Craft Trends to Try in 2023

    Ready for a New Hobby? These Are the 8 Craft Trends to Try in 2023

    From disco ball art to punch needle embroidery, these are the projects that will dominate the DIY world in the new year, experts say.
    • Dyeing
    • Holiday Crafts
    • Kids' Crafts
    • Knitting
    • Paper Crafts
    • Sewing
  • BEAUTY & WELLNESS

    BEAUTY & WELLNESS

    The Truth About Slugging: Will Applying Petrolatum Jelly to Your Skin Really Make It Glow?

    The Truth About Slugging: Will Applying Petrolatum Jelly to Your Skin Really Make It Glow?

    In short, yes—should you have a skin type that might benefit from an occlusive product.
    • Beauty
    • Health & Wellness
    • Live Well
  • LIFE

    LIFE

    See All LIFE
    9 Dog Breeds That Look Like Puppies Even When They're Fully Grown

    9 Dog Breeds That Look Like Puppies Even When They're Fully Grown

    Puppies are irresistible. We fall in love with their big eyes, little button noses, fluffy tails, and clumsy paws. And yet, like any pet, puppies grow up and turn into dogs. Some breeds, like the Old English Sheepdog or Great Dane, will grow to become larger in size than most people. But not all dogs are destined to become giants. There are some breeds that stay small in size even when they're fully grown. You may want a forever puppy if you are used to smaller animals. Maybe you have a small apartment or just want a canine companion that you can easily carry along with you anywhere you go. Small dogs are also great for families with young children or those of senior age who are best matched with a breed they can physically handle. Fortunately, some specialty dog breeds are mixed to look like puppies throughout their entire lives—and they are sure to melt your heart the second you lay your eyes on them. 
    • Family
    • Pets
    • Travel
  • NEWS
  • MARTHA'S BLOG
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Martha's Blog
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Your Content
  • Logout

More

  • Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home!
  • Martha's Blog
  • Weddings
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. marthastewart.com
  2. Weddings
  3. Dresses & Style
  4. Wedding Jewelry
  5. Engagement Rings & Wedding Bands
  6. Glossary of Engagement and Wedding Ring Settings
Martha Stewart Weddings

Glossary of Engagement and Wedding Ring Settings

Skip gallery slides
Pin
engagement-rings-v1-select-d111966.jpg
Credit: Kanji Ishii

Consider this your ultimate guide to engagement ring and wedding band setting types.

Start Slideshow

1 of 10

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
engagement-rings-v1-select-d111966.jpg
Credit: Kanji Ishii

Whether you're a future bride preparing for a fast-approaching proposal or simply nailing down what you want your someday engagement ring to look like, the setting is a solid place to start. While many choose their diamond shape first, it's important not to overlook this just-as-important aspect of ring shopping. After all, your setting determines exactly how that dreamy gemstone of yours is presented, making it arguably the most personalized part of your ring.

The following setting glossary, however, doesn't apply to just engagement rings. Often, the terminology overlaps with that of wedding bands, which means you'll be just as prepared when you're choosing your engagement ring's companion sometime down the road. You'll run into pavé and micro pavé settings when you're shopping for both, for example. While there are several that are typically reserved for bands alone—take the bar setting, for example—it's best to familiarize yourself with every ring type, just in case. You never know when something unexpected is going to catch your eye. And you'll want to be able to put a name to the face.

Being able to recognize and visualize ring settings is even more invaluable if you're in the process of designing a custom engagement ring. This way, you'll be able to see a ring you like and turn into something you'll love—just by swapping the setting. Here, a complete guide to the nine most common engagement and wedding ring settings. They'll help you dream for the future or prepare you for the proposal that you know is right around the corner.

1 of 10

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 10

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Channel

engagement ring settings channel diamonds jewelry
Credit: Courtesy of Tiffany & Co.
Engagement Rings with Brilliant Cut and Color

A channel setting has two long tracks of precious metal that hold a row of gemstones side-by-side.

Tiffany & Co. Channel-Set Band Wedding Ring, $11,750, tiffany.com

.

2 of 10

3 of 10

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Bezel

engagement ring settings bezel diamonds jewelry
Credit: Courtesy of Brilliant Earth

The earliest method of setting gemstones into jewelry, the bezel setting features a gemstone surrounded by a thin, flat piece of metal.

Brilliant Earth "Sierra" Engagement Ring, $1,700, brilliantearth.com

.

3 of 10

Advertisement

4 of 10

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Pavé

engagement ring settings pave diamonds jewelry
Credit: Courtesy of Cartier
Engagement Rings Real Brides Said Yes To

A ring with a pavé setting (which literally means "paved") typical has a central stone that is encircled by smaller gems (usually diamonds!) set very close together.

Cartier "Destinée" Solitaire Engagement Ring, price upon request, cartier.com

.

4 of 10

5 of 10

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Micro Pavé

engagement ring settings micro pave diamonds jewelry
Credit: Courtesy of Blanca Monrós Gómez

Micro pavé refers to any little, closely set stones. Think pavé, but even tinier.

Blanca Monrós Gómez "Victoria" Solitaire Engagement Ring, $10,285, twistonline.com

.

5 of 10

6 of 10

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Prong

engagement ring settings prong diamonds jewelry
Credit: Courtesy of Blue Nile
Unique Engagement Rings She'll Love

Stones in this particular setting receive the most light and, therefore, sparkle the brightest. The reason? Small metal claws—four to six prongs are most common—raise the diamond subtly.

Blue Nile Studio French Pavé Diamond Crown Solitaire Engagement Ring, $7,704, bluenile.com

.

6 of 10

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 10

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Cluster

engagement ring settings cluster diamonds jewelry
Credit: Courtesy of Bario Neal

Several small, often asymmetrical diamonds flank a larger center one in a cluster-style ring.

Bario Neal Cluster Diamond Ring, from $4,693, bario-neal.com

.

7 of 10

8 of 10

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Gypsy

engagement ring settings gypsy diamonds jewelry
Credit: Courtesy of Loren Stewart
Your Complete Guide to Engagement and Wedding Rings

Gypsy rings' stones are sunk into holes, so they are flush with the surrounding metal's surface.

Loren Stewart Diamond Baby Cigar Band, $405, lorenstewart.com

.

8 of 10

9 of 10

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Bar

engagement ring settings bar diamonds jewelry
Credit: Courtesy of Harry Winston

Most commonly seen in wedding rings, a bar-set band uses metal bars to separate each stone.

Harry Winston Bar-Set Round Brilliant Diamond Wedding Band, from $11,800, harrywinston.com

.

9 of 10

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 10

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Shared Prong

engagement ring settings shared prong diamonds jewelry
Credit: Courtesy of A. Jaffe
Wedding Bands That Pair Prettily with Engagement Rings

Adjacent diamonds share prongs in this setting, which means less metal and more diamonds.

A.Jaffe Shared Prong Contour Diamond Wedding Band, from $1,660, ajaffe.com

.

10 of 10

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    `
    Martha Stewart Weddings
    View All
    • A Musical Festival and a Green Couch Inspired This Couple's Whimsical Garden Wedding in California
    • 9 Wedding Trends You'll See Everywhere in 2023, According to Wedding Planners and Event Designers
    • 7 Wedding Dress and Accessory Trends Every Bride-to-Be Needs to Know About in 2023
    • Princess Eugenie Is Pregnant With Her Second Child—and Is Due This Summer
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 10
    2 of 10 Channel
    3 of 10 Bezel
    4 of 10 Pavé
    5 of 10 Micro Pavé
    6 of 10 Prong
    7 of 10 Cluster
    8 of 10 Gypsy
    9 of 10 Bar
    10 of 10 Shared Prong

    Share & More

    Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
    Martha Stewart

    Learn More

    • Contact Us
    • Customer Service
    • Media Kit
    • Martha's Blog
    • Advertise
    • Content Licensing
    • FAQ
    • Corporate
    • International
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    Sign Up
    MeredithMartha Stewart is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2023 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Martha Stewart. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.marthastewart.com

    Sign in

    View image

    Glossary of Engagement and Wedding Ring Settings
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.