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Selecting a setting is a matter of personal taste. Before you make your purchase,
it is advisable to try on different settings to see which best accentuates the diamond
— and is most flattering to you.
Prong
The diamond is held in place by prongs surrounding the diamond. It is most commonly used in
solitaire rings. Typically, a four-prong setting is used. Larger, more expensive stones are
often set with six prongs. Prongs can be pointed, rounded, flat or V-shaped.
Channel
In this type of setting, diamonds of the same size are lined up next to each other and set in
a groove between two strips of precious metal. There is no visible metal between the stones and
Bezel
The diamond in a bezel setting is placed in a continuous groove in the precious metal.
The edges of the metal are then closed over the edge of the diamond to hold it into place.
Normally, only the upper portion of the diamond — from the girdle up — is visible.
Tension
In a tension setting, the diamond is held in place by the tension created by the band.
This setting requires a sophisticated technique and the use of special alloys to enable
the metal to retain its shape.
Pave
This setting generally uses smaller diamonds that are set as closely together as possible
to create a “paved” effect so there appears to be no metal between the diamonds.
Bar
Similar to a channel setting, here, each stone is held in place by a long thin bar that is
placed between the two stones.
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