Vintage Engagement Ring Settings

Did you know that some of the engagement ring styles that are very popular today have been around for hundreds of years? Some of the settings you see today in our cases have been around since the 18th century. These styles continued to change and adapt to the Victorian, Edwardian, and Art Deco eras, and even into today. We have outlined below four vintage settings that you will still see today in very modern looking engagement and fashion rings right here at The Jewelry Center!

The Cluster

A cluster engagement ring setting can contain a large center stone or a group of stones equal in size. Dated back to the Georgian era, the center stone or stones are surrounded by smaller diamonds to resemble a larger center stone. These stones are set very tightly together to make that center stone appear larger than it actually is. This can be a great option for a lower budget and can be custom design to create your own unique look with hand chosen diamonds.

The Bezel

The bezel setting is a very popular setting and can be great for individuals always on the go with active lifestyles and/or careers. The bezel setting allows for the diamond to be completely surrounded as opposed to other prong settings, minimizing the potential to get snagged on clothing. The bezel setting has been used as far back as the Middle Ages and this continues to be a popular option today in 2019. This is a sleek, modern look but can achieve less light reflection and brilliance than a setting that uses prongs.

The Three-Stone

A setting with three stones is popular for engagement rings, anniversary rings, and many other occasions. The three-stone look can vary in style. These stones are usually set very closely together. Rings have been designed with this setting since the 18th century during the Georgian era. Diamonds are typically used in this setting but colored stones can be used as the center stone as well. A bezel setting or a prong setting can be used in combination with the three-stone setting. Again, this setting can help to decrease cost while making the center stone look larger than it actually is.

The Prong

The classic ring setting: the prong. This is a very common choice amongst engagement and fashion rings and began its ascent to the top of the ring settings during the Art Deco period and continues to be a popular choice in the 21st century. A prong is a small metal “claw” that secures the diamond tightly to the ring. Prongs can be rounded, pointed, flat, or V-shaped. V-shaped prongs are mostly used for diamond cuts such as princess, oval, or pear shaped. Most prong settings found on diamond rings include four or six prongs. Four prongs allows you to see more of the diamond, while six prongs is more secure. A major benefit of the prong setting with a single center stone allows for more light to pass through the stone, enhancing its brilliance. Unlike the bezel set, the prong setting does elevate the diamond allowing for the potential to snag on materials. To minimize this risk, prongs can be set lower in the ring for individuals with a more active lifestyle and/or career. The prong setting is a timeless look and is a great way to make the diamond more prominent and noticed. Prongs can loosen over time which can result in a missing diamond. If you notice a loose prong, do not continue to wear your ring at bring it in for an adjustment.