When buying an engagement ring obviously you should consider the overall quality of the diamond, and ensure that it looks good on the shape and design of the band.

But one of the most important things to consider is the setting for the gemstone. The setting connects the diamond to the ring. It should be attractive, functional and durable. In just the same way that the cut of the diamond determines how much the diamond is allowed to shine, so too does the gemstone setting.

For example, small stones are perfect in some settings, but an ostentatious setting with lots of intricate metalwork will easily overwhelm a little diamond. Get the setting right, and the setting will largely go unnoticed in the ring. But get it wrong and the setting may well be the only thing you see!

Every setting has advantages and drawbacks, so if you are looking for a diamond solitaire engagement ring, should you choose a prong setting or a bezel setting?

Prong Setting
Also called the claw setting, this is one of the most popular choices, because it can be easily adjusted to accommodate all shapes and sizes of gemstone. There are generally four or six prongs, which hold the gemstone in place, although eight prong settings are not unknown when extra security is required.

The main advantage of the prong setting is that it allows the maximum amount of light into the gemstone, allowing it to flash with fire and color. This is especially good when it is set with a Round Brilliant or a Princess Cut diamond.

However the prongs can easily snag on clothing, trapping lint and fibers which can dislodge the gemstone from its setting. But the major drawback of the prong setting is that it offers the least amount of protection to the gem. It cannot be used for trillion cut diamonds or softer gemstones such as emerald and opal which may shatter or chip.

Bezel Setting
In this type of setting the gemstone is completely encircled by a ribbon of precious metal which protects it from accidental knocks. For this reason it is the only type of setting which is recommended for fancy shaped diamond with thin edges, or points, such as Trillion Cuts or Marquises.

The bezel setting is also a perfect choice for hiding any minor edge flaws present in the gemstone and it also acts to enhance the size of the diamond, making it appear larger.

On the downside, the bezel setting is not easily adjusted and if set incorrectly, the gemstone can be easily lost. Furthermore the nature of the setting does not allow as much light into the diamond, reducing its fire and brilliance. However this can be overcome to a large extent by cutting light holes into the setting.

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