The design of a piece of jewelry majorly depends upon gemstone setting styles. There are ten types of most common setting styles. Each has specific importance and is based on the stone cut, shape, carat, and jewelry design.
Metal projections or tines to secure gemstones to a jewelry piece are called Prong Setting or Mount. These are often referred as claw setting as it securely holds the gemstone. The finishing is the key to marvelous Prong Setting Style. It is widely seen in Rings and Earrings.
These are differentiated based on the levels of the prong, you can notice a single prong on each side of the stone in the image shared above and gradually the prong increases to offer a high level of security to the stone. It holds them like a claw and helps to hold them in their right place.
Prong Types Prong Type refers to the design of metal tines to hold the gemstone. Prong Count
Prong Count refers to the total number of prongs used in mounting the gemstone.
Gemstones settings are not only restricted to metal prongs. More innovative mountings are used to bring uniqueness to the Solitaire Jewelry Pieces.
Basket Setting
The Basket Setting secures the gemstone in basket shape featuring metal prongs and based on the prong count, the Basket Setting can be further categorized. The image depicts a 4-Prong Basket Setting. It can be easily noticed in Rings and Earrings.
Peg Head Setting
Peg Head Setting is separately soldered on the shank of the ring to hold the gemstone a bit higher. Based on the prong count, 4 Prong Peg Head and 6 Prong Peg Head Settings are frequently used in crafting Engagement Rings. The most secure placement of the gemstone is enjoyed by peg head setting.
Bezel & Half Bezel Setting
Bezel Setting holds the Gemstone within a thin metal rim or collar. The Bezel Setting completely secures the gemstone by metal overlapping the gemstone edges. The security offered by the overlapping edges holds the softest gemstone in the rock-solid form.
Bar Setting
The Bar Setting secures the Gemstone between two parallel metal bars, leaving enough space for the light to pass through the gemstone and maximize the brilliance. Bar settings are considered ideal for engagement rings and wedding rings.
Bright Cut Setting
In a Bright-Cut Setting, highly polished metal walls are used as highly reflective surface which reflects light to the gemstone enclosed in such setting.
Bridge-Accent Setting
Bridge Accent Setting holds the head of the ring and sometimes smaller gemstone settings. This setting is also quite popular for a comfortable feel on the finger.
Illusion Setting
Illusion Setting is a kind of prong setting designed to make the diamond look bigger by a highly polished ring of metal surrounding the girdle of diamond.
Tension-Mount Setting
The Tension-Mount Setting holds the gemstone in place by utilizing the tension generated along the band of the ring.
Trellis Setting
Trellis Setting features prongs that interweave to hold the gemstone in place. The Trellis Setting is decorative to elevate the elegance of rings.
Channel Setting
In a Channel Setting, gemstone accents are studded along the shank between two walls of metal. It is mostly used in bracelets, bangles and earrings.
Pinpoint Setting
In a Pinpoint Setting, gemstone accents are fitted along the shank between two walls of metal and individually held by micro-prongs in place.
Scallop Setting
The Scallop Setting features metal beads in U-Shape cutout underneath to hold the gemstone accents.
Fishtail Setting
In the Fishtail Setting, diamond or gemstone accents are set low into the metal with delicate fishtail shaped cuts.
Pave Setting
The Pave Setting is characterized by small gemstones arranged close to each other in such a way that the metal surface of the shank is not visible.
Gypsy/Flush Setting
In Gypsy Setting, diamond or gemstone accents are sunken into the metal on the shank.
The variety of shapes helps to create the dense catalog based on further designing and setting of the stone. Every stone has a specific set of shapes that are possible to make impactful jewelry designs.
Shank Profile is the shape of the shape of the cross section obtained if the shank of the ring was to give a perpendicular cut.
Shank Style refers to the shape of the shank when viewed from the top.
Solitaire Ring
Solitaire Ring is the classic piece featuring a single diamond or gemstone in unique mountings for a sophisticated look.
Occasion - Traditionally, solitaire rings have been used as Engagement or Proposal Rings.
Halo Ring
Halo Ring is the style featuring a center gemstone encircled by small diamond accent to enhance the sparkle and offer more elegance to the wearer.
Occasion - Halo Rings have been popularly used by women to adorn them as engagement rings.
Two Stone Ring
The Two Stone Ring featuring two diamonds or gemstones is a symbolism of the fact that two individuals become one when they come together in marriage.
Occasion - Two stone ring or Forever us ring are popular among couples as proposal and promise rings.
Three Stone Ring
The Three Stones in this Ring Style are often associated with the Past, Present and Future or Friendship, Love and Fidelity among couples.
Occasion - Three Stone or Trinity Rings are increasingly popular choice of engagement or proposal and promise rings.
Vintage Inspired Ring
The Vintage Inspired Rings are specifically designed to revive the feel of Rings from the bygone era. Vintage Rings feature fancy gemstone cuts, unique settings and metal embellishments to replicate Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco Ring Styles.
Occasion - Vintage Inspired Rings are both unique and fancy choice of engagement rings for women with a knack for Vintage look.
Cocktail Ring
Cocktail Rings are large pieces set with fancy cut large multi-color gemstones in cocktail settings.
Occasion - As the name suggests, the cocktail rings can be chosen for cocktail parties and are seldom chosen by women as engagement rings to make statement of their bold personality.
Promise Ring
Promise Rings are usually exchanged among lovers while in relationship. These rings are more of pre-proposal rings to express their love and commitment.
Occasion - Promise Rings are often used by people to honor various promises made among friends, lovers, parent-children, etc.
Eternity/Half-Eternity Ring
Eternity Ring is set with an unbroken circle of gemstones along the band. The diamond eternity symbolizes eternal love.
Occasion - Eternity Rings are a popular choice for the wedding ceremony and can sometimes be chosen for the wedding anniversary.
Stackable Ring
Stackable Rings, as the name suggests, are chosen to stack them with other rings. The stackable rings usually tend to be thin band rings to facilitate stacking.
Occasion - Stackable Rings are generally used as anniversary rings, wedding rings and sometimes as promise bands for women to compliment their outfit with.
Band Ring
The Band Rings are crafted in either simple gold band style or are sometimes embellished with gemstones.
Occasion - Band Rings are often chosen as anniversary bands or couple band rings.
Ring Set
The Ring Sets are a combination of Engagement Ring and Stackable Wedding Band.
Occasion - The Engagement-Wedding Ring Set are a popular choice of Bridal Ring Sets complementing each other.
Stud Earrings
The Stud Earrings tend to fall on the smaller side of earrings that sit on the earlobe without dropping down or climbing up the ear.
Drop Earrings
The Drop Earrings are often simple pieces worn on the earlobe and drop just below the earlobe.
Dangle Earrings
Dangle Earrings are those which are long enough to significantly hang or dangle below the earlobe, sometimes to brush against the shoulders.
Hoop Earrings
The Hoop Earrings are designed in a circular metal framework often adorned with sparkling gemstones. The Hoop Earrings are symbolism of unity, infinity and wholeness
Huggie Earrings
Huggie Earrings are a variety of little hoop earrings that ‘hug’ your earlobe closely and usually tend to be thicker when compared with the Hoop Earrings.
Climber/Crawler Earrings
Climber Earrings are modern pair of elongated stud earring which climbs ‘up’ the earlobe for a distinct look.
Lever Back
The easy back lock to secure your earring with the help of a spring-loaded lever which is tied up to a wire is the lever back.
Latch Back
The hook shape latch back helps to securely lock the earring by passing through the loop.
Fish Hook
The widely used back hook for fashion jewelry is the fish hook. The wire of the hook passes through the piercing without any lock.
Flat Screw Back
Flat Screw back helps to keep the earring in the right place and ensure complete security of the jewelry.
Solitaire Pendant
The Solitaire Pendant features a single diamond or gemstone encased with unique settings for simple jewelry adornments.
Three Stone Pendant
The Three Gemstone in this Necklace Style are symbolism of Past, Present and Future or Friendship, Love and Fidelity among couples.
Halo Pendant
Halo Pendant Necklace features a center gemstone encircled by small diamond to enhance the radiance and add more grace to the wearer.
Bar Necklace
The Bar Necklace style is designed in horizontal or vertical metal bar with or without gemstone embellishments. The Bar Necklace is a popular choice of Layering Necklace among women.
Dangle Necklace
The Dangle Necklace boasts elongated pendant drop which is free to dangle like a pendulum.
Station Necklace
The Station Necklace is characterized by adornments like gemstones or charms along a chain in stations.
Initial and Charm Necklace
The Initial and Charm Necklace range features alphabets and symbols like heart or infinity, often studded with vibrant gemstones.
Necklace and Earrings Jewelry Set
As the name suggests, the necklace and earrings set constitute the elegant Jewelry Set for women to compliment her outfit for any occasion.
Bolo Bracelet
The Bolo Bracelet is characterized by an adjustable sliding mechanism to facilitate comfortable wear.
Tennis Bracelet
The Tennis Bracelet fashions a symmetrical pattern of gemstones arranged in an array and connected by a thin metal chain.
Chain Bracelet
A Chain Bracelet comes with a simple link chain with or without gemstone or charm stations.
Charm Bracelet
The Charm Bracelet range comes with decorative charms, and are often studded with vibrant gemstones.
Bangle Bracelet
Bangle Bracelets are designed in bangle style and are decorated with radiant gemstones.
Gemstone Setting Styles
1. Prong Setting Style
2. Other Setting Style
Basket
Peg Head
Bar/Channel
Bright-Cut
Bridge Accent
Illusion
Tension-Mount
Trellis
Channel
Pinpoint
Scallop
Fishtail
Pave
Gypsy/Flush
Gemstone Shapes
Gemstone Color & Birthstone Glossary
S.No.
Birthstone Month
Gemstone
Family
Color
1.
January
Garnet
Garnet
Blood Red
2.
January
Rose Quartz
Quartz
Pink
3.
February
Amethyst
Quartz
Purple
4.
February
Green Amethyst
Quartz
Dull Green
5.
March
Aquamarine
Beryl
Sky Blue
6.
April
Diamond
Diamond
White
7.
April
Black Diamond
Diamond
Black
8.
April
White Topaz
Topaz
White
9.
April
Lemon Quartz
Quartz
Light Yellow
10.
April
White Sapphire
Corundum
White
11.
May
Emerald
Beryl
Green
12.
May
Green Onyx
Onyx
Green
13.
June
Moonstone
Feldspar
Bluish White
14.
June
Rhodolite
Garnet
Raspberry Red
15.
June
Smoky Quartz
Quartz
Brownish Grey
16.
June
Freshwater Pearl
Pearl
White
17.
June
South Sea Pearl
Pearl
White Golden
18.
June
Japanese Cultured
Pearl
Cream
19.
June
Tahitian Pearl
Pearl
Black Iridescent
20.
July
Ruby
Corundum
Purplish Red
21.
July
Red Onyx
Onyx
Red
22.
August
Black Spinel
Spinel
Black
23.
August
Peridot
Olivine
Yellowish Green
24.
September
Blue Sapphire
Corundum
Royal Blue
25.
September
Yellow Sapphire
Corundum
Yellow
26.
September
Pink Sapphire
Corundum
Pink
27.
September
Green Sapphire
Corundum
Olive
28.
September
Orange Sapphire
Corundum
Orange
29.
October
Morganite
Beryl
Peach
30.
October
Green Tourmaline
Silicate
Rich Green
31.
October
Pink Tourmaline
Silicate
Pink
32.
October
Orange Tourmaline
Silicate
Brownish Orange
33.
October
Opal
Silica
Colorful
34.
October
Ethiopian Opal
Silica
Colorful
35.
October
Fire Opal
Silica
Yellow Orange Red
36.
November
Citrine
Quartz
Golden Yellow
37.
December
Black Onyx
Onyx
Black
38.
December
London Blue Topaz
Topaz
Dark Blue
39.
December
Sky Blue Topaz
Topaz
Sky Blue
40.
December
Swiss Blue Topaz
Topaz
Deep Blue
41.
December
Pink Onyx
Onyx
Light Pink
42.
December
Tanzanite
Zoisite
Royal Blue
43.
-
Moissanite
Silicon
White
Shank Profile & Style
Shank Profile
Shank Style
Ring Styles with Applicable Occasions
Solitaire
Halo
Two Stone
Three Stone
Vintage Inspired
Cocktail
Promise
Eternity
Stackable
Wedding Band
Ring Set
Earring Styles
Stud
Drop
Dangle
Hoop
Huggie
Climber/Crawler
Earring Back Findings
Lever Back
Latch Back
Fish Hook
Flat Screw
Necklace Styles
Solitaire
Three Stone
Halo
Bar
Dangle
Station
Initial and Charm
Necklace Set
Bail Styles
Bracelet Styles
Bolo
Tennis
Chain
Charm
Bangle