Ring Settings Detail By ID Jewelry Located in The NYC Diamond District

Deciding on a ring setting is where design becomes a part of your real life. You want something beautiful, but also practical for your everyday habits, budget, and long-term maintenance. This article is intended to help you compare form and function, so you have a ring that is personal and practical on day one.

Here are some tips on how to choose an engagement ring: https://www.vogue.com/article/buying-engagement-ring-avoid-mistakes

What Setting Fits My Life Style?

Before you fall in love with a style on social media, consider how you use your hands. Do you work with your hands/tools? Do you spend lots of time typing? Do you lift weights at the gym?

Your lifestyle will determine how much height, maintenance, and durability you require from a ring setting.

Active, hands-on lifestyle: low-profile bezel or semi-bezel to keep the edge safe.

Light maintenance: channel or flush-set accents so they won't snag.

Maximum sparkle: well-designed prong solitaire with an exceptional diamond cut.

Vintage-inspired: milgrain, pavé bands or three-stone styles that accentuate symmetry.

Prong vs. Bezel—What is the difference?

Prongs support the stone using tiny claws so that the stone isn't enveloped, thus allowing it to naturally gain more light because it's lifted up. The advantages of prongs as a setting style are that prongs offer classic vintage-inspired design aesthetics, they hold stones above the band for a sense of airy-ness, they can be cleaned relatively easily, and you can professional re-shank the band to get the prongs seen by most people again if needed. The downsides are that prongs can snag on fabrics if they are built tall enough or worn out, the claws can crack or break the stone's girdle, and it can become difficult to find the petals of a flower when prongs become disheveled.

A bezel surrounds the diamond and half the stone with a thin metal edge that supports its visible portion, thus fencing in the gridle and softening the sharp corners of the diamond, if they are plainer shaped, like princess or marquise shapes. Bezels have clean, minimalist edges and the looks read very modern, especially if you choose one that finishes flush to the edge of the diamond. They do lose a touch of brightness, but they offer surprisingly good day-to-day protection, especially for a stronger metal vs. a softer metal.

More info on the settings.

Metal Choice: Compare Gold vs Platinum

The color of metal will help affect, the first appearance and maintenance timeline of your ring. Platinum will be naturally white, and almost like an oil that is rich in density and hypoallergenic. Over time, platinum will soften into a sheen that makes some people feel pampered. Gold, also offers warmth, and each will have its flexibility in appearance - white gold, is bright with rhodium plated, the yellow gold will work well with warmer skin tones and the rose gold will magnify the pampered essence.

You'll need to match your metal color choice with your wardrobe, your natural skin undertone and maintenance, on your own terms.

Regarding platinum, compare this: Long lasting prong if continually worn due to the complexion of platinum dull patina and hiding slight micro scratches.

On 18k vs 14k gold: You consider 14k if a hardness, and 18k for richness of colour and warmer softer feeling.

On white gold: If you have a reasonable tolerance for a rhodium refresh every 1-2 years, and upgrading with your gold choice each refresh, ( even if you are buying a gold option) it is elegant, and crisp.

On mixed metals: Lovely two-tone shanks pair beautifully with pavé settings, trendy sleek bezels - fitted, flowing, perfectly wide gauge perfect.

When you compare, balance your design against practical wear and care for ongoing habits that include cleaning and prong check. In a buying process, prioritize the quality of cut to get maximum sparkle, and think about the setting to conform to your lifestyle and inherent comfortability. I like to suggest if you want to be eco-minded options, lab grown diamonds can also come in fitted bezels, if you wanted to easily balance off durability, also think sustainability. Do also consider GIA with every diamond, as well as conflict free sourcing and transparent jewelry appraisal for insurance purposes.

When you have are ready to think about style to combine, be ready with a photo of your daily rings and possible stacking and profile height against rings and settings (rounds, ovals, kettles, cushions and even more!) also consider checking how bands sit under gloves or in pockets to prevent catches. ID Jewelry in the NYC Diamond District can help guide you through how prong shape, bezel heights, and thickness of plated rings and wedding bands sit together to create a uniform design language for your style and set.

With some thought, the ring you choose will find the balance between sparkle, comfort, brand longevity and visual weight to feel natural on your hand when you are ready to wear it every day.