Renowned for their sparkle, elegance and durability, diamond rings are classic symbols of love, devotion and fidelity. They are the perfect gift on many occasions but nowhere is their use more traditional than as engagement rings where the diamond is a symbol of pure love and fidelity. While some couples prefer more contemporary and unique designs, the most common types of engagement ring are the classic solitaire setting, the side-stone setting and the three-stone setting.
The solitaire setting is the moist common and popular setting for diamond engagement rings. It features a single specimen stone elevated in the center of the ring to catch and reflect most light. Another popular setting is the side-stone setting which has a larger diamond set in the middle with smaller diamonds set on either side to enhance the beauty and sparkle of the center stone. Three-stone diamond engagement rings, sometimes called trinity rings, have three diamonds set in a row with the largest stone occupying the central position. The three diamonds are said to represent the couple's past, present, and future together. Some couples looking for a less conventional engagement ring, choose a gemstone like emerald or ruby in place of the central diamond in a three-stone ring.
An increasingly popular variation is a wedding set, or bridal set, which combines a diamond engagement ring and a diamond wedding ring as a matching set. Clever design and careful matching of the stones means that whilst the engagement ring can be worn on its own, it only looks complete when the wedding ring is added.
