This tutorial intends to review the different appearances of engagement rings that are currently in vogue. Loose diamonds can be found in many different cuts, and the most eye-catching settings often use multiple diamonds of different shapes, complementing each other to create a beautiful appearance. When selecting an engagement ring, it's critical to bear in mind the variety of setting types available, and be sure to review the different styles before making a decision.
First, as you are probably aware, diamond settings can often be produced in your choice of material. Even though platinum and white gold rings look the same, they have radically different properties. Platinum is much less commonly found than gold, but it is also composed of purer elements than even 18-carat gold (95% pure compared to just 75% pure.) All gold material is actually yellow; the difference with "white gold" is just that it's covered in a layer of rhodium that changes the exterior color. When the rhodium breaks down after the wear and tear of a few years, it will "yellow" with age, and will have to be re-plated with rhodium to maintain its original color-less appearance. Platinum does not demand this kind of maintenance, because it is a purely white metal, albeit slightly softer than gold.
Solitaire engagement rings are well-known for their classic appearance, and represent a visually simple style that draws the viewer's primary attention to the center stone. It is a great choice if you have the budget for a high-carat diamond with excellent clarity and color. Even though they appear similar at first glance, Solitaires still have unique hits. Most commonly, the center stone will be held in place by prongs, but more stylized options, like the tulip setting, also exist.
On the other end of the spectrum, other settings readily on more than just a single center stone to show off their style. Three stone engagement rings have a great history behind them, and display a more vintage appearance. Most of these, these diamonds are all the same shape and cut. One attribute of these types of engagement rings is that they can present a more, antique, or vintage, appearance. Multi-stone engagement rings have remained popular for a long time, and represent a very classic style.
For a more modern look, consider the intricate setting of very small diamonds (usually round cut) in the ring's band, along the face or sides in a manner that emphasizes the center stone. These pave set engagement rings frequently show off bands that are twisted, separate strands to create flowing contours. Groups of pave set sidestones appear to create a brilliant diamond surface, and some rings include over 100 individual stones carefully set in incredible patterns for a stunning visual effect. Micro Pave set diamonds achieve basically the same effect, just in an even more intricate fashion. If you are thinking about a pave engagement ring, it's important to remember that since these sidestones are small and fairly transparent, they will take on the color of the ring they are placed in. Due to this, white gold does a better job of preventing the pave diamonds from being seen as discolored or inordinarily yellow.