A closer look.

Diamond settings

A setting is the metalwork that holds a stone in place. It shapes how much of the diamond you see, how it catches light and how it feels to wear.

Prong
Slim metal claws, usually four or six, grip the stone at its edge. Prongs show the most of the diamond and let light in from the sides.
Cathedral
Arches of metal rise from the band to support the center setting, lifting the stone and giving the ring a tapered profile from the side.
Bezel
A thin rim of metal surrounds the stone’s outer edge. It wraps and protects the girdle and has a smooth, low profile.
Pavé
Many small diamonds are set close together and held by tiny beads of metal, creating an almost continuous surface of stones.
Channel
A row of stones sits between two parallel walls of metal, with no metal between the stones. The edges of the band stay smooth.
Halo
A ring of small diamonds surrounds a center stone, framing it and adding brightness around its outline.
Close-up of a four-prong cathedral setting with pavé diamonds on the shoulders
Illustrative image: a four-prong cathedral setting with pavé shoulders.

Good to know

  • Settings with raised prongs can catch on fabric; lower, enclosed settings such as bezels sit closer to the finger.
  • Any setting benefits from an occasional check by a jeweler to make sure the stones remain secure.
  • Where a product page lists its setting, that description applies to that specific piece.