Solitaire Diamond- Any diamond jewellery featuring a single centerpiece diamond, without any companion diamonds or gemstones on the sides is termed a “diamond solitaire”. Beyond rings, diamond solitaires can also be earrings, a necklace or any other piece of jewelry with just one diamond.
Diamond Solitaires are a beautiful, classic style statement that’s been around for decades, presented on wedding engagements or to celebrate major anniversary events, a milestone birthday or a personal accomplishment.
Solitaire setting for every diamond shape
Solitaire settings are an trendy match for any diamond shape owing to their classic design and secure support. Regardless of a diamond’s size or shape, the prongs of a solitaire ring will keep the diamond securely in place.
A variety of different designs and prong layouts are used for solitaire rings. Common designs include the cathedral solitaire setting, the split shank solitaire setting, knife edge settings, as well as four and six prong solitaire settings.
Cathedral Solitaire Setting
Cathedral solitaire settings, also known as “high-profile” settings, have an arched design that’s similar to the roofline of a cathedral. This holds the center diamond high above the ring, making the diamond look as if it’s floating above the band.
Split Shank Solitaire Setting
A split shank setting has a shank that splits in two as it reaches the center stone. This can give the center diamond more presence and make the ring stand out.
Knife Edge Setting
A knife edge setting has edges that form a point in the center of the band, giving it a pointier and more angular appearance that draws attention to the center diamond.
Four and Six Prong Solitaire Settings
In a solitaire setting, the center diamond or gemstone is held in place by several small prongs that extend out from the band. The most common configurations are four and six prongs, such as this four prong setting and six prong setting
Solitaire vs. Other settings
Although solitaire settings are most popular owing to its simplicity and elegance, there’s a large range of different options available. Below, we’ve compared solitaire to three of the other most common settings — halo, pavé and cluster.
Solitaire vs. Halo
A halo setting, maximizes the perceived size of the diamond. By placing diamonds around the center stone, it creates the illusion of a larger carat weight, giving your ring more presence on the finger.
If you’re looking to maximize the visual impact of your ring without spending too much on a very large diamond, a halo setting can be a great option. On the other hand, if you prefer a ring that’s elegant and simple, the solitaire setting is more likely to suit your tastes.
There’s also the cost factor. Because halo settings contain numerous small diamonds, they cost more than solitaire settings. Not only are solitaire settings typically very affordable, but they also cost less (both in terms of money and effort) to clean and maintain.
Solitaire vs Pavé
While a solitaire ring has a plain metal shank, a pavé ring has a shank that’s adorned with small, pavé-set diamonds. Unlike a halo or cluster setting, a pavé ring usually won’t make the center diamond look larger than it really is. It does, however, create the appearance of continuous sparkle, with the small pavé diamonds emphasizing and drawing attention to the center stone.
As with other settings that feature small diamonds, pavé engagement rings cost slightly more than solitaire rings. It’s also important to order the correct size, as a pavé ring will typically be much more difficult to resize than a solitaire ring.
Solitaire vs. Cluster
In cluster setting the center stone is surrounded by smaller diamonds, creating the illusion of a larger stone. The solitaire setting, on the other hand, displays the center diamond on its own, with an elegant, clean design that doesn’t feature any other diamonds or gemstones.
Evaluating a diamond solitaire for beauty and value
- Diamond Cut: The most important factor for a diamond’s brilliance and sparkle is its Cut. Choose only an Excellent or Ideal cut diamond for the most stunning stone.
- Diamond Shape: Diamond Shape is chosen primarily on personal preference and style. Review the shapes to decide which one matches your significant other’s taste and lifestyle.
- Diamond Clarity: Select a diamond that’s eye clean, but remember you don’t need a diamond that’s flawless when under magnification. Blemishes and inclusions often cannot be seen with the naked eye at a VS1 or VS2 Clarity grade. While you can pay more for a higher Clarity grade, it will primarily go unnoticed.
- Diamond Color: Choose a diamond that’s appears white to the naked eye in relation to its setting color. To the naked eye, a diamond in the G to I range will appear colorless and will cost far less than diamonds in the D to F range.
