Engagement rings

One stone on its own. The setting exists only to hold it up, so nothing competes with the stone — and nothing dates.

A continuous rim of metal wrapped around the stone’s girdle instead of prongs. The most protective setting there is, and nothing catches on fabric.

A centre stone with a smaller one on each side, usually tapered so the eye runs inward. Often read as past, present and future.

A ring of small diamonds set tight around the centre stone. It adds a visible half-carat of spread without the carat price.

French for “you and me”. Two stones sit side by side on one band — frequently two different shapes, one for each person.

Several small stones set close enough to read as a single surface. More light per dollar than one stone of the same spread.