When it comes to buying diamond rings and diamond jewellery, not only do you have to try to select the best diamond you can for your money, but also the best setting that you think the intended recipient will prefer.

There are various styles of settings available on the market, and below are some of the main terms used in the diamond industry.

CLAW SET – This means that the diamond is held in place by a number of prongs.  Most typically 4 claw or 6 claw, more modern designs of jewellery also use 3 prongs.  Claw set diamonds typically emit the most sparkle, as the raised position of the diamond generally allows most light refraction in the diamond, and therefore the most brilliance.  Claw settings are normally found on solitaire diamond engagement rings for example.

CHANNEL SET – Most typically found in diamond eternity rings and other rings where more than one diamond is set, channel set means that a number of diamonds are set flush alongside each other and are held in place by a strip of metal each side.  Princess cut diamonds often look best in channel settings due to the fact that their square shape provides excellent symmetry and tessalation.

RUB-OVER SET – This is a very traditional way of setting diamonds and refers to when the diamond is fully encased in metal, with just the table of the diamond (ie the top surface) being visible.  Whilst providing welcome added security for the diamond, rub-over settings can sometimes detract slightly from the brilliance of the diamond (albeit fractionally), as the rub over setting can adversely affect the light refraction in the diamond.  This method of setting is often used on diamond engagement rings.

PAVE SET – This term relates to when a multitude of often small diamonds are set very closely together, providing a ‘diamond encrusted’ effect on a piece of diamond jewellery.

Whichever setting for your diamonds you chose, you can rest assured that your piece of diamond jewellery will always be special, as it has been chosen by you for your loved one.

The author is the Managing Director of DeJoria Diamonds, the online diamond engagement rings specialists. For more information, visit www.dejoria.co.uk

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