Diamond News
The Solitaire Engagement Ring
The solitaire engagement ring takes its name from the description. The word solitaire comes from the Latin solitarius, meaning literally solitary, or alone, and has been used to refer to single gems in a setting since the early 1700’s, including for some of the earliest engagement rings.
So, as the name implies, the diamond solitaire engagement ring is a ring consisting of a single beautiful diamond in a setting of some type. Today, the most popular setting for a solitaire engagement ring is the four claw setting, in which four small prongs hold the diamond above the surface of the band.
Diamond Rings
Diamond engagement rings became traditional in the beginning of the 20th Century. The engagement ring now represents the impending union of a man and woman, but many years before it became a romantic tradition, it may have represented a more material form of ownership.
Happily, those days are gone, and today, jewellery is a classic token of love, and none more so than the perfect engagement ring. Although the diamond solitaire ring is undoubtedly the most popular, other forms of solitaire engagement rings are no longer uncommon, with people sometimes choosing other gems, such as emeralds or rubies, or even coloured diamonds, to add a unique flair to the style of their designer rings.
Things To Remember For Solitaire Engagement Rings
Setting
If you’re planning on buying, or designing, a solitaire engagement ring, there are a couple of tips that it might help to keep in mind.
The first thing to think about is the setting of the solitaire ring. Because it is, by it’s nature, only a single stone, some settings will be more appropriate than others. Of course multiple stone settings are automatically excluded, and a channel setting is not suitable for a solitaire engagement ring as it will hide the best features of the stone.
Almost all other settings can be used though, but, as was mentioned earlier, it is the claw or prong setting that is usually most popular, exposing as it does the majority of the stone.
Engagement Ring Size and Shape
Just because it’s only a single stone, doesn’t mean it has to be the biggest one possible. There are several design tips that will help you maximise the appearance of your stone. Although the round cut is the most popular, marquise, oval and pear-shaped diamond cuts will elongate the diamond, giving the appearance of greater size.
Another idea is to place the solitaire diamond on a fairly narrow band to emphasise size. Speaking of bands, two-tone bands, or bands that are etched or sinuous can enhance the overall engagement ring design by making it clear that the band is an integral part of the whole, rather than merely a vehicle for the stone.
Diamond Quality
No matter the size though, a solitaire engagement ring, having only a single stone, should have some consideration given to the quality thereof. A ring with several stones, or one which incorporates other gems into the design, can get away with a slightly lower quality stone.
A solitaire engagement ring however, has only one stone, which will automatically be the centre of attention. As a result, those considering a diamond solitaire engagement ring should be familiar with the four Cs of quality, clarity, cut, carat, and color, as well as potential flaws to make sure that they have a suitable and appropriate stone.
In Conclusion
As we’ve seen, there are many factors to take into account when choosing the perfect solitaire engagement ring. From the stone size, shape and quality, to the band and setting, every aspect of the ring needs to be considered.
But if you bear them in mind, and give each feature the consideration it deserves, you’ll end up with a gorgeous solitaire engagement ring that will symbolise the commitment of a lifetime.