Stone Setting and Stone Remounting

Whether you're in the market for an engagement ring or a bracelet, it's important to understand the various stone settings available. Each set uses a different technique to make a jewelry item that is truly unique. Here are some common stone settings to consider:

Bezel
In a bezel setting, the jeweler folds metal over a gemstone or diamond to hold it in place. The stone itself is deeply set inside of the mounting. A variant of this setting is the half bezel. With this stone setting, the jeweler doesn't completely cover the stone's girdle.

Prongs
Also known as a claw setting, a prong stone setting keeps a gemstone front and center. As opposed to bezel setting, there's more of the stone to show. With this stone setting, small prongs wrap around the gemstone and hold it in place. 

This setting typically features four prongs, and in some cases, the back of the stone is still visible. You can use this setting for a variety of gemstone styles and sizes. Individually featured gems often use this stone setting technique. If you opt for this setting, it's important to check it regularly to prevent accidental damage or losing the stone entirely.

Flush
In a flush setting, jewelers place stones directly into the jewelry piece. For example, instead of a diamond sitting on top of an engagement ring, a gemstone is placed into the band with only the top of the stone visible. Also known as a gypsy stone setting, a flush setting creates a simple and streamlined look. 

Pavé
Pavé comes from the French word meaning "paved" or "cobblestone." In this setting, a piece of jewelry has stones set together in a tight, patterned arrangement. With this setting, the stone's reflective properties are more visible. Typically, you use a pavé setting in combination with other stone settings. Similar to the pavé setting is the micro setting, which refers to the setting of tiny gemstones or diamonds through the use of a microscope. 

Scalloped
Another variant of the pavé setting is the scalloped pavé setting, in which metal beads have small, U-shaped cut-outs that create a scalloped appearance. This allows for easier cleaning, light, and a sophisticated look. A variant of the scalloped setting is the simple fishtail stone setting. In this technique, diamonds or gemstones are set snugly inside a ring. When viewed from the side, the prongs create a fishtail appearance.

Channel
In this setting, two metal bars or strips suspend a stone set into a channel. The stone is set into the channel securely without the use of prongs. You can commonly see this type of stone setting in wedding bands and tennis bracelets.

Bar
In a bar setting, a diamond or gemstone is set between two bars. The stone is nested into the metal's grooves and the metal overlaps the stone. This setting is similar to the channel stone setting.

Pressure
This stone setting is unique in that it uses pressure to hold stones together. For example, if you have a ring with a large stone and smaller stones surrounding it, the pressure of all the stones keeps them securely in place.

Tension
In a tension setting, a spring-loaded metal setting places pressure on a gemstone. Though the gemstone looks as if it's suspended midair within a ring's band, the metal holds it in place. 

Invisible
In an Invisible stone setting, you can't see the mounting of the stone. Jewelry with this stone setting appears to hold a set of floating gemstones. Therefore, it looks like the stones are held by virtually nothing.

Illusion
This stone setting is often used to make smaller stones appear larger than they really are. A metal ring surrounds a stone's girdle, which causes the stone to appear bigger.

Partial stone
In a partial stone setting, the stone isn't completely surrounded. Because of this, a partial stone setting lets a diamond or gemstone show off its various angles and sides. 

Inlay
An inlay setting features stones placed into metal like a puzzle. For this stone setting to work, the stones need to be cut in the appropriate shapes to fit into the metal piece you're using.