Engagement Rings

An engagement ring is a ring indicating that the person wearing it is engaged to be married. A ring is presented as an engagement gift by a partner to their prospective spouse when they propose marriage or directly after a marriage proposal is accepted. It represents a formal agreement to future marriage. Engagement rings are worn mostly by women, and rings can feature diamonds or other gemstones.

ENGAGEMENT RING SETTING VS. STYLE

We use the term "style" to refer to the overall look and design aesthetic of the ring - is it a sleek modern ring, with a simple band and an emerald cut diamond, or is it a vintage-inspired ring with hand engraved details and a pavé setting?

An engagement ring's "setting" refers to the entire ring - and in particular how the ring's diamonds/gemstones are mounted, or held in place in the band. A ring is made up of both a "head" which is the top of the ring that includes the diamonds/gemstones, and the "shank" which is the part of the ring that encircles the finger. The ring setting is meant to highlight the beauty of an engagement diamond.

Need help choosing the perfect engagement ring in Boca Raton?

From traditional to modern, the setting you choose should reflect the personal style of your soon-to-be fiancé. This article was written to help guide you through the different setting styles that we have found to be the most popular.

The following make up the top categories of engagement ring setting styles: Solitaire, Halo-Style, Three-Stone, Diamond Accented and Vintage-Inspired.

Solitaire Engagement Ring

A solitaire engagement ring has one single diamond in the center. It gives the opportunity to show off the diamond in a setting that will never go out of style. Solitaire engagement ring settings give maximum exposure to your diamond, so very good quality in the diamond is essential.

Although the solitaire holds such simplicity, there are actually a lot of elements that differentiate this look. Some examples of the different solitaire styles are peg heads, cathedral setting and basket setting.

Peg Heads - This is the most common solitaire engagement ring setting style. The band (shank) and the prongs that hold the diamond are two separate pieces that are soldered together. Peg heads can be a different metal type than the shank (for example a white gold ring can have a rose gold peg head holding the diamond to give it a more personal touch). Also, it is important to know that peg heads are generally a higher profile setting and are more prone to damage if you are rough with your hands.

Cathedral Setting - This style of solitaire is a similar version of a peg head, the prongs and shank are still two separate pieces. However, the difference is that this ring setting slopes upwards creating a steeple-like look toward the stone using arches of metal to hold the diamond, giving it that graceful cathedral look. The cathedral setting is not as high profile as the peg head.

Basket Setting - This simple setting is a type of prong setting. Four or six prongs rise up from the base of the band for the stone to sit in and horizontal prongs are added to create the 'basket' shape. This basket of metalwork has open sides, allowing light to hit the stone from all angles. A basket setting can have straight sides, which is a more contemporary look, or curved sides to create a more elegant look.

Halo Engagement Ring

The halo setting is when the center diamond in the engagement ring is surrounded and complemented by a border of smaller diamonds. This style is popular because it gives the illusion of a much larger center stone. From far away it looks like one big sparkly diamond, which also gives you more bang for your buck. There are different types of halos including flush halo, floating halo and double halo.

Flush Halo - The diamonds around the center stone are flush up against it, making the actual diamond appear larger than it is. Sometimes a flush halo setting can get in the way of a wedding band if there is not enough height between the shank and where the main diamond sits on top.

Floating Halo - The center stone is held apart and raised slightly above the halo by the prongs. This creates a small gap between the surrounding halo and the center stone called an 'airline', which gives it that floating appearance.
Double Halo - This is just like it sounds, two halo circles around the center diamond. The double halo will make the diamond look even larger and give it that extra sparkle.

Three-Stone Engagement Ring

This timeless engagement ring setting has two mirroring stones on either side of a larger center stone, equaling three stones total (giving the ring it's name). Three-stone engagement rings are often used to represent a couple's life together because they symbolize the past, present and future of the relationship. Besides the romance and sentiment this ring style holds, the three-stone setting has recently become a popular engagement ring design again.

Diamond Accented Engagement Ring

Diamond accented rings are among the most popular styles for engagement rings. Diamond accents are small but visible diamonds that are added to the engagement ring in addition to the main center diamond. This will be an additional cost, but it will enhance the ring design. Accent stones typically appear on the setting of a ring design. Their color and clarity should match closely to the quality of the center diamond. Some examples of accented engagement rings are hidden design elements, simples accents and side clusters.

Hidden design elements - Also considered as a surprise detail. This is a special element that is added to the ring's design that can't be seen from the top view of the ring. If you view the ring from the side, it can reveal dainty metalwork and hidden accent stones. These intricate details will make a classic ring feel more unique and personal.
Simple accents - A classic accented engagement ring has a simple row of prong set accent stones along the top half of the band. They perfectly complement the center stone, no matter the shape.
Side clusters - Clustering accent stones on either side of the center stone combines the silhouette of a three-stone design with the simplicity of an accented ring. The cluster of accents takes up more space than a single row of accent stones, which makes this a bolder element of a ring.

Vintage-Inspired Engagement Ring

vintage inspired diamond engagement ring

Vintage engagement rings are inspired by the charm of the past. Don't let the word vintage scare you. Vintage engagement rings are often remakes using old styles but new technology. This style of engagement ring commonly includes intricate hand engraved details such as filigree and milgrain as part of the design. Filigree is a pattern of metalwork which can be used in numerous places on the ring, usually as part of the gallery. Milgrain is the addition of tiny beads of metal as decoration on any part of the ring from the crown to the gallery to the band. Like today, there were different styles for engagement rings during these periods. While there are many variations of vintage rings, they can be classified into three main categories: Victorian, Edwardian, and Art Deco.

Victorian Engagement Rings: 1837-1901- Victorian engagement rings are marked by incredibly decorative and embellished engravings and are still sought after by brides looking for something different. Victorian rings were usually crafted in yellow gold and rose gold, as both metal colors were Queen Victoria’s favorite. Most Victorian rings have a large center stone that is often paired with several small-cut stones to form a halo.
Edwardian Engagement Rings: 1901-1915 - The style of this era was light and delicate, displaying a feminine and romantic quality. Platinum was the precious metal of choice in Edwardian times. The strength of platinum allowed jewelers to produce extremely intricate and detailed pieces. Because platinum was so is easy to work with is why you will find a lot of lace-like nature designs in Edwardian style rings, such as flowers, ribbons, scrolls and laurel wreathes.
Art Deco Engagement Rings: 1920-1945 - Art Deco has influenced jewelry more than any other industry and is probably the most popular type of vintage ring there is. They have a bold geometric look with symmetrical sharp angles causing a dramatic effect. Jewelry designers from the Art Deco era typically paired larger center stones with geometrically shaped accents of sapphires, emeralds or rubies.

DESIGNING A CUSTOM ENGAGEMENT RING

Custom engagement rings are a great option if you’re looking for something that’s uniquely yours. When you create a custom engagement ring, you can tailor every last detail of your ring to perfectly suit you, from its design to its materials. This allows you to create the ring of your dreams; which is why so many people choose custom engagement rings over generic ones.

Custom doesn’t have to mean expensive or complex. A custom ring can be as simple as the classic six-prong solitaire or as elaborate as an antique setting with an uncommon gem. The best part is that your engagement ring will be hand crafted right here in Boca Raton, instead of in a factory. Every piece, diamond, and detail will be attended to with care and love, ensuring that the ring is everything you dreamt it would be.

At Devon’s Diamonds & Decor, we are proud to offer custom engagement ring design in Boca Raton. We have been creating custom designed engagement rings for generations and with over thousands of designs under our belt, our team will create your one of a kind masterpiece. We utilize next generation design software, including 3D Matrix CAD (Computer-Aided Design) to bring your inspiration to life.

CUSTOM ENGAGEMENT RING DESIGN PROCESS

There’s nothing we love more than helping to create a timeless, stunning engagement ring, from our first meeting with a client to seeing photos of the proposal. Often times, clients come to us not entirely knowing what they want, but knowing they want something special. Our process at Devon's Diamonds & Decor, is designed to ensure that the ring is exactly how you imagined it, no matter how simple or complex. In these three simple steps, your engagement ring vision will become a reality:

The process begins when you meet with our design specialists at our jewelry store in Boca Raton to discuss your vision. We will use your ideas, drawings, and images to create a sketch and once the design is chosen, it will get turned into a 3D computer rendering, otherwise known as Computer-Aided Design (CAD). And now the heart of the custom design begins!
You are then presented with the 3D CAD rendering. This detailed computer model allows you to view your new custom design and get an idea of what your engagement ring will truly look like finished. Any desired changes can be made before approval to eliminate the possibility of mistakes.
After approval, our professional jewelers cast your work of art into the precious metal decided on. The final steps of the process include diamond setting, polishing, and pre-delivery inspection. From start to finish, this intricate process takes generally 2-3 weeks, depending on the complexity of the design.

WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN CREATING A CUSTOM ENGAGEMENT RING

Custom pieces take time. If you want to create a custom engagement ring, one of the most important things to consider is your timeline. Creating a custom ring takes longer than buying a pre-made engagement ring, since you’ll need time to design your ring, approve each step of the design process, and wait for your ring to be made.
Set your budget. The idea of creating or purchasing an engagement ring can feel overwhelming at first, so our experts at Devon's Diamonds & Decor first start with talking about your budget. We want to be sure you can get the best ring for your budget, and want to avoid leading you down the path to a ring that is not within your budget. There are many things that can change the cost of a custom engagement ring, like your choice of precious metal, diamonds or gemstones, and the complexity of your design. If we know your maximum spend amount before you start the ring design process, we can keep that in mind as our team helps you design your custom ring.
Decide on your center stone and side stones. Deciding on a center stone is the first step in creating an engagement ring. This is where the bulk of your budget will go, so first we focus on finding the perfect stone or stones within your budget. While white diamonds are the most traditional gemstone for an engagement ring, there are so many gemstone options to choose from when you go custom. You could opt for a colored diamond, like a pink, blue, or yellow diamond. You could select a precious gemstone, like a ruby, blue sapphire, or an emerald. Or, you can choose a semi-precious gemstone, like a citrine, aquamarine, or a tourmaline. You can also choose to select many different types of gemstones or diamonds to create a highly detailed and unique look. When you create a custom-made engagement ring, the sky’s the limit! With so many center diamond and gemstone options, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with their different shapes, styles, types, and colors, while you search for inspiration for your ring. If you know you want a white diamond ring, focus your time on looking at the different diamond shapes and understanding the 4Cs (diamond color, cut, clarity, and carat). If you think you want something a bit less traditional than a white diamond, spend some time learning about all your colored diamond and gemstone options.
Share your inspiration. Many people go custom because they already have a specific design in mind. If that’s the case for you, consider bringing in pictures of the things you want or a sketch of your ideas. If you aren’t completely sure what you want for your custom design, take some time to do some research and get inspired. Look at pre-made engagement rings and save images of ones you like, making sure to note what you like about them (Pinterest is a great tool for this). Then, bring your inspiration board to Devon's Diamonds & Decor and tell us what you love in your inspiration images. Our team of experts can help you discover what you prefer in an engagement ring and use your preferences as a starting point for your custom design.
Choose your precious metal. One of the best things about creating a custom engagement ring is being able to choose the exact materials you want. You can go more traditional with yellow gold or white gold. Or you can pick something more unique like rose gold or two tone. So before you head into our jewelry store in Boca Raton, consider all your precious metal options and see if there are any you’re particularly drawn to.

ENGAGEMENT RINGS NEAR ME

If you’re considering creating a custom engagement ring, reach out to Devon's Diamonds & Decor. We specialize in designing custom engagement rings, wedding bands, and other custom jewelry in Boca Raton. Our family of fourth generation jewelers loves helping customers bring their dream jewelry to life.

At Devon's, we pride ourselves in customer service and high quality diamonds. We’ll make sure that throughout the process you’re excited, educated and happy so that when the time comes, you’ll be able to pop the question with complete confidence. Ready to find or start building the perfect engagement ring? Visit our Boca Raton jewelry store or give us a call at (561) 430-6988.