When most people think of settings or mountings for engagement rings they have a mental image of the traditional prong style settings that secure the diamond to the band. While these types of settings are beautiful, simple and very discrete, there are other types of settings or mountings that can be used on engagement rings to highlight and enhance the appearance of the diamond.

Ideally any type of engagement ring settings should allow light into and around the diamond. This allows the diamond facets to reflect the light and give the brilliance and fire to the stone. The setting also either holds the diamond flush to the surface of the band or raises it up above the band as seen in solitaire and three diamond engagement rings for example.

For a very unique type of setting that is not at all like the prong setting you may wish to consider engagement rings with a bezel setting. Often described as a collar, the bezel setting molds around the diamond in a solid or partial covering. Half bezels only provide a solid attachment on half of the sides of the diamond, allowing light into the center of the gem. Bezel setting is both traditional as well as modern and provide a sleek, streamlined look to the ring when viewed from the sides or the top.

Many women don't want raised diamonds on engagement rings and prefer the diamonds to be set into the band. This style, known as channel setting, is actually a very secure way to keep moderate to small sized diamonds securely in the band. A groove or channel is formed down the center of the ring to hold the base of the diamonds. A smaller channel close to the ring's surface holds the edges of the round or baguette diamonds into the channel. The diamonds then reflect light through each other as well as down the channel for a dazzling look.

Adding a small piece of metal between the diamonds in a channel setting results in a bar channel setting. The metal between the diamonds actually reflects the light back into the diamond, providing additional flash and fire.

Bead settings are much less common but are absolutely stunning in appearance. Beads of metal that match the band are actually both part of the design of these types of engagement rings as well as the practical element that holds the diamonds in place.

For those that don't want to see the settings at all, pave style settings will be the perfect match. Smaller diamonds are placed in tiny holes drilled in the band, resulting in crusting of diamonds over part or the entire band. To finish off these types of engagement rings small beads are placed to secure the diamonds without obstructing the light reflection.

Engagement rings with these unique types of settings are both beautiful as well as practical. With any type of engagement rings featuring any type of setting, routine checking of the mountings is always recommend so any loose settings can be immediately repaired.

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