Why does this word come up so often when you shop for a ring? It names a popular engagement ring design, so knowing it helps you follow what a jeweller means 4. GIA also separates two ideas. The setting is how the stone is held, and the setting style is the overall design, such as solitaire or three-stone 1. Our visual guide to ring settings shows the other styles.
How is the single stone held? Solitaire rings often use prongs or a bezel, though the style can suit many types of mounting. Prongs, also called claws, are narrow strips of metal that rise from the base and bend over the stone’s edges 1. A bezel is a rim of metal that surrounds the stone and follows its exact shape 2. To compare the two main prong options, see four claws vs six claws.
What does this mean for the look of the ring? With little or no extra decoration, all the focus goes to the stone, so its shape, size and quality stand out. Solitaire rings also pair easily with many wedding bands 1. The word is not only for rings: a diamond solitaire is any piece of jewellery with a single diamond, such as a necklace or earring 2. If the stone will be the star, our guide to choosing a diamond shape may help.
Example: Picture a ring with one round diamond raised above a plain band and held by four thin claws. Nothing else sits on the band, so that ring is a solitaire. Add a smaller stone on each side of the centre stone, and it becomes a three-stone design instead.