A deep dive into diamond wedding band styles

With your engagement rock locked, it’s time to turn your attention to the wedding ring. And if you’re not sold on a solid metal band, diamonds will elevate your choice and give you a more personal look. But which sparkling setting to choose? Let’s take a deep dive into diamond wedding band styles …

GRAIN SET

The setting is aptly named because the beads holding the diamonds look like little grains. It is ideal for creating a diamond border effect that can really accentuate the engagement ring. Grain-set wedding rings complement vintage designs and look stunning with rose or yellow gold. Adding milgrain edging (a border of tiny metal ‘beads’) will further play up the glittering, vintage feel.

SPLIT CLAW

In this style, each stone is held in place with four individual claws (or ‘prongs’). In addition to added security for your precious gems, the beauty of a split claw design is that it squares off the outside edge, giving the appearance of sitting flusher with your engagement ring. This is a perfect choice for the person who is dreaming of a full-circle diamond wedding or eternity ring.

CHANNEL SET

If you love a clean, minimalist look, consider a channel setting. In this setting, stones are set along a track between two walls or ‘channels’ of gold or platinum. The stones are nestled closely against one another and not separated by claws. The sleek look and careful precision of a channel setting are very reminiscent of the Art Deco period and were also popular in the 1980s and 90s before shared and split claw settings took over.

SHARED CLAW

For bigger diamonds, consider a shared claw setting, where each stone shares one set of claws with the stone next to it. When selecting this style, it’s crucial that the band width is three-tenths of a millimetre wider than the diamond to ensure diamonds are not overhanging and potentially coming loose. Don’t worry; your jeweller will be able to confirm this for you and create a secure set.

PAVÉ

From the French word ‘to pave’, pavé settings use the smallest possible beads to secure the diamonds, creating a glittering pathway. Note: Despite its good looks, pavé (especially micropavé) has a reputation for not being as secure as other settings, so chat with your jeweller before committing.

HAMMER SET

In this style, diamonds are secured by carefully shaping the metal around them, creating a smooth finish. A great way to add a little sparkle to a gent’s ring.