Choosing a Tension Setting for your Engagement Ring

Tension settings are a very contemporary design that allow engagement rings to be transformed into an elegant and unique symbol of your relationship. This type of setting is perfect for highlighting the beauty of a sparkling diamond, but they are not for everyone.

Before choosing a tension setting for your engagement ring, you should understand both the benefits and drawbacks.

What Are Tension Settings?

Tension settings are a very modern design that are created to allow the illusion that the gemstone is floating in midair. In reality, however, the entire band holds the stone in place rather than a more traditional prong setting.

While at first look it might seem that a tension setting isn’t very secure, they are actually more secure than a typical 4 or 6 prong setting because the metal used for a tension setting is often much stronger. Additionally, the entire band comes into contact with the stone, which allows for a much tighter fit than with a prong setting.

Tension Setting Designs

While most tension set engagement rings are typically a simple round diamond held within the band, there are many more unique variations that couples may want to consider.

For example, you can add other gemstones as accents, and have them channel or flush set into the overall band. Accent stones are a nice complement to a central gemstone, and offer a unique approach to the typical tension set engagement ring.

You could also vary the shape of the stone for a distinctive look. Alternatively, you can have filigree patterns or symbols incorporated into the band for a classic and alternative look.

While tension settings were initially very popular with men’s rings, more brides-to-be are turning to tension settings as a unique alternative to other types of engagement ring settings.

As far as metal choices are concerned, titanium is the best and most popular metal to use for tension set engagement rings. However, some jewelers may offer various designs crafted from white or yellow gold, platinum or even stainless steel as well.

For gemstones, only the hardest stones can be used in a tension setting. Diamonds are the most popular and obvious choice, but rubies or sapphires can also be used because they are strong enough to withstand the pressure of a tension setting.

Things to Consider

While tension settings are an attractive and unique alternative to traditional engagement ring settings, there are certain things to consider before you choose this type of setting for your ring.

For one, engraving or resizing is usually impossible. Engraving can weaken the strength of the band, and resizing cannot usually be done because the ring was designed around a specific gemstone with the exact strength it needed to hold the stone. Additionally, most tension set engagement rings cannot usually be worn or paired with an elaborate wedding ring because of how it was designed.

For the bride-to-be who wants a contemporary engagement ring design but still enjoy the beauty and elegance of a sparkling gemstone, a tension setting may be the perfect choice.

Tags: Diamond Engagement Rings, Engagement Rings, tension set engagement ring, tension settings, unique engagement ring settings

This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 15th, 2010 at 1:30 pm and is filed under Engagement Rings. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.