Engagement ring mountings are arguably the most important part of the ring. Not only does the mounting hold the stone in place, but also serves as the central focus of the overall design. Many people think a ring’s mounting and setting are the same thing, but they actually have quite different meanings. A mounting typically refers to the part of the ring that holds the center stone, whereas the setting refers to the entire design of the ring (including accent stones, engravings, embellishments, etc.).
Mounting Characteristics
When considering the type of engagement ring you want, you should carefully consider the various characteristics of mountings and what will work best for the type of ring you want to buy. Typically, diamonds or other stones are attached using prongs to secure the stone, but other types of settings may affect how a stone is mounted. Bezel settings, for example, use metal to wrap around the entire stone, thereby keeping it in place. When checking mountings, make sure whichever you choose enables the stone to be held securely in place and that it is sized appropriately to complement, not overshadow, the stone.
The type of metal used in a mounting will vary, but platinum mountings are most popular because of their durability. The stones in your ring will also affect the metal you choose. For example, a low quality colorless diamond may look dull or washed out when mounted in a yellow gold setting, but will retain its brilliance when mounted in platinum or white gold.
Finally, when considering characteristics of an engagement ring mounting you need to determine how much light will reach the gemstone, as the amount of light will directly affect the stone’s appearance. Closed mountings work well for lower quality diamonds or stones because the loss of light will detract from any flaws or imperfections. However, stones that are more high quality will appear dull and lackluster in a closed mounting, so choose one that allows the most light possible when dealing with high quality gems.
Choosing the Right Mounting
Choosing the right mounting for your engagement ring requires special consideration, and is just as important as picking the right stone, setting and other details that make an engagement ring beautiful. Mountings are considerably important because they serve as the focal point of an engagement ring. A mounting that is improperly sized or unbalanced will be very apparent and will detract from the overall design of the ring.
Choose correctly and the mounting will highlight the stones and details of the ring beautifully. With certain design tricks, a proper mounting can even lessen the impact of flaws or imperfections on a lower quality stone and help your gems sparkle brilliantly.
Choosing an engagement ring is an important investment, and picking the appropriate mounting is an important step in the process. With careful research and consideration, you will have a beautiful piece of jewelry your bride-to-be will love showing off.
12:41 PM UTC February 05, 2012