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Remember all of our jewelry are made high quality for
diamonds and we set diamond quality cubic zirconia. Once you compare our
body of the jewelry and the quality of our stones. You will never buy
diamond or czjewelry from anywhere again. A look of diamonds for the price
of Cz. |
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When you're shopping for
a ring set with more than one stone, the setting becomes the
principal factor in determining the overall shape. Here, the
choices are as varied as ring designers. |
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Whether you're choosing a
diamond solitaire, a ring with a number of stones, or an open-work
lattice ring in which the diamonds flow along the lines of the
setting, the way the stones are held in the setting is an integral
part of its design. |
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Each setting technique
creates a look that is part of the overall style of the ring. You
may like one ring rather than another simply because of the
setting technique used. |
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Once you recognize these
differences, you'll be prepared to analyze each ring at a glance
and make a choice based on those elements that best please your
taste. |
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Let's start
with the prong setting, the one most often used to hold a
solitaire. Prong setting puts the emphasis on the stones and not
the metal. The purpose of any setting is to hold the diamonds
securely in the mounting and at the same time allow light to enter
the diamonds for maximum brilliance. |
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This is obviously a
delicate balancing act. The more metal used to hold the diamonds,
the more secure they are; the less metal used, the greater the
chance for the diamond to reflect light. For this reason, platinum
is often the metal of choice for diamond solitaires. |
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Because platinum is both
dense and strong, very thin wires of it are sufficient to hold the
diamond securely in place. The diamond may be raised high up above
the shank, to give it a larger, more important appearance, with
only a suggestion of metal showing. |
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In such a
setting, the prongs are attached to the central setting of a ring,
known as the head or basket. Each prong extends upward and outward
from the head, arching over the diamond to form a secure grip. |
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The ideal prong tapers to
a rounded point. It should be smoothly finished, diminishing any
chance of the prong snagging the threads of your clothes. The
prongs should also be placed at the key points of the stone,
typically at four corners or at four, five or six points evenly
spaced around the stone, to offer security without interfering
with the stone's brilliance. |
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The prong
setting can also be found in a few variations. One such variation,
called the V-prong setting, functions on the same basic
concept, but it uses prongs which, when viewed from above, appear
to be curved into a V-shape. The right angle of the wire is cut to
allow the corner of the gem to rest and be held by the wire. |
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Another variation on the prong setting is called the common
prong. Here, the metal wire is grooved at the top, and is used
to hold two gemstones by their side (girdle). This technique is
used to give a close side-by-side gemstone relationship without
the metallic interference of too many prongs. |
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If the flush setting is
subtle, the bezel setting is its bolder sister. A bezel is a
collar of precious metal that wraps around the diamond. |
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The bezel is attached to
the top of the ring and stands up above it, adding height and
another dimension to the setting. Although solid bezels have a
very traditional look, the bezel may be 'split' into two sections,
arcing around just part of the diamond. This is called a half
bezel. |
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This simple change suddenly opens up the setting and gives it a
totally modern look. The technique may also be used on a fancy cut
diamond -- with an arc of precious metal around the wide curve of
a pear shape and another, V-shaped section of precious metal
embracing the narrow end. |
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Channel
setting is also used to set round diamonds. Channel setting offers
a sleek, elegant appearance, though the end result is a very
different look. |
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Setting round diamonds
into channels leaves small spaces closest to the metal bars of the
channel. By choosing round diamonds, the designer creates a clean
line of stones, yet one with greater brilliance than is possible
with baguettes. This also offers a less restrained look, and may
be more suitable when a ring has a round center stone. |
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Channel
setting is also used when there is no center stone at all. The
placement of baguettes around an entire band is a beautiful choice
for a wedding band, one that goes well with a matching ring set
with a diamond solitaire. |
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Channel setting protects
the diamonds extremely well. None of the edges are exposed, and so
they are not subject to hard knocks or general wear and tear. |
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A variation of the
channel set is called the bar channel. Here, the metal plates rise
to top level of the stone, and so are visible between the stones.
This gives a slightly different visual effect, and can be very
striking if the contrast between the metal and the stone is
significant. |
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When the
surface of a ring appears to be covered with tiny diamonds, the
technique is called Pavé which means paved. It's an apt name
because the surface looks a bit like a very pretty street paved
with cobblestones. |
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Tiny diamonds are placed
in small holes that have been drilled out of the ring shank. On a
band that does not taper across the top, each diamond should be
exactly the same size. The diamonds are placed in rows, but in
such a way that they fill as much of the space of the surface as
is possible without actual touching. The more precisely cut the
diamonds, the better the final appearance of the ring. |
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Each tiny
diamond, weighing just a few points, is fully cut with 58 facets.
Though small in size, each stone contributes to the overall,
shimmering look of the design. After it is positioned in its hole,
tiny bits of metal from the surface of the shank are pushed over
the edge of the diamond, forming tiny beads to hold the stone in
place. |
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Pavé is a
demanding technique that is most successfully accomplished in the
hands of a patient and extremely talented jeweller. |
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The cost of a
Pavé-set diamond ring is in the hand setting of the diamonds; as
such, it is often much more a determinant of price than the cost
of the diamonds and the gold. To evaluate a ring that is Pavé
set, look at the overall design. Are the diamonds laid out in such
a way that the entire surface of the ring looks like a glittering
carpet of gems? That's the sign of a well-designed and well-made
ring. |
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If a section
of the ring is Pavé-set, with certain areas tapering to a point,
the diamonds should diminish in size as the Pavé area narrows.
This requires the most precise selection of diamonds. |
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All of these
elements add to the time needed to make a ring, and -- as the
saying goes -- time is money. The value of a Pavé-set ring is not
as obvious as one set with a major solitaire; but when you
appreciate the work needed to produce one, you'll also appreciate
a fair price when you see it. |
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The cluster setting is
another variation on the theme of choosing a ring with a number of
smaller diamonds. There are cluster rings with the stones arranged
in the form of a stylized flower, or those done as an abstract
arrangement of stones. |
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Cluster rings are usually
multi-level, with considerable height above the hand. The
arrangement of stones can be quite open and airy looking, or it
may be more tightly arranged. The choice is a matter of taste, but
the shape of the finger can also play a role in making that
choice. |
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Remember that the
openwork design lengthens the look of the finger and the hand,
while the more closed design draws the eye toward the hand. |
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The same beading
technique may be used on a ring in which the diamonds are spaced
slightly apart. In this instance the gold work is much more of a
statement and a design element. |
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These beads, larger and
more prominent, may be engraved or decorated. The diamonds may
also be slightly larger in size. By varying the size of the stones
and the size of the beadwork, the designer creates a totally
different look. |
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Consider the impact you
want your ring to make. Are you looking for the dazzling glitter
of tightly set Pavé -- or the more decorative look of bead-set,
larger diamonds? Both are beautiful, and the choice is yours. |
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The flush setting is one
of the subtlest diamond-setting techniques. Stones are sunk into
the mounting until they are nearly level or flush with the
surface. Only the table of the stone and a bit of the upper
pavilion facets show. |
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This technique seems to
go against everything we know about diamonds in relation to light,
but it's become quite a popular setting. It's a very subtle look,
and one that appeals to the woman who likes the idea of tiny,
glittering bits of light twinkling like stars in the sky. |
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The flush setting is also
used for larger stones, offering great protection and a modern
look. |
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One of the classic
multi-stone ring designs, the ballerina, derives its beauty from
the placement of tapered baguettes which flow around a center
stone to form a 'tutu', that short flared skirt worn by ballet
dancers. There are ballerina rings in which baguettes are set in
an undulating curve that literally emulates the tutu skirt of a
dancer. |
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Each of the small
diamonds may be held in prong settings, which give the slender
rectangular diamonds the maximum chance to sparkle. The ballerina
ring looks best on an average or larger-than-average hand. Like
many multi-stone rings, it rises above the hand and has
considerable dimension. For this reason it could overwhelm a small
hand, so be advised.
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