A solitaire is the ring everyone pictures when they hear the word engagement ring: one stone, one band, nothing else competing for attention. It's a classic for a reason, but classic doesn't have to mean plain. A few small choices turn a basic solitaire into something that still reads as timeless while feeling entirely your own.
Change The Band Shape
A knife-edge band, with a subtle ridge running along the outside, catches light differently to a plain rounded band and adds a bit of edge without adding any extra sparkle. A cathedral setting, where the band arches up to meet the stone, adds height and drama while keeping the overall look simple.
Try A Bezel Instead Of Claws
Swapping traditional claws for a bezel setting changes the whole character of a solitaire, from delicate to sculptural, while also making it more practical for daily South African life. Read our guide to durable engagement ring settings if you're weighing up bezel against claws.
Turn It Sideways
An east-west solitaire, with the stone set horizontally instead of vertically, is one of the simplest ways to make a single-stone ring feel different without adding a single extra diamond. See our east-west engagement ring guide for more on this setting.
Add A Hidden Detail
A hidden halo underneath the centre stone, or a small stone set inside the band, keeps the ring reading as a solitaire from above while giving it a secret extra sparkle only the wearer knows about.
Play With Metal
A two-tone solitaire, with a different metal for the band and the prongs, is one of the easiest upgrades available. Read our two-tone and mixed metal guide for how to choose a combination that works with the rest of your jewellery.
Choose An Unexpected Shape
Swapping a round stone for an emerald, marquise, or elongated cushion cut keeps the one-stone simplicity of a solitaire while giving it a completely different silhouette on the hand.
Every solitaire at MER SA is available in moissanite or lab-grown diamond, IGI certified, with a South African warranty, free shipping, and free resizing. Browse the full solitaire collection, or explore moissanite and lab diamond options from our homepage.
