The setting is the structure that holds your centre stone. It defines the overall look of the ring more than any other single element, including the stone itself. Understanding what each setting style looks like, and what it does to the stone, makes choosing much easier.
Solitaire
A solitaire has one stone and one stone only, held by prongs or a bezel above a plain band. It is the most timeless setting in jewellery. Nothing competes with the centre stone, which means the stone needs to be good. A solitaire does not hide flaws or add visual noise. It is clean, elegant, and never goes out of fashion.
Solitaires suit women who prefer minimal jewellery and want the ring to feel considered rather than busy. They also photograph better than almost any other setting style because there is nothing to distract the eye.
Halo
A halo surrounds the centre stone with a ring of smaller stones set close together. The effect is to make the centre stone appear significantly larger and to add considerable overall brilliance. A 1ct centre stone in a halo setting looks comparable to a 1.5ct solitaire in terms of visual size.
Halos suit women who want maximum visual presence and are not concerned about the ring looking busy. They work particularly well with round and cushion centre stones. They add R1,500 to the base price in our workshop.
Hidden Halo
A hidden halo sits beneath the centre stone rather than around it. From above, the ring looks like a clean solitaire. From the side, there is a shimmer of small stones that catches light as the hand moves. It gives the best of both aesthetics without fully committing to either.
Hidden halos suit women who want detail and sparkle but prefer a cleaner profile. They are currently one of the most requested settings in South Africa.
Pavé
Pavé (pronounced pah-vay) refers to small stones set closely together along the band, held in place by tiny beads of metal. A pavé band adds continuous sparkle along the sides of the ring, complementing the centre stone without competing with it.
Pavé can be applied to the full band or just the shoulders near the centre stone. Half pavé is more practical for active lifestyles as there are fewer stones on the underside of the ring that could catch on things.
Bezel
A bezel setting wraps the centre stone entirely in a rim of metal rather than holding it with prongs. The metal protects the edge of the stone completely, making a bezel the most secure setting style available. It is also the most modern and architectural in appearance.
Bezel settings suit women with active lifestyles, women who prefer a contemporary aesthetic, and anyone who is concerned about catching a prong on clothing or fabric.
Trilogy
A trilogy has three stones set in a row. The centre stone is larger, flanked by two smaller matching stones. The traditional meaning is past, present, and future, though many people simply choose it for the look. Trilogy rings have a balanced, symmetrical quality and suit women who like a fuller, wider ring profile.
Toi et Moi
Toi et moi means you and me in French. Two stones of equal or different size sit side by side in a shared setting, often in contrasting cuts such as oval and pear, or round and emerald. It is a romantic, distinctive setting that has gained significant popularity globally over the past five years.
Toi et moi suits women who want something genuinely different and are not concerned with convention. It is a confident choice that stands apart from every other setting on this list.