Why solitaire engagement rings put the diamond first

This style is all center stone, so every decision about the diamond shows. There is no halo to make it look larger and no row of small stones on the band to add glitter, which means a well cut stone looks lively and a poorly cut one looks flat. For a round, aim for the top cut grade on the report: Excellent from GIA or Ideal from IGI. Other shapes get no single cut grade, so compare their proportions and watch each one turn on video before you decide.

Color and clarity can be more relaxed than many people expect. A near colorless stone in the G to J range faces up white in most settings, and an eye clean clarity grade, meaning nothing visible at normal viewing distance, looks the same on the hand as a much higher grade.

Choosing between four and six prongs

Four prongs show more of the diamond; six hold it more securely and round out its outline. Four gives a cleaner, more open look and sits naturally on the corners of a square stone such as a cushion. Six is the sensible pick for a round you plan to wear through workouts, cooking and travel. Pointed and cornered shapes like pear, marquise and princess need V prongs at the tips. If you want the most protection of all, bezel engagement rings wrap a thin rim of metal around the whole stone, at the cost of a little less light.

Which diamond shapes look best on their own?

Every shape works as a solitaire diamond ring, so the choice comes down to the outline you love and how big you want the stone to look. Round is the most brilliant and hides inclusions and color well, though it also costs the most per carat of the common shapes. Elongated shapes such as oval, pear, marquise and emerald look bigger for their weight and make the finger look longer, which is much of the appeal of oval lab grown diamond rings. Step cuts like emerald and asscher show clarity more, so treat VS1 or VS2 as a safer floor for them.

Solitaire, halo or three stone: how they compare

The single stone design is the simplest of the three and usually the easiest to pair with a wedding band later. A halo circles the center with small diamonds and makes it look larger; halo engagement rings suit you if you want more presence from the same stone. A three stone ring adds a diamond on each side and spreads the sparkle across the finger. Pick the solitaire when you would rather put the whole budget into one better diamond.

To skip the guesswork on size, order the complimentary ring sizer Rare Carat sends and measure before you buy. Rings also come with a lifetime manufacturing warranty on the setting, and free resizing during the first year covers a fit that turns out a little off.

Solitaire Engagement Rings for Women

Solitaire FAQs

What is a solitaire engagement ring?

Can a wedding band sit flush against a solitaire?

Are solitaire engagement rings cheaper than halo or pave styles?

Popular Diamond Shapes

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