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Expertise you can trust: Brilliant Earth is known for its award-winning jewelry designs and seamless, innovative shopping experience. This Brilliant Earth engagement ring guide explores the most common customization options so you can choose your perfect ring. All Brilliant Earth guides are meticulously researched and reviewed by our certified gemologists, content, editorial, and brand teams before publication to ensure industry-leading excellence and accuracy.
How to Design Your Own Engagement Ring
The engagement ring decision process can be broken down into three main steps: picking the setting style, defining the aesthetic direction, and customizing all the design details that make the ring unique.
1. Start with the Setting Style
The first step in designing an engagement ring is choosing a setting style. The setting style determines the ring’s basic stone arrangement and serves as the foundation of the overall design.
There are four foundational setting styles: solitaire, three stone, accented, and toi et moi. Additional design features, such as split shanks, cathedrals, or bezels, can be added to further customize the ring’s appearance.
2. Define Your Aesthetic Direction
Once the setting style is chosen, the next step is to define an aesthetic direction. While not required, an aesthetic direction can help guide design decisions and create a cohesive look. Popular engagement ring aesthetics include vintage-inspired, nature-inspired, modern, classic, and unique.
3. Customize Each Ring Detail
After choosing the setting style and aesthetic direction, the next step is to customize the individual ring details. These choices might seem small on their own, but they collectively define the ring's overall look and feel.
Center Stone Area
The center stone area includes the components that secure and display the center stone. These design details influence the ring's appearance, durability, and how prominently the stone is showcased.
Head Type
The head is the metal structure that holds the center stone above the band. The head influences the stone's height, visibility, and exposure to light. Popular head types include peg, basket, trellis, integrated, and tulip.
Prong Type
Prongs are the metal arms that secure the center stone within the head. Prong type influences the stone's security and appearance. Popular prong types include bead, claw, bezel, semi-bezel, paddle, and v-prong.
Prong Number and Placement
The number and placement of prongs influence the stone's security and visibility. Popular configurations include four-prong, six-prong, double prong, traditional placement, and compass placement.
Center Stone Orientation
Orientation refers to how the center stone is positioned on the band. Stone orientation can influence the ring's overall appearance and proportions. Popular orientations include north-south, east-west, asymmetrical, and floating.
Band Structure
The band structure includes the design elements that shape the ring's overall silhouette and fit. These details influence the ring's appearance, comfort, and how it sits alongside other jewelry.
Shank Type
The shank is the part of the ring that wraps around the finger. Shank type influences the ring's silhouette. Popular shank types include cathedral, straight, tapered, reverse tapered, split shank, bypass, and twisted.
Accent Stones
Accent stones are smaller diamonds or gemstones added beyond the center stone. Their placement and setting style influence the ring's sparkle, visual impact, and overall design.
Accent Stone Placement
Accent stone placement refers to the position of smaller stones within the ring design. Popular placement styles include halo, double halo, half eternity, three-quarter eternity, full eternity, and hidden or gallery accents.
Accent Stone Setting
Accent stone settings are the methods used to secure smaller stones within the ring. Setting style influences the ring's appearance and durability. Popular accent stone setting styles include scalloped pavé, French pavé, bordered pavé, micro pavé, double shared prong, single shared prong, bezel, channel, flush, and bar.
Surface Finishing
Surface finishing includes the treatments and decorative details applied to the metal after the ring's structure is complete. These elements influence the ring's texture, reflectivity, and overall character.
Metal Finish
Metal finish refers to the surface treatment jewelers apply to the ring's metal. It affects sheen and texture. Popular finishes include hammered, hand engraved, high polish, brushed, matte, sandblasted, and satin.
Embellishments
Embellishments are decorative details added to the metal surface. These design elements introduce texture, dimension, and visual interest. Popular embellishments include filigree, milgrain, pierced, rope, and scrollwork.
