A solitaire diamond ring is defined as any ring that features a single diamond. With a solitaire diamond a traditional choice for an engagement ring, it’s fitting that the word diamond derives from the Greek word ‘adamas’ meaning indomitable and invincible, with this also being similar to the Latin verb ‘adamare’ — to love passionately.
Solitaire diamond engagement rings have long been a symbol of timeless elegance and everlasting love. They carry classic and minimalist design. Solitaire showcase the beauty and brilliance of a single diamond, capturing the essence of commitment and devotion. This guide is here to help you navigate the world of solitaire diamond engagement rings, providing you with essential information on diamond cuts, settings, and metals.
From the iconic round brilliant cut to the sleek and modern princess cut, discover the various options available to you. Whether you are a bride-to-be or a curious enthusiast, this guide will assist you in finding the perfect solitaire diamond engagement ring that will be cherished for a lifetime.
A solitaire engagement ring is a classic, iconic piece of jewellery that symbolizes a commitment to marry, but these rings can be much more complex than just a diamond on a gold band.
History of the solitaire diamond ring
The solitaire diamond ring has a long history. Its origins can be traced back to Ancient Roman times when a ring symbolized life and eternity and was used as a public pledge of marriage between a couple. It wasn’t until events such as the discovery of diamond mines in Africa during the Victorian era that the style became popular with married couples to be.
In 1948 De Beers first introduced the famous phrase “A diamond is forever”, confirming the solitaire engagement ring’s position as a true jewellery icon and the ultimate symbol of enduring love.
Why choose a solitaire diamond ring?
Although there are many styles of diamond rings, the solitaire is a classic design with a timeless quality that makes it universally appealing as the ultimate symbol of Forever.
It is also a wonderful choice due to its versatility. Whether worn on its own, paired with an enhancer ring, or placed alongside a wedding band, there is a diamond solitaire ring to suit every taste and lifestyle.
Solitaire jewellery includes earrings, necklaces, rings, bracelets, and even men’s wedding bands. Basically, any form of jewellery is available in a solitaire design. A solitaire setting is known for its simple style, but that doesn’t mean it’s less dazzling than any other design.
Wear a necklace that features a large carat weight pendant and that will be just as spectacular, if not more, than a halo style featuring a plethora of smaller stones. No matter what your style is, you can’t go wrong with solitaire.
Solitaire Engagement Ring Designs
So, let us define a solitaire ring. It is an engagement ring or right-hand ring that features only one diamond or alternative stone. Across all diamonds from natural diamonds to diamond alternatives, this style is one of the most popular engagement ring designs, next to halos and three-stone rings. Many consumers choose the solitaire ring setting because of its timeless elegance and ability to showcase specific features.
It allows the focus to be on the center stone, keeping the design simple but still stunning. Solitaire rings are the most versatile of all ring styles, mainly due to the fact that having only a single diamond or stone makes it much easier to cast in different settings. We can choose a traditional setting to keep our diamond alternative ring simple, or a modern setting to add extra flair. No matter what design features we choose, we can never go wrong with a classic solitaire engagement ring.
Less Expensive
Less is more. Or in this case, less is less. One of the biggest advantages of buying a solitaire engagement ring is that it may be much less expensive than other styles such as halo. The decrease in price between halo vs. solitaire engagement ring settings is mainly because there are no additional costs associated with side stones or accents. Although some consumers will buy a larger center-carat weight to counter the simplicity of the design, which adds to the overall cost, many still stay around the average one-carat center stone
Easier to Care For
For the simple fact of having only one stone, a solitaire engagement ring is much easier to care for. There is only one stone to regularly clean and only one set to care for and ensure nothing happens. A common engagement ring trend is to pair two colored gemstones next to a colorless diamond or diamond alternative.
An intricate design like that will be much harder to clean and manage. How to clean diamonds will be different than what works for colored stones. The day-to-day routine of caring for our engagement ring will be much simpler with a solitaire setting.
Timeless Style
Solitaire engagement rings are a classic design. They have always been one of the most popular styles and will continue to shine in the spotlight with their simplicity and brilliance. If having a trendy engagement and wedding ring is important to us, then a timeless design like solitaire may be perfect. This is also important if we plan to hand our ring down to the next generation. A solitaire engagement ring will ensure that our ring is trendy now, and forever more.
Solitaire Setting Styles
Solitaire engagement rings come in a variety of setting options. Because this style offers so many variations, it’s important to know the most popular setting styles so we can choose the one that best suits us.
Peg Head Setting
Peg head settings are very popular as they give your ring a sleek look. They usually have four or six prongs. The more prongs the setting features, the more modern the design will look. Although their style is captivating, they are one of the most dangerous settings for our stone.
Peg head settings are more prone to accidents because they sit high against the shank, exposing our stone and opening it up to a greater chance of damage. Along with the stone being exposed, our prongs may also get damaged more easily. If we live an active lifestyle and we use our hands a lot, it may be a good idea to choose a safer setting to avoid wear and tear.
Although, if our ring won’t be exposed to the material it could snag on, peg heads are a beautiful choice for a setting.
BASKET SETTING
A basket setting is similar to a peg head setting, except that it includes an additional band of metal that helps it withstand everyday wear. And, of course, it resembles a basket. This is the most traditional and widespread setting that is commonly seen in a diamond alternative solitaire ring. Basket settings usually have four prongs that hold the stone in place, and may sit high or low depending on the specific design.
Trellis Setting
A trellis setting is a type of prong setting known for its elegant, swooping profile view. It is frequently designed with four prongs that weave over one another, although there may be more prongs depending on the center stone shape. Trellis settings are less popular than classic basket or peg head settings, but are still often seen in solitaire ring settings and three-stone engagement rings.
Bezel Setting
A bezel setting surrounds the diamond or diamond alternative’s girdle (the widest point of a stone) with a band of metal. This creates a smooth, snag-free edge which keeps your stones safe from falling out. Although there is less of a chance of our stone getting damaged in this setting, bezel settings are also known for making a stone look smaller than they would in a normal basket or peghead setting.
This is because the metal actually covers the edges of our stone to keep it held tight. So if we have a one-carat center stone, we won’t be able to see the full carat as some of it will be hidden, making it appear smaller. This is the main reason bezel settings are less popular than other classic settings. Due to this fact, bezel settings are more commonly seen in other fine jewellery as there is less pressure for large carat sizes in earrings and pendants.
If we live an active lifestyle or work with our hands on a day-to-day basis, a bezel setting may be right for us. Our stones will be much less likely to fall out and we won’t have to worry about damaging prongs. Another great advantage to this setting is it can pair well with the diamond cut. It may hide inclusions and blemishes better if they are located close to the edges of our stone because the metal may cover them.
How to know if Solitaire is right for you?
A solitaire diamond alternative ring is the most timeless engagement ring on the market. Its design will never go out of style, no matter how long it stays in our family tree. It’s also a foolproof choice if we’re not sure which engagement ring design to go with. Halo rings can be extremely sparkly, while accented rings may not be practical for everyday wear. Solitaire engagement rings will give us the comfort we need, along with the dazzle we’re looking for.
Before we buy a solitaire engagement ring, it may be wise to try one on first. If we’re buying online and aren’t able to do so, try an inexpensive right-hand ring for a few days. That way we can get a feel for the simplicity of the style and ensure it’s the right choice for us. No matter which features we decide on for our ring, a solitaire engagement ring will be a simple and charming adornment that represents our unique relationship.
Description of a solitaire ring
A solitaire engagement ring is a ring that features one center gemstone. There are no other diamonds or gemstones anywhere on the ring, and the band is typically plain with no pavé diamonds. “It’s the design that most people associate a classic diamond engagement ring with”.
Difference between a diamond and a solitaire
Jewelers often throw the terms solitaire and diamond in similar contexts, but the two have distinct meanings. Solitaire refers to the gemstone setting. It means a single piece mounted on a piece of jewelry, while diamond is a type of gemstone.
Why solitaire rings are the best?
Solitaires are unique when it comes to practical versatility. They pair up amazingly with most wedding bands. Since the engagement ring didn’t set any defined style, we’re free to play with the classic, bolder, and vintage band combinations.
A diamond solitaire refers to any piece of jewellery with a single diamond. Diamond solitaires can be a ring, necklaces, earrings, or even men’s jewellery. They have come to mark some of the most significant occasions in one’s life, like sweet sixteen, anniversaries, and the most notable, an engagement proposal.
Why are solitaire rings more expensive?
It is obvious that a large diamond has a greater weight than others destined for small frames, and a big gemstone is more expensive than many tiny ones. This explains the greater cost of the diamond solitaire among all the numerous engagement rings.
When selecting a solitaire, it’s important to focus on the features as well as the quality of the stone. The quality of a solitaire, for that matter any diamond, is assessed at four different levels. These four levels are represented by the 4Cs: cut, color, clarity, and carat weight.
The most expensive and least expensive fancy cuts change based on the carat weight that we’re looking for! Round shape diamonds have the highest prices for all carat sizes.
How much does a good solitaire ring cost?
The price of a solitaire diamond ring can range from as little as $500 to $25,000 or potentially far more. It is depending on the size, shape, clarity, color, and cut quality of the diamond.
What size solitaire is good?
0.50 Carats
Half-carat diamonds are a popular choice for engagement rings. With a diamond budget of about $1,000, you can find a half-carat round with great performance. At this weight, a solitaire will stand out, though halo settings are still great for additional sparkle.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to choosing an engagement ring, solitaire diamond rings offer timeless elegance and versatility. With a single dazzling diamond as the focal point, these rings symbolize love and commitment. Do you prefer a classic round cut or a unique fancy shape?. A solitaire diamond engagement ring is sure to capture hearts for generations to come.
