Wedding Band Settings Guide: What You Need to Know

Last Updated on June 16, 2023 by Juli "Jewels" Church

Interested in wedding band settings? You're not the only one. 

There are so many wedding band setting settings guides on the internet that it can get overwhelming how many ways there are of classifying them.

In this guide, we'll discuss band settings as well as the answers to these questions:

wedding bands settings guide
  • Is the wedding band setting the same as the engagement ring?
  • What is a scallop setting?
  • Which settings let in more light?

Engagement Ring Settings vs Wedding Band Settings

You'll hear the terms "engagement ring settings" and "wedding band settings" used interchangeably. Throw in the words "diamond ring settings" and you could be talking about diamond engagement rings or diamond wedding bands.

It can get confusing because some engagement ring setting titles describe the way the stones on the band is set or how a center diamond is held up. Some of these engagement ring styles include:

  • Halo Setting: A ring of diamonds outlines the center diamond in halo settings.
  • Cathedral setting: The center stone is raised up the two sides of the ring shank connected by metal bars across.
  • Tension Setting: A tension style setting involves both sides of the ring meeting at the two sides of a center stone. The effect makes the diamond appear floating. A tension setting lets light in from the sides of the diamond as well as the bottom.
  • Bypass setting: is a variation of a tension setting engagement ring. Instead of making the diamond appear as its floating like a tension setting, the two sides of the ring hold the center stone in place at the top and bottom.
  • Bezel Setting: Bezel settings are most often an engagement ring settings, but wedding bands can have diamonds that are bezel set too. A ring of metal surrounds the center stone in a bezel setting.
  • Prong Setting/Tiffany Setting: Prong settings are engagement rings whose center stone is held in place by prongs. A Tiffany setting is a designer brand setting that is a type of prong setting. These are recommended for engagement rings with a large center stone.
  • Solitaire Setting: A solitaire engagement ring has a single stone, the center diamond. The ring shank is usually high polished or has designs on it. Modern solitaire engagement ring styles may feature a small diamond under .10 carat weight as a detail in the band. in the band.

12 Popular Wedding Band Settings

Wedding bands don't have center stones, so the setting names are about the way the accent stones are are arranged. Some ring settings for wedding bands include:

1. Infinity Setting

Infinity settings are a popular and trendy type of band setting. It can be seen as both an engagement ring band style and a setting for wedding bands. They can also be called twisted, braided, or woven settings.

These are a favorite for people look for standalone wedding bands or anniversary wedding bands. The waviness of the eternal loop of infinity symbols can make it hard to find an engagement ring setting to sit right up against it.

Of course, not everyone wants their wedding set to be perfectly symmetrical. But if you do, there are many retailers that offer infinity wedding rings as a matching piece to an engagement ring setting.

Engagement ring infinity settings are perfect for those who want extra sparkle in their wedding set. They're an excellent option for those with a larger center stone because the openness of the infinity sign doesn't overwhelm the center stone.

2. Eternity Band Setting

Eternity bands are a very popular choice for today's wedding bands and stackable rings. Though we can't say that eternity rings came from the most honest of origins. The wedding ring or engagement ring already symbolizes eternity by its circular shape.

But when eternity bands came onto the scene, diamond advertisers needed a way to sell smaller stones to diamond buyers. Thus, the eternity band was born. It was no longer enough to have a circular metal band to signify your eternal commitment.

Eternity rings features stones that go all the way around the band with no end to the sparkle. They were marketed under the slogan: "She married you for richer or for poorer. Let her know how it's going." So eternity rings ideas were often purchased as anniversary bands.

3. Split Shank Setting

Most split shank settings are divided up into two general styles. In a split shank, the ring band splits open on the sides as if it were two separate bands. However, the split metal comes back together at the top or bottom of the engagement ring setting. Split shanks may be high polished or have small prong set diamonds.

Split shanks directly affect the ring band, not the center stone setting or shape. A bezel setting, halo setting, or a cluster setting can have a split shank ring band.

4. Flush Setting

Flush settings can refer to the style of an engagement ring setting or a wedding band ring settings. Flush setting engagement rings have the center stone set into the band so the diamond is flush with the metal band. 

Most flush settings refer to the way the accent stones are set into the metal band. Smaller diamonds are set into the metal band and usually hammered around the edges. A bezel setting can also qualify as a type of flush setting, but they are their own engagement ring setting too. This is most often seen in men's wedding bands with a single diamond.

5. Channel Setting

This is another type of band setting, unrelated to the center stone placement. Cathedral setting bands often feature channel set stones. Channel settings are created by cutting a shallow rectangle shape on the inside of the band. Small stones are set closely next to each other into the rectangular channel.

Channel settings usually have round diamonds or princess cut diamonds set next to each other in the band. 

6. Pavé Setting

blue nile diamond and pink sapphire pave wedding ring

Pavé settings are perfect for those who want extra sparkle and less metal in their ring settings. The word pave comes from the French word meaning paved road. The diamonds are set closely together so no metal shows. There are a few different types of pave settings and styles. The most common pave settings are:

  • Pavé
  • Petite pavé
  • Micro pavé
  • French pavé (Fishtail Settings)
Pavé set rings would also classify as eternity rings if the stones went all around the band.

7. Fishtail Setting

A fishtail setting can also be called a French cut setting or a French pavé setting. Fishtail settings refer to the type of prongs used in pavé setting band styles. Many classic engagement ring settings have matching pavé set diamonds in their wedding band.

When looked a from a profile view, a fishtail setting features tiny v prongs on either side of the pave stones. They resemble the end of a fish, hence the name.

8. Cut Down Setting

A cut down setting refers to the way the sides of the metal hold pave set diamonds or small diamonds to the band. Cut down settings allow more light for a diamond's sparkle.

9. Scallop Setting

Scallop settings a variation of cut down settings. In this band setting, the precious metal is cut down to leave the sides slightly raised against the diamonds. Each stone exposed more, allowing more light to pass through your accent diamonds. The smaller diamonds let in more light, adding extra glitz to diamond wedding bands or engagement ring settings

10. Bead setting

A bead setting is an alternative to a prong setting. Instead of securing small accent diamonds with prongs, it's done with beads of metal. This is also how many pave engagement rings are created.

A bead of metal is secured usually at each corner as prongs would be. However, there are some that have shared beads to allow for more light. Bead settings are considered secure, but can wear down just like prongs. For a stronger bead setting, consider choosing platinum as your ring metal.

11. Bar Setting

Bar settings aren't as common in wedding band inventories as I've come to see. However, they're a fun and unique way to have your diamonds arranged. Instead of beads or prongs, a bar setting has an accent diamond secured by two metal bars on either side of the stone.

12. Bezel Setting

Briefly mentioned above in our engagement ring settings above, a bezel setting is usually for an engagement ring. A cup is cut into the band and a stone is set. A ring of metal is placed or hammered around the sides of the diamond, leaving the girdle protected in the engagement ring.

Bezel wedding bands are less common, but I've seen them. They may feature multiple small diamonds that are each bezel set closely to the band. Bezel engagement ring settings are excellent for softer stones as well as precious diamonds because they are protective of your stones. Bezel settings are also often recommended by diamond experts more for those with an active lifestyle rather than other settings.

Choosing the Right Setting for Your Wedding Ring

The truth is, there's no perfect ring settings, just as there's no perfect carat weight for a diamond. Your wedding band should enhance your engagement ring's beauty while reflecting your personal style.

There's no real rule saying your engagement ring settings and wedding band settings have to match. However, many people like the idea of matching diamond ring settings. If you have a halo engagement ring setting with smaller stones that are channel set, you're probably going to want a matching wedding band with channel set stones.

Different Wedding Bands Paired with a Halo Engagement Ring

I hope you've learned the difference between settings for engagement rings and settings for wedding bands. There are many popular engagement ring settings like a solitaire setting or a halo engagement ring. Some engagement ring styles can also be band settings too, like a channel setting or a bezel ring setting.

No matter which engagement ring trends you choose to follow, or if you choose to create your own unique wedding set, just make sure you love it. That's all that matters! 


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