Fine Jewelry Settings Guide

Prong Setting

Also known as claw setting. In a prong setting, usually four to six talons of precious metal reach around the girdle (side) of the gemstone and arch over its crown (top), holding the stone in place.

Even though the visible part of the prongs may be shaped into decorative shapes, more often they’re rounded to avoid catching on other objects and causing harm to either the objects or the prongs.

Bezel Setting

The bezel setting is precisely crafted to clinch a gemstone and hold it securely in place. It is one of the oldest settings used to protect both the girdle (middle) and the pavilion (bottom) of a gemstone from chips and scratches.

Flush Setting

Another type of Bezel setting is the flush (or gypsy) setting. A window is cut into the base; the gem is set into it and secured underneath.

Pave Setting

The pave setting appears as precious gems “paved” across a piece of jewelry. When arranged in a pave setting, diamonds and white gold shine and twinkle as the light touches each of the small “cobblestones” that come together to create the pavement.

Channel Setting

In this type of setting, two long bands of precious metal hold multiple gemstones in place, giving them the appearance of floating in the setting since no metal can be seen between the stones.

Bar Setting

A variant of the channel setting, it appears as if several stones float in adjacent berths with each stone set in its own private channel and set apart from other stones by two thin metal bars.