Tension Set Engagement Rings

Many people’s first reaction to seeing a tension set engagement ring for the first time is, “How does it stay like that?” It’s as mystifying as it is breathtaking – no prongs, no overlapping edges of a bezel setting, no…nothing! The diamond just seems to float. It doesn’t seem possible that a mounting whose job is to beautifully suspend a stone in the air could be secure, but rest assured that it’s as stable as any other mounting – as long as it’s created by an expert jeweler who specializes in tension settings.

These enchantingly different rings debuted in the 1960s, but tension set rings began their rise to fame in the 1990s when improved technology gave jewelers new metal alloys that made the settings stronger. They’re so strong, in fact, that only the hardest gems can be mounted in a tension set ring: diamonds, sapphires, and rubies to name a few.

If you’re looking for a delicate, thin engagement ring, the tension set isn’t for you. The reason? Since the ring itself is what holds the stone in place – kind of like a wound spring – it can’t be made of flimsy metal. High-quality tension set rings typically have twice or three times the metal of other rings, and that makes them strong, heavy, and tough enough to stand up to everyday wear and tear – all while perfectly showing off the diamond.

One of the biggest benefits of a tension set ring is the clear view you have of the stone. There’s no metal underneath or on top of the gem, which gives you unobstructed access to the entire stone. It also allows light to enter the stone from all angles, creating the kind of sparkle that’s hard to find in other settings.

So if a unique, dazzling ring that will draw “oohs” and “aahs” from complete strangers sounds like your kind of engagement ring, take a good look at tension set options.