Unique Bezel Set Engagement Ring Designs

Bezel set engagement rings stand out from the crowd. They are uncommon, and there are some technical reasons for that. But beyond that, a beautiful stone set in a modern, sleek bezel is captivating to the eye. This is not your typical prong set engagement ring. What is it about them that makes them so distinctive?

What is a bezel?

• A full bezel is a strip of metal that wraps around a stone, either part-way or all the way around.
• A semi-bezel or half bezel holds the stone in two sections, rather than in an uninterrupted line.
• A bezel can also have multiple cut-outs, mimicking the look of prongs, while still allowing the stone to be set low. This may be referred to as a four cut-out setting, or multiple cut-out setting.

What makes bezel set engagement rings so unusual?

• A bezel has to be hand crafted for the stone that it is going to hold. Most larger diamonds, sapphires and gemstones suitable for engagement rings have unique dimensions, so a pre-manufactured bezel is out of the question. It requires fine skill to craft a bezel to exact proportions to the stone, and to integrate that setting into an engagement ring design.
  
• In a prong setting, the prongs can be moved about to accommodate a variety of stone sizes. Typically, a prong setting is mass-manufactured. In many commercial engagement rings, the prong setting is soldered into place after the customer has selected the stone, so any semi-mount engagement ring can hold any stone. This is the definition of "custom" for most engagement ring suppliers.

What are the benefits of bezel set engagement rings?

• Aesthetically, a bezel set engagement ring has a clean, strong look. It suits styles both contemporary and modern.
• A bezel set engagement ring is a great choice for an active woman. Because of the length of the bezel, it is structurally sound and strong. Prongs have a greater tendency to catch and bend, thus compromising the security of the stone.
• A bezel set engagement ring is also a great choice for the woman who wants a low profile to her engagement ring. With a bezel, you can have the stone set as low as possible, nearly all the way to the finger. Most prong set stones have greater height, as the prongs connect to each other right underneath the stone.
  
• A bezel hugs the girdle of the stone, which protects the stone in that area.
• A bezel set stone has more metal surrounding it, thus reducing the times that the ring needs to be in the shop for repair, or re-tipping. Prong tips wear down faster than bezels.

Can all stone shapes be bezel set?

• Yes, indeed. A highly skilled craftsman can create a bezel for an emerald cut stone, pear shape, or whatever shape your heart desires! Even heart shapes!
  

What to look for in a quality bezel set engagement ring:

• A well-crafted bezel has been folded all the way down to the table facets of the stone. You should not be able to see any gaps between the bezel and the stone.
• The bezel should be integrated into the engagement ring in a creative manner. Bezels plopped on top of rings look sloppy and like an afterthought.
• The bezel should have a pleasing proportion to the rest of the ring. In a chunky ring, the bezel should have a balanced, chunky look. In a delicate ring, the bezel should look more refined.

How to choose a bezel set engagement ring

• As with any engagement ring, you should start by deciding upon your preferred style. Are you looking for a modern engagement ring, or something a little more antique in style? Perhaps an organic design, or something delicate? Any of these choices can deliver a creative bezel set engagement ring design.
• You may find a ring already made, with a stone that you love, however, your choices will open up if you choose to have your bezel set engagement ring custom made. That way, you can select any diamond, sapphire or gemstone that you desire, and have your ring built around that stone in an aesthetically pleasing, creative and proportional manner.
  

Getting Started

• Start by selecting your engagement ring style. Keep in mind that if you are indeed having your ring custom made, you may be able to integrate a bezel into any style of ring.
• Decide upon stone shape, type, and color, and pick out your stone! At Krikawa, the gemologist will help educate you about different types of stones. If you choose a colored stone, it will be shipped to you for approval on the color. You should love your colored stone in person before a bezel is crafted for it.
• In a custom ring with Krikawa, you can look forward to receiving a 3D rendering of your ring, for approval, before it is made, if it is an unusual design. That way you can see the proportions of the stone and bezel to the ring.

Visit krikawa.com to select your engagement ring style, and call or email to begin the process of looking for your unique and perfect center stone!

Engagement Ring Advice for Men

Should You Surprise Her with an Engagement Ring?

Before you get too deep into looking at engagement ring designs, it is good to take this first point into consideration. Here are a variety of ways to approach this decision.

Total Surprise.
She has no idea what is coming. This is the traditional method, and the one that is most romanticized in the media. You select the design, metal, diamonds, sapphires and ring size based upon your detective powers, personal taste, and ideas of what you think she would want. You may choose to purchase one of the following:

• Complete Bridal Set. You purchase both the engagement ring and the wedding band. She doesn't have to lift a finger (except for her ring finger, that is), and she has absolutely no choice about her rings.
  

• Engagement Ring Only. You purchase one ring, and let her be involved in the selection of the wedding band(s). Traditional method.

Pro: You can create a magical moment, sweeping your loved one off their feet, causing a strong emotional response. There will be a great sentimental value in the fact that you did all of the work yourself, and your beloved is sure to love anything you select. Great choice for a sentimental gal.

Con: She will have no input as to design, metal, stones, or size. The ring may need to be sized. Will you worry about if she likes it? Will she pine over another design to grace her finger?

Partial Surprise.
There are a number of ways to still create that magical moment of the engagement ring proposal, with a little less stress and guess work.

• Put the stone of your choice in temporary mounting. You can focus your surprise on the stone, by choosing a special diamond, sapphire, ruby, or spinel, and then have this stone set in an ultra simple prong setting. After the proposal, you can let her know that you want her to be involved in the selection and custom design of her special ring. Being allowed to participate in the design of her own ring, collaborating with you and the jeweler, will be a rich and rewarding experience for her. This is a great choice for a contemporary woman. It also allows you to spread out the cost a little bit (stone first, some shopping time for her, before you need to put down a deposit on the mounting).

• Stand-in Engagement Ring that will be kept later for sentimental value, most likely to be worn on another finger, on a chain, or as a wedding band, usually with small stones or just metal. This is an unusual method for an alternative couple, and is cost effective for someone on a tight budget. This could also be considered a promise ring, as in promise of bigger and better things to come.
  

• Surprise on Engagement Ring Style. She knows it is coming. You have been engagement ring shopping with her, and have a very accurate ring size on her. You may have shown her a variety of images, or asked her to show you some images. You may even ask her to shop on her own and give you some ideas of what she wants.

• Surprise on Proposal Only. She may know what engagement ring is coming. You and she have selected the design. But she may not know what stone you selected, and she certainly does not know when it will be presented to her.

Pro: She will love being involved in the creation of a fine piece of jewelry. This is something that she will wear and look at every day, and it will be an expression of her style as well as your commitment to her.

Con: Some of the surprise element is missing, and she may get antsy in anticipation of when you are going to present it to her.

It's Your Decision.
Whatever you choose, you can rest assured that the love of your life will appreciate all the thought and consideration you put into choosing an engagement ring for her. At Krikawa, we have helped many men with the myriad of choices there are to make in choosing an engagement ring. You can take advantage of our extensive experience, in-depth knowledge and above all our passion for creating unique engagement rings. We honor your journey and look forward to making this an amazing experience, captured in the ring of a lifetime.