The invisible setting technique was developed in France more than two centuries ago. Grooves in each stone's girdle slip into a metal framework below the surface, but the metal cannot be seen, so stones sit side-by-side, creating a solid surface of gems.

In this common prong setting, diamonds are held by two prongs on each side--or sharing prongs around the ring's circumference. This design technique lets a maximum amount of light enter the gems and gives the ring an even stronger appearance of having a continuous row of diamonds.

Gemstone settings are nearly always named a term that describes their method of holding the diamonds or other stones, and the term channel setting is no exception. To achieve this setting method, diamonds or other gems are placed into a metal channel. They flow in a continuous row of diamonds, because no metal is used as a separation between them.

Channel set diamonds are popular with buyers looking for engagement and wedding rings, so you'll see the technique often when you shop for wedding jewelry. The wedding band on this page has seven round diamonds in a channel setting

Pavé settings are made up of lots of small gemstones, often diamonds, set closely together. The gems are separated and held in place by little beads of the setting metal. The result is what looks like a continuous surface of diamonds or other gems. The smallest size of the diamond is 0.004ct.

A bezel setting has a metal rim that encircles the sides of a gemstone and extends slightly above it. The rim, or collar, can stretch around the gem's entire circumferance or around only a portion of it. A bezel setting holds a gemstone securely, and the low, protective profile it creates makes a bezel setting a good choice for people with active lifestyles. A bezel setting can also be used to cover chips in a gem.