Channel Set Engagement Ring: Pros, Cons and Buying Guide
Have a tough time deciding on what setting to choose? Let us give you an elaborate explanation as to why you should choose channel setting rings over others.
Rings can be molded into various kinds of settings, and all of them have their identity. Each of these ring settings can be used in a way to enhance the beauty of the main gem.
Engagement rings usually have multiple unique settings to suit the style of the wearer. These are rings that can enhance the beauty of the wearer and stand out as their own unique identity. The other settings include three diamonds, solitaire, halo, and pave, out of which channel is a part of pave setting, but sometimes can be termed separate.
A channel setting ring is a very unique setting owing to its stronghold of channel diamonds rather than just prongs. The look imparted by the ring and its design is elegant, and classy, and makes the ring appear the most brilliant ring one has ever seen.
Even if the design is simple, the shine of the channel diamonds combined with the main gem will make people turn to have a second look while giving you that royal appeal.
What Is a Channel Set Ring?
Channel setting is a type of pave setting used in rings. In this, there are two channels of metal on either side of the diamond placements, which prevent any loss or damage to the smaller diamonds that surround the main diamond.
Out of all the engagement rings, the channel set engagement ring is one of the most elegant, desired, and trending ones. This setting is termed as a variant of pave setting rings and is only different in the way the smaller diamonds have been set.
Pave setting is a diamond setting and is so-called after the paving of the smaller diamonds alongside the main diamond. The protection of smaller diamonds by the channel set ring makes it a very special piece among other ring varieties.
The conventional pave setting uses prongs to hold the smaller diamonds in place, while the channel set ring allows secure protection on both sides of the diamond so that there are no chances of mishaps and loss of smaller diamonds.
Most of the time these channel set diamond rings have channels in between each diamond as well, to secure the diamonds with extra protection.
Why Choose a Channel Set Engagement Ring?
Channel set engagement ring would be an ideal choice for a person for many reasons ranging from practical to aesthetic.
The first ideal reason for one to choose a channel set engagement ring is the brilliance of its diamonds. The setting of smaller diamonds alongside the large gem makes a perfect choice if one prefers to wear a shiny jewel.
In this diamond ring setting the smaller diamonds aligned along the ring make the overall ring appear bigger and much more expensive without giving it a ‘too bulky’ look.
A channel set ring provides the ultimate protection against any sort of mishaps, like bumps, and a diamond setting providing a better shine. It will protect the diamond from dismantling if there is a bang on the ring.
Anyone who has an active lifestyle can choose the channel set ring, without having to worry about any damage the ring might face. The ring might even get dirty, but the setting prevents any visibility of it on the design.
The price range of these channel set engagement rings is less expensive since the diamonds used in these can be of lesser clarity, but the appearance of the ring in the setting will remain the same.
Designing a Channel Set Ring
Channel set rings are some of the unique wedding ring settings that focus on enhancing the main gem at the center of the ring. The center gem is mostly fixed, but the choice remains on how one wishes to enhance it.
There can be half channel on either side, full channel, or even double channels. The purpose of these smaller diamonds is to enhance the look of the main diamond or gem. The diamonds along the channel can be of different cuts, but preferably ones that get along well with the main gem.
The pattern along the channel set diamond ring can be either even or tapering. This imparts a good flow to the setting of the smaller diamonds and turns the focus towards the center, where it is meant to be.
Who Should Consider a Channel Set Engagement Ring?
Anyone who likes the aesthetics of the channel set engagement ring can choose it as an option, whereas the ones for practicality anyway find it useful.
One of the most important people who prefer this pattern of the ring are those with an agile lifestyle, and whose rings might end up going through certain hard times.
The design of the channel set ring is such that it can take a lot of hard blows, and thus it ends up being a harsh competitor for the other ring settings. Usually, if it is a prong setting, then there is a fair chance that the prong might get chipped off resulting in the loss of the precious diamonds.
It can also be considered by people who want a brilliant shining engagement ring but on a budget. The channel ring setting focuses on the enhancement of the ring’s shine, without putting any load on your wallet since the smaller diamonds are less expensive as compared to a whole carat of diamond of the same quality.
The setting of this ring is very secure and doesn’t result in being caught on to fabrics or any other material. The lack of protruding elements in the channel makes it very safe for the ring as well as the security concerns of the wearer.
It is usually a little hard to clean, almost close to impossible, but the channel setting ensures the beauty of the diamonds does not lessen over time. You can get it cleaned by going to a local jeweler.
Pros and Cons of A Channel Set Engagement Ring
Every design of an engagement ring has pros and cons, some of them for the channel set engagement ring are described below.
Pros:
- The strength of a channel set engagement ring is high as compared to the other engagement ring settings, as the channels on either side of the smaller diamonds hold the diamonds in place while adding an extra layer of protection to secure them from any mishaps.
- They are built in a way that they can take some bangs, and hence they are preferable over other engagement ring settings, in terms of the security of the diamonds.
- The channel set rings are preferred by people who have a very active lifestyle and hence the ring can take certain accidents which might seem scary in any other set of rings. It also does not have any extensions that seem to get stuck in fabrics or other materials.
- It imparts a heavy brilliance, owing to the beauty of the smaller diamonds that add up to the larger diamond. The larger diamond is focused on, by the smaller diamonds and thus results in a brilliant output. This is one of the main reasons why users prefer channel set engagement rings over other settings of diamond rings.
- The expense of the ring turns out to be way less than that of a large diamond ring which will in turn impart the same brilliance. Despite that, the cost of the smaller diamonds is less, and the brilliance and shine are almost the same as that of a larger diamond in the center.
Cons:
- It is very difficult to resize a channel setting ring. It can only be designed initially and then any alterations in the size of the wearer might result in damage to the design of the channels and in turn loosening the grip of the channel on the small diamonds.
- It is very difficult to clean the diamonds and the gaps in the channel set rings. Usually, due to the setting, there can be a lot of dirt that gets trapped in between the diamonds, and hence the cleaning can get difficult.
- Even though the channel set engagement rings are very brilliant in terms of shine, the brilliance is way less than that of prong settings, since the smaller diamonds are concealed in between the channels and hence preventing the light from passing through them. It conceals the brilliance of the diamond slightly.
Can You Resize a Channel Set Ring?
It is usually not possible to resize a channel ring, as the build quality of the channel set ring can get spoilt. The initial design of the channel set ring is easier to be made when it is based according to the wearer’s size.
Twitching it over time can damage the design of the ring and also the stronghold of the wedding ring setting. The channel which holds the diamonds in position might loosen up resulting in an uneven grip, and also damage to diamonds or else loosening of the grips.
It would be easy if half of the ring is set in diamond and the rest is metal, in that case, it can be altered. But in cases where the whole band of the ring is channeled, then it would be difficult to alter the size of the ring. Hence, before the ring design is set, it is necessary to check the size before it can be set.
In the long run, it might be necessary to design a whole different ring if there are chances of a change in size to preserve the pattern and also clean the whole ring.
Where to Buy Channel Set Engagement Rings?
Consider working with a Loose Grown Diamond who can create a unique channel set diamond engagement ring tailored to your preferences. This offers a wide selection of diamond engagement rings, including channel-set designs.
You can check our inventory and get a promo code for the best discount. Know the ring size of the person you are buying for and If you’re unsure, check out our ring size chart.
LGD may allow you to choose the specific diamond and customize the setting according to your preferences. This option allows you to choose the specific design, metal, and diamond shape that suits your taste.
Conclusion
Overall, one can say that the channel set ring is one of the most beautiful set rings in the engagement ring set, while also being advantageous in terms of aesthetics and practicality.
Although some pros and cons might set off the scale a little bit, nevertheless, there is always a chance that one would prefer the channel set engagement ring due to its classy and rich appearance.
FAQs
What types of metals are commonly used for channel set rings?
White gold, yellow gold, rose gold, and platinum are popular choices for channel set engagement rings, each offering a unique aesthetic.
Can I customize the number of stones in a channel set ring?
LGD offers customization options, allowing you to choose the number of stones based on your preferences.
How much does a channel set ring cost?
In general, you can expect to pay between $4000 to more for a yellow gold channel set ring. More complex such as those with platinum settings cost of $9,000 and 3 carat diamond channel set ring can cost upwards of $15,000.
Are channel set rings suitable for everyday wear?
Yes, channel set rings are durable and well-suited for daily wear, making them a popular choice for engagement rings.