Center Stone & More: The Anatomy of a Moissanite Engagement Ring
If you’re looking to purchase an engagement ring for your partner, you might find yourself growing curious about all things related to their construction. There are no shortages of beautiful rings to shop for in Singapore. From the sparkling diamond or moissanite taking centre stage to the elegant band surrounding the finger, many design factors come together to ensure that an engagement ring appears harmonious and eye-catching.
If you’re shopping for an engagement ring, understanding engagement ring terminology can help you make the choice of which ring to pick when the time comes. This is especially true if you’re left scratching your head whenever your partner drops hints about wanting a ring with “accent stones” or a certain number of “prongs”. In this blog, we will dive into the different parts of an engagement ring to present a guide to the anatomy of this culturally and personally significant piece of jewellery.
Head & Shank
Engagement rings featuring precious stones like diamonds and moissanite are composed of two main parts, the head, and the shank. The head refers to the top portion of the ring featuring the centre stone while the shank of the engagement ring refers to the portion that goes around your ring finger.
Centre Stone
The centre stone of an engagement ring is likely the part of the ring that catches your eye first. Centre stones can consist of any gemstone you may like. Those who prefer a classic engagement ring may opt for a stone with universal appeal like a diamond or moissanite. On the other hand, others who prefer a non-traditional engagement ring may go for a pearl, a ruby or another sparkling gem of their choice.
If you’ve chosen a diamond or a moissanite for the centre stone, it is important to pay attention to the conventional 4Cs standard used to grade diamond and moissanite quality. These 4Cs stand for cut, clarity, colour and carat.
Prongs
The prongs are metal tips that wrap around the outside of the centre stone to ensure that they stay in place. In general, you will want to shop for an engagement ring with multiple prongs to provide the centre stone with enough security, but also not too many that light is prevented from entering through the sides and allowing your gemstone to sparkle. At Princess Gem, our classic solitaire moissanite engagement rings feature 4-6 prongs depending on the style you’ve chosen. For example, our 18K Yellow Gold Solitaire Crown Cathedral 1 Carat Ring features a beautiful 6 prong setting reminiscent of a crown.
Accent Stones
If you’re looking for an engagement ring with added bling, choosing one with accent stones or a pavé encrusted band (shank) is a good idea to up the sparkle. Accent stones refer to smaller stones used to embellish the shank or head of the ring. These stones can range in size, but most will be smaller than the centre stone to allow the moissanite or diamond to take centre stage. A pavé setting refers to small diamonds or gems closely set together so as to resemble a “street paved with diamonds”. Take a look at our Solitaire Half-Eternity 1 Carat Ring for an example of an engagement ring featuring a pavé setting.
Find the Ring of Your Dreams at Princess Gem
Founded in Singapore, Princess Gem offers a curated selection of Parisian-inspired artisanal engagement rings. Made with the modern bride in mind, our engagement rings feature ethically lab-grown 1 carat moissanite gemstones that are visually similar to a classic diamond in terms of optics, hardness and quality. If you’re having trouble deciding on what engagement ring to buy, feel free to get in touch with us at info@princessgem.com or head down to our outlet at CityLink mall in Singapore to browse through our rings in person. We also offer free trackable shipping for all orders placed via our website.