The Anatomy of an Engagement Ring

Every engagement ring, however simple or elaborate, is made of the same parts:

Centre stone

The main stone, usually a diamond or coloured gem.

Head

The whole structure that holds the centre stone above the band.

Claws or prongs

The small tips of metal that grip the stone. Usually four or six; a bezel replaces them with a rim of metal.

Basket

The frame of wire beneath the stone that connects the claws and supports it.

Gallery

The side view of the head beneath the stone. It can be plain, pierced, engraved or set with hidden stones.

Bridge

The part of the head that sits just above the finger, between the shoulders, often visible from the side.

Shoulders

The top sections of the band that rise to meet the head. They can be plain, tapered, split or set with stones.

Shank

The band itself, the part that goes around the finger. Its width and profile decide how the ring feels.

Side stones are the smaller stones either side of the centre stone, as in a three stone ring. Accent stones are smaller still, set along the shoulders or the band in pavé or channel settings. A halo is a ring of small stones surrounding the centre stone; a hidden halo sits beneath it, on the gallery.

The inside of the shank carries the hallmark, and sometimes an engraving. Its profile, flat, rounded or comfort fit, decides how easily the ring slides over the knuckle. The bottom of the shank is where a ring is usually resized, which is why the hallmark sits slightly to one side.

Knowing the parts makes a design conversation far easier. You can say that you love the gallery on one ring, the shoulders on another and the shank on a third, and a designer can combine them into something that is entirely yours.