Today, we will go through something called Channel Setting and everything you need to know about it, which is very familiar and popular to all diamond and jewelry lovers.
What we could say at the very beginning is undoubtedly consider a channel-set design if you want a piece of jewelry that will last the test of time while also boosting your aesthetic.
To better explain the characteristics of channel settings to you, it is essential that we initially go through different chapters such as: What is a Channel Set Engagement Ring, Channel Settings vs. Other Options, Pros and Cons, and much more.
Let’s look over Channel Settings and learn everything there is to know about them!
What Is A Channel Set Engagement Ring?
A channel set ring is a form of an engagement ring in which tiny diamonds (or other gemstones in some situations) are put inside a precisely carved channel.
To keep the diamonds safe, most channel set rings feature a thin lip that extends very slightly over the edge of the diamonds. Some channel set engagement rings have grooves inside the drain that help to hold the tiny diamonds or gemstones in place.
A channel setting is similar to a pavé setting in that the diamonds that line the ring are secured with thicker metal. The setting is snag-free since no prongs are keeping the stones in place.
So, to summarize: A channel setting is a style of the mounting in which gemstones are placed in a channel formed by two metal strips. The stones, in this manner, create a row and can run the length of the ring’s band.
A channel setting is a safe approach to anchoring tiny diamonds into the band, resulting in a glittering row flush with the shank. The small diamonds are positioned tightly together in the channel’s grooves.
When a ring has a channel setting, it is not always the sole setting in the design. For example, the central diamond will remain a prong or bezel set, with the channel setting limited to the ring or halo.
The channel can be entirely or partially set. However, the bottom of the band will frequently have a gap if the bar is completely set. This protects the diamonds on the bottom of the ring from wear and tear.
If you’ve ever seen eternity rings, you’ll recognize the effect. The main distinction is that the ring will continue to feature a central stone in its setting.
Channel Settings Types
The most common diamond used in channel settings is the brilliant round cut, which gives the metal strips a triangular appearance.
Smaller diamonds lend an exquisite, traditional appearance, while bigger diamonds make the ring appear more current and spectacular.
Princess cut diamonds are the second most popular channel setting diamond. Because the stones are square and have no gaps, they appear to be one continuous row of diamonds.
Channel Settings vs. Other Options
Let’s take a look at the critical differences between the channel and other popular settings!
Pavement vs. Channel Settings
Pave-set diamonds cover the majority of the surface while minimizing metal visibility. The metal tends to stand out more in the channel setting and partially obscures the diamonds.
On the other hand, channel set diamonds are put within a channel, with the little lip at the top of the channel’s vertical walls securely keeping the diamonds in place. Instead of being placed on the ring’s surface, the diamonds are put in a channel carved into the ring.
The form of the diamonds utilized in the setting is the second consideration.
Small round diamonds are typically used in pavé settings. This is because the diamond shape is ideal for covering as much of the ring’s most beautiful area as feasible.
But, if you may ask, which configuration is more secure? The solution is channel selection.
Several diamond shapes are typically utilized for channel set ring styles. While many channel settings have round cut diamonds, princess cut, emerald cut, and cushion cut diamonds are also popular.
The setting’s purpose is the third consideration.
Diamonds in a channel setting are put within the ring rather than on its surface. They bring attention to the central diamond and serve as a complement rather than a focal point in and of themselves.
In contrast, the objective of a pavé setting is frequently to boost the ring’s overall brilliance and bring more sparkle to a lower-set or less brightness center stone.
Prong vs. Channel Settings
Diamonds and gemstones scintillate much more in a prong setting because it allows light to enter through and be reflected from all angles. They are not visible in a channel environment, and exhibit decreased brightness.
However, the channel setting is more lasting and secure. Furthermore, channel setting is an option to explore if prong snagging on your clothing or hair bothers you.
Bezel vs. Channel Settings
Both are snag-free and ultra-secure settings for premium colored stones and diamonds. Channel setting is the favored method for emphasizing a ring’s shank and adorning wedding rings.
Unlike a bezel setting, which separates each gem with a bezel frame, it forms a continuous and linear design.
Bar vs. Channel Settings
Though channel and bar settings appear to be the same, they are not. While channel settings contain the diamonds on all sides, bar settings expose the gems on two sides.
Because bar-set diamonds are housed between vertical metal walls, there is plenty of room for increased brightness.
On the other hand, channel ring setting is a more stable technique to keep tiny diamonds and stones on a band.
Pros of Diamond Setting Rings
As with every ring configuration, there are benefits and drawbacks. Before making a final selection, let’s examine the benefits of a channel set ring style.
Here are some benefits:
- Holds diamonds securely and protects them against extraneous pressures.
- Side stones provide shine to the ring.
- Maintains a crisp design while being stable
- It is unlikely to catch on garments or other things.
But don’t worry, we won’t stop there. Let’s go through everything in detail!
1. Channel Settings Improve Diamond Protection
Because diamonds are so expensive, purchasers frequently prioritize their protection.
Channel settings are popular because they attach diamonds to the ring. Because the diamonds are situated in the channel, they are less vulnerable to impacts and bumps. Instead, the metal that surrounds them protects them.
Because of the metal that extends above the diamonds, running your finger over the band may not come into contact with them.
Even though you should still take precautions to protect your channel setting, its design is more suited to the little drops and bumps it may encounter while wearing it.
2. Channel Options Increase Sparkle
The extra diamonds in a channel setting can offer more shine to the ring, which is a benefit over a prong or other settings.
Channel settings allow you to create a gleaming piece of jewelry without a vast stone, whereas solitaire prong settings rely on intense shine from a single diamond.
Some channel settings have a few diamonds on either side of the main one, but a design with accents all the way around can add extra glitter.
Because these channel-set diamonds are smaller, you may locate ones with good cuts and a colorless appearance for less money.
3. Wedding Rings Have Channel Settings
Channel settings provide a more upscale wedding ring. While some wedding bands are solid bands with no diamonds, the channel setting is ideal for someone who wants more bling.
You can add the channel to the entire ring or only part. It can have 10-30 round diamonds in various metals, such as 18K yellow gold or 14K white gold.
This means you can wear a channel setting band next to a prong setting ring as a wedding ring and an engagement ring.
This results in a stackable design where the channel fits beneath the prong or other settings.
4. Flexibility
Channel settings look great with various diamond shapes, especially square forms like princess-cut diamonds and baguettes.
When two square-shaped diamonds are placed in a channel, there is no gap between them, resulting in spectacular diamond brilliance. When round diamonds are put in a channel, they appear to float.
Because there is space between two diamonds, the appearance is created that diamonds are flowing between metal channels.
This setting is typical in anniversary rings, wedding bands, eternity rings, and tennis bracelets.
Cons of Diamond Settings
While channel settings have many fantastic benefits, there are a few things to consider before making your purchase.
For starters, channel settings frequently need more cleaning than other setup styles. You may need to clean your ring regularly because debris accumulates between the diamonds, which can dull the brightness over time.
However, this isn’t a deal breaker because jewelers can polish this design very readily. And while you should get your jewelry professionally cleaned once a year, cleaning your engagement ring and wedding band is simple.
Let’s clear up some more cons of owning a channel setting ring!
1. It isn’t easy to Resize Channel Settings
When purchasing a channel setting, ensure you get the correct size the first time because it is tough to adjust. To resize a ring to become smaller, the jeweler cuts a section of the shank and reassembles it.
It is more difficult to resize a ring to a larger size.
The jeweler can stretch the metal to enlarge it by half a size. They must cut the metal, add an extra piece, and then solder it back together for anything more. As you may expect, this isn’t easy to accomplish when the ring is set with little diamonds.
The channel must be the correct width to accommodate the diamonds and keep them in place. Any ring size modifications must take the width of the channel and the positioning of the diamonds into account.
It’s still inconvenient and requires expert assistance, but the effort isn’t equivalent to adjusting any other setting.
2. Cleaning Is Difficult
Channel adjustments do not make cleaning your ring any simpler. It is difficult to get deep into the channels and clear up the filth that has become stuck there.
This can be an issue since dirt particles tend to collect at the bottom of the stones in the mounting.
An ultrasonic cleaner is frequently the best technique to clean such rings.
3. Repairing Is Difficult
Channel settings are also difficult to repair due to their structure. If not done correctly, every attempt to improve them has the potential to bend the channels.
If this happens, some stones may become loose, and the channels may no longer appear straight.
4. Less Visibility Of Gemstones
Gemstones in channel settings have more of their surface covered by mounting since metal walls surround them. As a result, they are less noticeable rings than, say, stones placed in prong settings.
This is especially obvious with diamonds, which require light to shine and may appear dark and dreary in a channel setting.
To summarize the cons:
- Cleaning often takes more time and effort (dirt can become trapped in the channels)
- Less visibility of stones
- The various channels may be challenging to repair and resize (it is conceivable that the channels may get curved or misaligned or that the side stones would loosen during the repair process).
How to Clean a Channel Setting Jewelry
Channel settings are more secure than other types, making caring for your engagement ring easier.
While the metal’s all-encompassing design keeps your stones secure, it also makes the ring more prone to catching contaminants like dirt or lotion. A famous blog claims that this makes cleaning channel-set rings more difficult.
As a result, we recommend you clean at least once a week at home and annual steam clean from your jeweler.
The simplest thing to do is boil some water, remove it from the heat, add some clear detergent, and let the ring soak for a while.
Using a gentle toothbrush to clean a ring is also a great method for channel settings. You should let the hot water dissolve whatever is between the stones, then carefully brush away any residue with an old toothbrush.
Jewelry that you wear every day should be cleaned many times a year to keep its luster day in and day out. For jewelry you only wear once or twice a year, cleaning or dusting the items a couple of times a year is sufficient.
In addition, have your jewelry cleaned properly by a jeweler once or twice a year. Everyday jewelry, such as your diamond wedding ring, requires frequent cleaning.
Blemishes caused by your skin, dust, cleaning agents, or even water form a coating of tarnish on your ring, making it dull and uninspiring.
Although diamond channel setting is one of the toughest minerals on the planet, a diamond ring should be carefully polished.
Everyday cosmetics, like hair spray, moisturizer, make-up, and perfume, include chemicals that can dull or grease your jewelry or even harm it. It is simple to restore the sparkle of your jewelry by eliminating dust, debris, and grease yourself.
One simple and quick method is to soak your diamond ring for twenty minutes in a solution of lukewarm water and a trace of ammonia.
Polish the stone gently with a gentle toothbrush and rinse it under warm running water. If necessary, repeat.
Here are the chemicals you should avoid at all costs:
Because some chemicals might harm your jewelry, it is best not to clean it with solid home cleaning products like bleach, chlorine, or acetone. Some of the base metals in your diamond ring may deteriorate.
It would help if you never cleaned your ring with abrasive materials such as toothpaste, baking powder, or powder-based cleaning solutions. These chemicals have the potential to scratch the valuable metal.
Related Read: How to Clean Diamond Ring With Toothpaste?
Can a Channel Set Ring Be Resized?
Because channel set rings have diamonds placed within them, resizing them can be challenging.
Resizing an engagement ring typically entails cutting the shank and then adding or removing metal, which isn’t always viable with a diamond-set setting. As a result, resizing may or may not be available depending on the type of channel set ring you select.
Resizing usually is not feasible if you pick a channel set engagement ring with diamonds covering the entire band (for example, a channel setting eternity ring).
This is because the resizing procedure alters the diameter of the band, preventing it from firmly retaining the diamonds.
The channels may also get twisted during the resizing procedure, preventing the ring from securely retaining the diamonds.
If you pick a channel setting with diamonds covering half of the band (a “half-eternity” ring), you may typically make very slight changes to resize your ring.
Because channel set engagement rings have limited resizing options, you should know your fiancé’s ring size before selecting this setting.
When Should You Avoid Wearing Channel Settings?
To prevent possible damage to the channel settings ring, we have set aside a few occasions for which we do not recommend carrying this type of jewelry.
1. On The Beach
It is not advisable to wear jewelry on the beach. Sand grains can scratch the precious metal. They can also penetrate the diamonds and metal settings.
If this is the case, hire a professional to remove the sand grains thoroughly.
Related Read: Can Sand Scratch A Diamond?
2. In The Sea
It is best to remove your engagement ring or other jewelry before swimming in the ocean. The soldered components of channel setting rings can also be eroded by saltwater.
In the worst-case situation, this can lead to fractures.
Related Read: Does Salt Water Damage Diamonds?
3. In The Swimming Pool
Take off any jewelry before diving in. Chlorine may corrode jewelry. This is why it is recommended that you remove any channel setting or diamond jewelry in general before swimming.
So, keep your jewelry secure and dry in your hotel room or safe!
Related Read: Can You Wear Diamonds in the Pool; Safe or Not?
Why Choose a Channel Set Ring?
Channel set rings provide an exceptionally unique and creative perspective on an engagement ring’s overall design and style, as well as several advantages for a safe and secure ring.
The first one to mention is that Channel settings are snag-free and super secure. The channel set ring’s shape makes it highly secure for retaining diamonds and gemstones.
There are also no projecting pieces like prongs that might grab on clothing, hair, or furniture.
Channel settings are “guards against bumps and bangs.”
When you knock your engagement ring against a door or a wall, the force is absorbed by the metal walls that hold the diamonds in place. This provides a lot of protection against stone fractures, breaks, and loosening.
They are also “budget-friendly and economical.”
Channel set rings are inexpensive and cost-effective in a variety of ways. First, less costly diamonds are ideal because the setting decreases the impression of flaws while emphasizing little stones. Second, each stone does not have to be placed separately.
Channel settings are perfect for an active lifestyle. The channel setting retains diamonds and gemstones so firmly and protects them so effectively from bumps and impacts. It is suitable for an active lifestyle or vocations that require your hands daily.
Channel Settings – FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
What Does a Channel Setting Mean in the World of Diamonds?
A channel setting is a diamond ring band type in which smaller diamonds are placed in a “channel” between two metal strips.
The diamonds inside this row are often flush with the metal, providing further protection.
This setting technique creates the idea of an eternal plane of diamonds running along the band, adding to the ring’s overall sparkle.
Is It Better To Use a Channel Or A Prong Setting?
Diamonds are commonly shown in channel and prong settings. When there is a center diamond as the primary emphasis, prong settings are commonly utilized; However, you can use channel settings with or without a central diamond.
If you want to maximize the beauty and brightness of a quality stone, a channel setting is a way to go. It lets the most light in and highlights the most costly portion of the ring.
Also, if you like smaller diamonds and want the ring to glow, a channel setting is a way. You may select the quantity and shape of the little stones, and they will be firmly set in the band.
But you don’t have to choose between the two. Combine a high-quality diamond with prongs with a row of accents in a channel setting for a stunningly spectacular ring. You’ll have brilliance on top, and only the diamonds in the channel will add to it.
Are There Any Parallels Between The Channel And Prong Settings?
Even though comparing channel and prong settings indicate considerable variances, the two configurations have certain commonalities. The capacity to retain practically any cut is the first feature they share.
Diamonds held in place by the channel or prongs might be round, princess, marquise, cushion cut, or other shapes. The most common cut for each is round, but if you want to try something different, you have various possibilities.
Another similarity is that a prong configuration might include a channel. You don’t have to pick between these two settings.
Choose a prong setting with a high-quality cut and a channel on the shank for a ring that enhances sparkle. Small diamonds within the band will not detract from a high-quality diamond on top but will enhance its overall sparkle.
How a Channel Setting Can Benefit You?
One of the best things about channel settings is that they allow for a lot of versatility in the design.
The channel will be distinct from any other style of ring setting. This means there are no preconceived notions about how the ring should look.
Jewelers can make channels in lines, curves, or white or yellow gold swirls. We’ve seen almost every style of channel set design possible throughout the years.
More estate channel set rings are becoming accessible, but you may have to settle for a brand new, bespoke engagement ring until the market catches up with demand.
Of course, this is not a negative thing. You may look at samples and pick anything that appeals to you. Your jeweler will then be able to customize it just for you.
Final Thoughts
Our article today was dedicated to Channel Settings: Everything You Need to Know.
What we said in the introduction, and we certainly think it is essential to mention in conclusion, is that a channel-set design is a good pick for many reasons. If you’re looking for a piece of jewelry that will survive the test of time while also elevating your style, you will adore channel settings.
In addition, we made an effort to compare this setting with others on the market, clarify its advantages, and warn you about its disadvantages and many other things. We also hope that the FAQ answered all of your questions and dispelled any doubts you may have had.
We hope you enjoyed learning more about this fascinating topic of unique and beautiful ring settings!
