The Classic solitaire engagement ring is one of the most popular engagement ring styles. The Classic style is an elegant design that holds the diamond safely in place, while at the same time letting the diamond’s natural brilliance and sparkle to shine through.

This most traditional of all engagement rings, as mentioned above, was first introduced to prospective brides and grooms in 1886 and it still continues to be extremely popular to this day.

The Classic setting is available in either four or six prongs, and is designed to hold one perfect diamond snugly and beautifully in place.

History of the Engagement Ring

While the design and style of the modern Classic diamond solitaire was perfected in 1886, the custom of using a ring to confess one’s undying love to another has been in use for literally thousands of years.

The Greeks are thought to be the first to use a ring as a love token. However, the ancient Greeks actually presented a ring to their beloved at the time of the wedding ceremony and not before, in the manner of which engagement rings are used today. Therefore, the actual origination of the engagement ring can be credited to the ancient Egyptians.

The engagement ring of then was a far cry from the engagement ring of now. Since diamonds were not discovered until 800 B.C., there were no diamonds, or any gemstones for that matter, present in the engagement ring of ancient days.

The ring was a simple band of precious or “not so precious” metal that was presented by the man to the woman for which he swooned. It was a symbol of love and fidelity for both the wearer and the giver.

It was not until the nineteenth century that the diamond engagement ring became the iconic image of love that it is today. In the late Victorian age, diamond mines were discovered in Africa, which made the diamond much more available to the public.

The Classic Setting

Much care was put into the design and appearance of the Classic diamond solitaire setting, including the style of the prongs which clasp the diamond.

Instead of trying to hide the prongs and just showcase the diamond, the original ring designers incorporated the six prongs into the overall flow of the ring. The prongs are just as elegant as the diamond itself.

The six prong solitaire setting looks just like it sounds. The diamond is held at its thickest section, also called the diamond’s girdle, by six evenly spaced prongs.

The prongs can vary a bit in style. Sometimes a prong can resemble an ornate and tiny claw with details that are only completely visible up close. Other styles are straightforward yet elegant in their simplicity.

High quality jewelers and jewelry designers take careful consideration of the balance between prong size and diamond size. They know that a prong claw which is too large will lessen the apparent size of the diamond while prongs that are too small could actually make the diamond vulnerable and unprotected.

The six prong style is the premiere Classic engagement ring and is one of the best selling solitaire style rings. So popular is this style that most major jewelers have a version or replica of it.

Four Prong Style

The six prong style had been on the market for many years before the four prong style made its debut. As it sounds, the four prong style features four evenly spaced prongs that hold the diamond at its girdle.

The four prong solitaire style is very popular for use with a princess cut diamond, since each of the four corners of the princess cut diamond is held by one prong. The look is regal and fashion-forward as well as having the practical benefit of protecting the four corners of the princess cut diamond.

Cathedral Style Setting

A popular variation of the Classic design is the “Cathedral” setting, known by its distinctive curving arches supporting a central Classic Mount.

The cathedral setting gets its inspiration from the grandness of the world’s most beautiful cathedrals. This design uses large sweeping arches and curves to set the diamond high up above the band.

The arches raise the diamond to allow more light to enter the stone for more sparkle and brilliance.

The “Classic” style is one of the most desirable settings for diamond solitaire style engagement rings. The diamond solitaire is the traditional choice among engagement ring styles.

The lone diamond raised above a shiny gold, platinum or white-gold band creates the perfect symbolism of a couple’s undying commitment to each other represented in the band and their two lives now becoming one as represented in the single, shining diamond.

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