Basic Ring Vocabulary

Learn to talk about her ring like a pro!

Center Stone
The center stone refers to the main diamond in the middle of the setting. When a diamond mounting is a three-stone style, the two side stones are referred to as part of the semi-mounting. When you are ring shopping, you frequently have the option to select the center stone and the mounting separately.

Gallery
The space between the crown of the diamond and the top of the shank is composes the gallery.  Many ring designers will style this area with metal scrollwork or additional diamonds.

Head
The part of the ring that is elevated from the shank of the ring is called the head.  It refers to the prongs or bezel and any side stones in the mounting that will contain the center stone.

Mounting (also semi-mounting)
The metal composing the ring, without a center stone, is the mounting. When the design of the mounting includes accent diamonds or side stones for the center diamond, it can also be called a semi-mounting.

Prongs
In this common settling style, four or more pieces of metal are forged to hold the diamond in place.  When the diamond is mounted, the jeweler notches the prongs so they will bend at the girdle of the diamond and suspend the stone securely.  Because they are the only part of the ring securing the diamond, prongs should be checked every six months for signs of wear that might loosen or compromise the stone.

Setting
The term "setting" refers to the act of securing the diamond in the ring. When you refer to the ring itself, it is called a mounting, not a setting.

Shank
Many people mistakenly refer to the shank as the "band" of the ring.  The shank may have channel set diamonds, diamond pavé or be polished.  The width of the shank is determined by the size of the head, which is determined by the size of the diamond center stone.  On a "split shank" style the design appears to separate into two or more rows around the finger which join on the underside of the finger as one piece.   The shank is also the part of the ring which usually may be engraved.

Side Stones
In a three-stone style, the two accent diamonds are set on either side of the center diamond are called side stones.  This term does not apply to small accent diamonds set in the shank or halo.