The anatomy of a Ring

When it comes to finding the ring of your dreams, whether it’s one of ATTIC’s ready-to-ship engagement rings or one that we custom design with you, we believe every single detail counts.

Here, we’ll break down the main parts of an engagement ring to help you define your ring’s must-have features, which can come in handy with phone consultations or working remotely together on your special project. 

Centre Stone

As the focal point of the traditional engagement ring, the centre stone is the star of the show, where it can be set by itself (commonly known as a solitaire), or with other accompanying smaller stones on the side. Some of our favourite, classic solitaires are the Hunter and Eddie rings.

Side Stone(s)

An optional but popular feature, these gems are the sidekicks to the star. Side stones are meant to complement and enhance the beauty of the centre stone. Check out our Baguette or Thea settings to inspire your dream ring concepts.

Claw / Prong

Think of the prongs as the pillars of strength that keep your gem(s) held in place. When the tips of these posts are shaped to a point over the top edge of the stone, they can be referred to as claws. We love the elegant viper shape of the claws in our ATTIC and Celine rings.

Gallery

When viewing your ring in profile, the gallery is the area between the lower half of your centre stone and the surface of contact on your finger. It’s typically a space where you can see the full height of your gemstone and all its glory. See our Ali Setting for a gallery with detail, or the modern Bella for a unique and sleek gallery. 

Shoulders

If you consider the “head” of the ring as the centre stone setting, then either side of it is the shoulders of the ring. Additional gemstones, tapering width or thickness, and other design details can adorn the shoulders like our beloved Sophie ring.

Shank / Band

Besides the setting, the shank or band is the remaining material that surrounds the finger, and offers plenty of variation in shape, thickness, and width, or other details like gemstones and milgrain. See our range of band thickness from Sorella to Celine, and milgrain or diamonds like Simone or Nova.  

Base

The base of a ring is the bottom portion of the ring where details are least viewed as your finger bends over this area. But our Union setting shows how the base can be just as beautiful as the rest of the ring. 

ATTIC’s top two favourite setting styles are the claw and bezel settings. The claw setting holds up your gemstone to allow light to pass through its facets, while the bezel completely surrounds the stone with metal, offering protection, durability, and a clean look.