How To Pick The Perfect Side Stones For Your Piece Of Diamond Jewelry
My Choose Side Stones
Setting your diamond engagement ring or diamond pendant with side stones enhances the center stone, giving the whole ring a larger, more impressive look. They are also a great choice for women who want a large center stone but don’t want their piece of jewelry to look out of proportion to the center stone. We have therefore produced a useful to guide to advise you on how you can make sure you find the ideal side stones to match the center stone of an engagement ring. Because everyone has different tastes and style preferences, we will also advise you on how to find side stones that will suit the lucky recipient. Before you begin, make sure you take into account the type of person you are buying the ring for, such as their style and color preferences.
Consider Loose Diamonds
Many customers buy the side stones for their diamond engagement ring or diamond necklace pendant as pairs of loose diamonds. Not only will this give you more variety to choose from, it also provides you with the freedom to choose the ideal setting.
How Many Side Stones?
The most common combination of side stones is to have two side stones. However, you may choose to decorate the center stone further with five stones around the center stone. Engagement ring designs can also be laced with miniscule sparkling diamonds in the invisible setting, sometimes in addition to two main side stones. It is important to have in mind that the more side stones you have, the more intricate the setting of the item of jewelry needs to be.
A diamond with several side stones will require more maintenance to keep the item continually sparkling and clean. But if you would prefer having several side stones, this should not deter you, as the piece of jewelry will still not require a lot of looking after.
Choosing The Size Of The Side Stones
When choosing the size of your side stones, it is important to take into account important factors such as the number of stones and the size of the center stone you have chosen. If you have chosen to have more than two side stones, we advise you to choose diamonds significantly smaller than the center stone. If you are choosing to have two side stones, on the other hand, you have the possibility of having diamonds a similar size to the center stone, maybe just slightly smaller.
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In order for the side stones to appear in proportion to each other they should have very similar dimensions. If you are buying the side stones as pairs from a jeweler, the jeweler should have made sure that the side stones match according to the criteria pointed out in this article. If you are purchasing them yourself, make sure the size of the side stones do not vary by more than 0.2mm in length, width or depth.
Choosing The Right Color For Your Side Stones
When it comes to the colors of the side stones, there are many variations for you to consider, particularly if you have chosen fancy color diamonds. Of course, you must take into account the color preferences of the person you will be giving the diamond pendant or diamond engagement ring to. If you have chosen to have side stones, they should certainly both be the same color as each other. Having them the same color as the center stone will give the center stone a larger look. On the other hand, having them different colors to the center stone will highlight the color of the center stone. For example, a heaven blue center stone can be well complemented by a pair of fancy intense vivid side stones. And a fancy intense vivid pink center stone will look great surrounded by five light pink smaller stones.
White Diamonds
When it comes to white diamonds, it is very important to ensure that they do not have more than one color grade difference to each other. The side stones also shouldn’t be more than one color grade less than the center stone. For example, if the center stone has an F color grading, the side stones should not be more than a G color. In some cases, it may even be recommended to have a marginally lower clarity grading to enhance the appearance of the center stone. Lastly, two D-F color graded white side stones against a fancy color center stone is a great choice if you are looking to accentuate the color of the center stone.
Getting The Clarity Right
Similarly, the side stones should be similar to one another and to the center stone in clarity grading. They should not be more than one clarity grade less than the center stone and must remain one grading within each other. For example, if the center stone has VS1 clarity, the pair of side stones should not have less than a VS2 clarity grading.
Side Stone Diamond Proportions
When choosing your side stones, it is important to take into account the carat weight of the center stone. Here is a useful table presenting the different proportions you may consider for a 1.5Ct center stone and the benefits of each possibility:
Proportion Suggestions For 1.5 Carat Center Stones
| Side Stone Carat Weight | Diameter Ratio | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Ct | 86% | Very small graduation between side stones and center stone makes all three stones look noticeably substantial. |
| 0.75 Ct | 84% | The distinction between the side stones and the center stone is clearer, but the side stone will still appear noticeably large. |
| 0.66 Ct | 76% | The center stone is noticeably more substantial than the side stones, complementing the larger size of the center stone. |
| 0.5 Ct | 70% | The most common ratio. The side stones are still substantial, while a distinct graduation is easily visible. |
| 0.25 Ct | 62% | A choice for customers wishing to make their diamond center stone stand out with a sizeable graduation. |
A 1.5 carat center stone is simply an example, so if your center stone is not 1.5 carats, simply let us know which ratio you would prefer and we can find the right side stones to fit your center stone.
Select The Ideal Setting
There are three main diamond jewelry settings to choose from:
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Prong Setting
The prong setting is among the easiest to maintain and highlights the size of the diamonds. This is the most popular setting. -
Channel Setting
This setting is slightly less easy to maintain than the prong setting but provides better protection for your diamonds. As a result, however, less of their surface area is visible. -
Bezel Setting
This is regarded as the safest option, but hides a large portion of the stones.
Think Outside The Box
Popular cuts such as round, oval and princess shaped diamonds are the most common shapes for side stones, but there are other cuts made specifically to be used as side stones. For example, half-moon diamond pairs are great side stones for a round, oval or marquise center stone. Two 0.6ct half-moon side stones against a 1.5ct center stone will give the center stone a much larger look. Trapezoids, available in step-cut or brilliant-cut, are also a popular choice as side stones. A pair of step cut trapezoids will suit an emerald or asscher cut center stone, having the perfect length to fit the center stone perfectly. A brilliant cut pair of trapezoid diamonds will go well with a brilliant radiant or princess cut center stone.
We also often advise our customers to purchase clarity enhanced side stones in order for them to maximize their budget. This is a great way to have beautiful side stones and save money at the same time. With the money saved, you may choose to have a larger center stone or side stones or a center stone with a higher clarity grading.
We’re Here To Help You
We are able to match center stones to your side stones. We can even send you a picture of the center stone with two side stones so you can see exactly what they look like.
If you have any questions about diamond jewelry, we can always be contacted on 1-800-557-7095 where one of our expert diamond jewelers will be happy to assist you. Alternatively, you can email us at [email protected] with any questions you may have.