Ooh! Aah! Jewelry

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The Ooh! Aah! Guide to Solitaires

Solitaires have been one of the most popular engagement ring designs for generations. Their elegant simplicity fits a multitude of aesthetics and stand the test of time. We’ll walk you through the history of solitaires, what they are, and why they are our go to!

First thing’s first- what is a solitaire? The word solitaire is used to describe a piece of jewelry with one stone.  The stone can be any shape, and you can set the stone in many ways, although the term is closely associated with round brilliant stones in a simple four prong setting.

The first solitaire setting was produced by Tiffany and Co and featured a round brilliant diamond in 6 prongs. This popularization led to four prong, eight prong, and bezel set variations, and the setting of different shaped center stones as a way to make the style more specific to each couple’s tastes. 

We love solitaires. We love their simplicity, the romance of showing off the stone you picked,  and most of all that you can change them with a simple band!  They’re a great choice for a client who is sure of their partner, but not sure of their taste!  They’re a great design that fits into many budgets as you can pick from a variety of center stones and metal options. 

With any engagement ring, there are a couple of things to consider- like whether they have a favorite stone shape or metal color, but there are a couple of things to think of in particular when you are shopping for solitaires. Does your partner have a job where they use their hands a lot? If so, you may want to try a solitaire that sits lower on the hand to prevent spinning, and the stone getting stuck on objects throughout the day. 

See what kind of wedding bands your partner likes- and make sure the ring is compatible. Some rings sit very low, which feels comfortable but doesn’t always leave room to fit a wedding band flush with their engagement ring. If you are wanting to surprise your significant other you can check out their social media boards or ask a close confidant!

As always, we are here to help! If you want to start designing your own solitaire come into the shop during business hours or contact us for appointment availability.