What is a bar setting design for a diamond ring, and what are the setting's advantages and disadvantages?

First of all, a bar setting is a setting design whereby a diamond is mounted on the ring with the help of metal bars that are perpendicular to the band itself. Bar settings are usually designed in such a way that the crown of the diamond is completely flush against the surface of the perpendicular bars, making the diamond much less prone to gradual wear and tear such as chipping or scratching. The diamond gemstone inserted in this manner actually remains exposed on two sides, thus enabling light to penetrate through it and give it better shine. Having said that, this exposure also acts as a distinct downside because it means that the diamond is more likely to damage. All in all, a bar setting seems like a good choice that could show off your diamond from all possible angles. However, I wouldn't recommend investing in a bar setting if you happen to purchase a smaller size diamond - a sideway view of the diamond is not always the most flattering angle if this was the case.

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If I were you, I would not be so keen on investing in a bar setting design for your diamond ring. The design of a bar setting is somewhat similar to that of a channel setting design, but the latter has clear advantages over bar settings when the two are compared. A channel setting provides protection to your diamond to a much greater extent than a bar setting would. This is due to the fact that a bar setting exposes a diamond's girdle and pavilion to the outside surroundings, thus leaving it unprotected and exposed to damage, unlike a channel setting where the diamonds are completely embedded within the ring.

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