What kind of ring settings should I choose for a low clarity diamond?

If we are talking about a solitaire diamond ring then I guess the channel, gypsy and bead setting are out of question. Since the main advantages of the prong setting and tension setting are that they expose most of the diamond's surface, while you on the other hand would prefer to conceal the diamond's flaws, I suggest you go for the bezel setting. In the bezel setting the diamond isn't hidden, but it is well covered and secured from all sides, except its top. If you wish to buy a round diamond, then the bezel setting could be a good choice, as long as its inclusions are not in the diamond's crown, which is in fact the part which always remains visible. There are many choices you could makes, just make sure that the setting you select indeed conceals the diamond's inclusion. I would say, in your case, that it's best to choose a diamond with one big and ugly inclusion in a region which could be easily covered by some ring settings, than selecting a diamonds with small inclusions all over, among which some will surely be spotted by your future fiancee. You better consult this issue with the jeweler that would assist. There's no harm in purchasing an imperfect diamond and then selecting a setting that could hide it flaws. There's no reason that your love one would ever find out about such imperfection. Good luck!

• 0
• 0

I understand your concerns. If the diamond you have chosen is of a low clarity grade (I!-I3) the various inclusions (including knots, scratches, dents, feathers, etc.) will be quite visible through the diamond's table and its crown. Here are a few suggestions on ring settings which can help disguise the diamond's more visible inclusions:

• Pave setting – With a pave setting, the diamonds appear to be 'paved' together. The diamonds are held in place by tiny metal prongs, and are fitted snugly together to create a row of diamonds. Since the diamonds are placed so close together, and since diamonds used in pave settings are usually quite small, their inclusions will be less apparent.
  

• Channel setting – Diamonds mounted into a channel setting are placed within a trench which is etched into the ring's band's metal. Since the diamonds are half immersed within the band's metal, their inclusions will be less visible.
  

• Bezel setting – with a bezel setting, the diamonds' girdles are enclosed in metal. The diamond's table is the only part of the precious gemstone which remains exposed. Thus, most of the diamond's inclusions will be hidden within the setting's structure.

• 
  Tension setting – With a tension setting, the precious gemstone is held in place by the tension created by the two edges of the band. The edges of the band are fitted around the diamond, therefore, the diamond's sides and its culet remain hidden, while only its table and crown are apparent.
  

• 1
• 1