A ring with 3 diamonds will look very different to a solitaire ring. This style means your sparkle will be spread out more across your finger. Usually, the central stone will take precedence, however, the smaller stones will add some balance and definition.
Diamond three stone rings are often used for engagement rings, but can also be great to give as an anniversary gift or for some jewellery to celebrate a personal event. The three stones often represent the past, present and future, though this can be completely optional.
When choosing your engagement ring, you should think about the way the stones fit together. The cut, shape and setting can make rings look very different even if they have the same total carat weight.
Why Diamond Three Stone Rings Look Different
A solitaire ring has one central stone, whereas a three stone ring will mean you will have more interest spread across the band of the ring, creating a greater overall feel without the need for an unusually large stone.
There is more variety in these rings. You could have three round stones, an oval centre stone and pear shaped side stones. Or you could have a rectangular emerald cut centre stone which looks very striking with tapered baguettes.
Depending on how far apart the stones are, you can create very different styles. If they are close together, it will look like the ring is one piece, whilst a bit more space between them will mean you can see the outline of each stone.
Neither of these are really better than each other, it just depends on if you want a cohesive style or clear stones.
Balancing the Centre and Side Stones
Usually, a three stone ring will have the centre stone being the most prominent. However, the largest centre stone doesn’t always create the most beautiful ring.
The side stones can look like they aren’t connecting with the central stone if they’re too small. Whereas if they’re unusually large, the ring can lack a central stone.
A few things to consider include:
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Width – The overall width of the stones.
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Side Stones – The stones on the side should be similar in proportion, colour and overall style.
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Raised Centre Stone – Having the centre stone raised can add more definition to the ring.
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Wider designs can look different if you have shorter/narrower fingers.
If you’re ordering online, having top down and side views will help you to see if the three stones have a balanced design and how high the setting will be.
What Shapes Go Well Together?
Round Brilliant
Overall this ring will look cohesive with its symmetrical design. The brilliant cut stones will create some sparkle and look good on white/yellow metals.
Oval and Pear
The longer centre stone will create a graceful design. The pear shapes can follow the curve of the centre stone to create a softer look.
Emerald Cut and Tapered Baguettes
This design looks more structured thanks to the straight lines and large facets. It will really show off the clarity and clean lines.
Lab Diamonds
Lab diamonds are worth looking into when considering three stone designs. Particularly if the overall weight of the diamonds will affect your budget.
Lab diamonds are real diamonds. They have the same chemical make-up, crystal structure and optical properties. However, they are created in a controlled environment.
Novita Diamonds is a great place to research lab-grown diamond jewellery if you’re in the UK.
Whatever type of diamond you go with, you will still need to consider the classic 4Cs. Quality cut is something which should be considered. This will affect how well the diamond interacts with light.
It is important to have a cohesive look to your three stone design. If the stones look very different in colour, they may not match well.
Choosing the Right Metal
The metal your diamonds are set into will give your ring a different feel.
Platinum will give a natural white look and is often used for premium diamond jewellery. White gold will give a similar look. However, if your white gold has been rhodium plated you may need it re-plated.
Gold will give a warm contrast to white diamonds. Rose gold will give a softer pink look. Both can look beautiful with round, oval or cushion cut stones.
If you’re looking at diamond three stone rings at Novita Diamonds, you can consider what colours will compliment your preferred stone shape.
If you’re buying in the UK, it’s important to know that any gold or platinum jewellery over the relevant exemption weight must be hallmarked. This means they will have a legal hallmark showing the fineness of the metal.
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Setting Considerations
You may find that although your ring looks delicate in pictures, your ring actually has quite a heavy setting.
Claw settings will mean you can see most of each stone. However, the claws should be checked regularly to see if they have become worn. Bezel settings will mean there is metal around the edges of your stone providing extra protection. However, this will give a different look.
Comfortable ring
If you’re going to be wearing your ring everyday, you should consider comfort.
Will the setting snag on your clothing? Is the band comfortable between your neighbour fingers? Can you wear a wedding band with it?
It is also a good idea to ask about resizing. Three stone designs with stones going towards your shoulders can be more difficult to resize than a plain solitaire band.
Things to Consider in the UK
Make sure you know if the carat weight shown is for the centre stone or overall. This can make a big difference.
Ask if there are independent diamond reports. How big will the ring be? How will it be delivered? What are the resizing costs? And what are the returns policy?
Novita Diamonds are a great place to start if you’re looking at lab-grown options. However, you should still check the details on your ring.
Overall, think about your ring as a whole. If the stones are well proportioned, securely set and comfortable to wear, you’ll care about this long term.
