What is a Solitaire Diamond? The Complete Guide

What does solitaire diamond mean? When we speak about solitaires, we refer to a ring with a single diamond embedded in it. It’s usually proportionately big, eye-catching, and embedded on a minimalist band to make the diamond stand out even more.

If you want to know the difference between solitaire diamonds and regular diamond rings, the clue is in the name. Solitaire, or solitary, refers to one. The solitaire cut is an especially popular choice for engagement rings, where we associate bigger with more beautiful. Even though a small, singular diamond embedded in a gold ring is still considered a solitaire, this type of ring has become particularly renowned for its size.

To many, the appeal of solitaire cut diamond rings is based entirely on their size. If the four ‘C’s (clarity, colour, cut and carat) of diamonds are in harmony, the larger the diamond, the higher its value. A large diamond weighing one carat is worth more than two diamonds weighing half a carat each, even though the total weight is the same. This is due to their rarity. 

Fortunately, lab-grown diamonds are changing the solitaire diamond definition by making them accessible to more people around the world who have a penchant for luxury jewellery.

Three main features of solitaire diamond rings can help you answer the question: What is a solitaire? We now know that a solitaire diamond ring carries a single diamond, but are there any other key characteristics that set it apart? 

The ring, or band itself, is not usually overly ornate. The distinguishing feature of a solitaire ring is the diamond, which is why even when embedded in a relatively plain band, a solitaire diamond ring is still a statement piece. 

One of the most popular band options is 18k gold. Its warmth, combined with a high-carat diamond, creates a stark contrast, making your diamond stand out.

Did you know? When we talk about gold, we refer to its karat, which is its purity. The higher the karat of gold, the more pure it is. When we refer to carat, we mean the weight of a diamond.

Looking at the diamond itself, and as we’ve mentioned, the higher the carat, the better. People might refer to a solitaire cut, but this isn’t strictly correct. Solitaire is used concerning rings that have one singular diamond, and the cut of this diamond is one of the four ‘C’s used to determine the value of the diamond.

Some of the most popular types of cut include the round brilliant, designed to reflect the maximum amount of light possible; the cushion cut, which is almost rectangular but with rounded edges, much like a cushion; and the oval cut, which is an elongated round shape that’s symmetrical in its form.

There are many more types of cut, and if you’re wondering how to choose a solitaire diamond, your choice will depend on your personal preference.

We’ve established that the centre stone is a key feature of a solitaire diamond ring. Still, it should also be the focal point of the piece of jewellery, given that we are talking about statement pieces that often represent love. The beauty of the solitaire cut is that it is a stand-alone diamond in a ring. When you add more gems or overly intricate designs, the ring crosses the line between being a solitaire diamond and a regular diamond ring.

Even if we’re talking about a minimalist gold band and a solitary diamond, jewellers can still be creative in designing solitaire diamond rings. Apart from the cut, as we mentioned, the setting, or how the diamond is attached to the band, can have various options, each with pros and cons.

The three most commonly recognised settings are prongs, bezel and tension settings. Within these categories, multiple ways exist to set the diamond into the ring.

The prong setting is the most common and consists of small clasps or claws that secure the diamond to the band by curving around it slightly and holding it in place. There are usually four to six prongs in a solitaire cut diamond ring.

• Classic four-prong: these prongs are placed at the top left, top right, bottom left, and bottom right.
• Compass four-prong: a variation on the classic four-prong, but their placement is in the same points as a compass: top-centre (north), right-centre (east), bottom-centre (south), and left-centre (west).
• ‘Tiffany’ setting: this setting has six prongs and was the classic design in 1886 by Tiffany & Co.

👍 Pro: Prong settings are popular because they elevate the diamond from the band, allowing more light to enter. 

👎 Con: That said, prongs are usually made of the same material as the band, which, in the case of gold, can make them relatively fragile and prone to loosening over time. 

A bezel setting is another type of setting that differs entirely from the prong setting. If you’re unsure how to choose a solitaire diamond, we recommend you consider both the kind of diamond and the setting. In the end, personal taste is more important than variation in value.

A bezel setting is a band of gold (or sometimes platinum, whichever your main ring band is made of) that goes around and covers the entire girdle (widest part) of the diamond. These can be particularly eye-catching because they ‘frame’ the diamond, so to speak.

👍 Pro: Advantages include a more secure fastening than prong-set diamonds, making them ideal for more frequent wear.

👎 Con: A solid band around the girdle of the diamond means that more of the diamond is covered, and it may sparkle a little less.

With a tension setting, the diamond appears to float as it is held in place by the pressure of the design of the ring band. If you imagine holding a diamond between your thumb and index finger, this is how a tension setting works. The ring itself may not have a continuous band; it may wrap around your finger and have two open ends that clasp the diamond in its grip.

👍 Pro: Tension settings allow the most light to reflect through the diamond.

👎 Con: If the tension ring is a declaration of love in the form of an engagement ring, it is likely for life. This could pose an issue with resizing—in summer, our fingers tend to swell with heat, and any fluctuations in weight over our lifetime will affect how the ring is sized to our fingers.

The type of solitaire diamond ring you choose will depend on your personal preferences and lifestyle. For women who use their hands frequently, opting for a ring in which the diamond is securely fastened is safer. 

That being said, if you’ve bought your diamond ring from a reputable jeweller, you should be able to go about your everyday life without worrying about losing your diamond. However, it’s always wise to be cautious and opt for a setting such as a prong or bezel over the tension setting. 

Tension settings are less likely to catch on clothing or be exposed as they don’t protrude as much. Another vote in favour of the tension setting is that they don’t often have a base as such, meaning they reflect the light much more easily and, therefore, tend to shine more brightly.

Ultimately, the setting doesn’t determine the value as the four ‘C’s of diamonds do, so much of it comes down to personal choice.

Diamonds are known for their durability and should be relatively easy to care for. However, they may lose shine over time due to dirt and grime, which can be cleaned at home. Your ring's gold (or platinum) will need a little more TLC. Keeping your solitaire ring clean is just one aspect of caring for it.

While you can clean your jewellery at home using household ingredients rather than premade chemical solutions, we recommend having a professional clean your ring at least once a year. Ask your jeweller to check for any other signs of wear and tear and highlight and correct any issues before they reach the point of no return.

>Read our complete guide on how to clean your ring at home

Your solitaire ring will withstand pool chemicals as a rule of thumb, although if you’re a regular swimmer, the chemicals may affect the lustre of your piece over time. 

The most significant danger when swimming, especially in the sea, is losing your solitaire ring, which is the worst-case scenario. For this reason, care for your ring by removing it before swimming (preferably leaving it safe at home).

Cleaning products contain harsh chemicals that are not good for your jewellery or skin. In addition, cleaning showers, sinks, and baths pose another risk: losing your precious ring down the drain. And when we talk about cleaning, it’s not just when you’re bleaching your home but also when you’re cleaning yourself. Soaps and creams can build up on your jewellery over time, causing it to lose shine.

If there is one thing you can do to protect your solitaire diamond ring, it’s to insure it. Check if your home insurance covers your new piece; otherwise, you may need to add it to your policy explicitly.