Congratulations! You have finally made the awesome commitment to buy your dream gemstones for an engagement ring; the next stages are just as important as the gemstones.

Engagement ring mountings are just as important an aspect of designing an engagement ring' as the gemstones they carry. The design of your mounting becomes the focal point for the ring as it cradles the precious center stone and the possible side stones, that make the engagement ring.

A ring is made up of two parts: the shank, or body of the ring, and the head or gallery — the metal that sets the diamond into place. The setting provides the security needed to wear gemstones and they come in so many different styles. Mountings and settings are such important features of fine jewelry.

When we design a ring we account for the aesthetic of the gemstones but also we design with an aim to protect the stones. The power of precious metals like gold and platinum is also their strength that can stand the test of time. When a ring is designed it is usually designed in wax before being cast in gold or platinum.

There is also a style element in creating a ring, in that sense the ring setting should also highlight the beauty of an engagement diamond and any other stones that accent the center stone. Style refers to the overall design aesthetic that the ring setting helps create—whether it be solitaire, halo or three stone.

In the image above, the head is the piece that holds the center gemstone. Pronged heads are the most common-the four posts standing on the head will become the prongs, which are the little claws of metal that secure the stone.

Above is a ring that has the gemstones set and the mounting has been polished. As protective as the mounting is, it is still highly decorative in nature and accents the beauty of the gemstones. Let your creativity be reflected in your settings and mountings!