Three Stone Engagement Rings

Three stones, traditionally read as past, present and future. Practically, a three stone setting spreads brightness across the finger instead of concentrating it in one point, which is why these rings look substantial from a distance in a way a solitaire of the same centre weight does not.

The side stones do real work here. They are usually a third to a half of the centre in width, and their shape sets the character: matched rounds keep it classic, tapered baguettes make it architectural and slightly Art Deco, pear or trillion sides push it towards the dramatic.

The buying implication is that your budget splits three ways. A three stone ring with a 1.00ct centre carries perhaps 1.40ct in total, so at a fixed budget the centre stone will be smaller than it would be in a solitaire. What you get back is width, and a ring that fills the space between the knuckles.

One thing to insist on: the side stones should match each other in colour and clarity, and sit level with the centre. Mismatched sides are visible even to an untrained eye.