In addition to purchasing a home or new car, an engagement ring is one of the largest, life-changing investments you will make in your life. For many shoppers, strolling into a jewelry store feels as if they’ve crash-landed in the middle of a complex maze. The labyrinth of decisions to make, questions to ask, and potential to take the wrong turn can be quite stress-inducing. You may have finally decided on which gemstone or diamond you’d like for your loved one’s engagement ring, but selecting the ring setting is essential to completing your journey.

 While there are 4 common types of settings to choose from, each can be customized in a myriad of ways to embody your unique design aesthetic. These iconic engagement rings can help bring your artistic vision to life, and more importantly, score that perfect proposal.

 Halo

The halo setting is a timeless beauty and characterized by its single diamond or gem design. The halo is constructed with a wide metal band that surrounds the girdle of the stone and is ornamented by a crowd of smaller diamonds. While this setting is traditionally leveraged for oval, round, or cushion diamond shapes, it can be used to complement any gem or diamond shape. Some jewelers elect to fit the setting with a marquise, asscher, or pear-shaped diamond for an exquisitely attractive twist on a classic design. The halo is an extremely trendy option for modern shoppers as this engagement ring’s style is fashioned with a twinkling shine and has a larger karat weight and overall size.

 Solitaire

Similar to the halo, the solitaire features a single-stoned center that rests atop a metal band and can be purchased in either a bezel or prong style. The prong style is idiosyncratic of the time-honored engagement ring that consumers typically envision when they think of a traditional design. The prongs are vertical in nature and positioned in such a way around the band so that they hold the diamond in a sturdy embrace. Depending on you and your partner’s style preferences, you can select four, six, or even a double-pronged design.

 For the bezel option, the ring’s mental band completely encircles the center stone. Whether set with a gemstone or diamond, the bezel is a highly fortified option as there are no sharp edges or prongs that can scrape or catch on something accidentally. You also have the choice of using a semi-bezel setting, which is known for an increased level of refraction and shimmering brilliance due to the metal band only partially circling the main stone.

 Cathedral

This setting is architecturally stunning, reshaping the classic solitaire style by using a band that gradually moves upward and culminates in a steeple-like structure that holds the center stone. Structurally, this design is immensely stable and hoists the diamond or gemstone higher. The elevated positioning of the center stone enables more light to refract through the diamond for enhanced shine and sparkle. Many shoppers elect to modify the traditional cathedral setting by adding another stone on each side of the center stone.

 Three-Stone

Last, but not least, the three-stone setting is characterized by one large center diamond bordered by two smaller stones, one on each side. A symbolic representation of the past, present, and future, the three-stone style often combines gemstones and diamonds to create a truly fashion-forward aesthetic. A popular customization of this setting is to use a diamond center and pair it with sapphire, emerald, or ruby stones on the sides.