Side Stone Engagement Ring Styles
Three-stone rings are the most iconic side stone design—a larger center diamond flanked by two smaller stones. The three stones traditionally represent past, present, and future, which gives the ring built-in meaning. It's one of the most popular engagement ring styles we sell. Pavé settings line the band with tiny diamonds set closely together, creating a continuous shimmer that frames the center stone beautifully. The band itself becomes part of the sparkle, which makes the whole ring look more impressive.
Channel-set rings lock a row of diamonds between two rails of metal along the band—smooth, sleek, and snag-free. They're the most practical side stone option for active lifestyles. Halo rings surround the center diamond with a ring of smaller stones, making it appear significantly larger and adding fire from every angle. Vintage-style rings with milgrain detailing and intricate side stone arrangements give the ring old-world character. And split-shank rings divide the band as it approaches the center stone, creating two channels of side diamonds that frame the center with extra visual width and presence. For a simpler look, explore our solitaire engagement rings, or find a matching bridal set that includes a perfectly fitted wedding band.
Choosing Side Stones for Your Engagement Ring
Matching matters. Side stones should complement the center diamond in color and clarity so the ring looks cohesive. If your center stone is an F color, you don't want H or I color side stones that look noticeably warmer next to it. We typically recommend side stones that are within one color grade of the center. Clarity is more forgiving in small side stones—VS2 or SI1 is perfectly eye-clean at the sizes used in most side stone settings.
Shape and cut of the side stones affect the ring's overall character. Round brilliants are the most common because they match any center stone shape. Baguettes (rectangular step-cuts) create a clean, Art Deco look alongside round or emerald-cut centers. Pear-shaped side stones taper outward from the center for an elegant, elongating effect. Trapezoid and half-moon cuts are custom-shaped to fit snugly against the center stone with minimal gaps. The right side stone shape can make your center diamond look larger, more balanced, or more distinctive depending on the combination.
Side Stone Settings and Durability
Your engagement ring gets more daily wear than any other piece of jewelry you own, so setting security is critical. Prong settings for side stones hold each diamond individually—they let the most light in but have more points that can potentially loosen over time. Channel settings are the most secure and low-maintenance option because the diamonds are locked between metal walls with no exposed prongs. Bezel-set side stones wrap each diamond in metal for maximum protection.
Pavé settings use very small prongs to hold tiny diamonds, and they do require more care than channel or bezel. The small prongs can catch on fabrics and loosen over the years, so we recommend having pavé rings checked every six months to make sure every stone is secure. Micro-pavé uses even smaller diamonds and finer prongs for a more delicate look, but the same maintenance advice applies. Regardless of setting style, we tell every customer the same thing: get your ring checked once or twice a year. A loose stone caught early is a simple fix; a lost stone is a much bigger problem. When the time comes, browse our wedding and anniversary rings for the perfect band to pair with your engagement ring.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do side stones make the center diamond look bigger?
Yes—that's one of the biggest advantages of side stone settings. Diamonds flanking the center create visual width that makes the center stone appear larger than it would in a solitaire setting. A halo takes this even further by surrounding the center with small stones, which can make a 1-carat diamond look like 1.5 carats from a normal viewing distance. Three-stone and pavé settings also add total sparkle that draws the eye to the whole ring rather than just the center stone. We see a lot of customers choose side stone settings specifically because they get more visual impact for their budget.
How much do side stones add to the cost of an engagement ring?
Less than most people expect. Side stones are typically small—ranging from 0.01 to 0.50 carats each depending on the style—and small diamonds cost significantly less per carat than larger ones. A pavé band might add 0.20 to 0.50 carats of total diamond weight but only increase the ring's cost by 10 to 20 percent. A three-stone ring with meaningful side stones adds more. The real value is that side stones make the overall ring look more substantial and sparkly for a relatively modest additional investment. Dollar for dollar, side stones are one of the best ways to maximize the visual impact of an engagement ring.
What if a side stone falls out of my engagement ring?
It happens, and it's usually fixable. Small side stones in pavé and channel settings can occasionally come loose from daily wear. If you notice a stone is missing or feels loose, bring the ring in as soon as possible. A jeweler can replace the stone and tighten the setting. This is exactly why we recommend having your ring inspected every six months—a jeweler can spot a loosening stone before it falls out. Most quality jewelers offer a warranty or maintenance plan that covers side stone replacement. Prevention is always better and cheaper than repair, so make the inspection visits a habit.
Should side stones match the center diamond exactly?
They should be close, but they don't need to be identical. The most important match is color—side stones that are noticeably warmer or cooler than the center will look off. Stay within one color grade of the center diamond. For clarity, side stones can be a grade or two lower than the center because they're smaller and inclusions are harder to see in small stones. Cut quality should be consistent so all the diamonds sparkle evenly. We hand-match side stones to every center diamond we set, because even small mismatches can affect how the ring looks as a whole.
Which side stone style is most low-maintenance?
Channel-set side stones are the clear winner for low maintenance. The diamonds sit between two walls of metal with no prongs exposed, so there's nothing to catch on fabric, nothing to loosen from daily wear, and the stones are well-protected from impact. Bezel-set side stones are a close second. Pavé is the most maintenance-intensive because the tiny prongs can wear down over time and need re-tipping. Three-stone rings with prong-set side stones fall in the middle—fewer stones to worry about than pavé, but the prongs still need periodic checking. If you want a set-it-and-forget-it ring, channel or bezel is the way to go.