Channel Rings
Lately, all the talks of rings for engagement and weddings seem to taper off from plain gold ring bands. It seems the eternal undying symbol of love and virtue in plain gold rings is no more – in its place are channel rings! Don’t get me wrong, however, as plain and austere gold ring bands are still the ring design of preference but to a smaller percentage of people. More on convention than on opulence, such as medical professionals who needs to have plain gold rings since these plain band rings are easier to keep clean and sanitary. Other professionals as well, like engine mechanics, whose line of work needs rings that don’t have crevices and edges where dirt and oil can keep stuck. But apart from this stringent population, the practice of professing in plain colors has long since passed. Now is the practice of showing perpetuity in channel rings, rings with channel designs that feature precious stones of rubies, emeralds, and diamonds. Even the single stone promise rings, those designs that usually follow the tired cliché ‘diamonds are forever’ are giving way to multi-stoned channel rings.
What are these channel rings? Channel rings are jeweled rings that have precious stones embedded along the band, thus in a ‘channel’ setting. Though not very usual, the gems may be held in place by ‘prongs’ or ‘teeth’ that are also finely designed, but the most common fastening is the rim itself, like in a bezel setting. The stones are set closely, oftentimes right next to each other without anything in between. In effect, channel rings are grander looking than plain gold band, and that’s the main reason why individuals who aren’t ruled over a stringent policy of gold bands choose the more aesthetic and visual option of channel rings.
As mentioned earlier, one thing that’s also good in channel rings is that they employ smaller and thus cheaper stones, as opposed to single set stone diamond ring. As everyone knows that the size of the gemstone contributes significantly to the jewelry ring’s market price, channel rings makes use of the smallest stones, makes better use of them than being set singularly. And the illusion of them secured closely together can sometimes give the impression of a larger, more voluminous piece. And lastly, all of these effect while being cheaper.
Have you found your channel ring yet? Here are some of my recommendations for channel rings.
Princess Channel Set Wedding Band
Price: $780
Crafted of white gold, this Princess Channel Wedding Band is as exquisite as it sounds, maybe even more. Exquisitely yet designed simply, you’d be surprised that it didn’t cost much more, only at around $780. There are 13 Princess cut diamond stones that total to ½ carat nestled in a channel ring setting across the face of the ring. The band is made of 14 carat of white gold or yellow gold.
Channel Set Diamond Wedding Ring
Price: $2,200
From Ross Simons Diamond, this Channel Set Diamond Wedding Band displays a glitter enough to rival the stars. Featuring 10 of the most brilliant cut round diamonds in a color grade G-H and clarity of SI1-I1 in a channel ring setting made of 14 carat white gold. There are no choices for yellow gold though you’d hardly need one with this superlative channel set diamond ring.
It really is true, channel set ring is fast overtaking the standard symbolism of one piece diamond rings set ages ago by De Beers. Equally as beautiful, yet much cheaper, it’ll be a matter of time before channel rings, channel set diamond rings to be that standard symbol to the age old cliché about “diamonds” and “forever”.