A floating diamond ring may sound magical, and it kind of is. Thanks to artful craftsmanship and talented jewelry designers, a floating diamond engagement ring is a beautiful and seemingly gravity-defying wonder in the jewelry world.
If you’re looking for an engagement ring in the floating diamond style, there are many aspects to consider before you purchase one. Among other details, you should consider the center stone shape you want, the required maintenance, ring resizing, and the level of wear and tear the ring will experience on a daily basis.
Read on to learn more about different floating diamond engagement rings, as well as what to keep in mind when you shop.
What Is a Floating Diamond Engagement Ring?
A floating diamond ring has a center stone that looks like it is floating above the setting or the band.
Among the types of ring settings that give the illusion a diamond is floating, some include: tension rings, halo rings, floating arches, bar settings, and even bypass settings. Certain two stone engagement rings can achieve this, too.
Each of these rings gives the illusion of diamonds hovering above their settings, which is an elegant way to emphasize their quality.
Are a Floating Diamond Ring and Tension Ring the Same Thing?
Somewhat. A tension ring is a type of floating ring, but a floating diamond ring isn’t always a tension ring.
A tension setting holds a diamond center stone (or other gemstone) securely in place using compression. There are no prongs, bezels, or bars to help keep the center stone in place. The result is a diamond that looks like it is floating between the two ends of the metal band.
Types of Floating Diamond Rings
Floating Halos
Halo rings are very popular for many reasons. But the number one reason is the small circle of accent diamonds (melees) surrounding the center stone make it appear larger than it is.
And the extra sparkle from the smaller diamonds is also quite eye catching.
Some halos sit flush with the center diamond, but a floating diamond halo ring elevates the stone, making it the focus of the ring. One example of a floating diamond halo is our Tulip Halo Ring.
Tulip Halo Ring
A nod to vintage romance, our Tulip Halo Ring features a round center diamond floating delicately above a halo of 36 gemstones. Four discreet prongs securely hold the diamond in place, making it the focal point of the ring.
While it is only compatible with a round shape center diamond, you have more metal options. In addition to yellow gold, it is available in platinum, rose gold, and white gold.
Floating Arches
For the most part, you will find floating arches in eternity rings. The diamonds in this ring are elevated with the help of a bridge-like basket design. The diamonds sit in the baskets without the security of prongs, giving the illusion that they are floating.
Bypass Setting
The bypass ring doesn’t have a band that forms one continuous line. Instead, the band splits or overlaps around the center gemstone. Bypass rings were popular during the Victorian era and can symbolize two souls joining in marriage.
St. Tropez Ring
Our stunning St. Tropez Ring is a unique version of the bypass ring style. It features a round lab diamond set between a gently twisting bypass band. The band is encrusted with over 30 hand-set accent diamonds. The St. Tropez Ring is available in platinum, yellow gold, rose gold, and white gold metal.
Bar Setting
You will find bar settings in both eternity rings and 3-stone diamond ring designs. In this setting, a bar of metal sits between the stones and holds them securely in place. It also leaves two sides of the diamonds exposed, allowing more light to shine through for extra sparkle.
What Diamond Shape Is Best for Floating Diamond Rings?
Any diamond shape you like can be used in a floating diamond engagement ring. Round diamonds are popular because they give off the most brilliance and sparkle. However, a fancy shape gemstone like an emerald or marquise would be just as lovely.
If you’re looking for the perfect diamond shape, shop our selection of pure lab created diamonds, here.
Are Floating Diamond Engagement Rings Secure?
Yes, they are secure as long as they are made well.
The center gemstones and accent diamonds in a floating ring are secured by various methods. These methods include compression or tension, prongs, open bezels, bars, and other standard settings that work very well.
But as with any other diamond ring, there are times when the security of those settings is compromised.
Durability Issues From Regular Wear
Since the center diamond on your floating diamond engagement ring sits higher, there are more chances for it to snag or catch on clothing or other items. There are also more chances for it to bump against hard surfaces as you go throughout your day.
These slight snags and bumps can compromise the security of your center stone. If you use your hands on a daily basis for physical work, this might not be the best setting for you.
The Pros of a Floating Engagement Ring Setting
If you’re still unsure about whether floating diamond rings are for you, here are some pros to consider:
The Center Diamond Will Look Larger
Because the center stone of a floating diamond engagement ring is the focal point, it can look larger than it is. You can also make it seem larger with by adding a floating halo.
If you want the look of a larger stone without the extra cost, then choose a diamond just below the next carat weight up. To the unaided eye, the diamond will look larger than it is.
They Are Easy To Clean
Cleaning a floating diamond ring is no different than cleaning any other type of ring. Use warm water, gentle soap, and a soft brush to scrub. Pay special attention to tight areas, like where the metal and stone meet in a tension setting. Then rinse and pat dry with a soft cloth.
Never use harsh jewelry or ultrasonic cleaners on you ring. Harsh jewelry cleaners can affect the metal and ultrasonic cleaners can loosen your diamonds.
The Cons of the Floating Engagement Ring Setting
The floating setting design is gorgeous, but it does have some drawbacks. So be sure to think about the following points before you purchase:
They Require More Maintenance
Since floating engagement ring settings are intricate, regular maintenance is necessary. You need to have an experienced jeweler check your ring to ensure the diamond doesn’t loosen. If it loosens you run the risk of losing it.
Resizing Can Be Difficult
Do your best to ensure you choose the correct size at the start. Changing the ring size later will affect the integrity of its structure. In some cases, like with a tension ring, resizing is not even possible. In order to resize a tension ring, it would have to be remade completely.
Some Tips for Buying Floating Diamond Engagement Rings
In addition to the pros and cons of choosing a floating diamond ring, we’ve rounded up a couple of ways to get the most out of your purchase: diamond clarity and color.
Diamond Clarity
Clarity refers to inclusions and blemishes in a diamond, which are natural occurrences in both a lab diamond and mined diamond. Since the center stone in a floating diamond ring is prominent, inclusions can be more visible to the unaided eye (especially in fancy shape diamonds).
And while inclusions are natural, they impede the way light passes through a diamond. The result is less sparkle, fire, and scintillation.
To get the most sparkle out of your center stone, we recommend you choose one with a clarity grade of at least SI1 or SI2. These diamonds will have inclusions that are visible under 10x magnification, but not necessarily to the naked eye.
Diamond Color
As with clarity, the diamond in a floating engagement ring is the focal point. Because of this you may want to choose one with a higher color rating so it looks as white as possible. And the whiter your diamond appears, the more it will sparkle.
When we talk about diamond color, we really mean the absence of color. Diamonds are graded on a color scale of D-Z; D is colorless while Z is yellow. You don’t have to have a diamond with a D rating in order for it to appear colorless. If you prefer not to see any yellow in your stone but want to save money, choose a G-J color grade.
A G-J diamond appears colorless when it is mounted face up. You can even make a G-J diamond appear even more colorless if you choose a platinum or white gold setting.
Shop and Compare Different Engagement Ring Options With Clean Origin
Floating diamond rings are lovely, but if you’re trying to keep your options open there’s nothing wrong with additional research. We offer a variety of diamond engagement rings with styles that vary based on setting (like solitaire engagement rings), metal color, diamond shape, and more.
If you want to compare a floating diamond engagement ring you have in mind with a different style, shop our selection of lab diamond engagement rings, here.
