Do you know what shank or prongs mean? You may have come across this lingo when hearing about the anatomy of a ring. But this doesn’t ring a bell for you?

Whether you’re a jewellery enthusiast designing rings or just curious about the design intricacies before buying one, knowing the right words for different parts of a ring gives you an edge. Being able to talk about the components will help you work alongside a designer or work as a designer to ensure each element of your design tells a story. If this topic interests you enough to pursue it, you should look into design degrees offered by JD Institute of Fashion Technology. but for now, this article will give you a comprehensive overview.

To make the ring designing journey as satisfying as possible, here are the details about the parts of a ring and what they do to make your band look gorgeous.

Anatomy of a Ring – Know Your Band Inside Out

While a ring might seem simple, a lot of brainstorming goes into creating a unique look for different types of rings. Knowing how to differentiate parts of a ring can help you explore your options as a designer or communicate your preferences to a jewellery specialist. After all, a ring as an heirloom may stay in families for generations.

For a perfect ring design, the designers arrange all the different parts of a ring in sync to create a cohesive overall look. This will also give you a general idea of what you might learn in the Diploma in Fine Jewellery Design course offered by the JD Institute of Fashion Technology.

So, let’s understand the diagram of a ring topology and learn the vocabulary of ring design.

The Center Stone – Centre Diamond or Gemstone

The centre stone is the dominant diamond or gemstone in the anatomy of an engagement ring design. While there are also designs having two centre stones or no centre stone at all (like a cluster engagement ring), a ring with one focal stone at the heart of it is a standard design type.

Coloured diamonds and gemstones are a fantastic choice as a centre stone because they bring something distinctive to even the most classic design. Some preferred gemstone options include coloured diamonds, sapphires, rubies, emeralds, and tourmalines.

If you enjoy learning about different gemstones, read this to satiate your curiosity.

The Claws or Prongs

The prongs or claws of the ring are the small grips that hold the centre stone and keep them in place. The two most common claw types are round and eagle claws.

Some claw or prong types are square, petal, V-shaped, and bear claws. Some people prefer bulkier prongs as they may be more secure. On the other hand, some opt for more delicate prongs as they let gemstones sparkle by not obstructing the light reaching them.

The Band or Shank

While the centre stone often takes centre stage when discussing the anatomy of a diamond ring design, the shank plays a crucial role, giving the ring its unique look.

As the name suggests, the ring shank or the band is the metal portion that goes around the finger and helps it stay put. Moreover, the band is one of the most crucial parts of a signet ring, adding a different texture and feel.

The Crown or the Head

The crown or head indicates the complete part of the setting that grips the centre stone. Generally, designers use metal prongs or bezels to form the crown, holding the centre stone in place and adding aesthetic value.

The design of the crown can immensely impact the overall look of the ring, as it affects the way light reflects off the middle stone. Some popular crown styles include bezel, prong and pavé settings.

The Side or Accent Stones

The side stones, or the accent stones, are small stones around the centre stone. Designers use these stones to enhance the beauty of the centre stone by matching or contrasting it in colour, shape, or style.

Accent stones can surround the centre stone or get set in the ring’s band (or sometimes both). These little sparkle rocks come in different shapes, sizes and colours depending on the overall ring design or the wearer’s preference. Some complex ring descriptions may feature clusters of side stones, marquise, or baguettes that can include up to 50 smaller side stones complementing the centre stone.

Parting Thoughts

As the jewellery design market is booming, the need for proficient ring designers is on the rise too. However, capitalising on this opportunity requires you to hone your skills by understanding the ring design lingo in-depth, orienting you to pick apart the anatomy of a ring and analyse the design.

So why not join a Diploma in Fine Jewellery Design course to get an edge over other rookie jewellery designers? The one-year diploma program at the JD Institute of Design will assist you in enhancing your creative and technical skills and meeting market demands.

Enrol in the best jewellery designing course to master the art of ring artistry and get ahead of the curve.