
21.01.21
Why the Cathedral Setting is Here to Stay
By Stephanie Dore
Little black dresses. Great denim. Diamond studs. Chucks. Thereâs a reason classics are, well, classics. Similarly, there are a few engagement ring styles that are just plain here to stay. And one of the most popular is the cathedral engagement ring. But what is a cathedral setting, and what is it about this look that makes it such a classic? Itâs a simple idea, really. Take a diamond solitaire and add little shoulders that point directly at your center stone. Like magic, you get the whoa factor. But itâs more than that. So letâs see why, exactly, cathedral settings are here to stay.
Take Me To Church
So, cathedral rings arenât really a âsetting styleâ as much as they are a âshoulder styleâ. Which is a bonus because they can be combined with a lot of other setting styles, be it a 4-prong, a 6-prong, a halo, a bezel…only your imagination is the limit. Add those graceful, sweeping shouldersânamed, of course, for the arches of a cathedralâand youâve got an elegant ring thatâs good to go.
Like A Little Prayer
Those raised shoulders arenât just for looksâin fact, they can offer a bit of extra security for your center diamond, protecting it from some degree of daily wearâbut they sure are pretty. Love the little extra details? Those shoulders can be accented with beautiful pave diamonds, delicate engraving, or even filigree work.
Split Decision
You can also go thin and delicate or big and bold with a wider shoulder. Go single or splitâcathedral ring settings come in all shapes and sizes. While a classic round solitaire might look best with a single cathedral shoulder, elongated shapes like ovals, emeralds, and marquises are stellar in a split-shank cathedral. This style features a single band that splits into two points at the shoulder to perfectly frame your diamond.

gallery leverages the strength of
the shoulders to show off the stone
Love Lift Us Up Where We Belong
Cathedral ring settings donât just highlight your center diamond, they set it higherâand are known for this high profile look. Itâs a classic look that elevates your diamond so that lots of light gets in there and sparkles back at you. But be warnedâif youâve got a super active lifestyle, the high profile can be more likely to snag against stuff, putting your diamond (and your favorite sweaters) at risk.
Couple Goals
If you know youâll be forever bothered by a gap between your engagement ring and wedding band, a cathedral style setting can help alleviate that. Because a classic cathedral sits above the band, a slim, matching wedding band will snuggle right up, leaving no gaps. Often, you can find perfectly matched pairs and purchase them at the same time so you wonât have to try to match them later.
Forever, forever, ever, forever, ever?
We know, you donât need any more convincing that the cathedral engagement ring style is as classic as they come. You just want to see the rings. Whether you shop the collection, take our style quiz to design your own, or reach out for a helping hand at hello@shop.frankdarling.com, weâre here to make sure your dream ring comes true.