One stone does the work, so choose it first, then its shape, its setting and the size
A solitaire is one stone on a plain band, so choosing the stone is choosing the ring. Every white diamond engagement solitaire here is lab-grown, from 2 to 4 carats. Most of those sold in the year carried three carats or more. Pick the shape next, then read the grades each listing prints. For a gem instead of a diamond, the gemstone solitaires set one round stone in yellow, white or rose gold.
The center: lab-grown solitaire diamond rings, 2 to 4 carats
Every white diamond engagement solitaire here has a lab-grown center, and each listing says so. The centers run from 2 carats to a little over 4. Each prints E or F color and VS or VVS clarity, so the stone faces up white and clean to the eye. No listing names a grading report, so ask us which papers come with the ring before you pay.
The shape: round, oval, emerald cut and marquise solitaire rings
Choose the outline before the weight. The diamond solitaires come round, oval, emerald cut, elongated cushion, marquise, Asscher and radiant. The oval is the one bought most, more than half of the diamond engagement solitaires sold. An oval or a marquise runs along the finger and looks bigger than a round of its weight. A round throws the most sparkle. An emerald cut or an Asscher is cut in flat steps like a staircase, so it shows clarity more than fire. If the Asscher shows no size for sale, ask us about it.
The setting: prong, claw and cathedral solitaire settings
Most centers sit up on prongs, which let light in from the sides, and the two emerald cuts are held in claws. The 2.04 carat round and the Asscher rise on a cathedral, arches of gold that lift the stone. The elongated cushion, the marquise and the two-tone radiant are built to sit flush against a wedding band, so choose one of those if a straight band must touch. Every one offers the three golds except the two-tone radiant, which mixes two. Take 14K for a ring worn every day, though the oval and the elongated cushion are 18K.
Colored stones: gemstone solitaire rings
Each gemstone solitaire holds one round stone of about a carat, set on prongs in 14K gold, and all but the white topaz bring color. The stones run from amethyst and topaz to ruby, sapphire, garnet, peridot and tanzanite. The emerald among them is the green gem, not the diamond shape. Amethyst and topaz were bought most. For a ring that never comes off, the hardest of them are the ruby and the sapphire. Each weighs little more than two grams, slim enough to stack with a band. The alexandrite is synthetic, as its title says.
Men's rings and sizes: men's solitaire rings and ring sizes
Eight rings here are made for men. They weigh about 9 to 17 grams, in 14K gold but for a silver Timepiece. The two signets hold a lab-grown center in a bezel, a smooth rim of gold with nothing to catch. Two Timepiece rings gather small stones at the middle, so they read as one stone but hold several. Three of the men's rings come in one size only, so ask us before you order one. Every women's ring comes in each half size from 5 to 8. Read her size on the size guide on our engagement rings page and order it exactly, since a resized ring is final sale.