Why Choose a Solitaire Engagement Ring?
The solitaire is one of the most enduring engagement ring designs because its simplicity keeps the attention on the centre diamond. With no surrounding halo or side diamonds competing for attention, the diamond shape, cut and proportions become the main feature of the ring.
Solitaire engagement rings are also extremely versatile. A round brilliant diamond creates a timeless appearance, while oval, emerald, pear, radiant and other shapes can give the same classic design a very different character.
The simplicity of a solitaire also makes it easy to personalise. Changes to the band width, metal, setting height and claw style can create anything from a delicate traditional engagement ring to a clean contemporary design.
Choosing Your Solitaire Diamond Ring
Choosing the right solitaire involves more than selecting the size of the centre diamond. The diamond shape, setting and precious metal all influence how the finished engagement ring looks and feels on the hand.
Diamond Shape
Round brilliant diamonds are the traditional solitaire choice and are known for their brilliance, while oval diamonds can create an elongated appearance on the finger. Emerald and Asscher cuts offer clean geometric lines, while pear, marquise, radiant, cushion and princess diamonds each create their own distinctive proportions.
Both natural and lab-grown diamonds can be used in our solitaire engagement rings, allowing you to compare options based on appearance, quality, size and budget.
Solitaire Setting
Four-claw settings expose more of the diamond and create a clean, open appearance. Six-claw settings provide a more traditional look and additional points of contact around round diamonds.
Other considerations include the height of the setting, the profile of the ring and whether the centre diamond is set in a traditional claw, cathedral or more contemporary setting.
Solitaire diamond rings can be created in platinum, white gold, yellow gold or rose gold.
Platinum and white gold create a bright neutral appearance around the diamond, while yellow and rose gold introduce warmer tones. The setting and band can also be designed to complement other jewellery and your intended wedding ring.
Custom Solitaire Rings Designed in New Zealand
A simple solitaire design leaves little room for poor proportions, which is why the details matter.
Polished Diamonds uses Computer-Aided Design (CAD) to develop each custom solitaire ring before it is made. This allows the proportions of the centre diamond, band and setting to be considered together rather than treating them as separate components.
During the design process, details such as band width, setting height, claw position, diamond orientation and wedding-ring clearance can be adjusted to suit the individual diamond and the person who will wear the ring.
Once the design is confirmed, your ring is crafted through our dedicated New Zealand jewellery workshop, combining precision design technology with skilled jewellery craftsmanship.
Whether you begin with one of our existing solitaire designs or create something completely custom, the objective is the same: a balanced engagement ring designed specifically around your chosen diamond and personal style.
Matching a Wedding Ring to a Solitaire
Solitaire engagement rings are particularly versatile when paired with a wedding ring.
Whether a straight wedding band can sit flush beside the engagement ring depends largely on the height and profile of the centre setting. A higher setting may provide enough clearance for a straight wedding ring, while some lower-profile designs work better with a shaped or fitted wedding band.
Because our rings are developed using CAD, wedding-ring clearance can be considered during the solitaire design process, helping create an engagement and wedding ring combination that works together both visually and practically.
Solitaire Diamond Ring FAQs
What is a solitaire diamond ring?
A solitaire diamond ring features one centre diamond as the main focus. It is one of the most recognised engagement ring styles and can be customised using different diamond shapes, settings and precious metals.
Are solitaire rings good for engagement rings?
Yes. Solitaire rings are one of the classic engagement ring styles because the simple design highlights the centre diamond and can be easily personalised to suit different tastes, lifestyles and budgets.
What is the best diamond shape for a solitaire engagement ring?
There is no single best diamond shape. Round brilliant and oval diamonds are popular choices, while emerald, radiant, pear, cushion, princess, marquise and Asscher diamonds each create a distinctive solitaire engagement ring.
Is a four-claw or six-claw solitaire better?
Four claws generally expose more of the diamond and create a clean appearance, while six claws offer a more traditional look and additional contact points around the diamond. The best option depends on the diamond shape, size and preferred design.
Can a wedding ring sit flush beside a solitaire engagement ring?
Yes, depending on the solitaire setting’s height and profile. Wedding-ring clearance can be considered during the CAD design process so that the engagement ring works with a straight or shaped wedding band. We try to create all engagement ring to be “wedding ring friendly” so that you can return back for the perfect wedding ring match.
Design Your Solitaire Diamond Ring
Explore our solitaire diamond ring collection online, choose a design to customise, or talk with our jewellery designers about creating a solitaire engagement ring specifically for you.
Choose your preferred natural or lab-grown diamond, diamond shape, precious metal and setting, and we can help refine the proportions and details before your ring is made.
Visit Polished Diamonds in Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch to view diamond shapes and solitaire designs in person, or work with our team remotely from anywhere in New Zealand.
Browse Solitaire Diamond Rings
Book a Jewellery Design Consultation
Ask us a Question – Get in Contact
Solitaire Diamond Rings: Key Takeaways
- Solitaire engagement rings highlight the centre diamond with simplicity and versatility, featuring various diamond shapes.
- Choosing a solitaire involves selecting the diamond shape, setting, and precious metal, which all impact the overall look.
- Custom solitaire rings aim for perfect proportions using Computer-Aided Design (CAD) for precise adjustments.
- Solitaire rings pair well with wedding bands, and CAD helps ensure a good match during the design process.
- Exploring Polished Diamonds’ collection allows for personalisation of natural or lab-grown diamonds in your preferred style.
