When people picture an engagement ring, many picture a solitaire: one diamond, set simply on a band. Its clean design puts all the attention on the stone, which is why it has stayed popular for centuries. Here is what to know before you choose one.
What Is a Solitaire Ring?
A solitaire ring has a single center stone, usually a lab-grown or natural diamond, on a plain or slim band with no side stones. Because nothing competes with it, the stone's cut, brilliance and quality are on full display.
Solitaires are best known as engagement rings, but the same idea appears in pendants and stud earrings, where one stone stands on its own.
The History of the Solitaire Ring
In 1477, Archduke Maximilian of Austria gave Mary of Burgundy what is often called the first documented diamond engagement ring. Over the following centuries, the single diamond on a band became the classic engagement ring. Modern cutting, especially the round brilliant, made the solitaire's sparkle what it is today.
How to Choose a Solitaire Ring
With only one stone, the center diamond carries the whole ring, so its quality matters.
What to consider
- Cut: the most important factor. A well-cut diamond gives the most sparkle.
- Carat weight: choose a size that suits your hand and style. A slim solitaire band makes the stone look larger.
- Color and clarity: with no side stones, the center stone is easy to study, so a clean, white stone pays off. Our lab-grown center stones start at F color and VS1 clarity.
Tip: step-cut shapes such as emerald and Asscher show more of the inside of the stone, so a higher clarity grade helps.
How Much Does a Solitaire Cost?
The center stone sets most of the price. The setting itself uses less metal and no side stones, so more of your budget can go into the diamond, which is where it shows most.
Best Diamond Shapes for a Solitaire
- Round brilliant: the classic choice, with the most sparkle.
- Oval and cushion: soft outlines; the oval also looks longer on the finger.
- Emerald and Asscher: clean lines and broad, mirror-like flashes.
- Pear and marquise: distinctive shapes with a vintage feel.
Popular Solitaire Settings
- Classic prong: the stone sits high and lets in plenty of light.
- Cathedral: arches of metal rise to hold the stone, adding height.
- Bezel and half-bezel: a metal rim around the stone; sleek, secure and low to the finger.
- Hidden halo: a row of small diamonds under the center stone, seen from the side.
Find Your Solitaire
A solitaire works for almost any style, modern or vintage-inspired. Browse our solitaire engagement rings, see the Ready to Wear designs with the center stone already chosen, or explore all engagement rings. Every Tang&Co. center stone is hand-selected by our team, and our Diamond Curation Service can source a stone to your specification.