At last count we had upwards of 50 split shank engagement ring designs with new and custom versions coming out on a regular basis. Many of these split shank engagement rings have micro pave set diamonds in the design. Others include a diamond halo. We wanted to feature some of our more popular split shank engagement rings designs in one article so that someone unfamiliar with our website or store could look and compare many different designs on the same page.
Please note that the images are linked to the rings product page which will have additional photos and possibly a video of the ring.
The first split shank design is a very clean and simple split shank design with pave diamonds. The center stone is a 2 carat round center diamond.
Classic Split Shank Engagement Ring with diamonds in the split shank
2.20 carat cushion cut diamond in a very elegant split shank engagement ring
2.20 carat cushion cut diamond in split shank engagement ring
Here is a micro pave split shank design with a round micro pave halo
Micro Pave Split Shank with Micro Pave Halo and Round Center Stone
Here is a very similar design with an Asscher shape center diamond
Split shank micro pave engagement ring with Asscher center diamond
Here is a Split shank design with a round center diamond in a cushion shape diamond halo, the design also features a surprise diamond
(click through to other photos to see surprise diamond)
This Split shank design features a round center diamond in a cushion shape diamond halo, the design also features a surprise diamond
Here is a beautiful split shank micro pave, halo design engagement ring with a princess center diamond
2.00 carat princess cut set in a beautifully delicate micro pave split shank design
2.00 carat princess cut set in a beautifully delicate micro pave split shank design
Speaking of halos, the signature look of our Cielo design is the combination of a split shank with a halo. We have made this design for just about every shape center stone, here are a few:
Cushion cut diamonds can have very different looks:
(1) Cushion cut diamonds come in many different shapes (outlines) ranging from rectangular to square and everything in between.
(2) Cushion cut diamonds will also have many various looks based on how rounded the corners of the stone are, making for many very unique looks.
(3) Cushion cut diamonds can have different faceting patterns which makes for a wide variety of possible looks that are all classified as ‘cushion cut’
Cushion cut diamond halo engagement rings
Our Venita design is one of our micro pave designs and features a square proportioned cushion cut diamond flanked by a micro pave diamond halo. The cushion cut is set by 4 sets of claw prongs, yielding a minimal amount of metal holding onto the stone. This stone happens to be a Cushion Brilliant and features larger facets like a Round Brilliant.
Hand cut micro pave cushion cut halo engagement ring with double claw prongs
Another design from our hand cut micro pave collection, featuring a cushion cut center diamond with micro pave diamond halo.
Cushion cut micro pave halo engagement ring with claw prongs
Bezel set Cushion cut with diamond halo engagement ring
Here is a popular bezel set cushion cut design with a raised halo that allows a matching band to sit underneath.
Bezel set cushion cut engagement ring with raised halo
Here is a custom Cushion cut design featuring micro pave, split shank, octagonal halo and custom hand made filigree. Since there is a lot going on in this design, I will post a couple photos to show the detail.
Micro pave split shank cushion cut custom engagement ring design with hand made filigreePic 2 Micro pave split shank cushion cut custom engagement ring design with hand made filigree
Here is a clean design featuring a bezel set cushion cut diamond and a diamond halo. These ‘low slung’ bezel set designs are popular with people that are concerned about a ring sticking up too high off the finger or snagging or scratching.
Low, flush, bezel set cushion cut diamond engagement ring design with a diamond haloLow, flush, bezel set cushion cut diamond engagement ring design with a diamond halo Pic 2
Here is essentially the same design with a diamond pave band
Bezel set cushion cut diamond engagement ring with diamond halo & diamond pave band
Here is a cushion cut center diamond set in a micro pave, split shank, halo design.
Cushion cut center diamond in a micro pave split shank halo design engagement ring
Here is another thin design that allows a matching band to sit perfectly flush. This cushion cut engagement ring design features a sexy double micro pave halo.
This cushion cut engagement ring design features a sexy double micro pave halo.Side viewThin diamond pave band with diamond halo surrounding a rectangular cushion cut diamondThin diamond pave band with diamond halo surrounding a rectangular cushion cut diamond Side view
Here is a beautiful cushion cut engagement ring design with half moon shape diamonds on each side. The design also has three diamond halos and filigree in the side gallery of the ring.
Cushion cut diamond engagement ring with half moon shape diamondsSide view
Here is a custom bezel set version of the above design:
Custom bezel set cushion cut and half moon shape diamond engagement ring
Side view… note the three sided pave band and gallery featuring hand made filigree & a custom butterfly element
Here is a ring with a similar three stone design, except with bezel set triangle diamonds and a trellis gallery.
Custom bezel set cushion cut engagement ring with bezel set triangle shape diamonds Side view
This cushion cut diamond engagement ring features a rectangular cushion cut diamond center stone flanked by two round brilliant cut diamonds in an elegant three stone trellis design.
Three stone cushion cut trellis engagement ring
Three stone cushion cut trellis engagement ring Side view
This Cushion cut diamond engagement ring features a 1.00 carat center diamond. The ring has a very vintage look with hand made filigree and hand engraving adorning the elegant lines of the design. The center cushion cut diamond is highlighted by claw prongs which gives the ring a sexy, delicate look.
Cushion cut engagement ring with claw prongs, hand engraving and hand made filigree
This cushion cut engagement ring features a sexy thin diamond band with a square cushion center stone.
Thin diamond band with cushion cut center stone
Here is a bezel set cushion cut engagement ring design with a halo and diamond pave in the band.
We always recommend our 950 Platinum-Ruthenium alloy. It’s the best metal for engagement rings and wedding bands.
Platinum Pros and Cons
The most important characteristic in Platinum jewelry is Platinum’s resistance to metal loss caused by normal wear & tear. When metal is rubbed against another object, a little bit of that metal is rubbing off onto the other surface. If the metal is Platinum, the amount lost is exponentially smaller than the amount that would rub off from a gold item. This translates into Platinum rings lasting two or three times as long as a similar gold ring.
Our Platinum Alloy is the Best
Our 950 Platinum-Ruthenium blend is the best Platinum alloy for jewelry. It has the best combination of tensile strength and hardness amongst all Platinum blends. Tensile strength refers to the durability of the metal and hardness refers to the scratch resistance.
More common Platinum alloys like 950 Platinum-Iridium are softer and tend to scratch and bend almost twice as easy. Manufacturers typically use this blend because of it’s ease to cast and work with. Often times, you’ll see or hear of Platinum engagement rings that scratch very easily and/or have become bent. These are most likely made of 950 Platinum-Iridium.
Our Platinum won’t do that. We purposely use a stronger alloy so you can enjoy your rings for a lifetime.
Pros
Extremely Durable – Lasts a Lifetime
Naturally White – No Rhodium Plating
Denser Metal – Holds Stones Better
Uses 100% Precious Metal
Hypoallergenic – No Allergies
Very Inert Metal – Resists Corrosion and Weakening
Cons
Cost – More Expensive than White Gold
White Gold Pros and Cons
Our white gold is a blend of gold and nickel alloy. Nickel gives white gold its whitish color and helps increases the metals hardness. While nickel helps in whitening white gold, it doesn’t completely make it white. Our alloy does require Rhodium plating every six months.
We also work in 18k White Gold. This alloy has more precious gold and is a little heavier than 14k White Gold. The natural color is very comparable to 14k and does require Rhodium plating.
All of our white metal jewelry items will look virtually identical coming out of our shop. After several months of wear, a white gold ring may need to be re-plated where as a platinum ring is always white. After a decade or two, a white gold ring may require re-tipping of prongs and channels. Platinum wears away at a much lesser rate than white gold and it is not uncommon for Platinum to last a lifetime.
Pros
Less Expensive than Platinum
Very Hard to Scratch
Easy to Size
Cons
Not as Durable as Platinum
Not White – Requires Rhodium Plating
Possible Allergic Reactions
Negative Reactions with Chlorine
Yellow Gold Pros and Cons
We work in both 14k and 18k Yellow Gold. These alloys are softer than there white counterparts. Rings made in yellow gold are more prone to wear and tear than white metals.
Pros
Less Expensive than Platinum
Easiest to Size
Cons
Not as Durable as White Gold
Cost Comparison: Platinum versus White Gold
Platinum is about 1.6 times heavier than White Gold. Comparing two identical rings, one in White Gold and one in Platinum, the Platinum one is automatically 1.6 times more in price. Another factor is the much higher percentages of actual precious metal used in Platinum blends, the Platinum blend we use is 95% Platinum, compared to the typical Gold blends that are only 58% Gold (14K) or 75% Gold (18K)
Due primarily to the density of Platinum, it is much more difficult to achieve a perfectly polished finished surface. Therefore, it takes much more labor to produce a Platinum ring over an identical White Gold piece.
Platinum is at least twice as expensive and can at times be 3-4 times as expensive as a White Gold ring. The exact amount is based on many variables.
Crown and Prong Metal Type
Because Platinum is renowned for it’s durability, we highly recommend having the crown or prongs of your ring made in Platinum. This will help protect your diamonds and gemstones longer than Gold.
The Top Ten List of our Most Popular & Beautiful Engagement Rings
Making a top ten list of beautiful engagement rings from our library of designs is something that we have wanted to do for a while. Upon assimilating the data, we found that the list had many very beautiful diamond rings, and also quite a few very beautiful sapphire and diamond rings. This article will show the Top Ten Most Beautiful Rings as well as variations of the Top Ten designs. Wanting to keep the top ten list as objective as possible, we looked at the data from our web site (product page views, wish list activity, product inquiry forms). We used this quantitative data and combined it with the input we receive from customers stopping in our showroom that request to see specific rings.
It did not surprise us that the rings from the list correspond with many of the rings that we also consider to be among the most beautiful, elegant, and exquisite ring designs. The rings in this Top Ten List share the following characteristics. They all seem to be of the Antique or Vintage genre with above average amounts of diamond pave or diamond micro pave and also a lot of hand detailing such as; hand engraving, hand made filigree, milgraining. We put a lot of love into the making of these rings and we think it shows.
(1) Barcelona
Ring #1 from our Top Ten list of beautiful engagement rings is our Barcelona design. Barcelona is a design that combines classic lines with beautiful hand engraving and delicate hand made filigree. The outline of the ring is designed to highlight and accentuate the center stone.
Here are a few different versions of the number one ring from our most beautiful engagement ring list.
This is our original Barcelona design shown with an approximate 1.00 carat cushion cut diamond center stone. Please note the claw style prongs on the center stone which give an exquisitely delicate finishing touch.
This Beautiful Engagement Ring holds the number one spot on Our Top Ten List of Most Beautiful Engagement Rings
Our Barcelona design is shown here with an approximate 1.00 carat cushion cut diamond center stone. Pic 1
Pic 2
Here is essentially the same ring design with a blue sapphire cushion cut center stone and a slightly different engraving pattern.
The Number One Ring from Our Top Ten Most Beautiful Ring List is our Barcelona design shown here with a cushion cut blue sapphire center stone. Pic 1Pic 2
Here is a beautiful round center diamond version, highlighting a 1.50 carat round center diamond. Beautiful!
The Number One Ring from Our Top Ten Most Beautiful Ring List is our Barcelona design shown here with a 1.50 carat round brilliant cut diamond center stone.
Here is another beautiful sapphire center stone version highlighting a yellow sapphire combined with yellow gold filigree.
The Number One Ring from Our Top Ten Most Beautiful Ring List is our Barcelona design shown here with a yellow cushion cut sapphire center stone and yellow gold filigree. Pic 1Pic 2
Last but not least is a another round diamond center stone version with custom engraving and without the filigree of the other Barcelona’s
Pic 1Pic 2
(2) Amante
Ring #2 from our Top Ten list of beautiful engagement rings is our Amante design. Amante is a very popular design that allows a matching band to nest perfectly underneath. The design has a beautiful double halo on a very sexy thin diamond pave band. Judging from all the different versions we have made of this design, it seems to look equally beautiful with any shape center diamond.
Here are a few different versions of the number two ring from our most beautiful engagement ring list.
This is our original Amante design shown with an approximate .75 carat round brilliant cut diamond center stone.
This Beautiful Engagement Ring holds the number two spot on Our Top Ten List of Most Beautiful Engagement Rings
The Number Two Ring from Our Top Ten Most Beautiful Ring List is our Amante design shown here with an approximate .75 carat round brilliant cut diamond. Pic 1Side view of Amante Pic 2
Here are some other center stone versions…
Our Princess AmanteCushion AmanteRadiant AmanteCustom Cushion Cut Green Sapphire Amante
Here are some modifications we have made to the side view of the design for our customers that wanted to give the design a personal touch:
Ring #3 from our Top Ten list of beautiful engagement rings is our Passion design. Passion is a highly detailed design with lots of sparkle everywhere, from the double halo to the exquisitely channel set carre cut diamonds to the hand made filigree, it truly is a very special ring.
Here are a few different angles of the number three ring from our most beautiful engagement ring list.
This unique and beautiful ring design has a lot ‘going on’ with diamonds and detailing on nearly every surface of the ring, it really takes all three of the following photos to show all of the fabulous detail.
This Beautiful Engagement Ring holds the number Three spot on Our Top Ten List of Most Beautiful Engagement Rings
Our Passion design is ring #3 from Our Top Ten Most Beautiful Ring List �� Angle 1Angle 2Angle 3
Here is a photo of our Asscher Passion design.
Knox Asscher Passion
Here is a photo of our Radiant Passion with a 1.50 carat center radiant cut diamond.
Radiant Passion Design with 1.50 carat Radiant Center diamond
Here is a photo of our Passion design with round diamonds in place ofthe carr� cut diamonds.
Knox Passion with Round Side Diamonds
Last but not least… A very beautiful matching band for the Passion engagement ring. This unique diamond band is stunning all by itself and of course compliments the engagement ring perfectly.
Matching band for our Passion Design
(4) Valencia
This Beautiful Engagement Ring holds the number four spot on Our Top Ten List of Most Beautiful Engagement Rings
The Number Four Ring from Our Top Ten Most Beautiful Ring List is our Valencia design shown here with a 1.00 carat round brilliant cut diamond. Pic 1
Pic 2
Pic 3
Here is a version of our Valencia design with a cushion shape halo.
Cushion Halo Valencia
Here is our Valencia design shown with a� matching band.
Knox Valencia design shown with matching band
(5) Maui
This Beautiful Engagement Ring holds the number five spot on Our Top Ten List of Most Beautiful Engagement Rings
The Number Five Ring from Our Top Ten Most Beautiful Ring List is our Maui design shown here with a 1.00 carat Princess cut diamond. Pic 1Maui is number 5 from our Most Beautiful Ring List Pic 2
(6) Firenze
This Beautiful Engagement Ring holds the number six spot on Our Top Ten List of Most Beautiful Engagement Rings.
Shown here with a 2.00 carat princess cut center stone. Pic 1Pic 2 pic 3
(7) Classic Cushion Halo
This Beautiful Engagement Ring holds the number seven spot on Our Top Ten List of Most Beautiful Engagement Rings.
Our Number Seven ring from our Top Ten List of Most Beautiful Engagement Rings is shown here with a 1.50 ct cushion cut diamondPic 2
(8) Asscher Siempre
Asscher cut designs are very classic and elegant. This beautiful design combines hand made filigree and hand engraving to nearly every surface of the ring.
This Beautiful Engagement Ring holds the number eight spot on Our Top Ten List of Most Beautiful Engagement Rings.
Our Asscher Siempre design is ring #8 from Our Top Ten Most Beautiful Ring ListMost beautiful Ring number 8, Pic 2Most beautiful Ring number 8, Pic 3
(9) Moon Dance
The custom cut Half Moon shape diamonds help to perfectly frame an oval or cushion shape center diamond.
This Beautiful Engagement Ring holds the number nine spot on Our Top Ten List of Most Beautiful Engagement Rings.
Our Moon Dance design is ring #9 from Our Top Ten Most Beautiful Ring ListMost Beautiful Engagement Rings-� Moon Dance Pic 2
(10) Seville
The Eclectic mix of elements make this ring a very unique as well as beautiful design. A beautiful blend of a half bezel set center diamond with delicate hand made filigree and hand engraving.
This Beautiful Engagement Ring holds the number nine spot on Our Top Ten List of Most Beautiful Engagement Rings.
Our Seville design is ring #10 from Our Top Ten Most Beautiful Ring ListMost Beautiful Engagement Rings - Seville Pic 2Most Beautiful Engagement Rings - Seville Pic 3
Our website will show many other versions of these top ten designs. Use the search feature on our web site and search by the ring name.
As we approach 6000 “real” photos of engagement rings and wedding bands, we’re reminded of all the work we’ve done in getting our designs on this very website. It’s important to understand that our quality and workmanship have to be top-notch when photographing at the macro level. Our jewelers and craftsmen must execute with the same passion as our designers. It takes years of experience across these many dedicated individuals to deliver a quality piece, something that a virtual image will never convey.
Sometimes we wish our photos could be produced by the touch of a button. It would be much easier to generate 6000 perfect computer renderings and not worry about capturing the countless hours of detail and passion put into our pieces. One slight problem, our customers don’t wear virtual rings.
Photograph taken of Caledonia Design - Unique Engagement Rings
The key to our business is heirloom quality unique engagement rings. The designing is only half of the battle. The craftsmanship yields the end product and is where we really shine as you can see in every one of our engagement ring photos. Our designs are handmade and given meticulously attention to in every detail. How would anyone be able to see our quality if our collection was all computer generated? The diamonds still have to be precisely set, the metal still has to be polished smooth, and the engraving still has to be cut by hand.
Our customers come to us because they want to cherish the beauty and art put into everyone of our designs. They don’t want the same design that has been made ten thousand times by an overworked, underpaid worker overseas. They want unique, they want one-of-a-kind, and they want heirloom quality.
Virtual jewelry only shows 50 percent of any given design. It’s a mere concept of how a design should look. The design still has to executed into a beautiful piece of art and that feat takes years of experience. Quality and craftsmanship come with no easy button.
