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Ring Style & Buying Guide

Rings Style & Buying Guide

For centuries, rings have been used to symbolize a commitment to love or show off a great achievement. But if you're in the market for a ring, you might find shopping to be a daunting and confusing task.

Our ring buying guide is here to help you understand how to choose rings that make sense for you whether you’re shopping for yourself or someone special.

Anatomy of a Ring

Whether you’re shopping for an engagement ring, a wedding band, or another type of ring, understanding the anatomy of a ring can help you navigate your options and articulate the style you’re looking for. Here’s the terminology to keep in mind as you embark on your ring shopping journey.

Shank: The shank of the ring is the part that wraps around your finger. Shanks may be referred to as ring bands, and they come in a variety of styles and metals. The right metal for you depends on your preferences and budget.

Zales offers ring bands made with:

Head or basket: Sometimes called the basket, the head of the ring is one of the most important jewelry parts. It's what holds the stone, gem, pearl or diamond in place.

There are three different types of baskets:

Prong: Four or more prongs hold the stone or jewel in place. This is the most common type of basket.
Tension: Instead of using prongs, tension heads use ring bands to hold the stone in its place.
Bezel: A center stone sits flush inside a metal enclosure. The metal wraps around the diamond of the center stone to provide a secure hold.

Gallery: Have you ever looked at the side of the ring under where the stone is mounted? That's called the gallery. Some galleries don't have much detail to them since the stones are the main event.

Have you ever looked at the side of the ring under where the stone is mounted? That's called the gallery. Some galleries don't have much detail to them since the stones are the main event.

Airline: An airline is an opening in the ring's shank near the gallery. Like the gallery, the airline is usually visible from the side of the ring band. Airlines are most common in cathedral shanks. These shanks raise the diamond or stone higher up from your finger.

Band Shoulders: The part of the shank near the head or basket of the ring band is called the shoulder. Jewelers and ring designers often use this term when talking about where to set diamonds or overall shank thickness. Some shanks and shoulders taper in while others keep the same thickness throughout.

Solder Points: Have you ever examined a bike body or the metal legs of a chair? You might have noticed that they are not made of one solid piece. Rings are no different.

The shank and head are separate parts that are soldered together. If you look closely, you'll see the solder points between the head and shank.

Sizing Bar: Like clothes, shanks can be sized to fit your finger. This is great if you've found the perfect ring but need it in another size. Sizing can be a tricky thing for jewelers if there are diamonds on the shank itself.

That's why many jewelry designers will internally leave diamonds off the bottom of the ring band. This small metal sizing bar makes it easier for jewelers to resize ring bands without issue.

Halo: One elegant way to add extra sparkle to your ring is with a halo. A halo is an outer ring of diamonds, stones, or metal around the center stone. The halo's stones are small to help the main stone take center stage.

Designing a Custom Ring

Engagement rings, wedding bands and anniversary rings are all considered meaningful, once-in-a-lifetime pieces of jewelry. For that reason, many people opt to design a ring that precisely fits their style . Knowing the anatomy of a ring is your first step, but you’ll also need to choose a diamond or gemstone and decide how you want the ring to look.

The 4Cs of diamonds is a great place to start to understand how cut, color, carat and clarity factor into creating the ring of your dreams. Types of metals and common ring styles will also help you narrow down your options.

Don’t forget that everyone has a ring size that needs to be factored in when picking out or designing a custom ring. A jeweler can help with how to size rings or you can use another ring in your collection to find your ideal size.

Jewelry Care

Rings are often a symbol of commitment and devotion. They can also be subject to more wear and tear than other types of jewelry because they are worn in a high touch area. Explore our tips for cleaning, storing, and caring for fine jewelry to ensure your rings stand the test of time.

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