Timeless, Classic Solitaire Engagement Rings

A solitaire is one diamond, held up and left alone. No halo, no side stones, nothing to share the light with. It is the oldest idea in engagement rings and still the one we set most often, because a design with nothing extra in it has nothing to date. Browse the full range of classic solitaire engagement rings and you will see how much variety sits inside a form that simple.

Oval Cut Solitaires

An oval spreads its weight along the finger, so it reads larger than a round of the same carat and lengthens the hand while it does it. In a solitaire that effect is at its purest, with nothing beside the stone to interrupt the line. For more on the shape itself, see our guide to oval diamond engagement rings, or browse all our oval engagement rings.

14k Yellow Gold Natural Diamond Engagement Ring Setting .06 ct. tw.

• 14k yellow gold, unplated, on a substantial 2.4 mm shank
• Built for an oval center diamond
• Center stone chosen separately

Gabriel & Co. 14k White Gold Engagement Ring Setting

• 14k white gold, rhodium plated on a slim 1.8 mm shank
• Gabriel & Co. designer collection, built for an oval center
• Center stone chosen separately

Luna 14k Yellow Gold and 14k White Gold Engagement Ring Setting

• 14k yellow gold and 14k white gold, two-tone
• Luna collection on a 1.8 mm shank, built for an oval center
• Center stone chosen separately

Round Brilliant Cut Solitaires

The round brilliant is faceted to return as much light as possible, and a solitaire is the setting that gets out of its way. It is the most requested combination we sell, and the version that looks least like any particular decade. Read more about the cut in our guide to round brilliant diamonds, or see the whole selection in our round engagement rings.

Eternalle Platinum Lab-Grown Diamond Engagement Ring 2 ct. tw.

• Platinum, naturally white with no plating to maintain
• Eternalle lab-grown round center stone on a 2.3 mm shank
• 2 ct. tw., center stone included

Luna 14k Yellow Gold Engagement Ring Setting

• 14k yellow gold, unplated, on a 2.4 mm shank
• Luna collection, built for a round center diamond
• Center stone chosen separately

14k White Gold Round Solitaire Natural Diamond Engagement Ring 1 ct. tw.

• 14k white gold in a plain solitaire mounting
• Natural round center stone, nothing competing with it
• 1 ct. tw., center stone included

Princess Cut Solitaires

A princess cut brings the brilliant facet pattern into a square outline, so it keeps the fire of a round while reading sharper and more architectural. Corners are the one thing to think about, since they are the thinnest part of the stone and the part a setting needs to protect. Our guide to princess cut diamonds covers the shape in detail, and our princess cut engagement rings show the range.

14k White Gold Solitaire Engagement Ring 1 ct. tw.

• 14k white gold in a plain solitaire mounting
• Natural princess cut center stone
• 1 ct. tw., center stone included

Eternalle Platinum Lab-Grown Diamond Engagement Ring 2 ct. tw.

• Platinum, naturally white and never needs re-plating
• Eternalle lab-grown princess cut center stone on a 2.3 mm shank
• 2 ct. tw., center stone included

Gabriel & Co. 14k White Gold Engagement Ring Setting

• 14k white gold, rhodium plated on a wider 2.4 mm shank
• Gabriel & Co. designer collection, built for a princess cut center
• Center stone chosen separately

The Robbins Brothers Difference

A solitaire hides nothing, which makes the stone the whole decision. Only about 1 in 10 diamonds meets our standards, and you can compare the ones that do side by side in our VIP diamond viewing rooms before committing to anything. Our master jeweler sets every stone in house, and the finished ring carries our lifetime warranty for cleaning, inspection and repairs at any of our showrooms across California, Arizona, Texas and Washington.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a solitaire engagement ring?

A solitaire holds a single diamond with no accent stones anywhere on the ring. The setting exists to lift the stone and hold it securely, and nothing else competes for the light. It is the most direct expression of one diamond there is.

Does a solitaire make a diamond look smaller than a halo would?

Compared with a halo of the same center weight, usually yes, because a halo widens the sparkling surface. What a solitaire gives you instead is the stone read honestly, at its real size, which is exactly why many people choose it. Try one of each at the same carat weight and the trade-off becomes obvious.

How many prongs should a solitaire have?

Four shows more of the stone and lets more light in from the sides; six covers slightly more of the diamond but holds it more securely and softens a round outline. For an active life we tend to suggest six, but it is genuinely a preference rather than a rule.

Which diamond shape works best in a solitaire setting?

All of them, which is the appeal. Round brilliants give the most sparkle, ovals lengthen the finger, and princess cuts read crisp and architectural. Because there is nothing else on the ring, the shape you choose is the entire look.

Can I add a halo or side stones to a solitaire later?

In many cases yes, and our master jeweler can tell you whether a particular setting allows it. Some mountings are built to accept a halo jacket; others would need the stone reset. Bring the ring in and we will look at it rather than guess.

Does band width affect resizing later?

It does, and it is worth thinking about before you choose. A very slim shank has less metal to work with, so large size changes are harder and the join needs more care. Bands with stones running all the way around are the most constrained of all. If you expect your ring size to change, mention it when you choose the setting rather than afterwards.

Do you offer both natural and lab-grown diamonds in solitaire settings?

Yes, and a solitaire is a good place to compare them, since nothing else on the ring distracts from the stone. Whichever you choose, only about 1 in 10 diamonds meets our standards before it reaches the case.

Do I need an appointment to try on solitaire settings?

Walk-ins are always welcome, but booking means we can have a range of shapes and band widths ready when you arrive, which makes the comparison much easier. Reserve a time at robbinsbrothers.com/appointment.

Or find a Robbins Brothers near you and see how differently one diamond can read in three settings. You can also browse our Pinterest board for inspiration.