History of the Solitaire Engagement Ring

When the subject is precious gem jewellery, there is no denying that a solitaire engagement ring is one of the most visually stunning pieces anyone can aspire to. Having a large, sparkling gemstone on top of your finger can do wonders for your self-worth, and being given one could be an indicator of just how much the person giving it cares about you.

However, visual appeal is not – or should not be, at least – the only source of interest in a solitaire engagement ring. As is the case with many other types of settings and stones, the solitaire configuration has quite a bit of history behind it, which fans of its look might be interested to learn.

The name ‘solitaire’, for example, comes from the French word for ‘lonely’ or ‘on its own’. This adjective obviously refers to the stone’s front-and-centre position atop the ring; after all, no one who has been given a solitaire engagement ring can be classified as being ‘lonely’.

Historically, this type of ring can be traced back to the Middle Ages, when Archduke Maximilian of Austria presented his beloved, Mary of Burgundy, with a ring of this sort, and inadvertently launched a trend which would span the following six centuries and still shows no sign of stopping. The rise of the diamond, around 300 or so years later, made this setting even more popular than before, and the quick rise of the diamond as the engagement stone par excellence made a solitaire engagement ring the default option for a jewel of this type.

What most prospective buyers may not be aware of, however, is that the term ‘solitaire setting’ is actually misleading. There is no such thing as a standardized solitaire setting. Instead, jewellers who create solitaire rings cull from any number of popular settings which work towards enhancing the qualities of the stone. As such, it is possible to see solitaire rings with bezel, prong, cathedral and tension settings. However, the traditional style used for this type of ring, and the one which has dominated the solitaire market throughout the centuries, is the prong, as all the others are considerably more modern. For the most classic-looking ring, shoppers should therefore opt for a prong setting.

Nowadays, solitaire rings have come to symbolise the opposite of what their name implies – the end of loneliness and the beginning of a commitment. The definition of what constitutes a ring of this type has also broadened considerably over time. However, it is always interesting to learn the origins of the name and appearance of this very popular type of setting.

Laura L Bolick is the founder of the F&L Designer Guides, compiled and written to help consumers choose a unique engagement ring design. From solitaire engagement rings to princess cuts and engraved bands, we have ideas and opinions covering all the options. Offering advice, tips and suggestions on how to choose that perfect ring, F&L will accompany you on every stage of your search to find the right designer.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.