Everything You Need to Know About Side Stones Style Rings
Many engagement ring styles feature side stones, adding extra brilliance, elegance, and character to the design. Whether incorporated into pavé, three-stone, or accented settings, side stones enhance the beauty of the center gemstone while creating a more luxurious overall appearance.
Choosing the right side stone style can significantly influence the look of your ring—from classic and timeless to modern and bold. In this guide, we'll explore the most popular side stone designs, explain how they enhance an engagement ring, and help you decide whether a side stone setting is the perfect choice for your style and preferences.
What are Side Stones?
Side stones, also known as accent stones, are smaller gemstones set alongside the center stone of an engagement ring. They are commonly lab-grown or natural diamonds, although other gemstones can also be used. Their purpose is to enhance the ring's brilliance, add visual interest, and complement the center gemstone without overshadowing it.
There are three popular engagement ring styles that feature side stones:
Pavé Rings
Pavé settings feature rows of small diamonds set closely together along the band, creating continuous sparkle. The accent stones minimize the visibility of the metal and maximize brilliance, making the entire ring appear more radiant while highlighting the center stone.
Three-Stone Rings
Three-stone engagement rings feature a center gemstone flanked by two side stones. This design enhances the ring's overall size, brilliance, and balance while giving the crown a distinctive, elegant silhouette. The three stones are often said to symbolize a couple's past, present, and future.
Accent Stone Rings
Accent stone settings use a few carefully placed small diamonds to add subtle sparkle and highlight specific design elements. Unlike pavé or three-stone styles, accent stones provide understated brilliance without dramatically changing the overall appearance of the ring. They can also emphasize unique design features, adding depth and character while keeping the focus on the center stone.
How Big Should Side Stones Be?
How Big Should Side Stones Be?
The size of accent stones plays an important role in creating a balanced and harmonious engagement ring. As a general guideline, accent stones should measure about one-quarter to one-third the size of the center stone. This proportion enhances the center gemstone while maintaining a refined and elegant appearance.
For custom-designed engagement rings, larger accent stones may be used to create a more dramatic look. In these designs, side stones can range from one-half to two-thirds the size of the center stone, adding greater presence and brilliance while preserving the center stone as the focal point.
Choosing the right proportion ensures that the accent stones complement the overall design, enhancing the ring's sparkle and visual balance without overwhelming the centerpiece.
In a three-stone ring, the side stones should typically be one-quarter to one-third the size of the center stone for a balanced, elegant look. In custom designs, they can be up to one-half or two-thirds the size of the center stone to create a bolder appearance while keeping the center stone as the focal point.
The total carat weight of the accent diamonds in a pavé ring can vary significantly depending on the design. Some styles feature a subtle row of diamonds for a delicate sparkle, while others are densely set with accent stones that create an almost continuous surface of brilliance, making the metal nearly invisible.
Accent rings use fewer side stones, but their placement is carefully considered to maximize visual impact. Even a small total carat weight can add noticeable sparkle and highlight the center stone without overwhelming the overall design, creating a balanced and elegant look.
Which Cuts Look Best as Side Stones?
Side stones are available in a wide variety of shapes, allowing you to create an engagement ring that perfectly complements your center gemstone and personal style. Popular choices include round, baguette, marquise, princess (square), and pear cuts.
Whether the side stones match the shape of the center stone or provide contrast depends on the overall design. In pavé settings, round and princess-cut diamonds are the most common, creating a seamless ribbon of sparkle along the band. Accent stone settings offer greater flexibility, with different shapes used to highlight specific design elements.
For three-stone engagement rings, baguette, pear-shaped, and round diamonds are among the most popular choices. Baguette side stones create a sleek, sophisticated look, while pear and round diamonds add extra brilliance and elegance. A particularly striking combination pairs a princess-cut center diamond with baguette side stones, creating a bold, architectural design with exceptional visual appeal.
Which Center Stones Look Best With Side Stones?
Many diamond shapes pair beautifully with side stones, allowing you to create an engagement ring that suits your personal style while enhancing the brilliance of the center gemstone.
- Round, oval, and princess (square) center stones are especially popular with pavé settings, where rows of small accent diamonds create continuous sparkle along the band.
- Pear and marquise center stones pair particularly well with accent stones, which complement their elegant, elongated silhouettes without overpowering the design.
- Three-stone and accented settings can be customized with virtually any diamond shape, making it easy to create a balanced and distinctive look.
Ultimately, any diamond cut can be enhanced with side stones. Whether you prefer subtle accents or a more elaborate design, side stones add brilliance, depth, and sophistication while drawing even more attention to the beauty of the center stone.
Are Side Stone Engagement Rings in Style?
Absolutely! Side stone engagement rings are a timeless choice that continue to be one of the most popular engagement ring styles. By adding extra sparkle and dimension, side stones enhance the beauty of the center diamond while creating a sophisticated and elegant look.
Their versatility makes them suitable for both classic and contemporary designs, whether you prefer a delicate pavé band, subtle accent diamonds, or a bold three-stone setting. Their enduring appeal is also reflected in the choices of many high-profile figures, including Meghan Markle, Heidi Klum, and Priyanka Chopra, who have all worn engagement rings featuring side stones.
With their timeless elegance and added brilliance, side stone engagement rings remain a stylish and enduring choice for couples seeking a ring that is both beautiful and meaningful.
Pro Tip
If you'd like your engagement ring to have a larger-looking center stone without paying for a higher carat weight, consider a three-stone setting. The side stones naturally draw the eye outward, creating the illusion of a wider, more substantial center diamond while adding extra brilliance and balance to the overall design.
It's one of the most effective and cost-efficient ways to enhance the visual impact of your engagement ring without significantly increasing the cost.
Conclusion
Choosing an engagement ring with side stones is a wonderful way to enhance the beauty and brilliance of your ring. Whether you prefer the continuous sparkle of a pavé setting, the timeless symbolism of a three-stone ring, or the subtle elegance of accent stones, each style adds depth, character, and visual impact to the center gemstone.
Side stones not only increase sparkle but can also make the center stone appear larger and more prominent, creating a luxurious look without compromising on elegance. With a wide range of styles, shapes, and designs available, side stone engagement rings offer a timeless and versatile choice that beautifully reflects your personal style and celebrates your love story.
