The term ‘solitaire settings’ as used with regard to engagement rings, refers to the setting of the jewels on the rings: where only a single (solo) gem is used. It is categorized as a traditional ‘classic’ setting, and is one of the most popular such classic settings.
Solitaire settings come out best with some metals than others. Diamond is one of the metals with which the solitaire setting works best. Gold, too works well in bringing out the solitaire setting. In either case, it is the metal in question (gold or diamond in these cases) which is to be seen on the ring: hence the name ‘solitaire.’
People who want to ‘remain proper’ and stick with tradition are the people who are likely to find solitaire settings most appealing. Like the wedding gown (which is to be eventually worn, should the engagement be successful), and which is traditionally meant to be white and pure, the solitaire engagement ring is also ‘pure’ and thus ‘proper.’
Besides purity, solitaire settings also ooze of elegance. This is indisputable, and according to some quite authoritative commentators on these matters, the introduction of other gems in rings (engagement or otherwise), has the effect of diluting elegance. Of course, this dilution of elegance not always a bad to all people: because in many people’s vocabulary, there is such a thing as ‘too much elegance.’ Yet for those who really want all elegance they can get, solitaire settings work best.
In many people’s view, solitaire settings also result in beauty: the sort of simple (rather than loud) beauty, which is what many men are looking for in the women they present engagement rings to, who are typically women they are looking to eventually marry. This is what is otherwise referred to as ‘real beauty without much ado.’
