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The Language of Rings: A Glossary of Engagement Ring Terminology

Close up view of a model's hand using a ring sizer on their middle finger indicating they are a size 7
 Ring Size: The inner diameter of your ring. To find your ring size, check out our ring sizer or our ring sizing chart. 
Side view of a Oval Lab Diamond Tension Ring on a model's finger to show details
Shank/Band: The band or sides of the ring. There are many different styles, like the split shank shown here.
Close up view of a model's fingers wearing an Industrial Band Mix Band and Curvy band all in yellow gold
 Band Shape: The style of the band, like our industrial, mix, curvy, or beveled edge. 
An infographic showing the difference between Standard and Comfort fit rings
 Comfort-Fit vs Regular Band: A comfort-fit band is rounded on the inside to glide on and off smoothly. A regular fit is flatter on the inside and sits completely flush with the finger. 
Seven versions of the Mix Mirror Band showing the different thickness options of the ring from 8mm to 1.2mm
 Band Width: The width of the ring as it goes from the bend of your finger towards your finger tip.
A graphic showing the height of a ring
 Band Height: How tall the ring sits from your finger. Learn more about the difference in ring heights here.
Close up view of rings shank showing a pinched band
 Pinched Band: When the metal of the band narrows at certain points, usually near the stone, to create a pinched look.
Close up view of a ring showing a tapered design
Tapered Band: When the metal of the band is thicker at one point on the ring but gets thinner at the other end.
Close up view of a model's fingers wearing a 14k rose gold Diamond Kite Ring
Split Shank/Open Band: The band divides to leave negative space, coming back together at the stone and the bottom of the ring.
14k Yellow Gold Prongs-set 3mm Round Opal on Bypass Band Custom Ring
 Bypass/Crossover: When the band splits and the ends cross over each other instead of creating a closed circle.
Close up view of a model's fingers wearing a 14k white gold Emerald Cut Lab Created Diamond Signet Ring
Signet: Originally, a ring that had initals, a seal, or monogram that would be pressed into wax or ink to create a signature. Today, they can be more ornate to include diamonds and gems with or in place of initials, etc.
Close up view of a model's fingers wearing a 14k yellow gold Marquise Lab Diamond Melted Ring
 Liquid/Wavy: Curves and bends in the band to give the appearance of liquid metal on your finger.
Close up view of a model's hand wearing a 14k yellow gold Milgrain Diamond Band
 Milgrain: Milgrain means a thousand grains. This detailing is tiny metal beads around stones or the edges of the ring to add texture.
Close up view of a model's fingers wearing a 14k yellow gold emerald Gemstone Claddagh Band
Embossed Band: Designs or patterns on the outside of the ring that are raised on the surface.
A model's finger wearing a ruby yellow gold bezel set gemstone bar ring with the word engraving in cursive font
 Engraved Band: Designs, dates, initials, or other personalizations etched into the inside or outside of the band.
The underside of an engagement ring where you can see the 14k hallmark stamp
Stamp/Hallmark: Marks stamped into the ring indicating the metal's purity.
The underside of an engagement ring where you can see the AU automic gold makers stamp
Maker's Mark: A type of hallmark stamped into the band consisting of a unique symbol, initials, or other identifying mark of the jeweler or jewelry company.
A yellow gold Old Mine Cut Lab Diamond Filigree Ring in a model's hand showing the cathedral band
 Cathedral Band: Not to be confused with a Cathedral Setting, a Cathedral Band is a raised arch in the shank that supports the center stone.
A yellow gold Round Lab Diamond Cathedral Set Ring in a model's hand showing the cathedral setting
 Cathedral Setting: Uses the arches created by the Cathedral Band to create a high profile setting for the center gem.
A yellow gold Radiant Cut Lab Diamond Cathedral Ring in a model's hand showing the bridge under the stone
 Bridge: A small metal arch that connects the two sides of the ring under the stone. Usually not visible from the top but adds structure to the band.
Side view of an Oval Lab Diamond Bubble Ring on a model's finger to show the basket setting of the stone
 Basket: A prong-set ring with an added ring of metal under the girdle of the gem to create the look of a gem sitting in a basket. This creates added stability and structure to a higher set stone.
A yellow gold Oval Lab Diamond Bubble Ring in a model's hand showing the gallery rail under the stone
 Gallery Rail: The metal piece that forms the basket in a basket setting. It sits underneath the girdle of the gem to support it. This can also be decorated with designs or gems.
A three stone ring with a trellis prong setting
Trellis: a setting of four or more prongs that creates a criss-cross pattern. Not visible from the top of the ring, but makes the view from the side pop.
Side view of a Diamond Petal Ring on a model's finger
 Petal: The prongs that hold the center gem are connected by curves of metal that resemble flower petals.
A yellow gold Pear Salt and Pepper Diamond Leaves Ring in a model's hand showing the lowness of the setting
Low Set: The bottom of the stone is set into the band, as low to the finger as possible.
A yellow gold Round Lab Diamond Cathedral Set Ring in a model's hand showing the highness of the setting
High Set: The stone is set completely above the band.
Angled view of a Marquise Lab Diamond Three Stone Ring on a model's finger to show the height of the stone
In-Between Set: The stone sits slightly above the band, but not completely. The tip of the bottom of the stone is inside the band.
Close up view of a model's fingers wearing a 14k yellow gold Three Stone Sapphire Ring
Head/Center Gem: The main stone in an engagement ring.
Close up view of a model's hand wearing a solid yellow gold Hexagon Diamond Band
 Solitaire: A single diamond or gemstone in an engagement ring.
Close up view of a model's fingers wearing a 14k white gold Sapphire Cluster Ring
 Cluster: A grouping of gemstones arranged closely together, sometimes all the same size, sometimes a mix of larger and smaller gems.
Close up view of a model's fingers wearing a 14k yellow gold Pear Salt and Pepper Diamond Ring
Side Gems: Gems on either side of the center gem.
A solid 14k champagne gold Oval Lab Diamond Bubble Ring on a model's finger
 Accent Gems: Smaller gemstones that add a little sparkle but don't distract from the center stone.
Close up view of a model's fingers wearing a 950 platinum Oval Diamond Signet Ring
 Halo: A circle of gems surrounding the center stone.
A lab pale pink sapphire ring in a model's hand showing the hidden halo
 Hidden Halo: A circle of gems underneath the center stone that is visible only from the sides of the ring.
A two tone custom ring in the toi et moi style
Two Stone/Toi Et Moi: Two gems on one ring that symbolize you and your partner being two parts of a whole. Toi Et Moi is French for You and Me
A marquise lab ruby custom three stone ring with side diamonds
 Three Stone/Trilogy: A stone on each side of the center gem that symbolizes your past, present, and future with your partner.
Close up view of a model's hand wearing a yellow gold 5 Gemstones Ring in opal
 5/7 Stone: Instead of one center gem, this design consists of 5 or 7 gems on the top of the ring.
Close up view of a model's fingers wearing a 950 platinum Petal Set Diamond Eternity Band
 Eternity: Gems set all the way (or halfway) around a band in a straight line.
Side view of a Petal Set Diamond Eternity Band on a model's finger
 Half-Way Around: When the gems, engraving, or design only covers half of the circumference of the ring.
A model holding a Chevron Filigree Band backward to show the details of the back of the band
 3/4 Way Around: When the gems, engraving, or design only covers 3/4 of the circumference of the ring.
Underside view of a solid 14k gold Chevron Leaves Band
 Sizing Area: The bottom of the ring's band or shank. This area is where a jeweler would cut or insert metal to size the ring up or down, which might be hindered by an intricate design that covers this area.
A graphic of a solitaire ring with sizing beads on the inside
 Sizing Beads: Tiny metal balls soldered to the inside of the band to size the ring down and prevent it from turning on your finger. This is a quick, affordable, and reversible, and it preserves the ring's design.
A graphic of a ring with a squared off bottom of the band
Euro Shank: A traditional ring has a round band, a Euro shank has a square and/or flat outer edge of the bottom of the band, but round inside. This prevents the ing from turning on your finger.
Close up view of a ring being measured on a metal ring sizer
 Sizing Up: The sizing area is cut open, and additional metal is soldered to this area to increase the ring's size, and then polished to match the design. 
Close up view of a jewelry sizing a ring down
 Sizing Down: A part of the sizing area is cut and removed to fit the desired ring size, then the ends are soldered together and polished.
Close up view of a model's fingers wearing a 14k yellow gold Round Lab Diamond Ring
 Prongs: Small metal tips that bend over the top of the stone to secure it. You can read more about the many different types of prongs here.
A model's hand wearing a 14k rose gold Hexagon Salt and Pepper and Triangle Black Diamond Three Stone Ring
 Bezel: Metal completely surrounds the edges of the gem to secure it.
Close up view of a model's fingers wearing a 14k champagne gold Lab Diamond Pear Ring
 Half-Bezel: Metal surrounds the edges of at least half of the gem to secure it.
A model holding a Salt and Pepper Baguette Diamond Band tilted to show the details of the diamonds
 Flush-Set: A groove is cut into the band to have the gem sit completely flush with the surface. There is another name for this setting, but we discourage people from using it, as it is a slur.
Channel Set Diamond Eternity Band
 Channel: Multiple gems in a groove or channel set into the band with metal walls securing the gems on either side.
Close up view of a model's fingers wearing a 14k yellow gold Milgrain Pave Diamond Chevron Band
 Pave: Comes from the French word for paved. This setting usually consists of small prongs, usually bead-like, that are flattened over the top of the gem to secure it.
A solid 14k white gold emerald leaves and vines ring on a model's finger
 Tension: A gem is set only by the compression of the band on either side.
Underside view of a solid 14k gold 24k Mix Mirror Band
Karat: The measure of how much gold is in the ring. Learn more about Karats here.
A clear slab with different carat weights of gems over a ring so you can see how different sized stones will look
 Carat: The weight of the diamond or gemstone.
Diamonds of Various colors in a line on a dark blue background
 Gem Color: A grade given to a gem based on its color. Takes into account hue, saturation, and tone
Rows of salt and pepper diamonds with varying levels of clarity
 Gem Clarity: A grade given to a gem based on how clear it is. Takes into account inclusions, fractures, and blemishes.
Close up view of a model's hand wearing three engraved solid gold black diamond masc engagement rings stacked on one finger
 Gem Shape: Not to be confused with Gem Cut, the shape refers to the overall form of the gem. For example, heart, round, rectangle, and marquise are all gem shapes.
A graphic showing the difference between a brilliant cut and a rose cut gem
 Gem Cut: Not to be confused with Gem Shape, the cut refers to the way a stone is faceted (or not faceted in the case of cabochon cuts)
A grapic showing the how to measure gem proportions
 Gem Ratio/Proportions: The measurements of the gem in relation to each other, like the top of the stone compared to the point. These ratios affect how light enters and exits the stone.
Close up view of a model's fingers wearing a 14k white gold Salt and Pepper Diamond Spinner Ring
 East-West/Horizontal: For non-round stones, the gem is set parallel to the band instead of parallel to the finger.

 

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Automic Gold is a queer, trans-owned fine jewelry company that creates timeless, genderless pieces. Working only with sustainable and durable materials, we handcraft our jewelry in recycled solid 14k gold and platinum with reclaimed and/or ethically sourced diamonds and gemstones. Each piece is handmade in NYC by our expert jewelers and designed with comfort and inclusivity in mind. From everyday rings to engagement rings we are still the only fine jewelry brand to carry inclusive sizes from 2-16. We create a wide range of high-quality jewelry from chic stud earrings, versatile charms, and classic chains, to our signature pieces like our threaders and Tanlah collection. We can also help you create nameplates and custom jewelry to fit your unique and personal style.

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