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The Tiffany Setting
By the Encore Luxe specialists · Updated October 2026
Before 1886, diamonds in engagement rings were usually set low, cradled in metal that hid much of the stone. Tiffany & Co. changed that. Its new setting raised the diamond on six slender prongs above the band, so light could enter the stone from every side. The Tiffany Setting became the template for the modern solitaire engagement ring, and it is still made today.
Key facts
| Introduced | 1886 |
| House | Tiffany & Co., founded in New York in 1837 |
| Design | Six-prong solitaire, diamond raised above the band |
| Metal | Platinum, and gold on some versions |
| Stone | Usually a round brilliant diamond |
Why the setting matters
A diamond's brilliance depends on light entering the stone, reflecting inside it and returning to the eye. When a stone sits low and enclosed, much of that light is lost. The Tiffany Setting lifts the diamond clear of the band and holds it with the smallest amount of metal needed to keep it secure. Six prongs grip a round brilliant evenly, so the stone is protected while as much as possible of it remains visible.
Platinum
Platinum is a natural partner for a diamond solitaire. It is dense, strong and naturally white, so it does not need plating, and it holds prongs securely. Over time platinum develops a soft satin finish where it is worn, which can be polished back to brightness. See our jewellery care guide.
Pairing with a wedding band
The raised head of the Tiffany Setting leaves space beneath the diamond, so a plain wedding band can sit close against the engagement ring. Many owners wear the two together, with the band nearer the hand.
We have a Tiffany Setting engagement ring in platinum, with a 0.52 ct F VS1 diamond, paired with a platinum wedding band, size J, in the shop now. Our guide to diamond grading reports explains what F colour and VS1 clarity mean.
Ring sizing in the UK
UK ring sizes run alphabetically, with half sizes in between. Size J sits towards the smaller end of the common range for women. A jeweller can measure your finger accurately; at home, comparing a ring you already wear on the same finger with a ring sizer is more reliable than measuring with string. Fingers swell in warm weather and at the end of the day, so measure more than once. Rings can often be resized by a jeweller, though resizing a pair of rings designed to sit together should be done with care.
Authenticating Tiffany
We check hallmarks, the Tiffany signature and metal marks, the quality of the setting and prongs, and the diamond against any grading report. Read how we authenticate Tiffany & Co. jewellery, our Tiffany & Co. guide, or browse Tiffany in our shop.
Questions we’re often asked
- When was the Tiffany Setting introduced?
Tiffany & Co. introduced the Tiffany Setting in 1886. Its six prongs hold the diamond above the band, letting light enter the stone from all sides.
- Why does the Tiffany Setting have six prongs?
Six prongs hold a round brilliant diamond securely while showing as much of the stone as possible, and lift it above the band so light can pass through it.
- How are rings sized in the UK?
UK ring sizes are given as letters, from A to Z and beyond, with half sizes in between. Size J is towards the smaller end of the common range for women.
- Can an engagement ring and wedding band be worn together?
Yes. Many people wear them on the same finger, with the wedding band closer to the hand. A band designed to sit flush against the engagement ring gives the neatest pairing.