Everything You Need to Know About the Channel Setting

Updated 10/12/20

At the peak of its popularity in the late 1980s through the 1990s, the channel ring setting was beloved for its ideal combination of extra sparkle, extra gemstone protection, and a clean, modern look. Today, the channel setting is most commonly seen in wedding and anniversary bands, but it still makes a great option for an engagement ring.

What Is the Channel Setting?

The channel setting is a type of ring setting where stones on the shank of the ring are set along a track between two walls of metal. The stones are nestled against one another and not separated by prongs, beads, or bezels.

Channel Setting 101 — Michela Buttignol/Brides

Pros of the Channel Setting

“A channel-set ring is more cost-effective,” says Los Angeles-based jeweler Corina Madilian. “You can hide variations in sizes of diamonds, and you don’t have to set each stone individually. That lowers prices.”

Meet the Expert

After years of running an estate and vintage jewelry showroom, Los Angeles jeweler Corina Madilian founded Single Stone with her husband Ari in 2004. Their designs are crafted entirely in the downtown Los Angeles jewelry district and have been featured in Who What Wear, Town & Country, and Harper’s Bazaar.

Because the metal walls on the shank completely cover the fragile girdle of a diamond, a channel setting is also more protective than pavé or bead-set bands. A channel-set band is also less likely to snag clothes.

Cons of the Channel Setting

The biggest con of a channel-set ring is how quickly it gathers dirt. “Once dirt or lotion gets between the stones, it can take the sparkle away pretty quickly,” says Madilian. “You don’t want to let anything accumulate.”

Fortunately, cleaning a channel-set ring is a breeze. “The easiest thing to do is boil a little water, take it off the stove, add some clear detergent⁠, and let the ring sit for a bit,” Madilian explains. “Let the hot water dissolve whatever is between the stones, then use an old toothbrush to gently brush away any residue. Rinse it, and then you’re done.”

Ready to shop for your own channel-set engagement ring? Here are 15 stunning options.

01 of 15

Single Stone Lisa Ring

There’s something wonderfully modern about the graduated sizes of the step-cut diamonds in this geometric style.

SHOP NOW: Single Stone, $9,800

02 of 15

Jack Vartanian Line Drop Ring

Here, the 0.42ct pear-shaped center diamond provides a moment of sweetness on an otherwise modern engagement ring style.

SHOP NOW: Jack Vartanian, $4,080

03 of 15

The Tiffany® Setting Engagement Ring with a Channel-Set Diamond Band

Featuring an ethically-sourced 1.31ct round-cut center diamond and a half-shank of channel-set sparklers on the band, this gorgeous ring is sure to stand the test of time.

SHOP NOW: Tiffany & Co., $21,400

Everything You Need to Know About the Iconic Tiffany Engagement Ring Setting

04 of 15

Lauren B. Jewelry Emerald-Cut Diamond Engagement Ring

In this architectural option, a step-cut diamond shank plays up the straight lines of the center emerald-cut diamond.

SHOP NOW: Lauren B. Jewelry, price upon request

05 of 15

Porter Gulch Presley Ring

An eye-catching 0.7ct oval diamond is the star of this minimal but not austere engagement ring. Approximately 0.10 carats of baguette diamonds fill out the channel-set shank.

SHOP NOW: Porter Gulch, $4,675

06 of 15

Partridge Jewelers Aqua Channel Ring

Go a little nontraditional with a beautiful cushion-cut aquamarine paired with a graduated channel-set shank.

SHOP NOW: Partridge Jewelers, price upon request

07 of 15

Gemvara Pear-Cut Lovena Ring

To infinity … and beyond! We love the way the futuristic shank dips in to meet the marquise diamond on this intergalactic engagement ring.

SHOP NOW: Gemvara, $2,957

08 of 15

Radiant Moissanite Channel Set Wedding Set

Nearly colorless with a modified brilliant cut, the 3.16ct moissanite on this classic channel-set engagement ring provides all the sparkle of a big diamond, but at a fraction of the cost.

SHOP NOW: Charles & Colvard, $2,227

09 of 15

Tacori RoyalT Engagement Ring

It can’t be a coincidence that princess-cut diamonds comprise both the channel-set shank and the 3.5ct center stone on a ring with the word “royal” in the name.

SHOP NOW: Tacori, $28,990

10 of 15

Old European Cut Diamond Engagement Ring

In this jaw-dropping engagement ring, diamonds fill the channel-set shank and surround the basket underneath the 3.84ct Old European cut center diamond.

SHOP NOW: Marc Broumand, $84,995

Everything You Need to Know About Old European-Cut Diamonds

11 of 15

Noam Carver Round Channel Set Engagement Ring Setting

Rose gold, a round-cut diamond, and filigree detailing on the channel-set band make this engagement ring setting feel especially sweet.

SHOP NOW: J.R. Dunn, $1,850

12 of 15

Bezel and Channel-Set Ring

This thoroughly modern channel-set engagement ring features a brilliant round-cut diamond bezel-set in 18K white gold.

SHOP NOW: Oliver Smith Jeweler, from $1,875

13 of 15

Anne Sportun Diamond Ring with Channel-Set Halo

When your love is your whole world, you want a ring that shows it. Encircled by a channel-set diamond halo and attached to a smooth 18K gold band, this round-cut champagne diamond sparkler is just the ticket.

SHOP NOW: Peridot Fine Jewelry, $13,600

14 of 15

Custom Compass Point Princess Ring

Paired with a princess-cut diamond set in a compass point orientation, the metal ribbon detailing on this channel-set engagement ring has just the right touch of whimsy.

SHOP NOW: Brilliant Earth, price upon request

15 of 15

Anye Designs Tricia Illusion Ring

Hello, sparkle! The illusion head on this 2.75tcw dazzler will catch the light from every angle, and the triple shank only adds to the effect.

SHOP NOW: Anye Designs, $3,300