Over time, your engagement ring may no longer reflect your personal style or practical needs. Resetting gives you the chance to refresh a beloved piece, preserve its sentiment, and create something entirely new. In this guide, we’ll walk you through what a ring setting is, popular styles, reasons to reset, and how the process works.
What is a Ring Setting?
A ring setting refers to how the gemstone is mounted and secured within the ring. It typically includes two main parts: the head (which holds the gemstone) and the shank (the band encircling the finger). Ring settings vary widely, from minimal prong mounts that allow maximum brilliance to protective bezel styles that fully encase the stone.
Different Styles of Ring Settings
Popular styles include:
Prong (Claw) Setting - A classic style using 4 or 6 prongs to hold the stone, maximizing sparkle.
Bezel Setting - A metal rim fully surrounds the gemstone for a sleek and durable look.
Halo Setting - A circle of accent diamonds around the center stone, enhancing size and brilliance.
Three-Stone Setting - Symbolizes past, present, and future; ideal for meaningful upgrades.
Modern Variations - Tension, split-shank, channel, cluster, or east-west orientations for unique style.
Reasons Why You May Decide to Reset a Ring
Resetting your engagement ring can be both practical and sentimental:
- Style Update - Tastes evolve, and a fresh setting reflects your current style.
- Heirloom Transformation - Modernise a family ring while preserving its sentimental value.
- Milestone Celebration - Mark anniversaries, renewals, or life events with a new design.
- Repair or Restoration - Worn or damaged rings can be reborn through a reset.
- Adding Value - Upgrading with additional stones or a new setting enhances the overall look.
Pro Tip: If you are considering a major redesign, explore our custom design service for a fully bespoke option.
How to Reset a Diamond Engagement Ring
The process of resetting a ring usually involves several key steps:
Defining your vision - The first step is deciding on the overall look you want. Do you prefer a classic solitaire, a sparkling halo, or a symbolic three-stone design? Think about your lifestyle as well: a low-profile bezel is practical for active wearers, while a cathedral or prong setting enhances light and brilliance. Bringing inspiration photos or ideas to your jeweler helps ensure the design matches both your style and your daily needs.
Design consultation - During the consultation, the jeweler reviews your diamond and recommends options that balance beauty with durability. At this stage, CAD models or hand sketches are created to show what your reset ring could look like. You’ll be able to preview proportions, confirm details such as ring size and metal choice, and request adjustments until the design feels right.
Stone removal and measuring - Once the design is approved, the original stones are carefully removed, cleaned, and measured with precision. The jeweler checks each diamond for chips or wear and ensures the new setting is crafted to hold them securely. Accent stones that are missing or damaged can be replaced during this step.
Casting or adapting the setting - The new ring is then cast or modified according to the chosen design. Whether you select platinum, yellow gold, rose gold, or white gold, the setting is crafted to balance comfort, security, and style. This step ensures your diamond sits level and that the design pairs well with a wedding band or stackable rings.
Final setting and inspection - After the mount is prepared, the diamonds are reset by hand. Prongs are tightened, surfaces are polished, and white gold may be rhodium-plated for extra shine. Finally, the jeweler inspects the ring for symmetry, alignment, and security before presenting you with a refreshed piece that looks and feels brand new.
5 Ways to Reset Your Engagement Ring
Add accent stones - One of the most popular ways to refresh a ring is by adding smaller diamonds along the band or around the center stone. Pavé or channel-set accents can instantly elevate the sparkle while still keeping the original diamond as the focal point.
Create a halo - Surrounding the center stone with a halo of smaller diamonds not only increases brilliance but also makes the center appear larger. A halo reset is perfect for those who want more presence on the hand without changing the main diamond.
Three-stone conversion - Adding two side stones to frame the center diamond creates a timeless style that symbolizes the past, present, and future of your relationship. This transformation adds both meaning and balance to your ring’s overall design.
Modify for practicality - Sometimes a reset is about comfort and wearability. Lowering prongs, adding a bezel, or adjusting the band’s profile makes the ring more secure and practical for everyday wear, while still retaining its beauty.
Complete redesign - For a dramatic transformation, you can reuse your diamond and gold to create a completely new ring. This option allows you to change the style entirely—whether modern, vintage-inspired, or custom-built—while preserving the sentimental value of your original stone.
Thinking about upgrading your diamond? Discover our collection of lab-grown diamonds for sustainable brilliance.
Tips for Resetting a Diamond Engagement Ring
Choose a reputable jeweler - Work with a jeweler who has proven experience in ring resets and positive customer reviews. Resetting is a delicate process, and an experienced professional ensures your stones are handled with care and the final design is both secure and beautiful.
Keep diamond certificates - Documents such as a GIA report are important to verify your diamond’s characteristics before and after resetting. They give you peace of mind that your stone has been returned safely and remains the same quality throughout the process.
Select your preferred metals - Resetting is the perfect chance to change or update your metal choice. Whether you prefer timeless platinum, classic yellow gold, romantic rose gold, or modern white gold, the right metal enhances both style and durability.
Set a realistic timeline - Custom resets typically take between two and three weeks, depending on the complexity of the design and workshop capacity. Planning ahead ensures your ring is ready in time for anniversaries, proposals, or other milestones.
Plan for long-term maintenance - A new setting should be designed not only for beauty but also for durability. Ask your jeweler about prong checks, polishing, and plating services so your ring continues to look and feel secure for years to come.
Cost of Ring Resetting
The cost of resetting a ring varies depending on the complexity of the design, the amount of labor involved, and the materials chosen.
Simple resets - Moving existing stones into a new ready-made setting is usually the most affordable option, ranging from about $80 to $250. This is ideal if you want a quick refresh without major design changes.
Moderate redesigns - Adding side stones, creating a halo, or making custom tweaks to your current setting typically costs between $500 and $1,500. These updates give your ring a more substantial transformation while still working within your existing design framework.
Full redesigns - For those who want a complete makeover, a new custom design created with CAD modeling and handcrafted details often ranges from $1,500 to $5,000 or more. This option allows you to repurpose your diamond and even your gold into a brand-new ring that reflects your current style and preferences.
Using your own gold or diamonds can help reduce costs, and some jewelers even credit unused metal toward the reset. If you’re considering upgrading your center stone, exploring lab-grown diamonds can be a smart way to achieve a larger or higher-quality diamond at a more accessible price—offering brilliance equal to mined diamonds with far greater value.
Conclusion
Resetting an engagement ring is more than a design choice - it’s a chance to celebrate milestones, update a beloved piece, or breathe new life into an heirloom. Whether you’re simply adding a halo for extra sparkle, converting your ring into a meaningful three-stone design, or commissioning a complete redesign, the process allows your diamond to shine again in a way that feels authentic to your story.
At Elora, we specialize in creating engagement rings that balance craftsmanship, sustainability, and individuality. Our custom design service makes it possible to bring your vision to life, whether that means resetting your existing diamond or building a brand-new ring from the ground up.
With thoughtful planning and the right expertise, your reset ring will not only look renewed but will also carry even deeper meaning for the years to come.