25 Bezel Engagement Rings For Every Style

From vintage-inspired designs to bold gold rings, find the best bezel set ring for you.

By Jane Asher | April 10, 2025

Jemma Wynne | Single Stone | Ashley Zhang

What makes a bezel engagement ring stand out from traditional engagement rings? At first glance, it’s the chunkier setting—a ring of gold or white gold that surrounds the center stone. This is the bezel, essentially a frame for the diamond, holding it securely in place. The alternative, more classic option is a prong setting, which acts like a claw, gripping the diamond at specific points around its edge.

“From a design perspective, creating a bezel-set engagement ring is a very different process than working with a prong setting,” shares New York City-based designer Briony Raymond. “With a bezel, the setting is built to fit the exact dimensions of the stone – it fully surrounds the diamond, so everything has to be incredibly precise. It’s a more custom, tailored approach that offers a sleek, seamless look and a level of protection you don’t get with prongs.

Corina Madilian, co-founder of Single Stone has also worked with her fair share of bezel engagement rings and offers her own perspective on the design: “A bezel allows for a lower profile and provides a frame of protection around the entire stone while prong set stones are more exposed,” she says.

Meet the Experts

25 Bezel Engagement Rings For Every Style

Corina Madilian is the co-founder and designer of Single Stone. She has over three decades of experience in antique diamonds and jewelry restoration, establishing her as a distinguished expert in vintage-inspired fine jewelry.

Briony Raymond is the founder of her namesake New York atelier. She is a distinguished expert in fine jewelry, renowned for her bespoke designs and curated estate collections.

History of Bezel Engagement Rings

Bezel settings, although thought of as less traditional than a prong setting, are actually among the oldest styles for precious gemstones and diamonds. Archaeologists have found proof of this style dating back to the Ancient Egyptian, Roman, and Byzantine empires. These ancient rings were made by placing a stone into a hole or a slot and then bending the metal over the edges.

“Bezel settings have always been popular and go back hundreds of years to the earliest days of jewelry design,” muses Madilian. “Their popularity does fluctuate, though, and they are definitely seeing a resurgence now with clients wanting a clean, modern aesthetic.”

Bezel settings are certainly experiencing a resurgence of popularity today, with many modern designers using the style in their bespoke pieces as well as their curated collections. The last time bezel-set diamond rings saw such popularity was in the 1940s and 1950s, along with mid-century modern designs.

“I started noticing a shift toward bezel settings a few years ago,” adds Raymond. “My clients began gravitating toward engagement rings that felt more modern and low-maintenance.”

Bezel Engagement Ring Tips

Bezel settings are the most protective setting you can use in a ring design, and if made by a proper designer or craftsman, a bezel won’t hide your stone or make it seem smaller than it is. Bezel settings protect all edges of your diamond, where it may be more prone to damage, and are especially advantageous for someone with an active lifestyle. The diamond is less likely to get loose or fall out in a bezel setting as well.

Raymond cites bezel engagement rings as one of her favorite styles. “I love bezel-set engagement rings because they strike the perfect balance between beauty and function,” Raymond says. “The setting wraps around the diamond, so it feels super secure and is great for everyday wear. The clean lines of a bezel feel both classic and contemporary, making it an ideal choice for someone who values both style and substance.” Today’s average woman is much more active than the women who wore diamond jewels in the Edwardian or Victorian eras. Making sure their jewelry fits that lifestyle only makes sense.

Also popular in today’s engagement ring styles is the half-bezel set ring. With this style, only part of the diamond is covered with the bezel, allowing more light to come through and enhance the stone’s brilliance.

Expert Opinions on Bezel Engagement Rings

“One of the things I love most about bezel settings is how versatile they are,” Raymond shares. “They work beautifully with so many different diamond shapes, from ovals and emerald cuts to antique stones. The setting really highlights the silhouette of the stone and gives the whole ring a tailored, sculptural feel.”

Madilian also loves the way bezel settings can be personalized and customized to the wearer’s style. “Bezels can be accented with finishing details that can provide varying aesthetics – clean and polished, miligrain, engraving, or granulation,” she says. “[This] all lends a very different look to a bezel.”

Ahead, get inspired by these bezel engagement ring designs from Briony Raymond, Single Stone, and many more.