Illusion Ring Setting – Everything You Need to Know

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If you want a large diamond but don’t quite have the budget for it, or if you’re simply looking for a unique diamond ring design, an illusion setting might be ideal for you.

JamesAllen Engagement Rings

Illusion ring settings are cleverly crafted to enhance the diamond’s size and make it appear larger than it is. While there are variations to this ring style, the overarching concept is the same – to trick the eye into seeing the diamond as a large solitaire.

Let’s take a look at the illusion setting and how it can save you money.

What’s an Illusion Setting?

An illusion setting is so called because it makes a diamond appear larger than it is. The purpose of an illusion setting is to enhance the apparent size of a diamond by clever patterning of the metal surrounding it. The metal is designed to look like the facets of a diamond which makes the diamond appear bigger and more brilliant from a distance.

Vintage Diamond Ring
Vintage illusion set ring. Check price here.

The illusion setting was invented in the 1850s by the French jeweler Oscar Massin, who wanted to maximize the size of small diamonds by manipulating the setting used for the stone. His design was originally called ‘the illusory setting’ and became popular as it was a budget-friendly alternative to buying a large diamond.

Many vintage designs feature the illusion setting, showcasing how a small diamond can make for an excellent piece of jewelry if carefully crafted by a skilled designer.

Illusion setting Diamond ring
Illusion setting Diamond ring. Check price here.

In the setting above, the small .20 carat diamond is surrounding by a rim of metal patterned with facets. The brilliance of the diamond reflects off these facets creating the look of a single large diamond.   

The Cluster Illusion Setting

Although the patterned metal style is the most popular type of illusion setting, there’s another main variation – the cluster illusion setting. This wasn’t invented by Massin but it falls into the category of illusion settings in how it manipulates the perception of a diamond.

With the cluster illusion setting, several small diamonds are placed close to each other to mimic the look of a single large diamond. The sparkle of the diamonds bouncing off each other makes it difficult to see the little stones and tricks the eye into seeing it as a solitaire diamond.

How Does the Illusion Setting Save You Money?

Cluster set ring in white gold
See This Cluster Setting Here

The main benefit of an illusion setting is that it allows you to opt for a smaller diamond thereby saving money on your ring. Diamonds, as you might already know, increase exponentially in price the bigger the stone is. This means that a single 1.0 carat diamond would cost much more than four .25 diamonds put together. This is because larger diamonds of high quality are rarer and therefore harder to come by.

To illustrate this, let’s compare this 1.0 carat diamond with this similar .25 carat diamond. The smaller stone is less than 10% the price of the large diamond, meaning that four of them would still cost less than half the price of the 1.0 carat stone. That is a huge difference!

What does this mean for you, the consumer?

By opting for smaller stones, you can save massively on your diamond ring. This cluster setting below has a total carat weight (TCW) of 1.13 carats. But the cost is much less than what you would expect to pay for a 1.0 carat diamond.

Of course, small diamonds may never take the place of a single large diamond and may not have the same dazzle that it has. However, it comes down to your personal preferences and the type of look you want from your ring.

Reasons to Choose an Illusion Setting for Your Engagement Ring

If you’re still unsure if an illusion setting is right for you, here’s a look at the pros:

  • As we’ve mentioned already, illusion settings are an excellent option to get a budget-friendly big diamond look.
  • Illusion settings tend to be very elaborate, creative and unique.
  • They’re easy to maintain and clean like all diamond jewelry. Simply use a mild soap and a soft toothbrush or cloth.

However, don’t buy an illusion setting if:

You’ve always wanted a large, flashy diamond. Yes, the illusion setting looks like a big diamond but it’s not one. You will know that it’s made up of cleverly crafted metal or a cluster of smaller diamonds.

Dani Rhys

Dani Rhys has worked as a writer and editor for over 15 years in the jewelry niche. She holds a Masters degree in Linguistics and Education. She has always been interested in expression through fashion and accessories, and her extensive experience in the field has made her a respected voice in jewelry trends and education. As the chief editor of Jewelry Shopping Guide, she not only leads the content strategy but also shares her insights through engaging articles. Her passion for storytelling is reflected in every piece she curates, exploring the intricate relationship between jewelry and personal identity.

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