Your Guide to Ring Elements:
The Shape, Style, and Parts of Engagement Rings and Wedding Bands
Explore the anatomy, artistry, and symbolism behind your custom ring. Understanding the essential elements of the ring will help you make confident, creative decisions as you design a piece that’s uniquely yours.
What Makes Up a Ring?
Every Krikawa ring is made from scratch, designed for your hand, your story, and your lifestyle. With all of the customization and personalization options available, no other ring will be exactly like yours, ; however, we know that trying to customize a ring on your own can be daunting. We can breakdown break down the core parts of a ring--typesring-types, themes, styles, and more—so you’ll be empowered to create a jaw-dropping engagement or wedding ring that you will adore for a lifetime.
The Shank: Your Ring’s Foundation
The shank is the band that wraps around your finger. Its ring design shape—including width, profile, and thickness- impacts how it feels and wears over time.
The Setting: Where the Stone Merges with Design
The setting is the overall design system that holds your center stone in place and defines your ring’s style and design. It includes both the head (the piece that directly grips the stone) and the way the head integrates with the rest of the ring. Your setting not only protects your center gem, but also affects the ring’s overall style, height, and brilliance.
Here are a few common engagement ring setting types:
Prong setting: Metal claws hold the center stone in place, allowing maximum light exposure. Classic and versatile.
Bezel setting: A thin metal rim fully or partially surrounds the stone. Very secure and great for active lifestyles.
Tension setting: Uses pressure to hold the stone between two sides of the shank, creating an illusion of a floating gem. However, this style offers limited structural support and is not recommended for long-term security.
Cathedral setting: The center stone is held aloft by arches that rise from the shank, resembling cathedral architecture. Elegant and traditional, in cathedral setting, the center stone sits high off the finger.
Halo setting: A circle of smaller accent stones surrounds the center stone, enhancing sparkle and increasing visual impact. The addition of a halo can effectively make a modest-sized stone appear larger.
Flush setting: The center stone is embedded into the surface of the ring so that it sits level with the metal. This style, sometimes called “Gypsy Setting”, is rarely used for larger stones.
Krikawa Tip: Your choice of setting also affects how high the stone sits on your finger and how secure it feels day-to-day. Want to know more? Explore more details →
The Head: Beauty and Engineering Combined. The head is the upper portion of the setting that physically holds the center stone, often using prongs or a bezel structure. It plays a critical role in your ring's engineering and appearance. The head determines how prominently the stone is displayed, how much light it receives, and how it connects to the shank.
The head merges functionality with artistic detail, supporting the center stone and defining your ring’s visual profile.
Ring Profiles: Choose Your Comfort and Look
Your ring's profile refers to the shape of the cross-section if you were to slice the ring. The profile significantly influences its aesthetic appeal, how it wears, and how it feels on your finger. At Krikawa, we offer a variety of ring profiles to suit diverse styles and comfort preferences.
Flat Profile
Flat profile engagement ring styles and ring types feature a straight, flat surface outside the band, giving it a modern and minimalist appearance. This profile is ideal for those who appreciate clean lines and a contemporary look. A high polished flat profile reflects light evenly, making scratches, dings, and wear marks more visible than on a curved or slightly curved profile shaped ring. In a wider ring, the flat surface also provides a perfect canvas for engravings or other customization, such as textures, finishes, symbols, patterns, and more.
Krikawa’s Standard Profile
Our standard ring profile is the Krikawa comfort fit. Our comfort fit has a slightly rounded exterior and a gently curved interior. While other designers curve the interior significantly—often creating a domed fit that can feel bulky or roll on the finger—our comfort fit is thoughtfully balanced. The subtle curve provides ease of sliding over the knuckle while maintaining a secure, natural feel on the finger, The result is a refined, comfortable ring that wears beautifully without excess bulk, making it ideal . The result is a refined, comfortable ring that wears beautifully without excess bulk, making it ideal for everyday wear.
Heavy Profile
The heavy profile ring shape is our standard profile, but with increased thickness, typically 2.3mm or more. The resulting ring will be heavier, bulkier, and feel more weighted on the finger. Heavy profile shapedprofile-shaped rings are better suited for large rings and wide bands, not delicate designs. This robust design offers a substantial feel and is often chosen for its durability and eye-catching presence on the finger.
Oval Profile
Our “oval” profile is a soft dome that features a gracefully rounded exterior with a smooth, symmetrical contour. It offers a rounder feel than a traditional half-round shaped ring but maintains a balanced shape without excess bulk. The gentle curves provide a comfortable fit and a classic silhouette, making it a versatile choice that complements various styles.
Half Round Profile
The half round profile features a domed outer surface with a very slight comfort fit interior for added comfort. While traditional half-round rings have a flat interior, our softened version improves wearability without sacrificing the iconic domed form. Though the Krikawa Comfort Fit is our most popular ring profile, the half-round remains a strong choice for those who appreciate a classic silhouette. Its softly contoured shape complements both traditional and contemporary ring designs.
Knife Edge Profile
This profile features a sharp, angular ridge running along the center of the band, creating a distinctive and bold look. This design adds a touch of sophistication and is ideal for those who want a truly unique and striking ring.
These profiles can be customized further to match your style, tastes, and comfort levels. Our design consultants at Krikawa are here to guide you through the selection process, ensuring your ring is as one-of-a-kind as your love for one another.
Still have a few questions about ring profiles? Learn more here→
Style, Theme, and Personal Aesthetic
With almost no limits, your custom ring can channel your inner spirit, values, or passions. Your ring is more than a piece of jewelry—it is a visual expression of your story, values and sense of style. At Krikawa, we help you navigate two key design elements: theme and style. Understanding the difference between these concepts will guide you toward a design that feels both meaningful and uniquely yours.
Theme vs. Style: What’s the Difference?
A ring theme is the inspiration behind the design, like nature, music, or a vintage feel. It expresses a feeling, story, mood, or symbol that you want your ring to tell the world.
A ring style refers to the overall look and structure of the ring. It reflects your visual aesthetic, like modern, delicate, industrial, Art Deco, etc. The style reflects your personal aesthetic preferences.
Think of it this way: Your ring’s theme is its personality, and the style is the outfit it wears.
Popular Ring Design Themes
Krikawa rings can be inspired by almost anything—even tiles on a shopping mall floor—but here are some of the most beloved ring design themes our clients choose:
Floral-Inspired: Petals, vines, and natural curves that reflect natural beauty.
Tree Branches and Organic: Textured bands with asymmetric forms with an earthy character.
Wildlife: Feathers, antlers, or animal symbolism tied to strength, freedom, or transformation.
Ocean-Themed: Wave forms, flowing lines, and mesmerizing textures evoking water and serenity.
Musical: Capture rhythm, harmony, and passion, through design elements like musical instruments, sound waves, or your favorite song lyrics.
Vintage: Inspired by historic eras, intricate scrolls, geometric design, and ornate flourishes that evoke the romance and heirloom elegance.
Cultural and Religious Symbology: Honor your heritage or faith through sacred symbols, spiritual motifs, or traditional emblems that carry deep personal significance.
Popular Ring Styles at Krikawa:
When choosing a ring style, consider how you want your ring to look, feel, and wear every day. Style influences everything from stone setting to metal selection, profile shape, and overall presence. You want a ring style that can be customized to reflect your personal taste and lifestyle. Here is a breakdown of our most commonly requested engagement ring styles and what sets them apart:
Classic: Timeless silhouettes, clean lines, and enduring elegance. Think of solitaire rings, plain bands, or subtle accent stones that never go out of style.
Modern: Geometric forms, bold negative space, or unconventional layouts. Modern rings often feature clean bezels, asymmetric designs, or unique center stone cuts.
Delicate Romantic: Lightweight bands, graceful curves, and intricate detailing. Pavé settings, floral motifs, and heart-shaped stones are common in this soft, feminine style.
Vintage-Inspired: Designs that evoke bygone eras like Victorian, Edwardian, Art Nouveau, or Art Deco. Expect hand engraving, milgrain edges, filigree, and ornate settings.
Sculptural Artistic: Bold, creative designs that treat the ring as wearable art. These rings often have flowing forms, symbolic shapes, or mixed textures and metals.
Rustic: Organic textures, natural finishes, and earthy aesthetics. Often includes tree bark textures, raw gemstones, or handcrafted details that embrace imperfection.
Adding Symbols to Your Custom Ring: Making it Meaningful
We know the ring you design will be much more than a thing you’ll wear. It is the canvas of your relationship, the symbol of your journey together, and a story that is wholly yours. Krikawa offers a wide selection of symbolic and personal touches to allow you to turn your custom ring into a deeply personal heirloom.
Ways to Add Personal Symbolism:
Cultural symbols representing faith, your heritage, or your spiritual beliefs with emblems that carry personal or cultural significance.
Astrological Symbols, such as featuring your zodiac sign or celestial designs, or possibly the constellation that was present in the sky during your proposal or first date.
Custom symbols like coordinates, initials, or an important date that captures a moment or milestone.
Add a hidden or visible birthstone within the ring’s inner band, an intimate way to carry your someone special with you always.
Popular Customization Options:
Add a secret message, date, phrase, or nickname visible only to you with an inside ring inscription.
Hand engraving of personal artwork or symbolic patterns etched with exact precision.
Textures and finishes with hammered, brushed, or woodgrain like Mokume Gane.
All personalization is integrated into the design process from the very beginning, meaning your rich is and will always be authentically yours from every angle.
Need more inspiration? Explore more customization ideas→
Jewelry Terms Made Simple:
We know that everything can sound complicated and technical when it comes to jewelry and custom rings. But, with Krikawa by your side, it never has to be. Here are the 15 most common (and sometimes confusing) terms you’ll come across, explained simply:
Carat: The weight of a gemstone, not its size.
Pavé: A setting style using tiny stones set closely together for sparkle.
Gallery: The area beneath the center stone, often decorative.
Basket: A prong-style setting that cradles the stone like a basket.
Filigree: Delicate, lace-like metalwork.
Milgrain: A beaded edge detail often used in vintage designs.
Inlay: A technique where material is set into a recessed space in the ring.
Mokume Gane: A unique wood-grain metal pattern exclusive to high-end custom rings.
Soldering: Fusing metal parts together using heat.
Shank: The part of the ring that wraps around your finger.
Setting: The structure that holds the center stone in place.
Bezel: A metal rim that completely surrounds the stone.
Prong: Metal claws that hold the stone, typically four or six.
Tension: A setting where the stone is held in place by pressure.
Head: The top portion of the ring, including the stone and setting.
For a fuller, more in-depth dive, make sure to visit the full Krikawa Jewelry Glossary→
Find Your Style with Our Engagement Ring Quiz
Take the Quiz now→
Still exploring ideas and haven’t settled on anything yet? Our quiz can help match you to the ideal ring based on your style, personality, and lifestyle.
FAQ: Choosing the Right Ring Type
What are Krikawa's main ring types?
Engagement rings, wedding bands, anniversary rings, empowerment rings, LGBTQIA+ rings, and divorce rings.
What ring style is best for everyday wear?
Bezel settings and low-profile styles will offer you great durability for active hands.
How do I choose the best ring shape for me?
Match it to your personality and your preferences. H4: How do I choose between a modern vs. vintage ring style?
Modern styles often feature sleek lines and minimal design, while vintage styles include more ornate details like filigree, milgrain, or hand engraving. Choose based on what you love and what would work with your lifestyle.
Can I mix different styles in a wedding set?
Absolutely and in fact, at Krikawa, we encourage it! You can blend any styles, like a modern engagement ring with a statement-making Art Deco wedding ring for example. Mixing and matching styles and textures is a fantastic way to create a unique, contemporary look that reflects you.
Does the shape of a ring band affect comfort and style?
Yes, it does. A ring’s shape, whether rounded, flat, or knife-edge, can change how it feels on your finger and how it looks overall. Rounded bands are often the most comfortable for daily wear, while flat or modern shapes create a sleeker, bolder style. The shape you choose balances comfort with your personal style.
Does a different ring shape affect how large the center stone looks?
A halo setting can make the center stone look bigger, while a wide ring can make the stone look smaller. A larger ring size can make the stone look smaller.
Are Krikawa’s Mokume Gane rings available in different profiles and settings?
There are two different questions here, both of which we can answer! Because of the complexities of mokume gane, the ring profile for mokume gane rings is our Krikawa Comfort Fit. However, an engagement ring that includes Mokume Gane may have the stone set bezel, prong, or flush.
What’s the difference between ring shape and ring style?
When speaking about the ring itself, “ring shape” refers to the profile or cross-section of the ring. The “ring shape” should not be confused with the stone shape or cut. “Ring style” captures the aesthetic character of the piece--like classic, modern, vintage-inspired, or sculptural.
Can I use my own heirloom stone?
Yes! In fact, we specialize in designing around your personal gem!
How long does it take Krikawa to make a custom ring?
Once the design is finalized, most rings are delivered within 8-12 weeks to guarantee precision and unparalleled heirloom quality.
Your Ring, Your Way.
Choosing a ring is such an exciting, creative journey. Knowing your ring types, from structure to ring design shapes to symbolism, can help you design something amazing you won’t ever want to be without.
Let’s help you bring your fairytale story to life. Book a complimentary consultation with us today and see why so many couples love their custom Krikawa rings as much as each other.
Return to Guide #3: Ring Metal Types
Read Guide #5: The Process of Designing a Ring
