Do cathedral settings have a purpose?

[april4]

Just wondering if there is some spececific reason for the extra metal?

 

[slg47]

I think it is aesthetic?

 

[shihtzulover]

Yeah, some people want for their stone to sit up a little bit higher, so they really like them.

Some people also just really prefer the look of them.

 

[kenny]

Just wondering if there is some spececific reason for the extra metal?

The extra metal results in the desired look.

That seems so obvious; are you really asking why that look is desired?

 

[D&T]

I think there is a purpose not just aesthetically pleasing to my eye but
- gives is a bit of a protection of the shoulder of the shank comes closer to the head of the diamond so could get hit first before the actual head. There are other reasons I think like catching on items doesn't snag the head, depending on how the cathedral is attach or not attached to the head. It could just gloss over the shank/cathedral part. I'll try to find an example and show what I mean.

not sure if this helps illustrate, pictures courtesy of James Allen


but of course the prongs will catch most things anyways. Personal preference.

 

[athenaworth]

I like the fact that it lifts the diamond up enough so that the wedding band can sit flush with the engagement ring.

 

[april4]

Thanks for all the helpful replies. I should have asked if they have a functional purpose. Protecting from snags, allowing the stone to sit higher - that makes sense. Thank you.

 

[oldminer]

The split creates two additional points of attachment for the main setting. That is a vrey good strength feature which adds an element of resistance to bending and twisting. These added solder points help prevent the loss of the center setting which can happen on rare occasions. Of course, the main reason for such a design is for the sake of the design itself. They resemble the flying buttress effect on European cathedrals. Those buttresses also add strength to the buldings they help support. Those were an early method to distribute the load of the high roof onto the sides of a building that would have otherwise required many more obstructing interior columns to keep the high roof supported.

 

[lbbaber]

I chose cathedral bc I figured it would have less of a chance of getting snagged on things (like the example/picture above). It seems safer to me

 

[Jennifer W]

I think they're intended to provide a little more protection to the stone (whether they actually do or not is probably debatable). Edit - I guess they do, based on Oldminer's informative post.

I would say that they are by far the most common type of setting for a diamond in the UK, traditionally. I never saw any other type of solitaire until I found PS, with the exception of bezels (which we call rub-over settings). I think things are changing here, but they're still a very popular choice.

 

[Luminous-MB]

The split creates two additional points of attachment for the main setting. That is a vrey good strength feature which adds an element of resistance to bending and twisting. These added solder points help prevent the loss of the center setting which can happen on rare occasions. Of course, the main reason for such a design is for the sake of the design itself. They resemble the flying buttress effect on European cathedrals. Those buttresses also add strength to the buldings they help support. Those were an early method to distribute the load of the high roof onto the sides of a building that would have otherwise required many more obstructing interior columns to keep the high roof supported.

It's funny you mention this because I recently wrote a paper on gothic architecture and its influences, and also noticed the connection between the flying buttress and the split of the shank of the cathedral style setting. You made a great connection and it does provide additional strength and support.

 

[Michael_E]

Style, style and a little more style. Since the upper ends of most cathedral settings does not touch the head of the ring, there is no added strength given to the head by it, (though perhaps a little bit of protection fro bumps). 99% of the reason for this and all of the other metal used in jewelry is due to the need for having a wide range of different styles. It's like clothes, if all that mattered was for something to cover us we'd all be wearing pajamas.

 

[jstarfireb]

Well, there are integrated cathedral settings, where the metal on the shoulders touches is integrated into the metal on the head, which are my favorite kind. There are also non-integrated ones, which seem to be more common, and there's a gap between the shoulders and the head. I don't like that look, and I can't figure out how that would offer any structural support either.

I also want to point out that cathedral settings do not necessarily sit higher than non-cathedral settings. So, like Michael E, I think it's all about style.

 

[Laila619]

I also want to point out that cathedral settings do not necessarily sit higher than non-cathedral settings. So, like Michael E, I think it's all about style.

Right. It's really more of an illusion.

I personally like cathedral settings because they make the setting look more 'dimensional' on the finger if that makes sense. Gives it some height.

 

[brellymom]

i went with a cathedral to ensure the e-ring would sit flush with my wedding band. i didn't get a matching set and i like to trade off wedding bands, so a cathedral worked out for me.