The light that reflects off the carefully-cut facets of the stone looks incredibly vibrant, but the ring represents a moment in time. A breathless question was asked, followed by a joyous answer and the first kiss between a couple. A bride-to be wants to hold her feelings close, so she wears couples promise rings every day. But even if the bride is very careful, she will need to take into consideration some things.

Active lifestyles present specific challenges. Engagement rings are designed to be worn every day without causing any damage to the matching jewelry. If you're worried that the ring will be damaged, or that your activities may cause it to "catch", choosing engagement rings designed for active lifestyles can help. Each facet in an active engagement design, from the shape and height of the ring to the cut and setting the stones, adds to its overall beauty and durability.

This article will explore five features that you should look for in an engagement ring when choosing one to match your partner's active lifestyle. If price is an issue, you can refer to Our Guide to the Most Affordable engagement Rings.

Choosing matching necklaces for couples+ Lifestyle: Overall Height

The challenge: While the appearance and feel of the engagement ring are important, its actual dimensions must be measured with the same care. The bride-to be may work with her hands a lot in creative capacities (paintings, sculptures, building and so on), or service capacities (medical, IT, manufacturing etc.). She may find wearing a high-set ring uncomfortable. A ring that is too high will "stub" or tilt backwards onto her finger when she moves her hand, such as when she slides on her scrub jacket or reaches into a small mechanical opening. The prong setting, the cut stones, and her skin could be damaged. It may also lead to complications, causing her work to be hampered by the setting. This could result in patients being injured or fragile materials becoming damaged.

Solution: Flush style mounts, those with sunken-cut stone surfaces and a smoother-feeling band are best for active lifestyles. The lower the setting of the stones on an engagement band, the less likely it is to bump up against surfaces.

Buy An Engagement Ring for The Active Girl: Stone Content

The "girdle", or exposed edge, of a cut-stone might appear to be the most vulnerable when considering risks to an engagement band. The setting is what holds most of the cut stones in engagement rings that aren't flush mounted. This part deserves special attention. This important task may be performed by components such as prongs or bezels depending on the style of engagement ring a couple chooses:

The prongs are thin metal arms that bend around the stone at specific intervals. On the inside edge, they have a notch to hold the cut stone's girdle. The prong style is the most susceptible to damage, and the stone can be lost, because the edge of the prong can catch and bend clothing threads or other objects. The loss of two or three prongs can compromise the safety of any stone they are holding. When a ring gets snagged by its prongs, it is best to gently move your hand away from the source of the snag.

Bezels surround the stone completely, without interruption. Imagine them as a fence that surrounds the stone's girdle, curving around the top of the stone. Bezels can be part of an overall ring or setting. Some designs use patterns, or even a different precious material to create contrast. A bezel offers the best protection for the stone, since it is held completely under the surface of the ring.

The channels act as continuous "caps" at the top and bottom of the band for cut stones. These channels are usually found only in eternity rings, which cover the entire band with stones. The stones are edge-to-edge, and then locked into place in open channels that curve around the top or bottom. This creates a continuous, sparkling surface with flush-mounted stones securely held in place. This design exposes a little more of the surface of the stone than a traditional bezel but is still safe and reliable for active lifestyles.

This list does not include all the styles of stone containment. There are also other options, such as a tension setting that relies on tension in the metal band to hold the cut stone, or pave accents for engagement rings, which can be used with prong-set solitaires. These settings are attractive but may not be ideal for engagement rings that will be worn frequently, since they expose more of the stone’s fragile girdle to damage, loss, or dislodgement.