Stone setting glossary: bezel, prongs, pavé, gallery and more

A dictionary of setting, which is the way a stone is held in a jewel. For an overview, see types of setting.

Types of setting #

• Setting (engaste): the way of holding the stone.
• Bezel (bisel): a strip of metal surrounds the stone. See bezel setting.
• Chaton (chatón): a cup-shaped metal piece that houses the stone; the name is also used for the small conical faceted stone set in it.
• Prongs / claws (garras): metal tips that hold the stone above the girdle. See prong setting.
• Grain / bead setting (grano): small beads of metal are raised from the metal itself to hold the stone.
• Pavé: many small stones set close together, held by grains, that look like paving. See pavé setting.
• Channel (carril): stones in a row between two walls of metal. See channel setting.
• Tension setting (tensión): the metal presses on the sides of the stone, as if it floated. See tension setting.
• Invisible setting (engaste invisible): stones fit into grooves with no visible metal. See invisible setting.
• Cabochon setting (engaste de cabujón): the stone without facets is usually held with a bezel or low prongs. See cabochons.
• Faceted stone setting (engaste de piedra facetada): the faceted stone is held at the girdle with prongs, grain or bezel.
• Flush setting (engaste a ras): the stone sits level with the metal. See flush setting.

Parts of the mounting #

• Gallery (galería): the openwork or support under the stone, which lets light in and gives structure to the prongs.
• Mounting (montura): the metal structure that holds the stone.

Parts of a cut stone #

• Table (tabla): the large flat facet on top.
• Crown (corona): the upper part, between the table and the girdle.
• Girdle (cintura, also filetín): the edge that separates crown and pavilion. It is where the stone is gripped.
• Pavilion (pabellón): the lower part, between the girdle and the culet.
• Culet (culata): the point or small facet at the bottom.
• Facet (faceta): each polished flat surface.

See also faceting and gem cuts.