Solitaire Engagement Rings
The purest expression of the diamond.
The solitaire is the most enduring engagement ring there is: a single diamond, held simply, with nothing to distract from it. It has been the standard of the proposal for over a century — and for a clear reason. When the stone is the entire ring, the stone has to be right.
This guide covers what a solitaire is, why it never dates, the best diamond shapes for it, and how Montare's solitaires differ from almost everything else on the market.
What is a solitaire setting?
A solitaire is an engagement ring with one centre diamond and no accent stones. The diamond is raised on prongs (usually four or six) above a plain band, lifting it into the light. Because nothing surrounds it, a solitaire shows the diamond honestly — its shape, its cut, and its size are all on full display.
That honesty is exactly why the solitaire rewards a better stone. There is no halo or pavé to borrow sparkle from; the brilliance you see is the diamond's own.
Why solitaires never go out of style
- Timeless. A solitaire from 1960 looks current today. Trends move; the solitaire doesn't.
- The stone leads. Every dollar goes into the diamond, not the setting.
- Pairs with any wedding band. Plain, pavé, or contoured — a solitaire sits cleanly beside all of them.
- Effortless to wear. A low-profile solitaire is comfortable, snag-resistant, and easy to keep clean.
Solitaire vs. halo
The most common decision is solitaire versus a halo of accent stones. Here is the honest difference:
| Solitaire | Halo / Hidden Halo | |
|---|---|---|
| Look | Minimal, classic, stone-forward | More sparkle and visual size from accent diamonds |
| Perceived size | Reflects the true centre stone | Reads larger thanks to the surrounding stones |
| Best for | A standout centre diamond you want to feature | Maximising presence and brilliance |
If you love sparkle but want a clean face-up look, a hidden halo is the middle path.
Best diamond shapes for a solitaire
Because a solitaire hides nothing, shape choice matters more than in any other setting. Round brilliants deliver maximum fire; ovals elongate the finger and wear large; emerald cuts give a refined, architectural look. Explore each in our diamond shapes guide, or preview them to scale in the ring builder.
The Montare solitaire standard
A solitaire is only as good as its diamond — which is why our floor matters most here.
Metals & band styles
Platinum and 18K white gold keep a solitaire crisp and modern; 18K yellow and rose gold add warmth and make a colourless stone pop. A knife-edge or tapered band adds subtle character without breaking the minimalism. Design yours in the builder.
- 3 carat minimum centre stone
- D–E colour & VVS1–VVS2 clarity
- Triple Excellent cut with ideal table & depth
- Lab-grown & IGI certified
Design your ring
Build it in our live configurator — shape, carat, metal and setting, all to scale — or book a complimentary consultation with a Montare specialist. No obligation, same-day response.
Build your ring →Book a consultation →Solitaire engagement ring FAQs
What is a solitaire engagement ring?
A solitaire engagement ring features a single centre diamond with no accent stones, raised on prongs above a plain band so the diamond is the entire focus of the ring.
Is a solitaire cheaper than a halo ring?
Usually, yes, because a solitaire has no accent diamonds or extra setting work. That means more of your budget goes into the centre stone itself, which is where presence and brilliance come from.
Which diamond shape is best for a solitaire?
Round brilliants give the most fire, ovals look largest for their weight and elongate the finger, and emerald cuts offer a refined step-cut look. The right shape depends on the look you want; a solitaire flatters them all.
Do solitaire rings look small?
Not when the centre stone has real size and an ideal cut. Every Montare solitaire starts at three carats and is cut to Triple Excellent with ideal proportions, so it reads large and bright on the hand.