INFORMATION ON TENSION SETTING AND TENSION SET RINGS

Thank you for your interest in our Tension Ring Collection.

Tension Settings:
Tension set rings are popular engagement and anniversary rings, and are increasing in popularity as "fashion" rings. The reason for their popularity is that tension setting is the perfect way to showcase the center stone. By allowing maximum light to reflect off and through the stone, the brilliance and fire of a diamond and the deep colors of sapphires and rubies are emphasized.

All About Tension Setting
The Concept of Tension Setting
Advantages of Tension Setting
Safer Than Other Settings
Materials Used in Tension Settings

Stainless Steel Tension Setting
Stainless Steel is Ideal for Tension Settings!
Added Benefits of Stainless Steel
About Our Tension Set Stones
Other Center Stone Options
Tension Setting Diamonds

Our Policies
Resizing Tension Settings?
Quality Assurance

Caring Tips and Additional Services
How to Care for your Stainless Steel Tension Ring
Engraving Tension Rings?
Matching Bands


The Concept of Tension Setting:
The concept of tension setting stones is over 40 years old. In tension setting, the stone or gem is held in place at two points on the girdle of the stone or gem by the “tension” or “spring” of the metal band.

Advantages:
The intense pressure of the tension setting holding your stone or gem on two side allows a full profile view of the center stone. There is no comparable setting style which allows so much of the stone to be exposed to the view. This maximum exposure is the best way to showcase the brilliance of diamonds and the color of gems by allowing the greatest amount of surrounding light to reflect through and off the set stone.

Safer Than A Prong Setting:
Tension settings are considered to be safer than prong settings. The prongs on prong settings may become loose over time, therefore requiring care, and maintenance, and adjustments over time. The prongs may also catch easily on clothing and other objects, causing them to come loose or break away. Tension settings cannot be so easily manipulated. In tension settings, a great amount of pressure holds the stone in place, requiring a concerted effort to loosen or remove the stone by purposefully springing the entire setting away from the stone to remove it.

Materials:
Initially, precious metals, such as gold, were used in the manufacturing of tension settings. Gold, however, is a relatively soft material, and in order to achieve the required “tension” to hold the stone under pressure, the metal needs to undergo specific techniques.

There are two techniques for creating the necessary pressure for tension settings, and both have been patented. One method is the use of heat treatable gold and platinum alloys for their use in creating tension rings. Age hardening or heat treating the metal gives it the necessary rigidity for tension setting. The second technique is to work harden the metal. Work hardening the metal can create enough rigidity on the gold or platinum shank of the ring for it to function as a tension setting.

It is with great caution that one should think of acquiring such an important purchase as a tension ring in gold or platinum by anyone other than a qualified and experienced tension ring craftsman, as the danger of the stone falling out is great.

Stainless Steel: Ideal Material for Tension Rings!
Today you will find beautiful designer tension rings, such as those featured in our Stainless Steel and Gems Ring Collection, which use harder materials like stainless steel. This harder material has the natural great strength and rigidity which allows for the necessary tension required to hold the stone. Stainless steel tension rings are also thinner and lighter than precious metals tension rings, which can be bulky and heavy to wear.

Stainless Steel also has Added Benefits
The stainless steel tension set rings featured on Escapes Design are nickel-free. Stainless steel is also a hard wearing alloy highly resistant to corrosion and chemicals. It is virtually maintenance free and is highly resistant to scratches. Removing any surface scratches that may result from regular use is also quite simple, and any local jewel can use traditional polishing methods to restore the original brilliance of your ring. For more information on stainless steel visit our stainless steel information page here.

Stone Setting in Escapes Design Tension Set Rings:
The cz's set in the Escapes Design Tension Set rings are standard sizes. The largest stone is 20 points (measuring 3.5mm across for round stones and 4mm for square stones). The rectangular cz is 2mmx4mm, but is also available in 3mm x 5mm. Custom sizes and custom gems may also be set. Please inquire.

All stones set in tension rings must be done by us, and should any adjustments to the ring be required, these must also be done by us. Our warrantees and policies become void if any adjustments or repairs are attempted by any other jeweler. Visit our warrantees page for more information on our policies.

Other Center Stone Options:
The stones set in the Escapes Design featured designs are cz's. You may however customize your tension ring and have it set with diamonds, rubies or sapphires. Only stones with a hardness of 8 and up can be tension set. Diamonds have a hardness of 10 on the Mohs hardness scale (a universally used relative scale used to distinguish the differences in hardness between materials). Rubies and sapphires have a hardness of 9, and cz's have a hardness of 8.5.

Tension Setting Diamonds:
Your Escapes Design tension ring may also be custom set with a diamond. We will only set diamonds which are certified, and not less than VVS1 in clarity. Stones that are less than SI1 in clarity can be harmed in tension settings. Diamonds which are to be tension set should also be carefully examined, as any stone with surface fractures or inclusions in the girdle area is not suitable for tension setting.

To set your loose diamond in one of our tension set rings (for no extra charge), please inquire.

Resizing:
Ring sizing is extremely important. All Escapes Design rings, including tension settings, are custom made to your exact specifications, including size. In addition, tension rings are also custom made for the specific stone which will be set. Due to the highly customized nature of tension settings, tension rings cannot be resized. If sizing is an issue, a new ring will have to be custom made, and this entails a fee of 35% of the ring cost. Returns are not accepted. For ring sizing information, visit our sizing tips here. See here for warranties and exchange and return policies.

Safety and Inspection:
Escapes Design is proud of and stands by our mission to offer excellence in design and use of innovative materials in everyday accessories. Prior to shipment, every tension set ring is closely inspected to ensure it meets our highest standards. Escapes also stands by the quality of manufacture of our Collections.

No stones have fallen out, due to design or craftsmanship, of the designs you find on the Escapes Design Tension Ring Collection. Our standards are reflected in our guarantees. Tension rings are covered for repairs for one year from the date of purchase. For more information, visit our warrantees information here.

Caring for your Tension Set Ring:
One of the greatest features of stainless steel is the ease with which its appearance can be maintained.

To restore its gleam, clean your stainless steel items in warm soapy water, using a mild soap or detergent, and a clean cloth. Rinse and wipe dry using a soft cloth. Window cleaner is a great product to remove sticky, greasy, fingerprints.

DO NOT use steel wool pads or abrasive cleaners to remove tough stains or dirt. Stainless steel has a natural protective film over it, which is produced during the manufacturing process. This film shields stainless steel against corrosion, and abrasive cleaners could scratch and remove this protective film from the metal

Caring for your gems: Treat your stainless steel ring like any other fine jewelry. Should the area around the stone get soiled, brush the area lightly with soap and water. For more tips on how to clean your jewelry, visit our gem care page.

Be good to your jewelry, and it will be good to you for years to come!

Engraving:
Free engraving! Tension set rings can be engraved with any special message, initials, or dates, all free of charge.

Matching Bands:
We can make matching bands for every tension set ring shown on our web site. Please inquire.

Our aim is to make shopping for your special purchase as pleasant and easy as possible. We hope the above has interested and informed you. If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at: customerservice@escapesdesign.com. We will be pleased to address all your questions!

The Escapes Design Team

last updated: April 2003