1.01 CT Round Brilliant Cut Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring in 18kt White Gold

This modern diamond engagement ring sets a 1.01 carat round brilliant diamond low into a square-profiled band of brushed 18kt white gold. The diamond is held in a half bezel, and twenty-four small diamonds are flush-set in scattered clusters across the top of the band. It is architectural, tactile and unlike any traditional solitaire. Everything below describes this exact ring, which you can see and try on at our Boca Raton showroom.

The modern diamond engagement ring at a glance

Here are the specifications of this modern diamond engagement ring, as recorded for this piece.

The center stone is a round brilliant cut diamond of 1.01 carats, graded I color and SI1 clarity. It sits low in the top of the band, held by a half bezel.

Twenty-four small round diamonds, about 0.01 carats each and 0.24 carats in total, graded I color, are flush-set into the metal on either side of the center. Together with the center, the ring carries 1.25 carats of diamonds.

The metal is 18kt white gold, stamped 750 inside the band, with a brushed satin finish. The ring can be sized to fit.

In short, it is a 1 carat solitaire engagement ring reimagined as a piece of modern design: one important diamond, a sculptural band and a scattering of sparkle.

A square, sculptural band

The first thing you notice about this modern diamond engagement ring is its shape. Seen from the side, the outside of the band is square rather than round, with gently concave faces that curve inward between the corners. The inside stays round, so it sits comfortably on the finger.

That square profile gives the ring a strong, architectural presence. It reads as a deliberate design object, the kind of ring that is noticed for its form as much as for its diamond.

The broad, flat top face is where everything happens. It gives the center diamond a wide platform to sit in, and it makes room for the clusters of small diamonds that sparkle on either side.

If you want a modern diamond engagement ring that feels like nothing else in the showroom, this band shape is the reason.

The half bezel setting

The center diamond is held in a half bezel: two curved walls of gold that grip the stone on opposite sides, leaving the other two sides open.

A half bezel engagement ring combines the security of a bezel with the brightness of an open setting. The gold walls protect the girdle of the diamond from knocks, which matters on a ring worn every day, while the open sides let light in so the diamond still sparkles.

Because the diamond sits low, almost level with the top of the band, there are no prongs to catch on sweaters, hair or gloves. That makes a half bezel engagement ring one of the most practical choices for an active life.

The low setting also suits the design. The diamond reads as part of the band's surface rather than something perched above it, which is exactly the clean, integrated look this ring is going for.

Flush-set diamond clusters

On either side of the center, small diamonds are set directly into the surface of the gold in loose clusters, with a few single stones scattered toward the corners. This technique is called flush setting, and it is what makes this a flush set diamond ring.

To flush-set a diamond, the jeweler drills a seat into the metal, drops the stone in so its table sits level with the surface, and then pushes the surrounding gold over its edge. The result is a diamond that looks as if it has been sprinkled into the metal.

Flush setting is extremely secure, because the diamonds sit below the surface of the band where they are protected on every side. It is also smooth to the touch, with nothing to snag.

The scattered arrangement gives the ring a playful, organic quality against its strict square shape, like a sprinkling of stars across a clean surface. It is a detail that rewards a close look.

A brushed white gold engagement ring

This brushed white gold engagement ring has a satin finish: a soft, fine-grained texture instead of a mirror polish. That finish is a large part of this ring's character.

A brushed white gold engagement ring has a quiet, understated glow. The matte surface makes the polished diamonds stand out even more, because nothing else on the ring is shiny.

A brushed finish also hides everyday light scratches better than a high polish, and it can be refreshed by a jeweler whenever you like. If you ever prefer a polished look, the band can be polished instead.

18kt gold is 75 percent pure gold, and the 750 stamp inside the band confirms it. It is richer in gold than 14kt, with a satisfying weight on the hand.

Modern or traditional solitaire?

A traditional 1 carat solitaire engagement ring lifts the diamond high on four or six prongs above a slim round band. It is classic and maximizes sparkle, but the high setting can catch on clothing, and the look is shared by millions of rings.

A modern diamond engagement ring like this one takes the same idea, one important diamond, and rethinks everything around it. The diamond sits low in a half bezel, the band becomes a sculptural square, and the accents are sprinkled rather than lined up.

The trade-off is simple. The traditional ring gives a little more height and sparkle; this ring gives more security, more comfort for daily wear and a design you will not see on anyone else.

If you are drawn to both, try them side by side. We can show you this modern diamond engagement ring next to a classic round solitaire so you can feel the difference on your hand.

Why flush-set diamonds last

Because each small diamond sits below the surface of the gold, a flush set diamond ring protects its accents better than almost any other setting. There are no prongs to bend and no edges exposed to knocks.

That is why flush setting is so often used on men's rings and on rings for people who work with their hands. Here it lets the ring carry twenty-four accent diamonds without any of the fragility of pave.

The only care flush-set diamonds need is the occasional clean, since dirt can collect around the rim of each stone.

The center diamond: 1.01 carats, I color, SI1

At 1.01 carats, the center diamond is just over the one-carat mark, the size many people picture when they imagine an engagement ring. A well-cut round of this weight measures roughly 6.4 millimeters across.

It is graded I color, near-colorless, and SI1 clarity, slightly included. In white gold, an I color diamond faces up white to the eye, and the half bezel, which surrounds the stone with white metal, helps it look brighter still. Our guide to diamond color shows where I sits on the scale.

SI1 inclusions are visible under 10x magnification, and in a well-chosen stone they are not visible to the eye at normal distance.

For how color, clarity, cut and carat fit together, see our guide to the diamond 4Cs, or the Gemological Institute of America introduction to diamond quality.

Is a 1 carat solitaire engagement ring the right size?

For many people, yes. A 1 carat solitaire engagement ring has real presence on the hand without feeling heavy or impractical, and it is the size most often associated with engagement rings.

In this design the diamond sits low and flush with the band, so it reads as part of a bold, wide ring rather than a tall solitaire. The broad square band gives the center stone a strong frame, which makes the whole ring look substantial.

If you are comparing sizes, our guide to diamond carat weight explains how weight translates into visible size. Better still, try a few on in person.

Who this ring suits

This flush set diamond ring is for someone who likes design. It suits people who wear minimalist or architectural jewelry, who prefer matte textures to high shine, or who simply want an engagement ring that does not look like everyone else's.

It is also a practical everyday ring, and a half bezel engagement ring is one of the most wearable settings there is. The low half bezel and flush-set diamonds have nothing to catch, and the brushed finish hides wear, which makes it a good match for people who work with their hands.

It also works beautifully as a right-hand ring or an anniversary ring for someone who already has a traditional engagement ring and wants something completely different. The strong shape and satin finish look as good on their own as they do stacked with other bands.

Because the band is wide and square, it is worth trying on. Wide bands feel different from slim ones, and many people find that a wider ring needs to be a quarter size larger for comfort.

Wedding bands for a modern diamond engagement ring

A square, wide brushed white gold engagement ring like this is striking on its own, and many owners wear it without a wedding band. If you do want to pair it, a slim brushed white gold band in a square or flat profile continues the architectural look.

A thin flush-set diamond band echoes the scattered clusters, and a plain polished band adds contrast against the satin finish.

Bring in any band you are considering, and we will show you how it sits against this ring.

How to judge a modern diamond engagement ring in person

Start with the fit. Slide the ring on and wear it for a few minutes. A wide, square band feels different from a slim round one, and comfort matters more than anything in a ring you will wear every day.

Then look at the center diamond from above and from the side. In a half bezel engagement ring, the stone should sit level and centered between the gold walls, with light entering through the open sides.

Next, look closely at the flush-set clusters. Each small diamond should sit level with the surface, with a clean, even rim of gold around it.

Finally, look at the finish. The brushed texture should be even across the whole band. If you prefer a different finish, we can discuss polishing it before you take it home.

Caring for a brushed white gold engagement ring

Clean the ring in warm water with a drop of mild dish soap, brush gently around the center diamond and over the flush-set clusters with a soft toothbrush, rinse and pat dry. Our jewelry care guide has more detail.

The brushed finish will soften with wear over time. That is normal, and it can be refreshed in a few minutes at the bench. Avoid polishing cloths, which will slowly turn a satin finish shiny.

White gold is usually finished with rhodium, which can wear over time; we can re-plate it in store. We offer complimentary cleaning and inspection for jewelry bought from our store.

Seeing this modern diamond engagement ring in Boca Raton

A ring this sculptural has to be held and worn to be appreciated. You are welcome to try this modern diamond engagement ring on at our Boca Raton showroom and look at the diamond and the flush setting under a loupe.

We are open Monday to Friday, 9:30 to 5:30, and Saturday, 10:30 to 4:30. Directions are on our Visit Us page.

David Stern Jewelers has served Boca Raton for over 40 years. David Stern is a GIA Graduate Gemologist, so detailed questions about the diamonds can be answered on the spot.

Sizing, appraisal and insurance

This ring can be sized to fit. Because the band is square and set with flush diamonds, sizing takes more care than a plain round band; we will look at it with you and confirm how far it can be sized before any work is done.

It includes a written jewelry appraisal by David Stern, which gives a replacement value for insurance.

More engagement rings

Browse all our engagement rings, see our round solitaire engagement ring or pear halo engagement ring, or build your own ring.

Questions about this modern diamond engagement ring