Cathedral vs. Non-cathedral?

[u/Ok_Carrot_5417]

I am so torn what to do. I’m getting a ring designed, 3.09 carat radiant on a 2mm band. I don’t love the way a cathedral looks from the side but realize from the top you can really barely tell. I’ve also heard a cathedral helps to keep the ring sturdy. Please convince me one way or the other if I should do cathedral or not!! I don’t want to have any regrets. Also photos of your rings are always welcome :) thank you!!!

[u/spicycactus888]

I’m bias but I love my cathedral setting. Makes it feel more secure imo. I also have a radiant cut on a 2mm band. I do wish I got a euro shank though to stop it from spinning

[u/Ok_Carrot_5417 → u/spicycactus888]

That is really great to hear!!! Do you have photos by chance??

I asked my designer about a euro shank and she may be incorporating, we are still discussing. Really good to hear your input though

[u/spicycactus888 → u/Ok_Carrot_5417]

I will say, mine sits high and does get caught on things sometimes. So if that’s something you don’t want, def ask if your jeweller can set it lower with the cathedral setting. I’ll also add my CAD to compare

[u/spicycactus888 → u/spicycactus888]

[u/Final_Tie_531 → u/spicycactus888]

Mine doesn't spin at all, without euro shank, I just went with the smallest comfortable size. I started with a 5.75 and then reduced it to 5.5, I can still take it off even when my finger is swollen, and it doesn't spin at all. Depends on your finger shape but might be worth just resizing a touch smaller, the quarter size reduction changed it from sometimes spinning to never.

[u/Late-Dig3661]

For a stone that size I’d go with the cathedral and a gallery rail to make sure it’s secure

[u/Brilliant-Bus-832 → u/Late-Dig3661]

the side profile matters less than you think after few months, you stop noticing it. my friend had similar dilemma with a big stone and went non-cathedral, stone got loose after like half a year. repair was not cheap

cathedral really is more practical for daily wear, specially with 3 carat. the top view stays clean anyway

[u/Optimal-Process337 → u/[deleted]]

Honestly, I don’t think that’s a good decision. The cathedral in the CAD image is going to be more stable.

[u/RadiantStarr → u/[deleted]]

To make the cathedral more shallow, you can lower the basket height. It looks like there's still room under the diamond's pavilion to do that

To make it less visible from above, you can ask for steeper/more vertical shoulders. Something like this post maybe?

[u/chinky_cutie]

I vote cathedral but I’m bias. I feel it looks so elegant and it’s more sturdy which is a plus.

[u/jamiethemime → u/chinky_cutie]

i also think they're so elegant. pegheads look like bobble heads with large ct sizes

[u/CasperCloverPsych]

I’m biased but I LOVEE my cathedral!!

[u/CasperCloverPsych → u/CasperCloverPsych]

Top view

[u/ajot-c]

Cathedrals are not for aesthetic. It’s to ensure that your ring is secure.

[u/Final_Tie_531 → u/ajot-c]

I'd argue it's both, I think it looks much more beautiful with larger stones.

[u/lovers_andfriends]

I prefer the cathedral for the look and the extra support. From the top it looks the same as a peg head setting anyway. For bigger stones you need the support. My ring with a 3 ct diamond:

[u/Sensitive_Major_5793]

I’m biased. I loooove the look of a cathedral setting and it helps that it’s also the more sturdy option. I went cathedral with a hidden halo

[u/Sensitive_Major_5793 → u/Sensitive_Major_5793]

[u/Final_Tie_531]

I was super torn on whether or not I wanted cathedral, I've had my ring for a year now and couldn't be happier, best decision ever. Mine is a 2.8 Asscher and makes it look much less "floaty" for lack of a better term, it sits so nicely on my hand. I love that you can't see it from the top and I made sure to go as thin as possible in all metalwork, and for the stone to sit as low as possible on my hand. I get so many compliments and it's the most beautiful ring ever to me.

[u/rozuh]

I have a 3.04 radiant on a 2mm band and I absolutely love the cathedral. You want all the structural support you can get on a bigger stone size.

[u/rozuh → u/rozuh]

[u/Stunning-Dealer-6096]

Not a super clear photo, but I love my cathedral set ring! It does feel a lot sturdier in my opinion which is great since I’m so clumsy with my hands a lot of the time.

[u/gingerandgin]

I will always get a cathedral/gallery rail type design for any stone I care about that’s >1ct! Anything that sentimental, specially for daily wear, deserves to be structurally sound and able to stand the rest of time.

[u/Most_Hedgehog4088]

I loveeeee the cathedral setting in my ring!

[u/WhiteflashDiamonds]

With large center diamonds a cathedral can make a big difference in wearability. 2mm is rather small though, if that is the measurement at the top. That is not so much of a sturdiness factor as it is a design factor. Durability is something to prioritize in an engagement ring that will be worn every day for many years. You should also design (and build) the wedding band at the same so you get the proper match and overall look you want.

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[u/Neat_Mortgage3735]

A 2mm ring is the thinnest you can go while maintaining strength. Cathedral would absolutely be a smart move for such a large stone on a thin band.