Baguette diamond rings and side stones, explained

Side stones are the smaller gems that sit next to a ring's center stone. Baguettes are one kind, along with small round diamonds and colored gems. GIA says a baguette diamond is "usually set in multiples." This guide covers what a baguette is, how side stones are matched to the center, and what that means for price and care.

What is a baguette diamond?

GIA says: "Baguettes are small, usually rectangular, step-cut diamonds with straight or tapered edges." A straight baguette has parallel sides. GIA says a tapered baguette has long sides that angle inwards, which lets a row of them follow a curve.

GIA says some baguettes are almost square and others run five times as long as they are wide. It also says emerald cut diamonds are rectangular or square step cuts too, but they have diagonally cut corners, where baguettes have square ones.

How are baguettes matched in a ring?

By size first. GIA says: "Dimensions are more important than weight when purchasing baguette diamonds, since they are usually sold in multiples." Its example: for two baguettes flanking a center stone, ask for a pair matched in size, not in carat weight.

GIA says baguettes are bought in sets, matched in length, width, and taper so they sit in their channels. For straight baguettes it says to specify length and width to 0.1 millimeter, and for tapered ones both end widths, also to 0.1 millimeter.

GIA also says every baguette in the ring needs a close color and clarity match, both to the others and to the center diamond. Step cuts reveal inclusions more readily, which is part of the reason.

What is a ballerina setting?

GIA describes a style called the ballerina setting, in which baguettes surround the center stone like a skirt. It says tapered baguettes suit the look, since they appear to fan out from the center stone, though other shapes have been used.

How do you choose other side stones?

GIA's buying tips say: "If you want diamond side stones, choose those with 4Cs grades similar to that of the center stone." GIA's side stone article says side stones should be neither too large nor too small next to the center stone, and should stay visible past the neighboring fingers.

GIA describes a three-stone ring as one center diamond with a gem on each side that is the same size or smaller. It says designers commonly choose side stones whose color grades are identical or close to the center's, and that clarity grades should be similar but need not be identical.

For color, GIA says rubies and sapphires rate 9 for hardness on the Mohs scale, which suits them to side stones in a ring worn every day.

How are side stones set and protected?

GIA's three-stone guide names prong and bezel settings as the common choices. It says prongs show more of the diamond, while stones in a bezel are less exposed to damage. Channel settings hold baguettes in a groove of metal along the band. Our ring settings guide compares these styles.

GIA's tips say rings with pavé or bead-set diamonds on the band take more work to resize, and its sizing guide says pavé and channel settings are hard to resize. Get the size right first. See our ring sizing guide.

How do side stones change the price and the paperwork?

GIA says the chief driver of a ring's price is the center diamond and the size of each side stone, not the total carat weight. A ring listed as 1.50 carats total weight costs less than a ring with a single 1.50 carat diamond, GIA says.

Ask how the side stones are described. GIA's baguette article says lab-grown and treated baguettes are on the market. The FTC Jewelry Guides say a lab-grown diamond should be named with a word such as "laboratory-grown" right before "diamond", and that a treatment should be disclosed when it is not permanent, needs special care, or has a significant effect on value. The FTC says a jeweler should disclose laser treatment. Our price by carat guide covers total weight.

Sources: GIA 4Cs blog, Hungry for a Baguette Diamond Engagement Ring?; GIA 4Cs blog, How to Select Diamond Side Stones for Engagement Rings; GIA 4Cs blog, How to Buy a Three Stone Engagement Ring; GIA 4Cs blog, 10 Tips for Buying a Diamond Engagement Ring; GIA 4Cs blog, How to Determine Ring Size: Tips and Ring Size Chart; GIA 4Cs blog, Nine Things About Diamond Carat Weight You Need to Know; FTC Consumer Advice, Buying Gemstones, Diamonds, and Pearls.