What Is a Five-Stone Ring? Meaning, Styles and Choosing

Short answer: A five-stone ring has five diamonds set side by side across the top. Compared with a half eternity ring, its stones are larger and more noticeable. In the common reading, the five stones stand for important moments or years shared together, which is why it is loved as a wedding band, an engagement ring and an anniversary gift.

What is a five-stone ring?

The five-stone ring sits between the solitaire and the half eternity ring: it does not have the single focus of a solitaire, and it is not as busy as a half eternity. The five stones are usually the same size; in some designs the centre stone is a little larger and the stones get smaller towards the sides. The stones can be round, oval, marquise or baguette cut.

In the West it is known as the “five-stone ring” and is part of the anniversary ring tradition. In Turkey it is chosen mostly as a wedding band and an engagement ring, and slim versions are also worn next to a solitaire.

The meaning of a five-stone ring

Different meanings are given to the five stones: the first five years of marriage; five important moments in a relationship (meeting, the first promise, the engagement, the wedding, the family); or five values such as love, loyalty, respect, trust and commitment. These are not rules but lovely things to say when you give it. What matters is that the five stones together tell a “shared story”.

Five-stone designs

• Prong-set five-stone: Each stone is held by its own prongs, so the stones catch the most light. The classic form. Design: five-stone.
• Shared-prong five-stone: Neighbouring stones share prongs, so the stones sit close together in an unbroken row.
• Channel-set five-stone: The stones sit between two metal walls; a smooth, durable surface.
• Marquise or baguette five-stone: Elongated stones side by side; a different, modern row. About the baguette cut.
• Graduated five-stone: The centre stone is the largest and the stones get smaller towards the sides; it gives a solitaire feel.

All the five-stone designs made in our workshop are in the model gallery.

What to check when choosing a five-stone ring

Total carat and stone size

In a five-stone ring, “carat” is the total of the five stones. In a 0.50-carat five-stone ring each stone is about 0.10 carat; in a 1-carat ring each stone is around 0.20 carat. Bigger stones make the ring more eye-catching but also raise the setting; for everyday wear, medium-sized stones are more comfortable. We explain how carat relates to size in what is a carat.

How well the stones match

The five stones should have the same colour and clarity; because they sit side by side, even a small difference shows. With lab-grown diamonds the same budget buys whiter stones that match each other better.

Setting height

A low-set five-stone ring does not catch on gloves, hair or fabric; if you will wear it every day, choose a low setting. If it will be worn next to a solitaire, make it the same thickness as the solitaire’s shank.

Size

The lower half of a five-stone ring is plain, so it can be resized later. Still, see our ring size page to get the size right.

What sets the price of a five-stone ring?

The total carat of the five stones, their cut, colour and clarity grades, the type of setting, the gold weight and the workmanship. Two five-stone rings that look alike are priced differently according to stone quality. A five-stone ring with lab-grown diamonds is noticeably more affordable than one with natural stones; we explain what sets the price. Send us the model number of the design you like and we will give you the current price.

Frequently asked questions