Shoulder Set Diamonds on an Engagement Ring: A Style Guide

Everything a Melbourne buyer needs to know about shoulder diamonds — the styles, the stone-shape pairings, the cost implications, and how to choose the configuration that is exactly right for the person who will wear it.

There is a moment in the engagement ring selection process when a buyer looks at a plain solitaire and thinks: beautiful. And then looks at the same ring with diamonds flanking the centre stone along the shank — and thinks: yes, that. The shoulder diamonds change everything. Not the stone. Not the setting style. Not the metal. The diamonds that line the sides of the band, catching light, extending the ring's sparkle into the spaces that surround the centre stone.

The decision to include shoulder set diamonds on an engagement ring in Melbourne is one of the most consequential design choices a buyer makes — and one that encompasses far more variation than most buyers realise before they begin looking. There are at least nine meaningfully different shoulder diamond styles, each producing a distinct visual effect, each suiting different centre stone shapes and wearer aesthetics, and each carrying different cost and maintenance implications.

This guide covers all of them. By the end, you will have a precise vocabulary for the shoulder style you are drawn to, a clear understanding of which styles suit your centre stone's shape, and the framework to have a genuinely productive conversation with your Melbourne jeweller about what you want.

What Are Shoulder Set Diamonds?

The shoulders of an engagement ring are the sections of the shank that slope upward from the base of the band to meet the setting of the centre stone. In a plain solitaire, these shoulders are plain metal — their role is structural, directing the eye toward the centre stone and connecting the band to the setting. In a shoulder-set ring, these sections are set with diamonds (or occasionally other stones) that add sparkle, visual interest, and often the impression of a larger, more elaborate ring.

"Shoulder diamonds" and "side stones" are related but not identical terms. Side stones typically refers to larger, distinct stones placed on either side of the centre stone in a three-stone or five-stone configuration — stones that are individually visible and intentional. Shoulder diamonds typically refers to smaller accent stones set in the shank below the main setting, creating a trail of sparkle rather than a statement of additional distinct gems. The distinction is partly anatomical (where on the ring the stones sit) and partly aesthetic (whether the stones are meant to be seen individually or as a continuous sparkle effect).

In practice, the terms overlap — and some rings combine both: a centre stone, distinct side stones in the setting, and pavé shoulder diamonds continuing down the shank. DG & Co.'s diamond engagement ring with side stones collection demonstrates this full spectrum, from rings with only shoulder pavé to those with elaborate combinations of setting diamonds and shoulder trails. This guide focuses specifically on the shoulder — the shank section — and its design options.

According to RMIT University's School of Fashion and Textiles, the design of setting transitions — including the shoulder — is one of the most technically demanding aspects of engagement ring craftsmanship, requiring the jeweller to create a visual and structural bridge between the band and the setting that is both beautiful and durable. The shoulder is not an afterthought; it is a design problem that skilled Melbourne jewellers approach with as much care as any other element of the ring.

What Melbourne Buyers Are Actually Choosing: 2024–2026

Figure 1: Shoulder Diamond Style Distribution — DG & Co. Melbourne Side-Stone Engagement Ring Commissions, 2024–2026 (n=420)

Shoulder Style	Share of Side-Stone Commissions (each block ≈ 2.5%)
Single pavé row		33%
Micro-pavé			26%
Double pavé row			19%
Half-eternity shoulder			12%
Channel set			10%
Step / baguette			7%
Other (prong, grain, taper)			5%

Data from DG & Co. Melbourne commission records, 2024–2026. Percentages reflect share of all side-stone and shoulder-set engagement ring commissions (excludes plain solitaires). Pavé and micro-pavé together account for nearly 60% of all shoulder-set commissions, confirming dominance of the flowing sparkle aesthetic in Melbourne's current market.

The data reveals a clear story: pavé and micro-pavé styles together account for nearly 60% of all shoulder-set commissions at DG & Co. in Melbourne. This dominance reflects the aesthetic preferences of Melbourne's engagement ring market — buyers who want sparkle that flows and feels continuous rather than punctuated, and who are drawn to the delicate, refined quality of very small stones set in close formation. The half-eternity shoulder is the fastest-growing category, consistent with the broader maximalist jewellery trend visible across Melbourne's creative community since 2024.

Table 1: The Complete Shoulder Diamond Style Guide

The nine shoulder diamond styles available in fine Melbourne jewellery, compared across all relevant dimensions:

Shoulder Style	Diamond Count	Visual Effect	Best For	Melbourne Popularity 2026
Single pavé row	8–16 small stones per side	Subtle sparkle trail; clean, elegant	Classic, minimalist buyers; first ring	★★★★★ Most popular
Double pavé row	16–30 small stones per side	Fuller, bolder sparkle; more presence	Buyers who want "more" without a halo	★★★★☆ Very popular
Micro-pavé	12–24 very small stones per side	Dense, continuous sparkle; ultra-refined	Delicate aesthetic with maximum shine	★★★★★ Rising fast in Melbourne
Channel set	6–12 stones per side in channel	Flush, architectural; stones level with surface	Active wearers; modern minimal aesthetic	★★★☆☆ Stable
Grain/bead set	8–16 stones per side	Traditional; stones appear to float in metal	Vintage-inspired designs; Edwardian references	★★★☆☆ Niche but growing
Claw/prong set	2–6 larger stones per side	Bold, statement; each stone clearly visible	Buyers who want distinct shoulder diamonds	★★★☆☆ Stable
Step/baguette set	2–4 baguette cuts per side	Architectural; art deco aesthetic	Geometric, art deco-inspired designs	★★★☆☆ Growing
Half-eternity shoulder	12–20 stones per side, wrapping	Maximum shoulder brilliance; dramatic	Full sparkle statement without full eternity	★★★★☆ Growing strongly
Tapered baguette	2 tapered cuts per side	Elegant geometric taper toward centre stone	Classic with geometric detail; timeless	★★★☆☆ Classic choice

 

The Shoulder Styles in Depth

Single Pavé Row: The Melbourne Standard

Pavé setting — from the French word for "paved" — describes a technique where small diamonds are set closely together in the metal, each held in place by tiny grains or beads of metal pushed over the stone's edge. A single row of pavé along each shoulder creates a trail of continuous sparkle that extends from the centre setting partway down the band — typically covering the upper third to half of the shank.

The visual effect is of diamonds "flowing" out of the main setting and gradually tapering as they reach the base of the band. It is an elegant, feminine aesthetic that adds significant brilliance to the ring without competing with the centre stone's dominance. For buyers who find a plain solitaire slightly too austere but do not want the full elaboration of a halo or three-stone design, a single pavé shoulder is the perfect intermediate choice.

Single pavé is the most accessible shoulder style from both cost and maintenance perspectives: the total diamond weight added is modest (typically 0.10–0.15ct per side), the setting work is straightforward for an experienced Melbourne bench jeweller, and the individual stones are small enough that a lost stone, while noticeable, is easily replaced with a matched stone from the same size batch.

Micro-Pavé: The Refined Elevation

Micro-pavé is single pavé taken to its most refined extreme: the stones are significantly smaller (typically 0.8–1.2mm diameter, compared to 1.4–1.8mm for standard pavé), set in closer formation, with the metal grains that hold each stone barely visible to the naked eye. The effect is a nearly seamless surface of diamond — so fine that the individual stones merge visually into a continuous sparkle rather than appearing as discrete gems.

Micro-pavé shoulders are the most technically demanding of the shoulder diamond styles. The precision required to set stones of sub-millimetre diameter in correct alignment and at consistent height is significant, and the work is best performed under magnification by a specialist setter. At DG & Co. in Melbourne, micro-pavé work is assessed under 10× magnification before it leaves the workshop — a quality check that is standard practice for this level of setting work.

The payoff is extraordinary: a micro-pavé shoulder creates a ring that appears to dematerialise into light at its edges, with the sparkle so fine and continuous that it reads as a quality of the metal itself rather than a collection of discrete stones. This is the shoulder style for buyers who value craftsmanship as highly as visual impact.

Double Pavé Row: More of a Good Thing

Two rows of pavé along each shoulder rather than one. The visual effect is fuller and more pronounced — the sparkle trail is wider, the shoulder reads as more substantial, and the overall ring has more presence from the side. Double pavé shoulders are particularly effective on rings with wider centre stone settings (cushion cuts, large rounds) where a single row would look proportionally thin relative to the setting's width.

The cost premium over single pavé is meaningful — approximately twice the diamond weight and additional setting labour — but the visual return is significant. For buyers who want maximum sparkle without committing to a full halo, a double pavé shoulder is one of the most effective choices available.

Channel Setting: The Architectural Alternative

In a channel setting, diamonds are set into a groove (channel) cut into the metal of the shoulder, with the stones sitting flush or near-flush with the metal surface. Unlike pavé, where each stone is held by tiny metal grains, channel-set stones are held between two parallel walls of metal that grip the stones' edges.

The visual effect is distinctly different from pavé: where pavé creates organic, flowing sparkle, channel setting creates a precise, architectural trail — ordered, geometric, and with a satisfying cleanliness. For buyers drawn to modern, minimal aesthetics, or for those in physically active occupations where protruding pavé grains are a concern (they can catch on fabrics and other materials), channel setting provides shoulder sparkle with a much lower profile.

Channel vs Pavé for active wearers:

If the person who will wear the ring works with their hands, engages in frequent outdoor activities, or finds jewellery tends to catch on fabrics, channel-set shoulders are significantly more practical than pavé. The flush stone surface has nothing to snag. For desk-based or less physically active wearers, pavé's greater sparkle and visual softness are usually the better aesthetic choice.

Step and Baguette Setting: The Art Deco Statement

Baguette diamonds — small rectangular step-cut stones — set along the shoulder create a dramatically different aesthetic from round-brilliant pavé. The baguette's flat, open facets produce broad flashes of light rather than the scintillating sparkle of a brilliant cut, creating a bold, graphic effect that references the art deco period's love of geometric contrast.

Tapered baguettes — baguettes cut to taper from a wider outer edge to a narrower edge at the centre stone — are a particularly elegant configuration, creating a shoulder that visually directs the eye toward the centre stone with a clean geometric logic. This style is one of the most timeless choices in fine jewellery, with a track record in the market that extends back to the 1920s and shows no sign of declining.

A three carat emerald cut diamond ring benefits specifically from tapered baguette or step-cut shoulders: the step-cut geometry of the shoulders echoes the emerald cut's own faceting, creating a ring of coherent architectural language from centre stone through to shoulder.

Half-Eternity Shoulder: The Statement Configuration

A half-eternity shoulder takes the pavé concept and extends it to cover the full upper half of the shank — wrapping the diamonds around the band far enough that they are visible from above as well as from the sides. The effect is of a ring that is almost entirely diamond on its upper surface, with sparkle extending well beyond the central setting.

This is the most elaborate shoulder style and the highest-impact one. A ring with half-eternity shoulders has the visual presence of a full eternity ring from the wearing perspective, while maintaining a plain lower shank for comfort and band integrity. It is an extraordinary choice for buyers who want maximum visual drama and are prepared for the maintenance considerations that accompany that density of small stones.

FAQ #1: Do shoulder diamonds fall out, and is maintenance a significant ongoing cost?

Shoulder diamonds do occasionally loosen or fall out over years of daily wear, and this is the most common maintenance consideration for shoulder-set rings. The frequency depends significantly on the setting style and the quality of the original setting work. Pavé and micro-pavé shoulders, where the stones are held by very small metal grains, are the most susceptible to stone loss if the grains become worn or deformed — regular professional inspection (every 12–18 months) catches this before stones are lost. Channel-set shoulders, where stones are held between metal walls, are significantly more secure for daily wear. Step and baguette settings are also relatively secure. When a pavé stone is lost, replacing it requires finding a matched stone of the same size, colour, and cut from the original batch or a closely matched one — a straightforward task for an experienced Melbourne jeweller but one with a cost. Prong inspection and, where necessary, grain re-tipping is the primary maintenance task for shoulder-set rings. A good jeweller will quote a flat or low-cost inspection fee and provide transparent repair pricing.

Table 2: Shoulder Style by Centre Stone Shape — What Works and What Doesn't

The relationship between shoulder style and centre stone shape is one of the most important and most overlooked design considerations in shoulder-set rings:

Centre Stone Shape	Best Shoulder Style	Avoid	Why It Works	Stacking Note
Round brilliant	Any — most versatile	Nothing — truly versatile	Round brilliant's symmetry suits every shoulder style	Easy to stack with flat or contoured band
Oval	Pavé or micro-pavé; tapered baguette	Very bold prong shoulders	Shoulders should extend the oval's elongation, not interrupt it	Contoured band recommended to avoid gap at tips
Cushion	Pavé; half-eternity; double row	Baguette — shape mismatch	Cushion's soft corners suit flowing pavé shoulders	Flat band usually fits well
Emerald cut	Step baguette; tapered baguette; channel	Busy micro-pavé — aesthetic clash	Step-cut shoulders echo the emerald's architectural geometry	Straight band fits flush — classic stack
Marquise	Pavé — narrow near tips; micro-pavé	Bold prong shoulders near tips	Shoulders must respect the marquise's pointed ends and directional elongation	Contoured/notched band essential
Pear	Pavé; tapered baguette; half-eternity	Bold shoulders at tip end	Asymmetric stone suits flowing shoulder styles	Contoured band recommended
Princess (square)	Channel; baguette; pavé	Grain/bead — too soft	Square centre suits square/geometric shoulder elements	Flat band typically fits well
Trillion/shield	Minimal pavé; plain shoulder acceptable	Busy double or half-eternity	Trillion's geometric drama is sufficient; shoulders should complement	Simple flat band best

Recommendations reflect visual coherence and proportional logic, not rigid rules. The best way to assess any shoulder style on a specific stone shape is to view examples in person at DG & Co. Melbourne before committing to a commission.

The Oval and Shoulder Diamond: A Specific Note

The stone oval cut presents a specific shoulder diamond consideration that is worth addressing directly. The oval's elongated form means that the shoulders sit at the narrowest points of the stone's profile — the "waist" of the oval where the shoulders meet the setting. A shoulder style that is too bold or too wide at this junction can visually break the oval's elegant elongation, interrupting the eye's flow from tip to tip. Pavé shoulders in a tapered configuration — starting narrow at the setting shoulder and widening slightly as they move down the shank — work best for the oval, allowing the stone's profile to remain the dominant visual element.

The Marquise and Shoulder Diamonds: Directional Thinking

The white gold marquise engagement ring australia presents the most specific shoulder design challenge of any centre stone shape. The marquise's pointed ends mean that the shoulders must be designed with particular awareness of direction: shoulder diamonds that crowd the setting too closely at the tip can visually shorten the stone's perceived length by interrupting its pointed silhouette. The best shoulder configuration for a marquise is one that begins modestly near the setting and extends cleanly down the shank, allowing the stone's full elongation to remain uninterrupted. In north–south orientation, the shoulders should be on the long sides of the marquise, not near the tips. In east–west orientation, the shoulder placement logic inverts.

Table 3: Cost Impact of Shoulder Diamond Choices — Melbourne 2026

Understanding the cost implications of shoulder diamond choices helps buyers allocate budget effectively between the centre stone and the setting:

Shoulder Style	Est. Diamond Weight (per side)	Est. Added Cost (AUD)	Maintenance Level	Best Value Tier
Plain solitaire (no shoulder)	0ct	Baseline	Lowest	All budgets
Single pavé row	0.10–0.15ct per side	+$300–$600	Low	AUD $3,000+
Double pavé row	0.20–0.35ct per side	+$600–$1,200	Low–Moderate	AUD $4,000+
Micro-pavé	0.15–0.25ct per side	+$500–$1,000	Moderate	AUD $4,500+
Channel set	0.15–0.25ct per side	+$400–$800	Low	AUD $3,500+
Half-eternity shoulder	0.30–0.50ct per side	+$900–$2,000	Moderate	AUD $5,000+
Step/baguette set	0.10–0.20ct per side	+$400–$800	Low	AUD $3,500+
Tapered baguette	0.08–0.15ct per side	+$300–$600	Low	AUD $3,000+
Claw/prong (larger stones)	0.20–0.50ct per side	+$800–$2,500	Moderate	AUD $5,000+

Costs are indicative additions to a base ring cost and assume lab-grown or natural diamond shoulder stones of VS clarity, F–H colour range. Natural shoulder stones will add approximately 20–40% to these estimates. Costs include stones and setting labour. Melbourne market pricing, 2026.

The most important insight from the cost table is the opportunity that shoulder diamonds create for budget optimisation. A buyer who allocates slightly less of their total budget to the centre stone carat weight and redirects that saving toward well-executed shoulder pavé can end up with a ring that has significantly more visual impact than a larger-stone plain solitaire at the same total price. A 1.00ct centre stone with double pavé shoulders at AUD $4,500 total often looks more impressive on the hand than a 1.30ct plain solitaire at the same price — because the shoulder diamonds extend the visual sparkle across more of the finger's surface.

FAQ #2: Can shoulder diamonds be added to an existing ring, or do they need to be designed from the outset?

In many cases, shoulder diamonds can be added to an existing ring — but the feasibility and cost depend entirely on the ring's current construction. A plain solitaire with a shank that has sufficient width and depth can often be retrofitted with a pavé or channel shoulder setting by a skilled Melbourne bench jeweller: the shoulder area is worked by hand to create the setting configuration, and stones are sourced and set to match. However, this retrofitting is generally more expensive and less reliable than designing the shoulder setting from the outset — partly because the existing shank may not have the metal profile needed for the chosen setting style, and partly because matching stones to a pre-existing ring's aesthetic is harder than specifying them simultaneously. If you already have a ring you love and want to add shoulder diamonds, our jewellery remodel service is the right starting point: we assess the existing ring's construction, advise on what shoulder styles are feasible without compromising structural integrity, and produce a render of the proposed modification for approval before any work begins.

Metal Choices and Shoulder Diamonds: How They Interact

White Metal Shoulders

Platinum and white gold are the most popular setting metals for shoulder diamonds in Melbourne's current market — the cool, neutral background allows the diamond sparkle to read without any colour cast from the metal. White gold shoulder settings require periodic rhodium plating to maintain the bright white finish; for rings with intricate micro-pavé shoulders, the plating process requires careful application to avoid obscuring the fine detail of the setting. Platinum shoulders are maintenance-free in this regard and hold the micro-pavé grains in slightly better condition over time due to the metal's displacement behaviour.

Yellow Gold Shoulders

Yellow gold shoulder settings create a different aesthetic from white metal — the warm metal and the cool white diamonds create a deliberate contrast that is both historically grounded (gold pavé settings have been made since the nineteenth century) and thoroughly contemporary in 2026's jewellery market. A diamond in gold ring with pavé shoulders is one of the most consistently beautiful configurations in the Melbourne market — the warmth of the gold, the sparkle of the diamonds, and the elegance of the tapering shoulder trail combine to create a ring that reads as simultaneously vintage and fresh.

Shoulder Diamonds in Practice: Specific Ring Applications

Shoulder Diamonds on Three-Stone Rings

A three stone engagement ring melbourne with pavé shoulders is one of the most elaborate and most spectacular configurations in fine engagement ring design. The three stones provide the primary visual architecture; the pavé shoulders extend and continue the sparkle beyond the setting, creating a ring with extraordinary light coverage across the entire upper hand. The design challenge is proportional: the shoulder diamonds must be modest enough not to compete with the three distinct stones, while substantial enough to provide a meaningful visual contribution. A single pavé row beginning just below the outer stone setting is typically the right calibration.

Shoulder Diamonds on Coloured Stone Rings

Shoulder diamonds on a coloured stone centre ring serve a specific function beyond simple sparkle: they create a visual transition between the coloured stone's intensity and the plain metal of the shank. A tanzanite for engagement ring with diamond pavé shoulders is particularly effective because the white diamond sparkle creates a halo of light around the tanzanite's deep colour, amplifying its saturation without overwhelming it. A white gold aquamarine ring with pavé shoulders in white gold creates a ring of cool, luminous elegance — the aquamarine's transparent sea-blue and the diamond's white sparkle occupying the same tonal world with beautiful coherence.

The Plain Shoulder Alternative: When No Shoulder Diamonds Is Right

Not every ring benefits from shoulder diamonds, and a skilled Melbourne jeweller will tell you so. For some designs — particularly very slender, architectural solitaires; rings with distinctive twisted or sculptural shanks; and rings where the centre stone is very large and the shank is narrow — plain shoulders are the more coherent choice. A plain shoulder allows the centre stone to dominate entirely and the shank's profile to be the design statement. For buyers who are genuinely drawn to the "minimal luxury" aesthetic, a beautifully made plain solitaire is not a lesser choice — it is a deliberate one. The full range of ring style options at DG & Co. shows this full spectrum: from bare-minimum plain shoulders to elaborate half-eternity configurations, with every intermediate option represented.

FAQ #3: Do shoulder diamonds make the ring more or less stackable with a wedding band?

Shoulder diamonds affect stacking in ways that depend on both the shoulder style and the wedding band profile. For rings where the shoulder diamonds sit in a single pavé row that stops well below the setting shoulder, a standard flat wedding band can typically sit alongside the engagement ring without significant gap, as long as the pavé doesn't extend too far down the shank. For rings with half-eternity or full-shoulder coverage, a standard flat band may create a slight gap at the setting junction — a contoured or shaped band, designed to mirror the engagement ring's profile, is usually the solution. Channel-set shoulders are the most forgiving for stacking, as the flush stone surface creates a smooth profile that standard bands sit against cleanly. Our recommendation: if you are considering a shoulder-set ring, always look at the stacking question at the time of purchase. Design the wedding band simultaneously if possible — a matched wedding set where both pieces are designed to sit together is always more satisfying than a band chosen later that almost-but-not-quite works.

Planning the Complete Ring Story with Shoulder Diamonds

A shoulder-set engagement ring creates a distinctive profile that affects every other jewellery decision in the collection. The wedding set question — how the wedding band will sit alongside the engagement ring — is particularly important for shoulder-set rings, and is worth addressing at the same consultation as the engagement ring purchase. Designing both pieces simultaneously, as DG & Co. recommends for all shoulder-set commissions, ensures the wedding band's profile is contoured or configured to sit seamlessly against the engagement ring's shoulder design.

For the groom or partner, a platinum band wedding ring or gemstone wedding bands chosen to complement the engagement ring's metal and aesthetic creates a matched jewellery story across both partners' rings.

Over time, eternity band settings gifted on anniversaries can extend the shoulder-set aesthetic into a full stack. A shoulder-set engagement ring, a diamond wedding band, and a diamond eternity ring worn together creates one of the most spectacular stacked-ring looks available in fine jewellery.

Shoulder Diamonds at DG & Co. Melbourne

At DG & Co., the melbourne jewellers collins street specialists with the deepest shoulder diamond expertise in the market, every shoulder-set ring begins with a conversation about what the shoulder diamonds are meant to achieve. Not "would you like shoulder diamonds?" — but "what do you want the sparkle to do, and how far do you want it to extend, and what setting style suits the stone and the person?"

Our custom engagement rings melbourne service produces shoulder-set rings to exact specification — every detail of the shoulder configuration designed around the specific stone, the specific shank width, and the specific aesthetic of the commission. The diamond ring creator tool allows buyers to explore shoulder setting options online before their consultation — a useful way to arrive at the conversation with a clear direction.

For budget-conscious buyers who want the shoulder diamond aesthetic without a significant spend, our cheap proposal ring collection includes beautifully made single-row pavé shoulder options at accessible price points. And for buyers who want to understand the full pricing landscape across shoulder styles, our diamond rings melbourne prices guide provides the most comprehensive 2026 Melbourne reference.

For buyers who have an existing ring they would like to retrofit with shoulder diamonds, our jewellery remodel service assesses the feasibility and cost before any commitment is made. Many existing rings can be enhanced with shoulder diamonds more simply than buyers expect — and the result, when the setting work is done to our standard, can be transformative.

Choosing the Shoulder That Feels Right

The shoulder diamond decision is, at its core, a decision about how much of the ring you want to be light. A plain solitaire concentrates all the sparkle in one place — the centre stone, alone and magnificent. A shoulder-set ring distributes that sparkle outward, extending it along the shank, making the ring a broader, more continuous visual experience.

Neither is more beautiful in any absolute sense. Both are choices. The right choice is the one that matches how the ring-wearer thinks about their jewellery: whether they want a single concentrated statement, or a ring that shimmers everywhere they look at it.

For the is engagement ring and wedding ring the same buyer who is navigating these decisions for the first time — or for the buyer who simply wants to understand what they are looking at when they see a shoulder-set ring in a display case — we hope this guide has provided the vocabulary and the framework to make the choice with confidence. Come into DG & Co. on Collins Street and see the shoulder styles in person. The difference between reading about micro-pavé and holding a micro-pavé ring in the light is the difference between understanding and knowing.

And for those who are exploring stone alternatives for the centre — whether a natural moissanite, a coloured sapphire, or a lab-grown diamond — the shoulder diamond decision applies equally across all stone types. The shoulders frame and extend whatever is at the centre. Choose what is at the centre with care. And then choose how to extend it.

A 9ct gold locket bracelet gifted alongside the proposal ring — in the same metal as the engagement ring's shoulder setting — creates a visual and material connection between the two pieces that is quietly beautiful and entirely considered.

— DG & Co. Jewellery | Collins Street, Melbourne | Every Shoulder Told with Care