Cathedral setting
A ring setting in which arched shoulders rise from the band to support and lift the centre stone's head.
The look
From the side, the shoulders of a cathedral ring rise in two smooth arches that meet the head. The arches can be plain metal, set with pavé or pierced with openwork. The design makes the centre stone sit higher and look more prominent.
Practical points
The arches strengthen the head and spread the load of the setting, but a higher setting can catch on things more easily. Designers balance height against comfort, and many pair a cathedral profile with a lower basket or a hidden halo.
Rendering cathedral rings
The arches are the signature of the design, and they are invisible in a straight top view. Always include a side profile and a three quarter view, and consider a lower camera angle that looks slightly up at the shoulders.
Lighting matters here. The arches are curved, so a long, soft light source in the environment produces smooth gradients along them. A small, hard light gives broken highlights that hide the shape. Try several environments and compare the side view, because the environment that flatters the stone is not always the best one for the arches.
A slow 360° video works well too, since the arches reveal their curve as the ring turns.