Bar setting

Bar setting  is  similar  to  channel  setting,  whereby  a  single  gem  or  several  gems  are  placed in the channel with supporting metal bars  on either side of the stone. It is used when the  designer wants to create a look as if the gem is  floating. 

It differs from tension setting in that the gems are held in a groove and do not rely totally on  pressure. As the gems closely butt up to each  other at the girdle, there is no metal between  the gems. Hence bar setting or channel setting  maximises  the  amount  of  dispersion  and  brilliance seen. gg