Diamond & Jewelry News, Advice and Prices for Consumers
Diamond & Jewelry News, Advice and Prices for Consumers
July 24, 2010
My fiancé has her heart set on a diamond engagement ring with a prong setting. I don't know much about the different engagement ring settings. Can you give me a few tips on buying engagement rings with prong settings?
August 1, 2010
Prong settings are perhaps the most common and popular setting to be used in solitaire diamond engagement rings. A prong setting is an excellent choice for an engagement ring since the prong setting is a simple yet aesthetically pleasing design. Also, prong settings are known to enhance a diamond's visual appearance. Since the prongs leave most of the diamond uncovered, a large amount of light is free to travel within the precious gemstone's structure, and to reflect off its crown, back to the eye of the beholder. Thus, a diamond mounted into a prong setting will appear to posses even more brilliance than it naturally does. In addition, since the prong setting is so minimal, and leaves much of the diamond exposed, it gives the diamond the illusion of being larger than the diamond actually is. However, prong settings have their drawbacks. For instance, the prongs can easily loosen and the diamond can fall out. Here are a few things to look for when buying a prong set diamond engagement ring:
1. Make sure that the prongs are not loose and the diamond is set securely within the setting. If the diamond shifts around in its setting it means that the prongs are loose and that they should be tightened, or the diamond might fall out.
2. Make sure that the prongs are in proportion to the gemstone mounted into the engagement ring. If the prongs are too long, they will completely cover the diamond, thus overshadowing the beautiful gemstone. If the prongs are too short they will not be able to properly hold the diamond down, and as a result, the diamond may come loose.
3. The prongs should be formed in a proper manner, so that the diamond sits at an appropriate level and height. If some of the prongs are too short, and others too long, the diamond will sit lopsided within its setting.
4. If the prongs are made too thinly, or if they are shaped too flatly, they may break away, and the diamond will be in danger of falling out of its setting.
5. Prongs that are not tightly fitted around the diamond (for example, hooked prongs, which leave a space empty between the diamond and the setting) will loosen with a little wear and tear.
In time, prongs will loosen, bend, or break off. Therefore, it is imperative that you have your engagement ring's setting periodically checked and tightened by a licensed jeweler.
