One of the historically oldest setting, prong setting is as old as engagement rings. Prong setting is a widely popular design as it gets most of the sparkle out of your diamond unlike a bezel setting. Do you know there are different numbers and styles of prongs for engagement rings? If you want to look like a princess wearing your engagement ring, you need it to be classy and trendy. Prong setting engagement rings do just that.
However, today we are going to learn everything about the structure and value of prong set engagement rings in detail from diamond experts. Ready?
What is Prong Setting?
Also popular as prong mount setting, prong setting is made with tiny metal claws that clutch the stones in the setting. Prong setting is popular as head setting to jewelers. It lets the light inside the stone from multiple angles and makes it shimmer the best.
Prong setting can be handmade, die struck or cast made depending on your choice. On an average, most jewelers have varieties of prong setting engagement rings. The parts of a prong setting are the stone, shank, head and the basket. Center stone determines the size and shape of the head of a prong set ring. Are you smitten by prong setting? There’s a lot to learn more about it!
Types of Prong Setting
After consulting with our engagement ring experts, we rounded up four most popular prong settings so that you can choose a fitting setting for your ring. While there are 2 prong settings, they are not so ideal for diamond prong engagement rings. So, we will start the lowest number of prongs at three.
1. Three Prong Setting
Three prong setting is excellent if you want maximum light on your brilliant cut diamond. It also maximizes the brilliance. Three prong setting can help three stone engagement rings beautifully. But, are three prongs safe? If your diamond is small, that’s all you need!
2. Four Prong Setting
One of the commonest number of prongs for a brilliant diamond is the 4-prong setting. It is secure and lets very less metal than other settings. It makes the diamond look cubic or like a square. For small diamonds, it creates a concrete outline to hold them secure.
People even wonder if 4 prong setting safe enough. They are, if your diamond is moderately sized. But, for bigger diamonds, more the prongs!
3. Six Prong Setting
A super strong setting made with six tiny metal claws holding your central diamond stone, 6-prong setting is ideal for chunky engagement rings. It is perfect for big diamonds as 6-prongs setting can overwhelm the small diamond.
If your center stone is vintage or super-precious, it is best to set it with six prongs. It offers more protection for the girdle too. Six prong setting can make your stone look rounder than it is.
4. Multiprong Setting
Any number of prongs above six is a multi-prong setting ring. You can add more prongs to give a unique invisible silhouette to your ring. Multiprong setting holds the center stone securely, but can be hard to clean and maintain.
How are the prongs set in a prong set engagement ring?
There are many styles to fit prongs on a prong setting. The below list will highlight the core styles so that you can choose a style that is good for your engagement ring.
· V Prong Setting
When you see a V shaped prong setting, it is a v prong. It looks V from the sides and leaves much room on the surface of the stone. It does not cover area on top as much as the bottom, making V prong secure for your center stone too. V prong setting for engagement rings make the diamond look bigger and sparkier.
· A-Shaped Prongs
A shaped prong setting is where the prong forms an inverted-A under the center stone. It is made with a basket to expose the surface of the center stone at best.
· Pointed Prongs
When the prong protrudes out of the ring in a pointy fashion from the base, it is called a pointed prong. This type of prong can snag easily. They look trendy and classy from all the angles.
· Trellis Prong Ring
Unique to view from the sides, Trellis prong is made with two overlapping prongs on the side with basket. It gives a stunning appeal to the ring from sideways and highlights the center stone.
· Rounded Prong Ring
When the prongs are curved inwards and wrapped around the center stone, they are called rounded prongs. These prongs are safe to wear without snagging on clothes. Rounded prong setting also highlights a round diamond vividly.
· Cathedral Prongs
A classic and popular setting for prong set rings, cathedral prongs look beautiful from the sides. Mimicking the cathedral arches, cathedral prong rings hold the central stone artisanally. It is a secure setting that looks good from all sides. It puts the spotlight on the diamond. Cathedral prong rings has metal prongs arching upwards to the stone.
· Classic Prongs
Set with 4 to 6 prongs, classic or the traditional prongs are set in a minimalistic order with least metal obscuring the diamond in the center. Classic prongs setting is a simple setting with maximum sparkle and brilliance.
· Basket Prong Setting
Custom made for the shape and size of the central diamond, basket prong setting mimics a basket from the side of the ring. A metal basket holds the ring with two rings made of metal at its bottom. It is preferred with four to six prongs to hold the stone securely.
· Surface Prongs
When there is a common surface on which the stones are depressed into the metal and held by prongs individually, it is called a surface prong setting. You can check it out here. It is a secure setting with minimum snagging.
· Shared Prongs
When a diamond ring is set with shared prongs, two diamonds share two prongs in the middle with a total of six prongs between them. It is a secure style for channel setting of tiny diamonds along the shank than the center.
· Tulip Prongs
When the side picture of a prong set ring resembles that of the petals of a tulip, it is called a tulip setting. Tulip prong setting is typically a six prong setting covering the diamond more than other prong settings.
· Flat Prongs
Flat prongs are not snag-free but minimalist prongs that poke out of the table of the ring of your center stone. Opting for flat prongs can hinder long term wear of your engagement ring.
Pros of Prong Setting
What are the good things about prong setting? Is it worth investing in? Should I buy a prong set diamond ring for my engagement? Let’s find out what’s good and great about prong set engagement rings in diamond.
· Maximum light from all the angles
One of the expert advantage of getting a prong set engagement ring is its sparkle. Prong ring highlights your stone more than the metal. It makes the stone visually clear and not obstructive. Good portion of light that falls on it will reflect and show the brilliance of your diamond engagement ring.
· Cheaper as they use Less metal
Another advantage of getting prong setting for your engagement ring is the budget. Prong setting uses lesser metal than say, bezel. The same is why the total hours spent on crafting it is less, saving you heaps on heaps.
· Variety of Options
You need to get prong setting ring for your engagement because you can fix any shape or stone in a prong setting. From different cuts to shape of the center stone, prong setting guarantees a myriad of selection for you to choose from.
· Ideal for Soft Stones
Prong setting is good for soft gemstones if you want a gemstone engagement ring. It holds the stone securely and without obstruction. Prong set rings can work with any crystal engagement rings.
Cons of Prong Setting
Why shouldn’t you get prong set engagement rings? What is so bad about them that it is not a good idea to buy prong setting for your engagement ring? Let’s find out the hidden cons of prong set rings.
· Snags on Fabric and Scratches your skin
Prong set always pokes out, unless it’s rounded. Even then, the sharp edges of the prongs can often snag on fabric. It is best to avoid prong setting if you tend to wear soft fabric. It can even scratch your skin while you’re moving around in them.
· Less protection for the Stones
When you go for a 2 prong or 4 prong setting, it exposes the diamond, but makes it less secure. For those of you who have invested in a high quality and costly diamond, you might want to consider other settings to avoid losing the stone.
· Have to inspect Twice a Year
Do you know the maintenance hassles of prong set engagement rings? They have to checked by professionals at least twice every year! That is to ensure the safety of the stone on your ring.
Tips to Select the Best Prong Setting for your Engagement Ring
What can help you determine a good prong setting for your diamond? Let’s find out!
- If you want an engagement ring with no hassles, prong setting is not for you.
- Don’t use prong setting for diamonds weighing lesser than 0.5 carats.
- Wear your ring after wearing your clothes to avoid snagging on it.
- Look at your prong set ring from all the angles before you finalize.
- Maximum number of prongs can hold a big diamond efficiently.
Before you go …
Prong setting is hot and classy, but not all good if your diamond is a huge rock. Try other settings and if you’re sure about the safety of the stone, go for prong setting. It pairs with any ensemble you wear without conflicting your refined taste of fashion.
Have more doubts about prong set engagement rings? Ask us below!
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