Prong setting or claw setting is common for solitaire engagement rings. They are great at securing a center stone when the ring has a small metal appendage. The setting looks simple, but it offers you a variety of options. A double prong platinum ring is the strongest you can select in the market. Each adds some elegance to the ring. However, it would help if you had some tips on selecting a prong setting. Below are some things you should know.
Designs of Prong Settings
There are different designs of probe settings in the market. All are elegant in their way. Also, they help hold different types of stones securely on your ring. Here are the standard designs of prong settings that you need to know. They help in choosing a double prong platinum ring.
4-prong setting
They are the most popular prong designs. They are made strong to hold your center stone. Also, the prongs allow your diamond to be more visible from all sides. However, they are suitable for diamonds smaller than 1 carat. They are risky since you can easily lose your diamond if one prong becomes loose.
6-prong setting
The additional prongs add extra security to the diamond. Thus, it can hold a diamond larger than 1 carat. Also, you can work well when one prong is loose before taking your ring for prong repair or replacement.
More than Six Prong Setting
They are rare prong designs since they block the diamond view. However, you can use them to hold large diamonds securely on the ring.
V-shaped Prongs
Fancy cut diamonds with sharp edges are delicate. Thus, a V-shaped prong will protect them from harm. You can also refer to them as corner prongs. They are great as they cover the corners of your diamond. Thus, you can’t use them on round cuts, oval cuts, and other diamond shapes with smooth edges.
Specialty Prongs
Specialty prongs are great if you like adding details to your jewelry. They can be any design above but with some art on them. Also, you can have distinct shapes from the prong settings above.
Double Prong Settings
Double prong settings are common when you have 4-prongs. However, you can have them in other prong settings. They add extra security since they can’t get loose at the same time. That’s why double prong platinum rings are best to secure your beautiful diamond.
Types of Prong Settings
You can further categorize prongs into different styles. They are different depending on their finish and securing your diamond or center stone. Below are the common types you’ll find when buying a double prong platinum ring.
Claw Prongs
These are the most popular prong styles in the market. They have a pointed end that makes the prong resemble a claw. Also, it gives a streamlined effect.
Petite Claw Prongs
Petite claws are helpful when your prong setting has six or more prongs. It allows all the prongs to fit on one stone. Also, they are elegant.
Round Prongs
Round prongs are common in engagement rings. People love them since they hold the diamond firmly. Also, they allow the diamond to dazzle and remain in place.
Tab Prongs
If you love unique items, you can go for tab prongs. They are less popular than claws and round prongs. However, they offer enough security to your gemstone. Depending on the number of prongs in the setting, you can have them thick or petite.
Double Prongs
Double prongs offer a slimmer-looking prong. They are common in split shank rings. Thus, they add some extra elegance to your beautiful ring. You can have them like claws, round, or tabs.
High Prongs
If you’d want to add drama to your setting, you can choose high prongs. They suspend the diamond further from the ring appendage. They also add room for extra art on the prongs.
Shared Prongs
There are times you’ll need to use several small diamonds on the ring. Jewelers and experts refer to that as diamond melee. Thus, using prongs on each diamond may cause clutter on the ring. It’s therefore wise to share the prongs among the diamonds. It helps reduce the number of prongs, leaving enough room for the diamonds to shine.
Tulip Prong
If you love extra elegance, you can go for prongs that look like flower-shaped baskets. However, the diamond will only be well visible from the top. The elegantly designed prongs partially block the sides.
How to Choose Prong Setting
When selecting a double prong diamond ring, you should consider your style. Express yourself through the ring design that you choose. Remember to check your lifestyle and the strength that the prong design offers. You want to touch on elegance, taste, and style, but the security of your sign should be guaranteed.
Larger diamonds will demand stronger and more secure prongs. Thus, you may need to compromise on your style for the stone’s security. Also, lower carats need proportional prongs. Therefore, do not overwhelm your diamond with several prongs. Always balance the beauty and durability of prongs.
Check how the prongs secure the stone. It should not protrude above the prongs or sink. Also, it should not produce rattling sounds or wobble with movements. If the prongs are longer or shorter than an ideal prong, you expose them to damage. Have a keen eye on the integrity of the prongs if you choose to buy vintage rings. Check the points below before settling for a prong setting.
Finishing Work
You should have a well-finished look when you want to have a beautiful ring. This includes the finishing work on the prong setting. Poorly done finish causes the prongs to get loose after a short time.
Uneven prongs make the ring look ugly. Remember, one thing you settle for a double prong platinum ring is its beauty. An even finish adds to the esthetic of the ring. Strong prongs secure your center stone well that you don’t risk losing the diamond even after a sudden impact.
You should test if the diamond is moving on the setting. Just give the stone a gentle touch and try to move it slightly. You can request the jeweler tighten the prongs or choose a different ring.
Prong Size and Thickness
Double prong settings need to use thin metals. Thus, they are more delicate than single prong rings. When you choose a setting that needs thin prongs, you should use a strong metal like platinum.
Short prongs do not provide enough support to the ring. Also, too-long prongs make the ring look awkward. Your prongs should be long enough to secure the metal while maintaining the beauty of the ring.
On the other hand, large prongs reduce the beauty of a ring. It covers a large surface of the diamond blocking the shine and elegance. Thus, it would help if you struck a balance between the prong size and the security of your diamond.
Choosing the Right Metal
Prongs are small and vulnerable. Thus, it would help if you chose a strong metal to support your precious stone. Platinum is the strongest metal you can get in the jewelry industry. Also, it holds the center stone tighter as the ring grows old. Thus, it’s the best metal you can use if your prong choice is a tiny setting.
White gold is also a considerable metal for the prongs. It’s stronger than yellow gold since it’s an alloy. However, it is less strong than platinum but affordable. Yellow gold is the least referred since it’s soft and prong to breakage.
The Benefit of Prong Settings
Prongs setting is one way to secure your diamond or stone on a ring. There are several other ways you can have them; Each method has its pros and cons. Below are the benefits of having a prong setting on your ring.
- You’ll use less metal to secure your diamond on the ring. The open setting allows light to flood your diamond; Thus, you’ll experience maximum sparkle from your diamond ring.
- Since they are popular, jewelers made several unique designs from a simple setting.
- Prongs are easy to adjust. Thus, it allows you to elevate or lower your stone to suit your style.
- It’s easier to clean a ring with a prong setting. Thus, it saves you several visits to the jeweler for jewelry cleaning.
- You can use prong settings for all diamond shapes.
Conclusion
Double prong platinum rings are beautiful. However, there are other ways you can secure your diamond to the ring. The prong settings are ideal if you want your diamond to have extra sparkle. There are different designs of prongs you can choose from. We will check the common ones and how you can choose between them. They allow light to penetrate the diamond giving it an extra shine.
