Complete Guide to Engagement Ring Prongs I VRAI (2024)

FAQs

How many prongs should an engagement ring have? ›

These factors determine which prong setting will create your preferred look and provide the right security. 4-prong settings are generally best for diamonds under 1-carat while 6-prong settings are preferred for diamonds above 2 carats.

Six prongs offers better protection to the diamond's girdle than four prongs. Six prongs can make a round shaped diamond or gemstone look rounder.

A 6-prong setting can make a round diamond appear slightly larger from a distance due to the hexagonal shape formed by the prongs. However, this effect may be less noticeable with fancy-shaped diamonds. The size of the diamond itself is the main factor determining how big it will look.

The diamond should sit flush with the prongs and the prongs should not cover the diamonds table facet. The beauty of a properly crafted prong setting is that it showcases the diamond beautifully.

- Four prongs won't hold a center stone as securely as six prongs. - Less protective of the gemstone's girdle, the part of the stone separating the crown (top) from the pavilion (bottom). - Not the best choice for larger gemstones.

Six Prong Settings

This setting is best suited to larger diamonds of 2.00ct and above. Although a six-prong setting may be used with any carat weight, diamonds below 2.00ct are a little lost beneath the six prongs.

The most sought-after diamond shape, round-cut diamonds, often comes with a higher price tag. The demand for their classic appeal, the complexity of achieving their perfect cut, and the superior brilliance and fire they offer, often result in higher prices.

Introduced in 1886, the Tiffany® Setting set the standard for the engagement ring as we know it today. This iconic design features a round brilliant-cut diamond in a six-prong setting that lifts the diamond above the band and into the light, maximizing the stone's brilliance.

The marquise diamond shape has the largest appearance of any shape. It has a similar elongated look as the oval and pear shapes, but both ends form tapered points. The marquise shape will always look the largest because those tapered points create the largest surface area of all the shapes.

This is why experts unanimously recommend getting your ring prongs checked and tightened every six months. Regular wear and tear can affect the integrity of prongs. Activities involving physical contact, exposure to harsh chemicals, or even daily chores can contribute to prong wear.

Are round or claw prongs more secure? ›

Claw prongs tend to have a stronger grip because of their shape, which can provide extra security for the stone. Round prongs, if not crafted properly, might be more prone to wear and the risk of the diamond becoming loose.

Prongs take a lot of stress for such tiny pieces of metal. If the prongs snag on clothes and hair, that means they're raised instead of being flush against the gemstone. This can cause them to snap off as they catch on something, possibly causing you to lose your gemstone.

A six-prong setting is particularly well suited to large diamonds as the extra prongs provide greater protection against damage to the girdle, and an extra measure of security reducing the risk of losing the feature diamond.

It's known as the "three months' salary" rule, and it implies that a buyer should put three months of their salary toward a sparkler for their future spouse. For context, The Knot's 2023 Jewelry and Engagement study found that the average cost of an engagement ring in the US is $5,500.

This is why experts unanimously recommend getting your ring prongs checked and tightened every six months. Regular wear and tear can affect the integrity of prongs. Activities involving physical contact, exposure to harsh chemicals, or even daily chores can contribute to prong wear.

The engagement ring represents the promise to get married, the wedding band represents the actual union and the third ring represents another large milestone for couples. The third ring is given after one of two events: an anniversary or the birth of a couple's first child.