The process of selecting an engagement ring is full of big decisions and small ones. You’ve learned about the 4Cs (color, clarity, cut, and carat weight) and the important role they play in determining a diamond’s value. You’ve probably spent some time deciding on the right diamond shape. And you’ve thought hard about picking the right white metal or whether to go with gold. You’ve finally chosen a solitaire setting, and now have to decide on the number of prongs.
Prongs may be small, but they play an important role in showcasing the diamond and protecting it from damage and loss. So it’s worth spending a few minutes learning about the pros and cons of four-prong versus six-prong settings. But if you read no further, here’s our spoiler: In our view, the security of the diamond is the most important factor to consider. If you’re not sure how many prongs to pick, go with six.
What is a prong?
Designed for single stone or solitaire rings, prongs act like a claw, holding a diamond in place in a visually unobtrusive way. Prongs are like small wires that bind the stone; they are welded to the band to ensure the diamond’s safety. Prongs suspend the stone high enough off of the band to show its size and detail.
Four-Prong Settings
Pros
- Four prongs mean less metal on the diamond, letting the center stone be the star of the show.
- Four prongs can give a diamond a more “squarish” look, making it a good choice for princess cut, cushion cut, and other diamonds that are square or rectangles.
- Smaller diamonds (less than a half carat) can be dwarfed by prongs, so four prongs might be a good design choice.
A four-prong setting shows off the princess cut diamond in this engagement ring. Photo: GIA
Cons
- Four prongs don’t hold a diamond as securely in place as six prongs.
- Four prongs don’t offer as much protection for the girdle as six prongs.
Myth: Four prongs allow more light to enter the diamond, giving the stone more sparkle.
Fact: A diamond’s sparkle is determined by the quality of its cut, not by the number of prongs in a setting.
Six-Prong Settings
The Tiffany six-prong setting, introduced over 125 years ago, is the iconic image of the engagement ring. This look helped popularize the giving of diamond solitaire rings for engagements, and it remains a favorite, and often imitated, style.
Pros
- Six prongs hold a diamond more securely in place. If a prong is accidentally sheared off in a four-prong setting, the center stone can easily fall out (and get lost). If a prong breaks in a six-prong setting, chances are the center stone will remain firmly in place.
- 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 1.52 carat diamond is held securely in place with a six-prong setting. Courtesy: 1stdibs.com
Cons
- Diamonds smaller than a half a carat may be overshadowed by all the prongs.
We hope you find this information helpful in deciding between a four and six prong setting. If you need a quick reference guide to help you with your diamond engagement purchase, you might like our Diamond Buying Guide Tip Sheet.
FAQs
If you're considering a larger diamond, especially when getting upwards of 3 carats, a 6 prong setting would likely be more desirable. Gemstones of that size and larger can get a big benefit from the more secure and durable setting offered by the 6 prong setting.
Do 4 prongs or 6 prongs make diamonds look bigger? ›
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.
Is a 6 prong ring better than 4? ›
The main drawback of a 4 prong setting is that it's less secure than a 6 prong setting.
How many prongs for an engagement ring? ›
Six prongs hold a diamond more securely in place. If a prong is accidentally sheared off in a four-prong setting, the center stone can easily fall out (and get lost). If a prong breaks in a six-prong setting, chances are the center stone will remain firmly in place.
What shape diamond holds the best value? ›
Popularity On The Market
For example, because round diamonds are the most popular and desired diamond shape, a round diamond will fetch a higher price on the secondhand market than, say, a marquise diamond with the exact same attributes. The more popular the diamond shape, the more those diamonds will fetch.
What shape of diamond looks the biggest per carat? ›
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.
What type of setting makes a diamond look bigger? ›
Pavé setting: To achieve this popular technique, many diamonds 0.20 ct or smaller are set into tapered holes in a metal surface, nestled close to the melee stones next to them. Pavé creates an appearance of uninterrupted diamonds in the band, which can make the center stone look larger.
Which prong setting is most secure? ›
CLAW PRONG VS ROUND PRONG SETTING
A claw setting cover less of the diamond with their tapered ends and they're more secure as they reach farther onto the diamond. Round prongs have a more feminine vibe, work great with fancy shaped diamonds, and are less prone to snagging than claw prongs.
How many prongs should a 2 carat diamond 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.
Is 6 prong more expensive? ›
Expensive: As six prong settings need more metal to hold the diamond in place, they might be more expensive than other alternatives for engagement rings.
Best Diamond Shapes for a Big Look
Diamond shapes that carry more of their mass toward the table, or top, of the diamond will look much larger per carat when compared with other shapes that have the mass more evenly distributed. The ones that carry mass at the top are marquise, pear, and oval cut diamonds.
What is the general rule for engagement rings? ›
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.
What is the most common diamond size for an engagement ring? ›
In the United States, the average engagement ring diamond is somewhere between 1.08 and 1.2 carats.
What size engagement ring is impressive? ›
However, for those who are looking for size and sparkle, a two-carat diamond may be the ideal size. This carat weight is significantly larger than a one carat diamond, and it can provide a more impressive and luxurious appearance.
What makes a diamond face up larger? ›
The Marquise Cut
The table with more “spread” means the stone holds more weight towards the top rather than the bottom. In this case, elongated shapes actively contribute to the illusion of size, making the marquise cut appear much larger than, say, a princess cut which has more depth and weight “below” the table.
Do claw prongs make diamond look smaller? ›
If you have a smaller diamond, opt for claw prongs to show more of the stone. Both are sleek and secure options - make your choice according to the look you prefer!
What type of band makes diamond look bigger? ›
Opt for a Delicate, Slim Setting
A great way to make your center stone appear larger is to have every other part of your ring be smaller in comparison. Go with a slim band and keep it simple with either just smooth, polished metal or pavé-set stones for some added sparkle.
