Often in the excitement of searching for types of engagement rings that will symbolize your love, diamond ring buyers completely forget about the practical aspects of the rings. Keep in mind that diamond engagement rings are going to be exposed to a lot of wear and tear, so finding one that is beautiful but also well constructed is going to be important over the long run.
Engagement ring settings come with several different types that are sometimes referred to as mountings. These settings or mountings form the way in which the diamond is held securely to the ring and can be very visible and part of the overall design or they can be hidden and out of sight on the ring. Each option has its benefits and it is really a matter of both personal taste and overall ring design .
One of the most popular and classic types of engagement ring settings is the prong setting. Like the name suggests the prong setting uses metal prongs or filaments to hold the diamond into the base of the setting at the band. They have a hooked top that clasps the top surface of the diamond, holding it into the setting base. Prong settings are generally only used on medium to larger sized diamonds or when the diamond is a solitaire in a setting .
Engagement rings will have different number of prongs depending on several factors. Generally there will be a prong at each corner on shaped diamonds but there may also be others down the length of the diamond .
Round diamond shapes in engagement rings often have four or size prongs to secure the diamond. Unusual shapes such as heart shape, triangular shaped or marquis shaped diamonds will often have four to six prongs, perhaps more if the diamond is larger than average .
While the prongs have to be sturdy enough to secure the diamond they aren’t heavy, thick or bulky. Prongs need to be able to allow light to enter into the diamonds on engagement rings to allow the stone to really shine. One way that prongs are kept small is to have them form a basket that the diamond sits in, providing maximum support all the way around .
Square corners and square diamonds in engagement rings are secured using v-shaped prongs at the corners. This allows a smaller prong to secure the diamond in place without having to double the number of prongs. Raised diamonds will attract more light, but are also more likely to be bumped and hit, requiring additional support .
Prongs can wear or become loose over time so routine, yearly inspection of engagement rings is highly recommended. A jeweler can easily repair the prongs that are damaged, preventing the risk of loosing the diamonds from damaged engagement rings.
