V-Prong Setting Engagement Ring : The Ultimate Guide

The diamond will be showcased in the best way possible depending on the setting of the engagement ring as some will make it look bigger and the diamond more brilliant, while others will strengthen and make the diamond more durable. A prong setting is definitely one of the few engagement ring settings and it’s so popular! Engagement ring prong settings are used (and loved) because they're great at allowing the diamonds shape and shine to shine through. Each prong setting has pros and cons, but they’re all but.

I’ve put together everything you need to know about engagement ring prongs and with that understanding, choose the best prong setting for your VRAI created diamond below.

What is Prong Setting?

The GIA explains that prong settings are usually four or six prongs. If the center stone makes up a smaller proportion of the diamond, it will be a little less metal, which means that it will be easier to see. But not as securely as six prongs hold the diamond.

However, six prongs rather than the usual four will provide a wider diamond with more security and better protection in the case of a bump into. Now, though, the more prongs can overshadow smaller diamonds weighing a half carat or so.

The minimally invasive basket (like in this design from Blue Nile) draws attention to the part of your ring you really want people to focus on: the diamond.

Prong setting’s only disadvantage is durability. The first problem is that diamond settings with prongs tend to be not only much lower than modern ones, but also quite high which makes it relatively easy to bump into something or get snagged on material.

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How Does an Engagement Ring Have Prongs on It?

The metal bits that hold the diamond in place are called engagement ring prongs, and they're small and narrow. The ring’s band has prongs that secure the center diamond to the engagement ring. Usually, there are four or six prong settings but the numbers of prongs depend on the diamond shape and prong setting type.

A Guide: Choosing the Best Prong Setting for Your Ring

Whenever you are using the prong setting to set a diamond ring, it is not a complicated way of setting, however, the prong setting is dependent on a good craftsman, as well as a diamond that fits right with the setting.

The prongs need to be able to protect and secure the diamond, but you don’t want the prongs as the stars of the show.

Finishing work

A prong setting should be finished properly. The diamond should be securely and evenly held by the prongs. You don’t want too loose, too slightly uneven prongs, for example prongs where the diamond fits tight to one side only. The diamond can come loose over time, or on contact.

Prong size and thickness

Prong settings can be very fragile. More attention is given to the diamond because the nature is delicate but the prongs should also have adequate strength and durability.

The prongs will be easy to break over time if your slots are too thin. Going too short, however, will not create enough support for your diamond to sit on. And you should be sure that the top of the prong has enough contact with the diamond, in order to reduce the chance that the diamond will come loose.

Pros and Cons

Before you select a prong setting, toss up the pros and cons.

Pros:

• Reflects light beautifully. 'Prong settings let the light hit your diamond,' VRAI’s Sr. Director of Sales & CX Grace Taylor wrote, adding to that there’s very little coverage.

• Easy to clean. Taylor notes you can easily get into the prongs with a soft bristle toothbrush.

• Highlights the diamond. “It’s certainly the most common way to set a diamond into an engagement ring because it allows the diamond to shine,” Taylor explains.

• More affordable. Because of their minimalistic nature, prong settings normally tend to sell at a much lower value than the other countries.

• Customizable and versatile. You will find it easy to choose the prong setting of your diamond shape and ring style with different types of prong available.

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Cons:

• More exposure. High-set prongs tend to leave the diamond’s girdle exposed in prong settings, especially. It might be easier to scratch the diamond.

• Requires maintenance. Prongs become loose or break over time. It is recommended that you take regular maintenance and tightening done by a professional jeweler.

What Is Better: 4 or 6 Prongs?

• There is no 4 or 6 prong setting that is better than the other, there are just different benefits.

• The biggest misconception between 4 and 6 prongs is that a 4 prong setting isn’t secure. 6 prong settings offer more coverage, but if your ring is worth its weight and also well cared for, both settings are durable.

• Taylor adds, “All settings are designed such that prongs of substantial size secure the diamond.” “What this means is that the 4 prong deposit might have slightly bigger prongs than the 6 prong deposit would have had for a bigger Diamond.”

• The type of prong setting you choose is a matter of personal preference and the diamond shape you have chosen.

4 Prong Engagement Rings

Before deciding with a 4 prong setting, let’s consider the pros and cons.

Pros:

• Minimal coverage. This setting only uses four discreet prongs to allow your diamond to take center stage.

• Improves the square shaped diamonds. A Princess cut shape can fit this setting well, and you love such a setting. It brings focus to their linear shape and protects each corner.

• Easier to clean. The easier to clean your diamond ring at home, the fewer prongs.

• Emphasizes carat weight. A smaller diamond looks bigger with fewer prongs.

Cons:

4 prong settings expose more of the diamond so they don’t look as great with an active lifestyle. But if you plan to wear your ring regularly—and you have an active lifestyle or work in a hands-on field (nurse, trainer, cook)—this may not be the best option. In a 4 prong setting, the diamond is far more likely to fall out or chip if you accidentally break a prong.

In the End

What’s beautiful (and the diamond) without great pairing and a great setting? A simple prong setting goes with everything! By design, prong settings do little to draw attention from the diamond which lets light hit from many angles and bounce outwards, enhancing the fire and brilliance of the diamond.

READ MORE :: The 5 Most Popular Styles of Engagement Ring Settings