why is a tension setting called a tension setting?

[opfreak]

Tension would mean Stretching. from what I''ve seen ''tension'' setting are squeeze the diamond which would techincally make them a compression setting, as opposed to tension.

Is there some werid word origin I''m missing?

 

[oldminer]

You are right about tension''s meaning. The mis-use of the word in a diamond setting is typical of marketing, not of science. It is more rightly a compression setting.

I do like the sound of tension better than compression..........when push comes to shove

 

[denverappraiser]

Maybe it has to do with the emotional state of the stonesetter during the setting process.

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ISA NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver

 

[jasontb]

Not *all* the ring is in compression. If you were to look at a cut through the cross section of the ring, you would find that near the bottom of the shank (opposite the diamond) the metal touching your skin is in tension. But still..it''s a compression spring. So I agree the name is misleading. Maybe because you need to apply a tensile force (that because of the geometry puts the ring in compression) to the ring to set the stone. So it is ''tension set''