3 stone emerald cut setting... Claw prong or not?

[Emeraldsaremyfavorite]

I know you PSers will have the answer! To claw prong or not to claw? I have two pictures attached. I know a lot of jewelers, like Leon, do the claw prongs. And then there is Tiffanys who does the the tradional round. I am having my 3 carat emerald set by a local jeweler, couldn't afford Leon's prices! He is having a lot of trouble with the claw type prong.... Never seen it before. I'm scared if I have him do it, it won't look right. Opinions please!

 

[telephone89]

Its mostly preference. However, I'd ask to see some examples of past work from your local jeweller on claw prongs. That way you can see if he can do them nicely, or if they look horrific. Save yourself some trouble if thats the case.

 

[duckduckgoose]

First off, beautiful ring! Perhaps I am a bit biased being a claw prong by Leon owner, but I vote claws

As far as having it done, I would certainly be nervous about a jeweler who hasn't seen it before. From what I gather, it is an art and requires skill to get the delicacy that you want. Are you set on using this jeweler? Also, is this a setting you already have that you want to change the prongs on or are you looking to have the whole setting made? I know others on here have purchased settings with rounded prongs and had them turned into claws. (I will see if I can find the specific post I am thinking of). If I were you, I would reach out to Brilliantly Engaged. They quoted me for some work a while back and they were certainly less expensive than Leon and they do beautiful claws. I got the impression that they are very accommodating.

David Klass too, I think I remember him doing some claws! He's wonderful to work with.

 

[Emeraldsaremyfavorite]

Thank you, yes, I am going with this jeweler. He was really reasonable for this setting and got some lovely trapezoids in. So... I'm stuck for now. He was local and it meant I didn't have to send my diamond in. He has NEVER done claw prongs so I guess I'm stuck with the round. I thought he could copy anything but apparently claw prongs are an art. He was 700 for the setting and Leon quoted me 3500 so I guess no claw prongs are my trade off!

 

[Emeraldsaremyfavorite]

Also, he sends off his work to be done in LA so I really don't have a way checking the work before it is done. Probably even more reason to go with the basic, just wanted to make sure I wasn't making a big mistake by not going claw prong!

 

[duckduckgoose]

Gotcha. Yes, perhaps doing rounded prongs would be best for the time being without being able to see what kinds of claws you're really getting. I have seen some claws done by random jewelers and they can be big and boxy.

I wish I could find that posting about someone with a cushion cut who bought their setting from a China retailer and then had a local jeweler change the prongs to claws. For some reason the search feature on here isn't working for me Perhaps this will be an option down the road and you can change them when you are able to use a different jeweler Hopefully someone else can weigh in on this!

 

[Emeraldsaremyfavorite]

Oh I am so I glad I asked! I was going to have him try but now I have a feeling it would look really botched! Forget it... Maybe down the line

 

[chrono]

Personal preference but if you've never seen example work, then I would leave it as is. There are benches other than Leon who can do claw prongs well without the high cost.

 

[duckduckgoose]

Another option is, if he sends the pieces away for work in LA, maybe he can reach out to the bench there and ask if they have done it? If you can see an example that the person has done who will actually be working on it, at least you could get a better idea perhaps. Either way, I wouldn't do it unless you can actually see an example of what they have done.

Good luck! A 3 carat emerald, swoon!

 

[laurenk]

Hi emeralds - is this your original emerald you considered consigning? I can't wait to see the end result!

 

[Emeraldsaremyfavorite]

Yes it is. I've seen it in the setting and it looks stunning so not sure about consigning anymore!

 

[laurenk]

Good call!! I think once set its amazing the difference it makes!! Does you emerald have any fluorescence? I forgot when I looked at the cert! Claw prongs definitely too!!!

 

[Emeraldsaremyfavorite]

No fluorescence, I know a lot really like it but I personally don't like any blue or possible cloudiness in a diamond. Will post pics when finished.

 

[laurenk]

I was wondering as I know you originally mentioned a higher coloured stone is that right? And sometimes (but not alwsys) a bit of fluoro can help a lower coloured diamond appear whiter. Good luck and how exciting! I'm still searching for mine.