Four-Prong vs. Six-Prong?

[HavocBride]

Thank you everyone for being so helpful on my last question. I suddenly feel completely new and clueless to all of this!

My next round of silly questions ahead...

So really, what''s the difference between four-prong and six-prong as a round-brilliant setting? (And don''t say "how many prongs there are"!

) Every designer has their own pitch about why one is better than the other; four shows off the stone better than six, six holds it more securely than four...

But is there really any significant difference? Will the stone look better in four, or will six hold it better? Or is this just a matter of aesthetic preference between them? Anyone with these settings care to offer their experience?

 

[jet2ks]

You have hit two of the arguments--showing the stone vs. security. The biggest difference to me, however, is the face up appearance. A four prong can make the overall appearance more square, while a six prong looks more round. One is not really better than the other IMHO, it is just which look you like better.

 

[denverappraiser]

Set properly, 4 prongs is perfectly secure and 6 prongs is perfectly lovely. Set poorly and you’ll have problems with either one. Pick what you like and then be picky about the craftsmanship.

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver

 

[MissGotRocks]

It really does come down to a matter of personal preference. You will hopefully insure the stone to protect yourself in case of any loss or damage so IMO, you choose the setting that you really like.

 

[Alexiszoe]

from my personal experience, a 6 prong makes the diamond look bigger overall compared to a 4 prong, since the eye is attracted to the ''outline'' created by the prongs (there''s a thread somewhere about this as well). 4 prong does show more of the diamond, although it looks a bit more squarish, so it depends on what you like.

 

[wsblue430]

Its totally personal preference. I think both look great, I am just a sucker for the 6 prong, of course very thin delicate (non-bulky) prongs

 

[Rachel9]

My vote goes for six, plat if possible.

 

[yssie]

I prefer 6 too - I like the 6-prong outline, and it does make a smaller stone look more round. If you're looking at 3 caraters a four-prong setting isn't going to make it look remotely square-ish

 

[Kaleigh]

I like the look of 4 prongs. Less metal, more diamond. I have worn my ering which is 4 prongs for many many years, and have never e had a problem with it.

 

[Hest88]

Yep, totally personal preference so I''d suggest you look at more 6 and 4 prongs until you find the one your prefer.

Personally, I like 4 prongs.

 

[Brown.Eyed.Girl]

Personally, I think I prefer four prongs for larger stones, especially with delicate prongs like Leon''s claws, because I want to show off as much of the stone as possible and the size of the stone will kind of prevent it from looking square. For smaller stones, the six prongs might make it look bigger and rounder, but it''s really just personal preference.

 

[Londongirl1]

Date: 12/26/2009 8:47:37 PM
Author: yssie
I prefer 6 too - I like the 6-prong outline, and it does make a smaller stone look more round. If you''re looking at 3 caraters a four-prong setting isn''t going to make it look remotely square-ish

I agree. My SIL has a 0.50 RB with a 4 prong setting and the diamond look a little square (I think her particular prongs add to the square look). Personally I LOVE the look of the 6 prong Tiffany solitaire (or a good replica)

 

[brellymom]

I''m a 4 pronger. I love the way it allows the diamond to be really visible. I agree that it tends to make it look squarish - I am okay with that since I am a closet-square-cushion-lover, so I pretend I have one of each LOL.

Also, my diamond sits up pretty high - higher than I would have picked, but I wanted it to look like it was suspended in the setting, and I did get that. I have never had a problem with stability and I am not particularly careful with how my hands fly around.

It''s a 2.39 RB for size comparison

I am not great at pics, but here''s one if it helps.

 

[jstarfireb]

Well made prongs will keep the diamond in the setting no matter what the number. The security of the diamond is really no different, so it''s all about personal preference. I definitely prefer 4 prongs. But I''m very drawn to square shapes (I have a princess-cut engagement ring).

 

[t3]

An under 1 carat diamond in a 4-prong looks very squarish to me, like a princess cut from a glancing distance. Some of the generic 6-prongs are also quite obtrusive and thick, looking almost like a denture tooth with metal attachments.

The real Tiffany 6-prong looks very nice though and is much more subtle because the setting is custom made to each diamond, so a smaller diamond would have thinner prongs and the prongs do not stick past the diamond. More diamond is visible from the side and the diamond on the Tiffany looks round rather than hexagonal.

 

[MakingTheGrade]

I have a 6 prong and like that it looks rounder. But it''s all a matter of preference.

 

[Lynn B]

Yeah, totally personal preference. I LOVE (and have had only) 4 prong settings, but I do aspire to a 6-prong one day. It, too, is a beautiful look, and I think it may help make the stone look a little bigger, which is always a plus!

But I will say this... I have seen a LOT of wonky 6-prong heads. My friend actually had a well-known designer/jeweler tell her that it can actually be a bit tricky to get a perfectly straight and symmetrical 6 prong head. It CAN be done, of course, but it is my (humble!) opinion that 4 prong settings are just easier to get 100% right. And a little bit of uneveness or crookedness would drive me completely batty!!!