How safe is this setting?

[KittyBling]

I really like this setting especially the profile but I''m kinda worried the setting might not be ''safe'' because there is nothing around the diamond, just the 4 prongs. Other thin 4 prong settings that I''ve seen all seem to have some kind of metal wire around the diamond (e.g the Leon Mege solitaire). Can any experts pls chime in and let me know what you all think?

Btw this setting will be for a 0.75- 1ct diamond.

Thank you!

 

[Dreamer1116]

I am no expert, but I really love this setting. I am not much into solitaires, but this is definitely beautiful. I have a pretty ornate setting that has a four prong head, and I haven''t had any trouble, so far the diamond is pretty secure and well set. I don''t know exacty what you mean by ''wire'', but mine doesn''t have it...what''s holding my diamond in place are only the four prongs. I know some people feel more ''safe'' going with six prongs for extra security, but other than that, I really don''t see much difference in this four prong setting''s and others. Good Luck!

 

[KittyBling]

Thanks for replying Dreamer. Just to clarify here is an example of what I mean by a metal ''wire'' going around the diamond. This picture is of Le''s Leon solitaire.

 

[KittyBling]

In comparison this setting has nothing around the diamond.

 

[KittyBling]

And this is the one with diamonds in the band for anyone who''s interested

(sorry can''t seem to attach multiple pics in one post).

 

[exoticisabella]

That is a beautiful setting! I don''t honestly think that a bit extra metal wire would make a huge difference as the prongs seem to be what holds it in. That said, in my hands, that ring would be trashed

. I''ve tried the four prongs before and though I''m not any more active then the normal person I somehow manage to break and pull up prongs on a regular basis. Plus, working for a bank and always running about to and fro I would hit it on the HEAVY metal vault doors. Five years after first getting my ring I''m finallly getting a setting that I can wear. A beautiful bezel with a triple ideal diamond and two small bands on either side

Anyway, all I''m saying is to try to take into account the activity level and surroundings of the person. If I had a desk job I think my prongs would have lasted much longer.

Can you buy a silver and cz four prong ring and wear that for a bit to see how often the prongs snag and if it ever accidentally hits objects (which if hard enough COULD - probably wouldn''t but could hurt the diamond)?

 

[Laila619]

Pretty setting but I would worry about the girdle being exposed like that. The diamond could maybe get chipped if it''s a thin girdle.

 

[elle_chris]

I love that setting (without the diamonds on the band), and I think it''s as safe as any 4 prong setting. I''d really like to see it from the side.

 

[Sam82]

I''m not really an expert. I think it depends on how the wearer is with their jewelry. I''ve been told that I''m pretty easy on my jewelry. Also, the nature of my job is pretty light on jewelry because I don''t work with my hands. So, take all o f that into consideration when choosing a setting.

As with all settings, you have to get the prongs checked periodically. Also insure the ring and then get what makes you happy.

 

[chelsea3]

I think that how secure the diamond is has to do with how the ring is cast, what metal is used, and how rough a person is on their rings. That is only my guess. I am hoping that a few professionals will chime in on this issue. I am also very interested in reading the responses! In any event, regardless of the setting you select, it is always wise to have your ring insured and also to have it inspected by a jeweler once or twice a year. I know that there are quite a few PS''ers that have purchased their own loupe so that they can also examine their ring between inspections. BTW, I really LOVE the setting you are considering!

Good luck!

 

[lyra]

I nicked the girdle on my stone, so I definitely wouldn't go with a setting like that. I'm not hard on my rings at all, and was very shocked when we discovered the nick. It's extremely small, I couldn't even feel it with my fingernail, but one day it was just there. I switched to a lower profile setting, where the girdle is more protected and have never knocked it since. I'd only whacked my other setting twice that I know of, and obviously one of those times was enough. YMMV. It is a beautiful setting, just not for me.

ETA: my diamond is med. to thick girdle, not thin.

 

[KittyBling]

Thanks to everyone who replied, I appreciate all your advice!

Sam82: I'm not hard on my jewellery but I was worried about this particular setting because it seems so thin and delicate I wondered if it would actuallly last 'forever' since I don't plan on upgrading.

lyra: Thanks for telling me about the girdle, to be honest that thought hadn't even crossed my mind. I was more worred about the prong being bent back or something and the diamond falling out... but I guess that could happen with any four prong setting

 

[Cehrabehra]

BUMP - I just realized this was a recent enough thread and I am looking at the same setting for my stone and would like some feedback from some of the appraisers and jewelers on this... My stone is 9.5 long and am wondering how safe this will be. Sholdt has given it the okay, but I''d like a second opinion.

ALSO if anyone has any shots of this ring of the missing view (along the band toward the head) I would love that!

 

[Karl_K]

The ring of metal does not protect the girdle it is there to hold thin prongs together and lock them in place.
It helps prevent downward pressure on the diamond acting like a wedge and spreading the prongs.
The classic Tiffany 4 prong head does not have them.

The design you are considering uses thicker prongs and notice how the prongs are strait under the diamond to help prevent it spreading.
It is just as safe as any other 4 prong head.

 

[decodelighted]

I like the diamond version too ...

 

[Karl_K]

The shorter the prongs the less leverage the diamond has and more resistant they are to snags.
In this example the effective prong length is from the yellow arrow to the red.
Short and stiff so smaller prongs can be used.

Without it the effective prong length would be from yellow to blue and they would have to be many times thicker and they would still be prone to spreading because of the angle.

 

[Karl_K]

Thanks to some cleaver engineering the effective prong length on this design is shown here.
Or about the same as the other and notice how much thicker it is to help make up for the slightly weaker design.

 

[Cehrabehra]

thanks storm! so is that a thumbs up?

And yes deco - the diamond design HAS caught my eye, but I am leaning toward just a puzzle of metal around the singular stone. And then getting a new diamond band

 

[Karl_K]

Date: 10/31/2009 10:24:25 PM
Author: Cehrabehra
thanks storm! so is that a thumbs up?

Since you asked I can say I love the design of the second one, it is very fluid and flowing.
It should be a durable design.

 

[Cehrabehra]

Date: 10/31/2009 10:28:43 PM
Author: Karl_K

Date: 10/31/2009 10:24:25 PM

Author: Cehrabehra

thanks storm! so is that a thumbs up?

Since you asked I can say I love the design of the second one, it is very fluid and flowing.

It should be a durable design.

Thanks Storm - that means a lot And yes - the one you referenced is the one I am referring to. The band is supposedly 1.8mm which is pretty thin, but the prongs do look large which isn''t a problem since my stone isn''t exactly small lol