prongs vs. bezel (setting advice based on experience)

[Gempassion]

Hello everyone,

I would like to have some setting advice based on your experiences. Do prongs get caught in knits and your hair (often)? And, do bezels diminish the brilliance of a sparkly colored gem? I know that bezels are more durable and best for everyday wear, I am just wondering how you feel about your own everyday-wear rings...

Thanks,
Gempassion

 

[MakingTheGrade]

Well done prongs shouldn''t catch on things too easily. Although I always manage to find tiny little hairs in mine in the winter of I wear a particularly fuzzy sweater. But that''s about it. Personally, I wear my pronged gemstone rings a little less mostly because gemstones are a little softer and so the prongs don''t offer as much protection. Also, prongs setting seem to sit higher off the finger, which means I put them into things more, or they snag my gloves at work.

A good bezel won''t significantly diminish the sparkle of a well cut and well balanced gem. It may darken the color though.

 

[chrono]

A high set stone (cathedral style) tends to get caught in clothes and bumped around just because it sticks out.

If the prongs are well done and smoothened out, it should be difficult for your nail to even feel the transition. Well done prongs will not catch in knits and hair.

Depending upon the cut and tone of the gem, and the style of the bezel, a bezel setting can affect the appearance of the gem. A light toned precision cut gem will not darken or sparkle less in a bezel. A open style bezel (collet set or having an open pavilion area) tends to not affect any gemstone much, if at all.

 

[Gempassion]

Beautiful! Thanks for the advice!

Gempassion