Question about prong settings

[Cricketcat]

When a diamond is set as low as possible in a prong setting, is the culet (bottom of diamond) actually touching metal? And do the sides of the diamond from the bottom going up to the girdle touch metal all the way up? Thanks.

 

[cookies]

The prongs have tiny notches for the girdle to sit tight. The pavilion and the cutlet of the diamond don't have to touch any metal.

Here is a setting guide:

 

[Cricketcat]

So even if a diamond is set as low as possible, the only thing securing it is the prong notches that go around the girdle, no other metal. Is that right?

 

[cookies]

There is a type of prong setting called basket prong setting, which has a metal ring surrounding the pavilion of the stone. It looks like the picture below. Are you looking for a minimal-metal look?

Here is another setting guide.

 

[TC1987]

When a diamond is set as low as possible in a prong setting, is the culet (bottom of diamond) actually touching metal? And do the sides of the diamond from the bottom going up to the girdle touch metal all the way up? Thanks.

I have seen them crammed down into a 4-prong head ("Tiffany" type) that is so small that the culet area of the stone touches the bottom of the head, and the prongs rest against the stone all the way up. I have a cheap cz ring like that, so I presume it's not the correct way to mount a stone. LOL

eta: I thing I have seen some costume jewelry like that, where the head is more of a cage than a proper head, if that makes sense.