round .20 sidestones 3 or 4 prong - saftey difference?

[D2B]

OK,
I have an approx 1 c center stone which will be set in a 3 stone setting with a .20 on either side. Now I love love the look of a 3 prong for the sidestones - gives it a slight pearshape illusion.

but, how safe are they compared to 4 prongs. My guess would be that all things being equal, a 4 is safer than a 3, (ie same jeweller makes them, so good craftmanship. But is that necesarily so, or is it more of a mind saftey thing, and in fact there are no real differences. Will the type of prong make a difference, claw etc

any one with 3 prong sidestones care to chime in, or experts, how many lost stones do you see from a 3 prong which a 4 prong might not have lost???

I m perfectly happy with the 4 prong, but the 3 prong for the sidestones makes my heart sing, just beautiful, but saftey is paramount for me, being all the way in sunny australia, I do not want to start shipping things back and forwards or run to local jewellers all the time.
many thanks
D2b

 

[stone-cold11]

I would say no real difference. pop one prongs off from either a 3 or 4 prongs and the stone fell out.

 

[D&T]

if you looked very closely at three stone rings with only three prongs holding the sidestones (which I also love

) you will see that the side that come up from the shank is actually a bit thicker

(almost on the semi bezel side) so I think you are safe with a good jeweler crafting your three stone

 

[D&T]

Date: 11/11/2009 10:35:05 AM
Author: D&T
if you looked very closely at three stone rings with only three prongs holding the sidestones (which I also love

) you will see that the side that come up from the shank is actually a bit thicker

(almost on the semi bezel side) so I think you are safe with a good jeweler crafting your three stone

see picture attach hope that helps

 

[D2B]

Thanks,

Stone cold11 - thanks for the feedback.

D&T, your last image is a great example, you always have such great images to post as examples.

Hmmm, decisions, decisions.......

d2b

 

[stone-cold11]

Good luck deciding.

 

[D&T]

anytime D2B, I love looking at settings....can do it all day long

There is an A.Jaffe three stone ring on here, and I wanted to post that for you as well but I have a brain cramp right now

but for whats it's worth.... I would totally do the three prong look (hopefully for un upcoming anniversary I can get me a three stone

) and your porportion for the sidestones is just gorgeous

 

[yssie]

Date: 11/11/2009 4:25:55 AM
Author:D2B
OK,
I have an approx 1 c center stone which will be set in a 3 stone setting with a .20 on either side. Now I love love the look of a 3 prong for the sidestones - gives it a slight pearshape illusion.

but, how safe are they compared to 4 prongs. My guess would be that all things being equal, a 4 is safer than a 3, (ie same jeweller makes them, so good craftmanship. But is that necesarily so, or is it more of a mind saftey thing, and in fact there are no real differences. Will the type of prong make a difference, claw etc

any one with 3 prong sidestones care to chime in, or experts, how many lost stones do you see from a 3 prong which a 4 prong might not have lost???

I m perfectly happy with the 4 prong, but the 3 prong for the sidestones makes my heart sing, just beautiful, but saftey is paramount for me, being all the way in sunny australia, I do not want to start shipping things back and forwards or run to local jewellers all the time.
many thanks
D2b

I went with three for exactly this reason

I think it's less of an issue with 3/4 than with 4/6, for exactly the reason Stone-cold gave - lose one prong and you're losing the stone either way. I also think that 0.2c is small enough that either way, you don't have to worry too much about bashing the sidestone girdle, because any impact would have to hit *just* the right spot between the protective end-prong and the protective prongs around the centrestone, if that makes sense?

 

[D2B]

Yssie,

Your gorgeous ring has been one of my main inspirations - I love it. Love the 3 prong, and am workign on something similiar with a basket setting on the side and 6 prong tiffany like in the middle.

D2B

any other oppinions on saftey of 3/4 - ???