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Safest setting style for > 2ct round - advice please

LolaRVA

Rough_Rock
Joined
May 3, 2018
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52
FC711D51-B9AA-4B72-B1A3-D97EF439CEAF.png 6CC05474-40BE-41AC-B823-FE72CD0DE2D7.png EEE6A9A3-516A-4D3B-B50C-8B4808C6A651.jpeg Hello All,
I’ve just selected a 2.4ct RB for replacement engagement ring, now I’m anxious about setting safety after my last ring broke (head with >2.6ct EC popped clear off, stone gone forever). I prefer as simple a setting as possible, it will be platinum. I initially chose a 4-prong cathedral, I don’t have a pic but it’s very thin and simple with low profile and fairly open base. Almost barely there, which I like... Now I’m worried that 4 prongs aren’t enough, would you agree that I’m safer with 6? Especially for a larger stone?

I generally dislike 6-prong, I especially hate that “starburst” look and don’t like prongs at 12 and 6. I saw this one in a Lauren B video - Does it look like a smart choice? I figure the cathedral gives more support to the head and 6 prongs should in theory better hold stone in event that one prong becomes lose and/or breaks. And I don’t think the style is too overwhelming. In a perfect world, there’d be some sort of invisible prongs. I like my diamond to “float”

Any additional suggestions for how I can best ensure the stone security without adding too much metal bulk (aside from making sure stone is set correctly and having regular maintenance, of course)? I’m trying to balance the look I like with smart decisions to best ensure longevity of the ring. Thank you!
 
How about 8 prong setting. Cvb dahlia
 
I think 8 is a bit excessive, no? Or are you joking?

I’m mostly trying to figure out how I can make 6 work without hating the look of the ring, since aesthetically I prefer 4. Also trying to get some feedback in re: benefits of 6 over 4.

Thanks.
 
Firstly, what a sad thing to have happened with your EC! No wonder you're keen to ensure that doesn't happen again.
4 prongs can make your stone look slightly square, 6 will help emphasise the roundness. You could orient the prongs like the EW example above or oriented more NS for the top and bottom prong which will change the look. Personally I really like the EW look.
If you have 4 delicate prongs, yes you're at a greater risk if one of them breaks, that's 25% of your stone support gone and you're at a big risk of losing it. In a 6 prong, you could go more delicate/invisible because if one prong goes, it's only ~18% of the stone support gone and you've got 5 other prongs holding it. If you had 8 very delicate prongs, you'd be even safer.
Who is making your ring? What is their prong work like? The 8 prong suggestion isn't so nuts even given your stated preference for a barely there look since 8 well done delicate prongs could be more barely there than 4 chunky ones if you know what I mean? And the ring maker mentioned, CvB does very beautiful prongs and settings tho the Dahlia is not what anyone would call barely there! :mrgreen2:
 
Oh, I didn’t understand what cvb meant! I have so much to learn!

Thanks for feedback. Yes, I think the EW (I couldn’t figure out before how to best describe) is most appealing to me as it looks more like 4-prong (I like how the side prongs fall in line with shank, which in my eyes helps them blend in better). And I see your point about well-done 6 or 8 prong looking more delicate than 4. I guess I always default to thinking of the Tiffany setting for 6 prong, which I’ve always found a little too bulky for my tastes.

I’m sure others here would agree, losing a stone (especially with no direct cause/damage/explanation) can be incredibly traumatic. Part of me never wants to wear another ring, but the thought of that makes me so sad! I’m very hopeful that a 6-prong cathedral is a sound enough design to calm some of my anxiety. Thanks again.
 
I have another idea, if you like the look of four prongs vs six, you might want to consider double prongs. If you want share your budget for the setting, we can recommend jewelers that may be a good match for you.

Here’s is an example of what I am suggesting. This setting is by Steven Kirsch.

BEC86629-6634-484A-A6A7-C12AFE53F283.png
 
So sorry to hear you lost your beautiful stone. That would be heartbreaking.
I really like the double prong example above and I think if you add in some “under” shoulder supports the ring will look very refined and elegant.
Hoping you post up some lovely photos soon!
 
I'm sorry your lost your stone. Few dainy prongs will be stronger if in a hand-forged setting.

Also, you want a setting where the head (prongs) have the most points of contact with the shank. If you look at this setting, the shoulder has contact with the head at the crossbar and the prongs each contact the shank. Then, each prong (which are double) is attached to each other and the shank with the scallop/crossbar If you like a four-prong setting, this is much stronger.

upload_2018-6-16_5-51-41.png
https://www.victorcanera.com/rings/engagement/cathedral-band-solitaire-with-scalloped-basket

upload_2018-6-16_5-52-45.png
https://www.victorcanera.com/rings/engagement/classic-solitaire-with-cathedral-band

The prongs can be more points, which will reduce the metaly look.
r6579-1wx.jpg


If you really want 4-single prongs, the

Hand forgers often recommended here are Victor Canera, Steve Kirsch, Leon Mege (lovely work, can be hard to work with), and Maytal Hannah.
 
I hadn’t thought of double prong... if all other things equal, how would you say they measure up to 6-prong in terms of security? My concern would be that, although definitely more points of contact, it’s still only technically 4 corners thus if one side goes all’s lost.

I also agree with the crossbar being another point of support. It’s just so much metal. Although just from side and below, perhaps it wouldn’t bother me much. Anything’s better than looking down to find a missing diamond... Lots to think about...
 
Perhaps another question, if any of you don’t mind - with the setting pictured in my original post and the photos posted in comments, which would you say blends best (I.e. least distorts/impacts the shape of the center stone, blocks least amount of light, best showcases stone)? And is most foolproof? I see how the quality of workmanship is a huge factor, such small points must be done perfectly, I’m not in a position to change jewelers and have a tight timeline because I’m expecting a baby and a few other things that require this process to be done as quickly as possible. Thanks again.
 
I'm so sorry to hear that you lost your diamond. I understand your concerns about the number of prongs, and would be worried, personally, about a setting with only 4 prongs, for all the reasons mentioned.

Here's my experience with prongs:
My e- ring (cathedral setting) originally had 4 prongs. I found that my MRB looked square in that setting. When the prongs wore out, I reset to 6 prongs, which made the diamond look round. Even though my prongs were not especially delicate, I didn't find they overwhelmed the stone, in that they followed the shape of the diamond.
I also have another ring with a 2ct diamond in the Dahlia setting with 8 prongs. The prongs are so delicate that one hardly even notices them. It's a beautiful setting. I wear it confidently, without worrying about losing the diamond.
 
@LolaRVA - was your original e-ring in gold or platinum?
 
The entire head! It had been modified when I upgraded my center stone so pretty positive it was bad work. Complete nightmare, I posted about it a while back. Search for “Defective Mounting/Shoddy Workmanship?” if you want a good read. I couldn’t figure out how to link it here.

So now even with different jeweler and a freshly cast ring I’m extremely paranoid that anything can go wrong, hence my insistence on cathedral to support head as well as extra prongs.
 
I also don’t like prongs at 6 and 12. I originally had double claw four prongs. It’s been a few years. Now I would get 8 delicate prongs for better protection for a solitaire. 2.4 is big enough to handle it. Give it some time. Caysie does some beautiful 8 prong settings.
 
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