Shared-Prong Eternity Setting Question

[ScubaDucky]

Hi,

Long time reader, first time poster.

I''ve spent quite a bit of time looking at settings for an engagement ring, and after all this time, I still don''t know what I want.

A little bit of background information: The center stone is going to be a round diamond, hopefully around 1.3 carats / 7.1mm in diameter. The stone has not been purchased yet, but thanks to this forum, I feel that we have a pretty good idea of what to get.

Initially, the first setting that I really liked was the one with 2 pears/teardrops on each side. I saw the ring at Tiffany, and it was gorgeous. Unfortunately, I would need to get a curved wedding band with it for it to sit flush, and I don’t think I really like that idea.

This past weekend, we went to Mervis Diamonds'' (Tysons Corner, VA) Designer Trunk show. It was so much fun -- I tried on so many settings that my finger actually started swelling up! I did find one that I loved -- the shared-prong eternity semi-mount and wedding band (attached photo below). The band was very thin (2mm, .88 tcw) and the 1 carat stone that was set in it seemed huge! We talked a little to the representative, and he said the engagement setting, after 5-6 years, the stones at the bottom might come loose.

So now I''m very concerned about wear and tear on the ring. Is there anyway I can achieve the same look and still get a sturdy ring? I really want the stones all the way around, and I’d prefer not to have 4 prongs hold each stone. Also, I''d like to have the band as thin as possible. Am I dreaming? It figures that I’d like something so difficult.

In addition to above, I also have some concrete questions.

1. What''s the difference between shared-prong and pave? Is shared-prong safer?

2. I''ve considered the eternity channel set setting from Precision Set/Flush Set, which is actually quite awesome. They have a "thin-wall" channel set where you see very little of the walls - about 0.6mm thick on each side. I still like the look of the shared-prong better, but if channel set is much more durable and safer, I might have to go with that instead.

3. Will the alloy that is mixed with the platinum affect the outcome in this specific case? I’ve read that 950 plat mixed with 5% Iridium makes a softer platinum. If I stuck with 5% ruthenium or 10% Iridium, both of which are supposed to be harder, will it keep the stones more secure?

4. Has anyone tried to use titanium as the metal instead of platinum? Are there pros/cons to this? I''ve seen titanium used in tension settings but never in prong settings. Would I be able to find a custom jeweler that could do this for me?

Money of course is always a concern, and I am working with a budget; however, I''d really like to find something that I will love love love for many years to come.

Any help/opinions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[Mara]

Wow those look pretty darn familiar.....




I would highly suggest you go back and read some of my old posts when we got our ring and stone last year (November/December/January). I had the same questions you have. I don't want to write out EVERYTHING that we did/what happened...but basically we had a custom e-ring made, eternity, 4 pronged...not shared. Not pave. I wanted pave, very thin, as you did...but we were talked out of it by our jeweler for security reasons....not good for daily use he noted. So my ring actually came out very nice. I wanted thinner, but it's 2.6mm and it actually is a nice substantial but not flimsy size. Eternity still will not have 'wear and tear' on it, especially if its platinum--and the 4pronged stones actually assist in keeping the small diamonds safe.




Also Titanium does not look the same as platinum, so if you have not seen something similar then I would caution against getting titanium for this style of ring as it would most likely look hugely different than anything you have seen in plat. Titanium looks more grayish--more modern in my opinion..while this type of eternity style is not exactly modern. IMO you are more than fine with platinum.




I will see if I can find a few of my more wordy posts so that you get the jist.

Also I have tons of pictures...I'll post a thread on that too so you can see what my ring looks like. My stone has the diameter of a 1.35c stone so you will see what your ring will look like!

 

[rocks]

the rings in the picture can be uncomfortable, and the stones on the bottom, particularly of the engagement ring can, in fact loosen over time. if i were you, i would go with your initial choice...the round brilliant center with pear shape side stones. if the mounting is made correctly, the shared prong wedding band will nest well with the engagement ring, though they will not "fit" together like a puzzle.

i have sold several of that engagement ring and wedding band combination, and the result was terrific. that said, in time, the stones in the wedding band can loosen.

good luck!

 

[Mara]

The stones in the band may loosen but that is assuming that the purchaser NEVER intends to get their prongs checked. Which in itself is foolish on such an expensive piece of jewelry. We get the prongs checked on my e-ring which means ALL prongs every 6 months. It takes all of 10 minutes at the jewelers and we get the rings and earrings cleaned then anyway. Even if you only check 1ce a year, that certainly is more than enough assuming you aren't banging rocks with your hand to loosen the stone on a daily basis.




As for them being uncomfortable, mine was a little odd feeling for about a week or two and now I am so used to it I don't even feel it, it doesn't scratch my skin or cause any discomfort. So I think it's a common misconception that it's uncomfortable, in fact it's quite fun to play with scraping the metal and side stones against my fingernail when I am bored.

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/maras-ring-x20.10236/


Here is the thread with my pictures of my e-ring. Tons of them!

Have fun.




https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/pictures-of-my-ring-finally.4482/


This is the thread about when I first got my ring completed, there is alot of comment on the ring and how it was made, how the decisions for prong set vs pave were reached etc.






https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/a-jaffe-thin-pave-prong-engagement-set.10776/


This is a recently seen A. Jaffe set that is not eternity, but it's a great price and the bands are very thin. Around 2mm or so, the set look amazing on and is very similar to mine except it's not eternity...and the side stones are set into what is called a 'modified prong setting' where there is less metal than a typical shared or 4 prong style, but more than pave. May be a nice middle ground if you do not care about having eternity.

 

[ScubaDucky]

I never realized this decision can be so hard. There are sooo many choices and too few fingers

Mara,
I can't remember the number of times I've read through the archives anymore.. I've seen your ring in the Show Me thread as well as read through everything I can find on this topic. I guess you're confirming what I always knew deep down. The ring is just so prudy.

So shared prong is essentially pave? For some reason, I thought they were safer...

 

[ScubaDucky]

I tried the eternity rings on for quite a while at the show and they were pretty comfortable to me. I think I'd have problems with thicker bands.. but the one I tried was fine..

The setting with the pears is not out of contention yet, but it's just not my number 1 choice anymore.

 

[Mara]

Shared prong is not pave...shared prong is what you posted in your first picture. Pave is what the Michael B rings are, have you seen those? Small beads of metal set with small stones, not prongs persay. Shared prong is safer than pave, and 4 prong like mine is safer than shared prong OR pave. I was thinking shared prong but our jeweler said the way that we went was the best way to go.




Also, another comment is that my side stones are .03c each. If you wanted a super thin ring, you could probably get something like what we got but with .02 or .01 stones and make the band thinner...say 2mm. I wouldn't go under 2mm though as that's pretty darn thin and you need some support for the center stone. Or do something like the AJaffe set I posted up above where it's modified prong which is small stones, thin band, not as secure but not as loose as pave. So you do have other options. We just wanted slightly larger stones, and with that came a bit more metal and width.

Check out my thread links above, the one where I posted for the first time on the completed ring also has a picture of my jeweler's wife's ring which is what inspired our design to be 4 pronged..it's a gorgeous ring in person and her side stones are .04c each so even bigger than mine! Her width is still around 2.6mm.




In the end I really push you to GET WHAT YOU WANT whether it be pear or pave or shared or prong. Screw maintenance and how long the small stones will hang around. They are all of something like $20 each to replace should you lose one. Practicality has no place when it comes to purchasing a huge piece of sparkly carbon to wear on your hand IMO. Get what you want and love it because you will be wearing it forever!

 

[ScubaDucky]

I think I will go check out the one you recommended. The prong set by A. Jaffe.. Now I have to find a B&M that carries it.

Will let you know how it goes.