Should a prong be set over the thin part of the girdle or not?

[beaujolais]

If you have a stone with a girdle that is thin-medium, is it better for one of the prongs to be in the thin section or do you want to avoid this?

In other words, would a prong in that area help it avoid chipping or would the prong in that area tend to make it chip?

Thanks.

 

[ringabling]

I think I may not understand . . . a prong has to go over the girdle at some point to hold the stone in, no?

 

[MrYoung]

Metal has more "give" then a stone. If a stone gets hit it may be tough and resist breaking; but when hit hard enough it may chip. In other words, a prong can (and will during its lifetime) take damage and then be re-tipped (repaired). A chipped stone cannot be "dechipped".

Yes, put the weakest part of your stone protected under the prong/bezel/bead. Make sure you wirte down any laser inscriptions before setting. Make sure your setter knows that a thinner girdle means a more delicate stone (mostly obvious).

Best of Luck.