Tiffany Setting and bent prongs

[tarheelfangp]

Hello,

I love these forums and have read for awhile. This is my first post so hopefully I'm around for awhile.

I recently became engaged, and bought my Fiance a .91 CT diamond with a classic tiffany 14K white gold 6 prong setting. She loves the ring, but after we had it resized up HALF a size, I started noticing small fuzz or lint getting caught in the prongs. I believe it is entirely possible this was happening BEFORE the resize as well just because she was out of town before the resize and I didnt get to see the ring on a daily basis. We have been engaged a month.

Last week I noticed one of the 6 prongs was bent badly to the side. We have since had it repaired and the jeweler said it is common for people to bang the ring and a prong to get bent and not even realize it. I thought it may have possibly been melted and bent slightly during the resize. The jeweler INSISTS this did not happen and even let me look at the ring under a loupe to show me a scuff on the prong next to the prong that was bent, indicating it was banged on something. My fiance doesnt remember banging it on anything.

I have three questions.

1.) is it common for prongs on tiffany 6 prong settings to pick up fuzz in general or so soon after the ring is made? (I have read online that your prongs should NEVER pick up anything as it means they arent secure on the diamond or have worn OVER TIME)

2.) are prongs on 14k white gold easily bendable or would you notice when you do it.

3.) is it possible if she got it caught on clothes that possibly the force of pulling it loose could have bent the prong? Or would she have had to hit it hard on something?

Thank you for your help

 

[diamondseeker2006]

For lint to get caught, it means the prong tips were not placed securely down on the diamond. But yes, you can catch a prong on something (or hit it) and bend it without knowing. But that again points to the prongs not being firmly down on the stone. I always use a 10x loupe to check prongs. I had a diamond set locally one time and checked the prongs before leaving. They did not have all the prongs properly placed. So I told them to take it back to the bench and fix it! I have been surprised at the poor prong jobs I have seen. But that is why you always need to check with a loupe because it is hard to see with just the eyes. I don't think this has anything to do with the sizing.

 

[WinkHPD]

It is possible to bend a prong and not notice it.

That is one of the reasons that so many of us jewelers recommend six prongs, so that you have to bend or break at least two of them, and usually three of them for the diamond to come out.

Wink

 

[tarheelfangp]

For lint to get caught, it means the prong tips were not placed securely down on the diamond. But yes, you can catch a prong on something (or hit it) and bend it without knowing. But that again points to the prongs not being firmly down on the stone. I always use a 10x loupe to check prongs. I had a diamond set locally one time and checked the prongs before leaving. They did not have all the prongs properly placed. So I told them to take it back to the bench and fix it! I have been surprised at the poor prong jobs I have seen. But that is why you always need to check with a loupe because it is hard to see with just the eyes. I don't think this has anything to do with the sizing.

Thank you so much! The ring is being repaired now. When I get it back I will make sure to look at the prongs with a loupe before taking it home!