Tiny fibers getting caught under prongs

[skypie]

I got a loupe and noticed that some tiny fibers get caught under the prongs of a setting.

1. Is this a problem that indicates the prongs are not tight enough? The ring is new after all...
2. Will an ultrasonic cleaner (or steam cleaner) help remove the fibers that get caught under the prongs?

 

[denverappraiser]

Talk to the jeweler who set it. Yes, this is indicative of a problem.

 

[KristinTech]

My original e-ring caught lint and fibers after about 10 years of 24/7 wear. It was the beginning of prong/head problems for me. If this is a new ring I’d definitely take it back to have that issue fixed!

 

[kenny]

The problem is the prongs are not smooth and tight against the diamond, so fibers are pulled out when cloth or Q-Tips catch on prongs.

Solution is to have a jeweler tighten and/or smooth down the prongs.
IMO this is an emergency since the prongs may be getting loose.
Loose prongs are more likely to catch on something (like when putting your hand into your pocket) and bend back, causing your diamond to fall out.
If it were me I'd take the ring off and not wear it till it's fixed, just in case.

BTW, I use canned air to dry off my diamond after cleaning.
No chance for a fiber problem, and more importantly, it blasts away the contaminated cleaning liquid.
Unless you do the final rinse in distilled water, clean tap water contains minerals that will eventually build up on the diamond around the prongs if you dry with a cloth or Q-Tip.

 

[LaylaR]

If you have a loupe: check your prongs and make sure they are tight enough to keep wearing the ring. I've included a picture.

Especially if you have four prongs, I would not wear the ring if the prongs are lifted, personally. If the jeweler you bought your ring from is not local to you, then go to a good local jeweler-- preferably one with an onsite bench-- and ask them to look at it if you don't have loupe.

I cracked a prong badly once, when my sweater caught a slightly lifted prong that had been having this problem for a couple months. I could have lost the stone.