Types of prongs; pros/cons?

[mhova]

I''m wondering if anyone could comment on the different types of prong setups commonly used for princess cut stones. The ones I''ve heard of are single round prongs, double round prongs, claw (although I thought this was for round brilliants only), and V-tip.

I assume each has its own advantages as far as protecting the stone, perhaps in order of most to least protection being v-tip, double round, round, and then claw. But I''m curious as to how, or if, each type of prong aesthetically affects the appearance of the stone. Are any thought to be more or less complimentary to the princess cut shape? Are any known to make a stone look larger or smaller?

 

[Clairitek]

Have you considered having the corners clipped every so slightly to better accomodate a delicate prong? What kind of setting are you putting it in? The prong style can sometimes be dictated by the setting style.

Personally, I love prongs that not noticeable. I want to look at the ring ad notice the stone first, setting second. I find that most princess cut rings I have seen in person have big, bulky prongs that totally distract me from the stone. A friend of mine bought a x-factor princess from WF last year (it has clipped corners) and it looks great in the setting.

 

[mhova]

what do you mean by clipped corners?

I''m doing a custom design setting through WF. I''ve requested an X-prong setting with single round prongs. Like you, I dont like the prongs to be so noticeable, so the double round prongs were automatically out of the question.

 

[lizzyann]

my pic in my avatar has just a single small prong in each corner. I like small prongs on princess stones. i am not a fan of the V shaped one, I think they distract from the stone.

 

[Clairitek]

Date: 6/25/2010 12:06:30 PM
Author: mhova
what do you mean by clipped corners?

I''m doing a custom design setting through WF. I''ve requested an X-prong setting with single round prongs. Like you, I dont like the prongs to be so noticeable, so the double round prongs were automatically out of the question.

I mean that instead of the corner being a sharp 90 degree angle, it is clipped off slightly so you have a small flat surface where the prongs go. WF would know what you''re talking about if you ask. There is some information about chamferred or clipped corners in this link on Whiteflash''s website.

Princess Cut Information

This process also can improve diamond durability because having the load of the prong distributed across a larger area will decrease the risk of a fracture.

Maybe some princess ring owners will chime in about their prongs, but I think it may be possible to get dainty prongs without clipping the corners.

 

[sweetpigtail]

My e-ring is a princess cut and I have quite a trouble with finding the right prong as well. I want it to be dainty and at the same time durable and could protect the tips of my diamond. So my jeweler came up with this idea of 3 really really tiny prongs on each tip. I like it very much... you can''t really see much of the prong at all...

I try to post some pictures... sorry about the quality...

 

[sweetpigtail]

One more photo...

Oups...... sorry that is HUGE!!!

 

[liarudd]

Wow I love that setting what are the stats on that bad boy??? LOVE it

 

[tyty333]

My favorite prongs for princess shaped stones are thin Vs. I really dislike the round blobs. I also like the single claw prong
but dont think they would offer much protection. I figured if someone like the squareness of a princess that they wouldnt
want to hide the corners so thats why I like the thin V.

 

[liarudd]

i agree with you tyty when you say if someone loves a princess cut why would they want to hide the corners -- i also feel the same way when people suggest clipping the corners....

it is hard to find prongs that look delicate tho I have my eye on a few that look great! i love this site lol

 

[tyty333]

It does seem like its hard to find delicate prongs for princess cuts. I guess because the jeweler is trying to protect the corners
as much as possible??? or either the benchman isnt that good? Seems like the worst prongs I have seen are on princess shape
stones. Could be that they stand out so much more because your eyes are drawn to the corners?

mhova - have you seen this thread? Lots of different prongs.
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/the-princess-cut-collection.159387/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/the-princess-cut-collection.159387/[/URL]