| When buying an engagement ring obviously you | | | | allows the maximum amount of light into the |
| should consider the overall quality of the diamond, | | | | gemstone, allowing it to flash with fire and color. |
| and ensure that it looks good on the shape and | | | | This is especially good when it is set with a Round |
| design of the band. | | | | Brilliant or a Princess Cut diamond. |
| But one of the most important things to consider | | | | However the prongs can easily snag on clothing, |
| is the setting for the gemstone. The setting | | | | trapping lint and fibers which can dislodge the |
| connects the diamond to the ring. It should be | | | | gemstone from its setting. But the major |
| attractive, functional and durable. In just the same | | | | drawback of the prong setting is that it offers |
| way that the cut of the diamond determines how | | | | the least amount of protection to the gem. It |
| much the diamond is allowed to shine, so too | | | | cannot be used for trillion cut diamonds or softer |
| does the gemstone setting. | | | | gemstones such as emerald and opal which may |
| For example, small stones are perfect in some | | | | shatter or chip. |
| settings, but an ostentatious setting with lots of | | | | Bezel Setting |
| intricate metalwork will easily overwhelm a little | | | | In this type of setting the gemstone is completely |
| diamond. Get the setting right, and the setting will | | | | encircled by a ribbon of precious metal which |
| largely go unnoticed in the ring. But get it wrong | | | | protects it from accidental knocks. For this reason |
| and the setting may well be the only thing you | | | | it is the only type of setting which is |
| see! | | | | recommended for fancy shaped diamond with |
| Every setting has advantages and drawbacks, so | | | | thin edges, or points, such as Trillion Cuts or |
| if you are looking for a diamond solitaire | | | | Marquises. |
| engagement ring, should you choose a prong | | | | The bezel setting is also a perfect choice for |
| setting or a bezel setting? | | | | hiding any minor edge flaws present in the |
| Prong Setting | | | | gemstone and it also acts to enhance the size of |
| Also called the claw setting, this is one of the | | | | the diamond, making it appear larger. |
| most popular choices, because it can be easily | | | | On the downside, the bezel setting is not easily |
| adjusted to accommodate all shapes and sizes of | | | | adjusted and if set incorrectly, the gemstone can |
| gemstone. There are generally four or six prongs, | | | | be easily lost. Furthermore the nature of the |
| which hold the gemstone in place, although eight | | | | setting does not allow as much light into the |
| prong settings are not unknown when extra | | | | diamond, reducing its fire and brilliance. However |
| security is required. | | | | this can be overcome to a large extent by |
| The main advantage of the prong setting is that it | | | | cutting light holes into the setting. |