Often in the excitement of searching for types of engagement rings that will symbolize your love, diamond ring buyers completely forget about the practical aspects of the rings. Keep in mind that diamond engagement rings are going to be exposed to a lot of wear and tear, so finding one that is beautiful but also well constructed is going to be important over the long run.
Engagement ring settings come with several different types that are sometimes referred to as mountings. These settings or mountings form the way in which the diamond is held securely to the ring and can be very visible and part of the overall design or they can be hidden and out of sight on the ring. Each option has its benefits and it is really a matter of both personal taste and overall ring design.
One of the most common types of rings settings found on most types and styles of engagement rings are the prong settings. A prong setting is most commonly seen with larger stones, especially on solitaire rings or rings that feature groupings of larger stones in some pattern or shape across the ring band. Prong settings are literally metal hook-like spindles or prongs that clamp over the surface of the diamond and attach to the band. They hold the stone in place and prevent the stone from dislodging.
Prong settings will vary in number on engagement rings based on the size and shape of the diamond. On square or rectangular shapes, there will be at least one prong on each corner and sometimes one prong along each edge. This again will vary on the size of the diamond.
Evenly spaced prongs on engagement rings with round or oval stones secure the diamond in place. Typically there will be four to six prongs, but larger or smaller stones may have different numbers. Unique shapes such as marquis, heart or pear shapes will also typically have four to six prongs.
Prongs serve to both provide security to the diamond but also to lift or elevate it off the band itself. This focuses attention on the diamond plus it also allows more light to enter into the gem. Engagement rings with raised diamonds will really sparkle and shine with movement of the hand.
Square corners and square diamonds in engagement rings are secured using v-shaped prongs at the corners. This allows a smaller prong to secure the diamond in place without having to double the number of prongs. Raised diamonds will attract more light, but are also more likely to be bumped and hit, requiring additional support.
It is important to always have engagement rings checked on a yearly basis to ensure the prongs are all still secure. A jeweller can easily adjust the prongs in an engagement ring if needed, preventing the possibility of losing the diamond from the setting.