Engagement Solitaire Prong
Classic Diamond Engagement Rings – Things you Need to Know Before you Buy
Classic diamond engagement rings are broad design category. The name “classic” applies to any design with solid aesthetic values and massive popularity. The first ones that come in mind however are the prong set classic solitaires and they are the subject of this article.
Every classic solitaire is a combination of two parts: Setting, called also basket and shank. These two parts are often viewed as separate interchangeable design elements and then combined in order to find the arrangement that suits best the requirements of the customer.
As general rule the classic solitaire diamond engagement ring lacks small detail and complications and is assigned to hold and in the best case, highlight the diamond. It should be delicate and open yet strong and comfortable.
The basket is extremely important for the safety of the setting. The classic basket has four or six claws (prongs) and could be wire or cut off type. The wire basket is the lightest and most open which is also making it the most popular one. There is a wrong perception that the open basket allows more light to “flow” through the stone. Generally the diamond reflects back light that enters from its crown and does not need any light coming from the back. Well cut diamond looks the same in very open claw setting as well as in tube setting. The openness however is important for the ring’s overall appearance and its maintenance. Open baskets tend to hold less grease and are much easier to clean, while the cleanness of the pavilion of the diamond is crucial for its appearance. There is fine balance between the thickness of the prongs, the size of the diamond and the type of the metal. To comply with the purpose of the classic setting the prongs should be as less visible as possible, meaning they must be delicate and thin but not for the sake of the safety.
Platinum and Palladium allows at least 20% reduction of the prong thickness, compared to white gold alloys. This, outside of many other advantages makes these two metals the media of choice for classic prong set rings. While the platinum setting involve some additional cost, palladium is currently cheaper than 18k white gold and the best value for money media for fine diamond jewelry. Another important factor for the safety of the setting is the distance between the girdle of the diamond and the first support, usually a link under the girdle. Bigger distance requires thicker prongs to maintain the necessary strength and retain the safety of the setting.
Wire baskets are either cast or hand assembled. There is no cast finishing technology yet, able to achieve the quality of well executed assembled basket. On the other hand this brings much higher cost for detail visible only to a specialist and considering that cast baskets are even stronger I would recommend them as default option. Hand assembled baskets are labor intensive and relatively rare on today’s market.
The shank of the classic engagement ring is also delicate. Broad chunky shanks are usually part of some updated contemporary versions. The real classic ring shows as less metal as possible without compromising the safety of the setting. The classic knife shank serves best this purpose tapering almost to a point at the basket and broadening at the back where more strength is needed. The opposite design is the tapered shank, usually as broad as the distance between the prongs in the point of joining to the basket, narrowing towards the back. This shank requires healthy thickness at the back, usually in the region of 1.2mm or more. The flat shank has the same width all around, gives the design rather contemporary look and is a good choice when a classic wedding band is worn on the same finger.
The classic diamond engagement rings produce statement of sound but not necessarily adventurous taste. They are extremely popular and make roughly 50% of all diamond engagement rings.
About the Author
Vasco Kirov is an experienced designer and master goldsmith with vast knowledge in every aspect concerning fine jewelry. He has been awarded many prestigious design awards for excellence in diamond jewelry design. Vasco recently launched the first palladium only jewelry website where you will find additional information about classic diamond rings and plenty of industry insider’s tips on “how to” in today’s jewelry market. For quality selection of remarkably well priced palladium rings visit http://www.palladiumdiamondring.com
ES21 Classic Solitaire Asscher 4 Prong White Gold Engagement ring setting by MDC Diamonds NY
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2.00 carat D/VS2 CLASSIC 6 PRONG DIAMOND SOLITAIRE ENGAGEMENT 18K WG GOLD RING $8,750.00 |
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4.1g 6 Prong Ring Solitaire Semi Mount 18k W Gold s7.5 Engagement Women $479.25 |
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0.50ct VS1 Round Cut Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring Prong Set 14k White Gold $1,551.00 |
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14k White Gold Round Cut 0.51ct VS E Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring Prong Set $1,584.00 |
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Solitaire 14k White Gold Round Cut Diamond Engagement Ring Prong Set 0.54ct VS E $1,617.00 |
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14k Yellow Gold Overlay 6 Prong Created Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring Size 6 $54.00 |
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7.36 CT EGL Round BLACK DIAMOND SOLITAIRE 6 PRONG ENGAGEMENT RING 14K White Gold $2,529.97 |
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5.29 CT Natural BLACK DIAMOND SOLITAIRE 6 PRONG ENGAGEMENT RING White Gold EGL $1,749.94 |
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8.17 CT AAA Round BLACK DIAMOND SOLITAIRE 6 PRONG ENGAGEMENT RING 14K White Gold $2,849.92 |
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EGL 4.21 CT Round BLACK DIAMOND SOLITAIRE 6 PRONG ENGAGEMENT RING 14K White Gold $1,429.99 |
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FANCY BLACK 1 CARAT PRONG SET DIAMOND SOLITAIRE ENGAGEMENT RING 14K WHITE GOLD $399.00 |
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2.70 CT EGL Round BLACK DIAMOND SOLITAIRE 6 PRONG ENGAGEMENT RING 14K White Gold $1,039.93 |
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Prong Setting 0.35Ct Round Cut Diamond 14Kt White Gold Solitaire Engagement Ring $358.00 |
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1 carat diamond solitaire engagement ring prong style $3,599.00 |
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1/2 Carat VS E Prong Set Round Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring 14k White Gold $1,574.32 |
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1/2ct VS1 F Round Cut Solitaire Diamond Engagement Ring Prong Set 14k White Gold $1,716.00 |
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Prong Set 14k White Gold Round Cut Solitaire Diamond Engagement Ring 1/2ct VS F $1,671.12 |
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.40Ct Prong Set Natural Diamond Jewelry Gold Solitaire Engagement Wedding Ring $519.00 |
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EGL 2.05 CT Round BLACK DIAMOND SOLITAIRE 6 PRONG ENGAGEMENT RING 14K White Gold $789.91 |
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ELEGANT SILVER 1.75 CARAT 6-PRONG ROUND SOLITAIRE CZ ENGAGEMENT RING, SIZE 8 $14.99 |
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4g Six Prong Ring Solitaire Semi Mount 18k W Gold s7.5 Engagement Women $599.25 |
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4.3g Ring 6 Prong Solitaire Semi Mount 18k W Gold s7.5 Engagement Women $621.75 |
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ELEGANT SILVER 1.75 CARAT 6-PRONG ROUND SOLITAIRE CZ ENGAGEMENT RING, SIZE 7 $14.99 |
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5g Ring Princess Solitaire 4prong Setting Platinum s4.5 Engagement Women $1,439.00 |
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4.1g 6 Prong Ring Solitaire Semi Mount Platinum s4.5 Engagement Women $1,189.00 |
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4g Ring 4 Prong Cushion Solitaire Setting Platinum s4.5 Engagement Women $704.25 |
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1 Carat Solitaire Diamond Engagement Ring 6 Prong 14k Solid White Gold Sz 7 $1,995.00 |
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Scant 1/2 Carat Solitaire Diamond Engagement Ring 4 Prong 14k Gold Sz 6 1/2 $495.00 |
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14k Yellow Gold Overlay 6 Prong Created Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring Size 4 $54.00 |
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0.50 Ct Round GIA Certified 6 Prong Solitaire Diamond Engagement Ring Free Band $2,575.00 |
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ELEGANT SILVER 1.75 CARAT 6-PRONG ROUND SOLITAIRE CZ ENGAGEMENT RING, SIZE 8 $14.99 |
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4g Six Prong Ring Solitaire Semi Mount Platinum s4.5 Engagement Women $1,449.00 |
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4.3g Ring 6 Prong Solitaire Semi Mount Platinum s4.5 Engagement Women $1,569.00 |
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4.2g Ring 4 Prong Solitaire Semi Mount 18k W Gold s7.5 Engagement Women $374.25 |
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2.2ct Round CZ Prong Solitaire Stainless Steel Engagement Ring 6 7 8 9 10 NWT $50.00 |
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0.51 Ct Round GIA Certified 6 Prong Solitaire Diamond Engagement Ring Free Band $2,575.00 |
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0.52 Ct Round GIA Certified 6 Prong Solitaire Diamond Engagement Ring Free Band $2,575.00 |
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0.53 Ct Round GIA Certified 6 Prong Solitaire Diamond Engagement Ring Free Band $2,575.00 |
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0.54 Ct Round GIA Certified 6 Prong Solitaire Diamond Engagement Ring Free Band $2,575.00 |
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3+ ct E VS2 gia round natural diamond solitaire engagement 4 prong ring platinum $98,000.00 |
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SI1/G Real .25Ct Diamond 14K White Gold Prong Set Solitaire Ring Engagement Band $381.65 |
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Prong Set 0.70Ct Diamond Jewelry 14Kt White Gold Solitaire Engagement Ring Band $619.65 |
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SI1/G Real .25Ct Diamond 14K White Gold Prong Set Solitaire Ring Engagement Band $449.00 |
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SI1/G 0.25Ct Prong Set Diamond Jewelery 14Kt Gold Solitaire Engagement Ring Band $469.00 |
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Prong Set 0.90Ct Natural Diamond 14Kt White Gold Solitaire Engagement Ring Band $799.00 |
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SI1/G Prong Set 0.25Ct Round Diamond White Gold Solitaire Engagement Ring Band $489.00 |
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ELEGANT SILVER 1.75 CARAT 6-PRONG ROUND SOLITAIRE CZ ENGAGEMENT RING, SIZE 9 $14.99 |
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4g Ring Princess Solitaire 4Prong Setting Platinum s4.5 Engagement Women $936.75 |
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ELEGANT SILVER 1.75 CARAT 6-PRONG ROUND SOLITAIRE CZ ENGAGEMENT RING, SIZE 8 $14.99 |
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ELEGANT SILVER 1.75 CARAT 6-PRONG ROUND SOLITAIRE CZ ENGAGEMENT RING, SIZE 7 $14.99 |
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The Silent Auction $9.95 … |
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14 K WHITE GOLD 6 Prong Classico Classic Clarity Enhanced Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring (8, 0.30 ct. D-E/SI1-SI2(Top Color)) $875.00 Free Jewelry Box: You will receive your beautiful ring in an expensive and high quality wooden jewelry box with a shiny polished finish. Detailed Appraisal Certificate: An appraisal is an important document detailing every aspect of your ring and can be used for insurance purposes as well as for an estimation of the ring’s retail replacement value. Independent Certification on Center Diamond: … |
