Prongs

Everything You Need to Know About Prong Settings

The Hidden Halo Morgan with a 1.5 carat Round cut Diamond and The Juliet with a 1 carat Oval cut Diamond in White Gold

What is a Prong Setting?

Prong settings create a claw-like structure around the stone. And are commonly referred to as claw settings. Imagine a claw crane at the carnival—but you’ve already got the prize (and it won’t fall out.)

The prongs (or claws) cradle the stone and keep it in place with a vice-like grip. Before the stone is set, the prongs stick up vertically. And once the diamond is aligned, they are soldered securely around the stone. The prong setting is the most popular method used to set engagement rings for a number of reasons. It works on a variety of shapes and styles. It prevents the diamond from dislodging. And it allows an abundance of light to hit the diamond to maximize its’ brilliance.

Types

The Pave April with a 2 carat Round cut Diamond in Yellow Gold and The Pave Navy with a 2 carat Round cut Diamond in White Gold

Contrary to popular belief, prong settings come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They are highly versatile and can be tailored to fit your ring style, as well as your day-to-day.

Size and style

When choosing your prong setting, you should consider the shape and style. And like most things, you need to find the sweet spot between appearance and practicality. A thin setting is designed to optimize the stone’s sparkle. However if the setting is too thin, it may lack durability and break over time.

Prongs can be styled as single claws or double up for durability. In a double-prong setting, claws sit in adjacent pairs around the stone. This style makes the claws appear slimmer while providing extra security. It’s a great option to simultaneously maximize the ring’s appearance and stability. Prong settings most commonly form a V-shape where prongs join at the base. They can also be designed to form a U-shape. However, U-prongs are fragile and often advised against for active lifestyles.

The Sia with a 2 carat Oval cut Diamond in White Gold and The Chana with a 2 carat Oval cut Diamond in Rose Gold

Number

The number of prongs used to set your stone will also affect the appearance and stability of the stone. While fewer prongs allow more light to enter the stone (for world class brilliance,) a greater number of prongs will increase the stone’s security. And while, four or six prong settings are most popular—an eight-prong can be used to provide fort-knox protection.

Shape

Prong settings come in a variety of shapes to accommodate for varying needs and preferences.

The Juliet with a 1 carat Oval Diamond, The Low Profile Liberty with a 1.5 carat Pear Diamond, The Hidden Halo Morgan with a 0.5 carat Marquise Diamond

Rounded

Rounded prongs look like small dots when looking at the stone from above. They’re discreet, feminine and flawlessly showcase a dazzling diamond. They are most commonly used for engagement rings and will securely keep your stone in place.

Pointed

Pointed prongs are claw-like in appearance. They are longer than the rounded prong, but cover less of the stone. They’re a great choice for optimal brilliance and durability in a sleek, chic style. A petite claw will cover even less of the stone. But the size of the setting will impact its durability.

The Sia with a Radiant cut Diamond in White Gold

Flat

The flat prong or tab prong has a square-shaped claw. This shape allows the claw to lie flat against the stone’s surface. This offers the stone greater stability and prevents it from snagging on loose threads.

V-shape

V-shaped claws wrap around the corners of the stone. They are the perfect shape to set stones with pointed edges. They offer vulnerable edges the necessary protection with minimal invasion as they work with the shape of stone.

Tulip

Tulip prong sentences encase the diamond in a flower-shaped basket. Although the basket reduces the stone’s brilliance, the setting itself is an exquisite detail to the design of your engagement ring. It allows for maximum security with a unique and sumptuous style.

Is it a good fit for you?

The Hidden Halo Morgan with 6 prongs in White Gold

There are many advantages to a prong setting, as well as a few disadvantages. Ultimately, your choice will come down to personal preferences and lifestyle choices.

Advantages	Disadvantages
They are discreet and don’t detract from the diamond.	Thin settings could break over time.
They allow for an abundance of light to pass through for elevated fire and brilliance.	Highly set diamonds may get caught on material or bump into things.
They are relatively simple to make and cheaper than other settings.	Highly set diamonds may not serve active lifestyles.
Maintenance and cleaning routines are straightforward.	Less-secure settings could loosen over time.
Sizes, styles and shapes are customizable and versatile.	They should be inspected regularly.
The timeless design transcends trends.

How to choose

The Amora with a 3 carat Pear cut Diamond in White Gold and The Pave Liberty with a 3 carat Oval cut Diamond in Yellow Gold

There are a few things to consider when deciding which type of prong setting to choose. While many women tend to prioritize the appearance of their ring, it is imperative that the security of the stone is not dismissed. In order to do this correctly, the shape, size and cut of the diamond should be considered, as well as the lifestyle of the wearer.

The setting is a poor choice for the stone if:

The diamond doesn’t fit snugly into the claws.
The table of the stone is slanted.
The prongs are too large and overpower the stone.
The prongs are too weak and may break over time.

Conclusion and Recommendations

These are the prong settings that we would choose for varying cuts, shapes, styles and sizes:

Smaller diamonds—double prongs appear slimmer.
Larger diamonds—six or eight prongs provide security
Step cuts (square diamonds)—flat tabs compliment straight edges.
Fancy cuts (hexagon, pear or heart-shaped)—round prongs are discreet.
Split shank designs—double prongs appear slimmer
Pointed cuts (marquise, pear or princess)—v-shaped prong protects points.
Multiple small diamonds—shared prongs avoid using excess metal.

We’re almost certain that there’s a perfect prong setting to complement your diamond. All you need to do is find that sweet spot between stability and sparkle to match your stone and lifestyle needs.

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