Choosing A Prong Setting for Your Diamond Ring
July 16th, 2009 Subscribe To Our Feed
Claw or prong settings are the most common settings for gemstones of any description and not just diamonds; they are very popular when it comes to a setting for solitaire engagement rings and you will have undoubtedly seen them. The diamond is set into three or more prongs which form a type of open basket and then they are manipulated into shape so the ends rest against the crown and just past the diamond’s girdle (its widest part) and this then holds the stone in place in the ring.
The ends of the prongs are usually rounded though they can be worked into delicate and decorative shapes. The prong setting may be used to set the diamond on a perch high above the band in an attempt to show off the stone to best effect, or alternatively it may be short, that is, hold the diamond close to the band and your finger.
A prong setting will usually have small prongs in order to show off as much of the diamond as possible and to allow maximum amounts of light to enter the stone which will increase the sparkle and brilliance. They are usually the cheapest form of diamond setting as well because they are less complex while at the same time, they lend themselves to being cleaned much more easily.
You should ensure the prong setting is tight and the stone fits snugly; make sure none of the prongs are loose or left hanging as they will quickly snag clothing or become lose and you risk losing your diamond. The diamond itself should fit in the “basket” formed by the prongs in a straight and level fashion and not be lopsided or uneven. In addition, make sure the prongs themselves are robust enough to keep the stone in place – too thin and they will be liable to breaking or wearing away which again risks losing the diamond.
You also should be aware that prong settings expose more of the diamond; while this is great for letting in more light and showing off the actual stone it does mean less protection is provided by the setting. You have to walk a fine line between showing the diamond to its best effect but at the same time making sure it is protected and firmly held in place on the ring. The best way of assessing which setting and ring is most suitable for you is to try as many on as you can and see which are the most comfortable.
You should think about your lifestyle as well and the level of wear and tear your diamond ring will be subjected to; tall, solitaire settings are more likely to suffer damage from being caught on clothes and other objects (including children when they arrive!) than a close, short set diamond more flush with your finger. On the other side, v-shaped prongs are very good at protecting the sharp edges of a cut diamond and remember, diamond is one of the hardest substances known to man and they can cause considerable damage particularly with children and one wrong wave of your hand.
By Lawrence Reaves.com your online store source for wedding bands, diamond engagement rings and other fine diamond jewelry. Danforth Diamond gives honest advice to help you select the right engagement ring at the best price. Visit DanforthDiamond.com or call 877.404.RING
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Engagement Ring 101 for Him!
July 16th, 2009 Subscribe To Our Feed
This is strictly for helping guys pick an engagement ring for those who have allowed themselves to become ensnared by that most dangerous and ferocious of beasts; the female of our species.
I kid you not; choose an engagement ring at your own considerable, personal peril and those around you. If you want the very best advice for choosing an engagement ring it is to take a pull ring from a Coke can, go down on one knee (it used to be two but beheadings are no longer legal) and using your prosthetic engagement ring propose with that on the strict undertaking you will allow her to go choose a ring she wants for herself.
If you are still reading this we can see why you are bent on this path down to matrimonial bliss – you are obstinate, foolhardy, deaf to advice and stubbornly determined; so herewith is the font of our wisdom when it comes to YOU choosing an engagement ring for her and may God be with you!
Rule One: Look at What She wears Now
Yes we know you probably have never done this before but you need to make a start!
Look at her jewelry she owns now and particularly what she claims are her favorite pieces but a hint for you will be to assess what she wears regularly. You should not be overt about this as men taking too close an interest in jewelry tends to unnerve ladies because they are so unused to this attention plus it is a dead giveaway you are planning “something” – be careful!
Consider the types and colors of metal she likes; there is gold, silver, platinum, white gold and other variations. Does she prefer diamonds or other gemstones such as sapphires or rubies; think about the style of jewelry such as whether it is modern, bold or subdued, maybe classical or ornate.
You will also easily get her ring size by using a bar of soap and imprinting one of her rings into it!
Rule Two: Her Opinion
Be prepared for this, once you are married there are two opinions – hers and whatever opinion she gives you.
The best way to find out her opinion is to take her shopping; if this is an unknown concept to you can simply take her to one of the big shopping malls and she will automatically guide you through the process. You are looking to see what catches her eye, what she looks at most closely or tries to wear while she makes up her mind – a great way to engineer the situation is to go to a jeweler and tell her you need some help in choosing a new watch. Nature will do the rest for you as she gravitates to the good stuff on display for ladies and you can sit back and watch; if possible you may contribute by saying something vaguely intelligent but best to keep quiet.
Rule Three: Exercise Your Judgment
Now we are on very dangerous ground here not least because exercising your judgment after you have judged she is the one for you can and will get you into a lot of hot water very quickly.
You will have to judge whether a ring will look good on her hands and fingers and some tips here are if she has short fingers, go for an elongated diamond shape such as an oval or marquise which will accentuate them and they will look longer. Wide ring bands will make her fingers look shorter though if your intended has long fingers she will be able to get away with bold ring styles though delicate ring settings will look lost on large hands.
You will also have to decide on the shape and setting for your engagement ring and most women choose a round diamond above all others. This popularity may not translate to your lady and she may prefer a square cut (also known as emerald cut), oval (pear shaped) or even a cluster of stones as opposed to a solitaire. This is where her existing jewelry will guide you in making the decision.
All that can now be said is “Good Luck!” – you are going to need it!
Jill Renee - This article is provided by DanforthDiamond.com your online store source for wedding bands, diamond engagement rings and other fine diamond jewelry. Danforth Diamond gives honest advice to help you select the right engagement ring at the best price. Visit DanforthDiamond.com or call 877.404.RING
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Making the Most of Your Diamond
July 14th, 2009 Subscribe To Our Feed
Buying a diamond is expensive because they are so sought after and they are rare; if you want a diamond to look larger than it really is then there are some hints as to what to look for and you will come away with a diamond looking closer to a million dollars for your budget.
The setting, cut and shape will all influence the perceived size of the stone so let’s take a look.
Pavé Settings
A pave setting is made up of numerous small diamonds which are set side by side in rows with their surfaces level with each other and the setting and this gives the impression of a large diamond. The brilliance and sparkle of the diamonds makes it very difficult to distinguish one stone from another and this gives the illusion the diamonds used are actually larger than they are – a form of reflected glory!
Shaped Diamonds
The most popular choice for an engagement ring is a round diamond however, there are others and notably the marquise oval and pear shaped diamonds will look a lot larger in carat weight than they actually are. Generally if you choose a diamond stone which has an elongated shape you will gain the impression that it is larger than is the case.
Illusion Setting
An illusion setting is mounted on a mirror plate before it is set into the metal band; this creates internal reflection and makes the diamond sparkle and appear much more bright which in turn gives the illusion it is a larger stone.
Be aware when choosing an illusion setting as they are much more expensive to repair because they are a more complicated setting.
Bezel Setting
A bezel setting comprises of a metal rim completely encircling the diamond stone in the center; using a white metal such as platinum or white gold will accentuate the effect and make the diamond appear even larger though you should use this only with white diamonds.If you elect to use a yellow metal (let’s say gold), that will create a yellowish tint on the diamond stone and take away from it’s sparkling quality.
Watch Out For …
Side stones are frequently touted as being able to make a diamond look larger but in truth they do not; what side stones do is to add some pizzazz to the ring and give it more impact value. Using them to enhance the diamond size does not work.
Be particularly aware of shallow cut diamonds; by shallow cut we mean they are not as deep as they should be. This allows for a larger visible part of the diamond face to be set into a ring but the fire and brilliance of a diamond is directly related to the amount of internal reflection of the light which enters into it; if you cut the stone too shallow you will reduce this internal reflecting of light and the stone will look dull and lifeless in comparison.
Jill Renee - This article is provided by DanforthDiamond.com your online store source for wedding bands, diamond engagement rings and other fine diamond jewelry. Danforth Diamond gives honest advice to help you select the right engagement ring at the best price. Visit DanforthDiamond.com or call 877.404.RING
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