Prong and Bezel: A Guide to Choose the Correct Setting

“Wait for the ring; it is strong, it has a magic of might”- Edith Nesbit

Choosing a ring is quite personal. An engagement ring especially, is close to the heart, and will be worn daily. So, the mere thought of fashioning your engagement ring is itself so deep that you start feeling unfathomable emotions. From selecting the centerstone to the setting, and the metal, everything looks exciting. It’s quite the work choosing a centerstone, but once you’re done with it, you’re halfway there. The next big step is choosing a ring setting. prong and bezel are some of the popular ring settings.

Both have their own pros and cons and their own unique style. The best setting for a customer will depend on the size, cut and type of centerstone, as well as the personal style preference of its wearer. Let’s learn about both the ring settings – prong and bezel – and then you can decide which one you should choose.

Prong and Bezel Setting: The Prong Advantage

If you are confused between the prong and bezel setting, let’s first explain the prong setting first. Prongs are the most popular settings for rings. The simplest prong settings are 4 metal pins, equally sized and spaced around the centerstone. The prongs are snug to the centerstone, gripping it almost like a claw to ensure stability and prevent damage.

There are other prong styles, such as 6-prongs and knife-edge prongs, each giving a unique look to the ring. Prong settings maximize the visibility of the center stone and enhance sparkle by allowing more light to pass through. Because of this, the prongs tend to be made quite thin, but still durable. Prongs allow your centerstone to be set high for extra flair, or low, for convenience. If you want your centerstone to steal the limelight wherever you go, the prong ring setting is the one for you.

Prongs lift the center stone, helping it stand out beautifully. The prong setting allows you to easily clean around the center stone. It is a perfect choice when one is looking for their centerstone to shine brighter and stand out.

Drawbacks

The main drawback of prong settings is their X-factor, the exposure of the centerstone. If the center stone lacks durability or is larger in size, it faces a higher risk of chipping or scratching.
Even though many people have bigger gems set in prongs – it requires proper care. With prong settings, everyday wear can loosen the prongs over time, so annual stone tightening helps keep the stone secure.

Prong and Bezel Setting: The Bezel’s Charm

To pick between a prong and bezel setting, you need to have in-depth knowledge of both. A bezel setting consists of a ring of metal that completely surrounds the centerstone. The ring’s metal securely surrounds the stone, setting it low to help prevent chips and scratches.

The bezel setting is the most secure setting type, as any hit or shock to the jewelry will most likely impact on the metal around the centerstone, and not the gemstone itself.

In a bezel setting, the metal must fit tightly around the center stone to ensure proper protection. Loose settings can lead to damage or stone loss and breakage. Delicate gemstones such as emeralds and tanzanite require added precision during the setting process.

Drawbacks

The main drawback of a bezel setting lies in how low it holds the center stone. Since the metal secures the stone on all sides, less light passes through, making the center stone appear less brilliant than it truly is.
Another drawback (for some) is bezel settings look much bulkier than prong settings, but is a popular setting type amongst men’s jewelry. If you don’t want to compromise with your ring’s centerstone, the bezel ring setting is definitely not your type.

So Which is Better in Prong and Bezel?

As mentioned, both settings offer a unique appeal. It’s a personal choice, whether you want to showcase the brilliance of the stone or focus more on its safety. The metal also impacts the choice of setting. For example, a prong setting in tungsten is stronger than in platinum which is stronger than gold. You might want a bezel setting in gold but it’s not a good idea for tungsten.

At GemsNY we have a team of representatives and gemologists that can work with your preferences to find the setting that works best for you! From the classic prong and bezel ring setting to the timeless three-stone and halo ring setting, GemsNY has everything. For more information, contact us through email (info@gemsny.com) or send us a chat message on our website!