Features of Platinum Prong Settings

The setting was the last one in stock and was originally made for a much smaller diamond. However, the sales associate promised the ring would be ready later that day, and persuaded the in-store bench jeweler to set the larger diamond in the small setting.

To accommodate the quick turnaround and larger diamond, the jeweler was forced to alter the setting by pushing the prongs outward

A gallery provides enhanced stability. This setting has no gallery wire, allowing potential prong movement and increasing the risk of stone loss.

This diamond is set in a too-small setting. Because the prongs were spread, very little metal was left for setting.

Spreading the prongs too far weakened their structure. They are now vulnerable to being bent farther outward, resulting in stone loss.

Prong contact over the crown was minimized. This setting is vulnerable to stone loss.

Platinum alloys are more malleable and are not as hard as nickel-based white gold alloys with similar amounts of base metal. One of platinum’s many positive attributes is its malleability. When formed or bent, it does not spring back like white gold.

When die-struck settings are soldered onto a ring, the process typically results in the annealing of the prong metal, making them more malleable and easier to move

The prongs were set with baguettes, which required them to be hollowed. Most of the structural support had to be removed, compromising stone security.

A minimal amount of metal was used in the setting and ring mounting

The prong angle is steep, making the prongs more vulnerable to bending outward during normal wear

During the first hours of normal wear, the ring was struck from above and the 22.50 carat center diamond was LOST! It did not take a great deal of impact or prong movement to cause the setting to open and the diamond to fall out.

The impact forced the diamond downward, which in turn pushed the prongs outward, releasing the diamond. Inadequate prong contact contributed to the loss of the stone.

The low-level gallery provided little support

Platinum prongs have no memory, meaning they will not spring back when bent. No metal memory is highly desirable for prongs with proper dimensions, as the lack of spring-back increases stone security.

Steep angles made the prongs vulnerable to bending outward. Additionally, all prongs were hollowed to accommodate the baguettes that were set in them, further weakening the structure.

This illustration depicts parameters for a secure setting. The prong contact is 25%, and the prong angle is 62 degrees. The upper gallery provides sufficient structural support for the prongs.