What color prongs / claws should I have ?

What color Prongs / Claws should I have and why do I see different color golds being used. What’s best for my diamond?

A lot of careful selection and time goes into purchasing your engagement ring or wedding band, but very little is considerable when selecting the color of prongs / claws.  A vast majority of engagement rings on the market today are sold with white colored prongs or claws regardless of the metal used to make the rest of your ring. Good jewelers will advise you on the appropriate color and metal to select if you are having something custom made. Whereas when you are purchasing a pre-fabricated ring the decision was already been chosen for you.  Quite often incorrectly.

White Gold or Platinum prongs / claws are and have been predominantly used by jewelers for hundreds of years.  What’s best then? Well some metals are different in hardness and wear quite differently to everyday bumps and knocks.  Let’s look at your dream ring, what color metal would you like? “I only wear Yellow Gold” I hear you say! Well read a little more below to why different metals are utilized.

Ok, now let’s look at the diamond or Gemstone you have selected. Is your stone white/colorless or nearly colorless (D – I) or tending into the yellow tones (J – P).  I would suggest to have your prongs / claws in White Gold or Platinum with higher colors of D – I and Yellow Gold prongs / claws with lower grade colors between J – P assisting the yellow tinting to show itself off.

White Gold Prongs / Claws

White golds would be the most common material utilized for making prongs, even when the rest of the ring is made of yellow gold.  Some rings having the base structure of their setting in yellow gold.  This reasonably affordable metal is bright, hard wearing, has a strong tensile strength when bumped and will complement diamonds that are white, colorless or nearly colorless in the color range of D – I.

Pictured right is a gorgeous pear shaped diamond set with White Gold Prongs from James Allen.

 

Platinum Prongs / Claws

Which is also widely using in setting is a very durable precious metal, it wears down considerably less than Yellow Golds and less that White Golds, making it an ideal metal for fine prongs / claws.  It’s also worth mentioning that whilst Platinum is hard wearing it is also a softer metal when pushed and prodded. Regular checks will help ensure your diamond is secure.

Between the two white metals mentioned, Platinum is significantly more expensive and has a tendency to dull off rather quickly compared to the cheaper White Golds, as well complementing diamonds that have been certified as colorless or near colorless in the color range of D – I.

This classic yet stylish ring from ‘Whiteflash Diamonds’ is a great example of an all Platinum band and prong set up. 18k White Gold Vatche 119 Royal Crown Solitaire Engagement Ring

 Something to consider? well that’s up to you.. It’s your choice.

 

Yellow Gold Prongs / Claws

Yellow Golds are commonly used by jewelers worldwide, either to enhance the diamond or colored gemstone. Although a soft metal, it stays bright and when looked after can give you years of trouble free wear. Diamonds certified with colors between J – P or also known as ‘CAPE’ can really be enhanced by Yellow Golds. Brian Gavin Diamonds has dedicated a large selection of finely cut Yellow or Tinted diamonds in his CAPE SERIES. Click here to read more from Brian. “The Brian Gavin Cape Diamond Collection”

If selecting Yellow Gold as your setting metal then I’d suggest wider, double prongs or even setting with full of half bezels will help ensure your diamond / gemstone is secure for longer. Now I’ve said that, we should consider your lifestyle and how rough you are likely to be.  White Golds are far more durable than Yellow Golds.

This gorgeous ring on the right from Leibish & Co utilizes a Yellow Gold 4 prong setting holding and enhancing the fancy intense yellow cut diamond.

 

Rose Gold Prongs / Claws

Rose Golds have made a vast climb into the jewellery industry with the setting of Pink Diamonds, Orange Diamonds, Cognac and even Black Diamonds. You would have to agree that Rose gold prongs really enhance the Pink Diamonds color.  It too is a softer metal than it’s white gold brother, but it does have the advantage over Yellow Gold with more copper alloy making it slightly tougher.

Pictured right from Leibish & Co is a Platinum ring set with an ‘Argyle’ pink diamond utilizing ‘Rose Gold’ prongs to enhance the stunning pinkish color. Using white Platinum claws here would not have done anything to enhance the beauty of that diamond. Argyle Pink & Greenish Yellow Diamond Cross-over Halo Ring

 

 

Require help in choosing your ring? click her

The same principles apply with pendants and necklaces, this Black and white Diamond Snowflake by Me SurfSnow Australia

is stunning with all white claws giving the piece an ‘icy’ yet sophisticated brilliance.