search
  • Sign In
    Sign Up
  • English speaking customer support only

    1-800-464-1640

  • Change Language
  • USD
By Gavin Clarke Reviewed By Andreas Zabczyk Aug 09, 2008 Updated Jul 18, 2018

Prong Vs. Bezel Settings

Bezel-Set Amethysts
Bezel-Set Amethysts

The two most common ways of mounting a large single gemstone are the prong (also called claw) setting and the bezel setting. These two popular settings are used in earrings and pendants as well as rings.

In a prong (claw) setting there are typically three or more pieces of metal raised above the base of the setting, which bend slightly over the stone to hold it in place. Usually the prongs are notched so that the girdle of the gemstone sits firmly in the prong. In a bezel setting a piece of metal partially or completely surrounds the stone to hold it in place.

Classic Tiffany 4-Prong Setting
Classic Tiffany 4-Prong Setting

Both types of setting have their advantages and disadvantages. The main advantage of the bezel setting is that it is very protective of the gemstone, and this is particularly important with some stones that have become popular due to their lesser hardness. Gems such as opal, sphene, chrome diopside, turquoise, apatite and fluorite have a hardness score of less than 7 on the Mohs scale, meaning they can be scratched fairly easily. Bezel settings help to protect these softer stones, particularly if they are set in rings.

Another advantage of the bezel setting is that a well-designed precious metal bezel can be extremely attractive.

The main disadvantage of bezel settings is that they are typically more expensive. This type of setting requires more metal, and the setting usually has to be custom-made to properly fit the gemstone. A bezel also covers more of the gemstone. This is not so much of an issue with opaque stones like most cabochons, but it may affect the amount of light that reaches a transparent stone. Some designs address this issue with bezels that that don't completely surround the stone. The height of the bezel is also an important factor; a lower bezel will expose more of the stone.

8-Prong Sapphire Diamond Setting
8-Prong Sapphire Diamond Setting

Prong settings provide optimal exposure for the gem. This is both an advantage and a disadvantage. It lets more light reach the stone and often makes the gemstone look larger by raising it from the band, as in the classic Tiffany setting. But it also exposes the gem to knocks and bumps. Prong settings need to be checked frequently to ensure that none of the claws are loose or broken. Losing a claw can mean losing a valuable gem.

Though prongs are often unobtrusive, different designs can enhance the setting. Prongs come in many different shapes, and there are special ones to hold the sharp points of a marquise or pear-shaped gem. The most common prong settings use 4, 6 or even 8 prongs. The greater the number of prongs, the more secure the setting. The quality of the setting is also extremely important. A well-constructed prong setting will last for many years.

STAY IN TOUCH
*You're signing up to receive GemSelect promotional email.
Partners and Trust Payment options

Switch to Mobile Version

Privacy Notice © 2005-2023 GemSelect.com all rights reserved.

Reproduction (text or graphics) without the express written consent of GemSelect.com (SETT Company Ltd.) is strictly prohibited.

611

More Shapes
Popular Gemstones
  • Sapphire
  • Emerald
  • Ruby
  • Aquamarine
  • Zircon
  • Opal
  • Topaz
  • Tourmaline
  • Garnet
  • Amethyst
  • Citrine
  • Tanzanite
All Gemstones (146)
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T V Z
  • Actinolite Cat's Eye
  • Agate
  • Agate Geode
  • Almandine Garnet
  • Amazonite
  • Amethyst
  • Amethyst Geode Slice
  • Ametrine
  • Ammolite
  • Andalusite
  • Andesine Labradorite
  • Apatite
  • Aquamarine
  • Aventurine
  • Azotic Topaz
  • Azurite
  • Black Opal
  • Bloodstone
  • Boulder Opal
  • Carnelian
  • Cat's Eye Apatite
  • Cat's Eye Aquamarine
  • Cat's Eye Gemstones
  • Cat's Eye Moonstone
  • Cat's Eye Opal
  • Cat's Eye Scapolite
  • Chalcedony
  • Charoite
  • Chocolate Opal
  • Chrome Diopside
  • Chrysoberyl
  • Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye
  • Chrysocolla
  • Chrysoprase
  • Citrine
  • Color Change Gemstones
  • Color-Change Diaspore
  • Color-Change Fluorite
  • Color-Change Garnet
  • Coral
  • Demantoid Garnet
  • Dendritic Agate
  • Diamond
  • Druzy Amethyst
  • Druzy Azurite
  • Druzy Citrine
  • Druzy Variscite
  • Emerald
  • Enstatite
  • Fire Agate
  • Fire Opal
  • Fluorite
  • Fossil Coral
  • Garnet
  • Golden Beryl
  • Grandidierite
  • Grossularite Garnet
  • Hawk's Eye
  • Hematite
  • Hemimorphite
  • Hemimorphite Druzy
  • Hessonite Garnet
  • Howlite
  • Idocrase
  • Imperial Topaz
  • Iolite
  • Jade Gemstones
  • Jadeite
  • Jasper
  • Kornerupine
  • Kunzite
  • Kyanite
  • Labradorite
  • Lapis Lazuli
  • Larimar
  • Malachite
  • Malaya Garnet
  • Mali Garnet
  • Maw-Sit-Sit
  • Moonstone
  • Morganite
  • Mother Of Pearl
  • Mystic Quartz
  • Mystic Topaz
  • Nuummite
  • Obsidian
  • Onyx
  • Opal
  • Opal Doublet
  • Opal In Matrix
  • Pearl
  • Peridot
  • Pietersite
  • Prehnite
  • Psilomelane Dendrite
  • Pyrite
  • Pyrope Garnet
  • Quartz
  • Quartz Cat's Eye
  • Quartz With Hedenbergite
  • Quartz With Marcasite
  • Rainbow Moonstone
  • Rainbow Pyrite
  • Rhodochrosite
  • Rhodolite Garnet
  • Rhodonite
  • Rose Quartz
  • Rubellite Tourmaline
  • Ruby
  • Ruby In Fuchsite
  • Ruby-Zoisite
  • Rutile Quartz
  • Sapphire
  • Scapolite
  • Scolecite
  • Seraphinite
  • Serpentine
  • Sillimanite
  • Sillimanite Cat's Eye
  • Smithsonite
  • Smoky Quartz
  • Snowflake Obsidian
  • Sodalite
  • Spectrolite
  • Spessartite Garnet
  • Sphalerite
  • Sphene
  • Spinel
  • Star Diopside
  • Star Garnet
  • Star Gemstones
  • Star Moonstone
  • Star Rose Quartz
  • Star Ruby
  • Star Sapphire
  • Strawberry Quartz
  • Sunstone
  • Tanzanite
  • Tiger's Eye
  • Tiger's Eye Matrix
  • Topaz
  • Tourmaline
  • Tsavorite Garnet
  • Turquoise
  • Variscite
  • Zircon
Main Categories
  • New Arrivals
  • Gemstone Lots
  • Calibrated Gemstones
  • Gemstones By Piece
  • Top Grade Gems
  • Matching Pairs
  • Cabochon Gemstones
  • Drilled Gems, Briolettes and Beads
  • Birthstones
  • Gemstone Carvings
  • Fancy Gemstones
  • Star Gemstones
  • Unheated Sapphire
English speaking customer support only

Toll Free - USA & Canada only:
1-800-464-1640

International:
+66-39609697

Save Money
No shipping Fees for Additional Items!
$8.90 Worldwide Shipping

Update Translation
 
Current Value
New Value
GemSelect Gemstones
X Close Window
Colored Gemstones
X Close Window
Colored Gemstones
X Close Window
Colored Gemstones
Size and Weight

Gems are always measured in Millimeter (mm)

Dimensions are given as;
length x width x depth,
except for round stones which are;
diameter x depth

Select gems by size, not by weight!
Gem varieties vary in density, so carat weight is not a good indication of size

Note: 1ct = 0.2g

Size Comparison Chart