Setting Types
Prong Set
Prong set is what you most commonly see a center stone set in. These prong are larger than both Micro Pavé and Pavé. Unless one or two prongs are getting low, or the piece is hit against something, there are very few issues with stones falling out.
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This is often the ideal setting type to show off and highlight a stone.
Micro Pave
Is a technique of setting small stones usually there are multiple rows and can be used to fill in spaces. These settings are only possible using high magnification.
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Micro Pavé set diamonds are held in by microscopic prongs (many of which are around .33 of a millimeter). While this is a beautiful and popular look it can also be very high maintenance.
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When we work on or even clean this style of jewelry we plan for at least a few to fall out, which in turn can make the repair more expensive. 70-90% of rings we are seeing right now have either micro pave or pave sections to them.
Pave
Pavé set is similar to Micro Pavé with the stones and prongs being slightly larger.
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While they are a little easier to work with, they still have many of the outcomes and maintenance that a Micro Pavé set style does.
Hand set Pavé style is usually more durable.
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70-90% of rings we are seeing right now have either micro pave or pave sections to them.
Bezel
A bezel is a type of setting in where a rim of metal surrounds a stone to and holds it in place.
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There are good an bad to bezel settings, they can give more protection to the stone but they also cover the edge making it appear smaller.
Channel Set
Channel Set is basically two solid bars that hold the diamonds in between. There are very few problems with this type of setting.
Stones can loosen but are usually caught before they are lost.
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Channel Set is not the same as invisible set.
Invisible Set & Tension Set
Invisible Set is when there is a channel around the outside of the stones but no prongs holding the multiple rows in. There is usually a very small cut out in each of the stones that link them together. This type of setting can create some beautiful and very unique pieces.
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Because tension is what is keeping the stones in place, any sizing or even cleaning can result in the stones falling out in a Tension Set style.
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Invisible and tension setting is a job in and around itself and is extremely difficult. There are very few jewelers that work with them. Repairs on these pieces can be very costly.
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Hitting an invisible or tension set item against something just right can also make a stone(s) fall out. At times people are completely unaware that they have done anything to cause a stone to fall out.
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*We do not guarantee any work on invisible set items. We recommend returning the item to the original vendor, as this type of setting is extremely difficult to work with and can be very expensive to repair.