prong set·ting | ˈprȯŋ se-tiŋ
noun
A gemstone held in place by small, finger-like wires, that are attached to the body of the ring, which bend over the edges of the stone
A prong setting is one used to hold a gemstone in place with small finger-like wires that are attached to the body of the ring. These wires are bent around the edges of the stone in such a way to hold it in place, but to minimize the amount of metal showing on the stone. This type of setting is part of the head, a binding that is designed to solder to the ring and hold the stone as firmly as possible. A prong setting is the most common for engagement rings and is designed specifically to maximize the amount of light to which the stone is exposed, to ensure maximum brilliance. The prong is made from a precious metal and can come in a number of shapes and sizes depending on the type of head used on the ring.
