Choosing a Ring Prong Setting

Gold, platinum and silver rings offer variety different settings. Before you go out and buy an engagement ring, wedding ring or other ring, take a look at this brief guide to the various ring prong settings that are currently available.

Engagement Ring Settings

The prong setting, also called a claw setting, is the most commonly used setting.

The prong setting is especially popular for solitaire engagement rings. The diamond or other gem is inserted into three or more metal prongs forming a basket-like base. Then the prong ends are bent over so they rest against the crown, just past the stone’s girdle, holding it snugly in place.

Visible prong ends are often rounded, but they can be shaped into ovals, points, V-shapes, left flat or even formed into decorative shapes. The prong setting can be tall, perching the diamond above the ring band. Likewise, it can also be short, with the stone resting closer to finger.

Prong Setting Benefits and Disadvantages

Prongs are tiny, so more of stone is visible. Furthermore, prong settings are easy and quick to make and they are usually less expensive than more intricate settings. Finally, stones set in prongs are usually easier to clean.

There are some drawbacks to a prong setting that you should be aware of. The girdle area of the gemstone is not covered and prongs offer less protection for stone than other, more enclosed settings. On top of this, prongs can snag clothing and other items they come in contact with.

Evaluating Prong Settings

If you are going to buy a ring with a prong setting then you should carefully consider some the following points:

1. Make sure that the gemstone is held snugly, and does not wobble.

2. The prongs should be formed so that the stone sits at even height and is not up or down on any side.

3. Very thin or flat prongs will eventually break or wear away, putting the gemstone at risk.

4. Hooked prongs or prong ends that form an open loop before they touch the stone, will open up in time.

5. Short prongs, which provide enough contact with the gemstone, won’t hold it safely in place and can catch on to clothing and other items.

6. Large prongs may overpower gemstone, making the setting less attractive.

7. If you have or plan to have children, you wouldn’t want to wear a tall, narrow setting that could scratch or puncture delicate skin.

Finally, a professional jeweler may have diagrams that help you to visualize these and other types of prongs. Ask your jeweler if he or she has prong diagrams.

You should also be aware that prongs may need to be repaired over time.

Ask your jeweler to show you several prong settings and ask for advice on the safety and durability of each.

Trying many rings is best way to discover how different settings feel and look.

About the Author

Lewis Jewelers is proud to carry the full line of
Pandora Jewelry
. Pandora bracelets, Pandora charms and Pandora beads are only a part of the collection. For more information, Lewis Jewelers, 2000 West Stadium Blvd., Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48103, 877-88-LEWIS or visit the website.

Glass Jewelry genuine Murano Glass made in italy – www.murrinashop.com

Pandora Charm Bracelets Are The New Black!

Have you noticed that Pandora charm bracelets are the new black? Everywhere I look I see women of all ages with charm bracelets rattling around on their wrists. The new style of charms are threaded onto a solid chain and are very different to the charm bracelets that were around when I was a girl. Back then each charm was attached to a link of a chain, with links large enough to fit another link through. Beautiful to look at but hazardous to wear! Often your charms would become entangled in your hair or your clothing or worse still someone elses hair or clothing!

The modern Pandora charm bracelet also lets you choose from many more types of charms than has ever been available in the past. For example, if you would like to give the gift of a Pandora charm to symbolize your love for someone, you would be able to choose from several different designs. There is the Pandora hanging heart, the Pandora everlasting heart, the Pandora solid heart, the Pandora love bouquet, the Pandora I love you cube with gold heart, the Pandora silver and 14k gold love and hugs bead, just to name a few. The best way to see what is available is to go online. There are many authorised sellers of authentic Pandora charms online. It is now a fact that you can save money by buying your Pandora charms online. Authorised Pandora stockist sell their product for exactly the same as traditional retailers and often provide free shipping. This means you actually save time and money by not driving to the shopping centre or paying for parking while you shop for your charm. Online orders are delivered straight to your door. What service!

With all these new Pandora charms entering our jewelry boxes there is bound to be some that are gifted to us that will not be our favourites. Pandora charm bracelets also fill up eventually and we might want to create some room for a new release charm you simply must have. What to do? Trade Your Charms is a new listing site where you can sell your authentic, preloved Pandora charms and other authentic pieces of jewelry. Launched in November 2009, Trade Your Charms is an exciting new option where high end jewelry can be viewed without lots of low end fakes all around. Be expecially careful of the wording used on sites such as ebay. If it reads “4 Pandora” or “fits Pandora”, it will most certainly be a fake. Authentic Pandora beads and charms are hallmarked and have certain markings to identify their authenticity. Don’t be fooled by cheap imitiations. If it looks too good to be true, it probably is.

About the Author

Our online business is www.tradeyourcharms.com Launched in November 2009, Trade Your Charms is a new listing site for pre-loved, authentic charms and jewellery. You can send your friends an ecard for free. You can also join “Our Charming Community” for lots of info & interesting facts.

Tips To Help You Get Sterling Silver Charm Bracelets

The first thing that you need to determine when buying sterling silver charm bracelets is the authenticity of the sterling silver. Sterling silver is a silver alloy which has 92.5% weight of silver, and 7.5% weight of other metals such as copper. The genuine sterling silver standard has a minimum of 925 millesimal fineness. Charm bracelets are worn around your wrist. The bracelets have charms, which come in many styles, shapes, designs and colors. Depending on your choice, the charms chosen, however, have significant meaning to the life of the wearer. There are three types of charm bracelets. Dangling charm bracelets are the traditional type, mainly because the charms carry the traditional motif. The base of dangling bracelet is made of interlocking links. Besides sterling silver, other expensive materials—such as white gold, yellow gold and stainless steel—are often used to make these dangling charm bracelets. The charms are attached together to the links of the bracelets that, when worn, the charms dangle along your wrist. The motif for dangling charms can be initials, birthstones, engrave hearts, or anything else that is significant for you. There are also baby booty charms of different design and styles. Many children’s jewelry is either gold charm bracelets or sterling silver charm bracelets. Children’s charm bracelets use links that can be adjusted as children grow. The charms too can be personalized to match the personality and interests of children. Children become attached to their bracelet, and this sets the stage for their use of bracelets for the rest of their lives. Another type of charm bracelet is Italian. Italian charm bracelets are designed in such a way that their charms are interlocked with each other to form a wrist band. The charms are modular and flat; and attached on the surface of the link with a soldering gun and solder. The motifs for Italian charms are musical, religious symbols, cartoon characters, a nation’s flag, national leaf, or national hero. In a traditional dangling charm bracelet, the charms are fixed on the chain. However, in Italian bracelet, the charms can be interchanged to fit your fashion style. The last type of charm bracelet is the Pandora. Also known as European, Pandora’s sterling silver charm bracelets are the latest addition to charm jewelry. Its design and style are a product of technology with its beads as the charms. The beads are snapped-on around the bracelet, which resembles a rope. The charms are also interchangeable. Besides knowing the types of a bracelet for charms, it is also important to know its purpose. You can buy charm jewelry as a present for birthday, wedding anniversary, thanksgiving, and graduation. If you have a best friend or good friends, you all can wear a uniform sterling silver charm bracelet to symbolize or celebrate your friendship. New born babies receive their first present from their parents in the form of a charm bracelet, whether yellow gold or white gold. Even if you have no particular reason to buy charm bracelet, having it for fashion and beauty can a wise decision. In North America, online or brick and mortar stores offer the chance to customize your own design for charm bracelets. Members of organizations and clubs wear uniform charm bracelet as their trademark. Other personal groups have their members wear bracelets with initials as their charms. If you are married or engaged, you and your partner may find it romantic to have your initials or names engraved on a sterling silver charm bracelet as a symbol of your commitment and love.
About the Author

Visit http://www.sterlingsilvercharm-bracelets.com now, to learn about charms. Our site gives you tips on buying silver bracelets. Do you know how to pick a charm silver bracelet? Find out the important things in choosing your bracelet. Drop by at
Sterling silver bracelet charm
and discover tips to finding the best silver bracelet.

Chamilia Jewelry