Solitaire rings can be
simple yet very different most of the time. However when a client says
"I want a classic 4 prong design, but i want it different", this always
ends up as more of a challenge than bombastic organic designs.
There is only so much that can be done in a classic ring. Let's take a look at what makes a Classic Solitaire.
Most of the time we can dissect a classic 4 prong ring into 3 sections:
1. Prongs: These come in various sizes, shapes and orientations. Most of
the time the classic ones would look as simple as this.
Customization:
Small or Large?
Small
prongs allow more visibility to the diamond, however the trade-off is
the security of the diamond naturally. Clients usually ask us to go as
small as possible, to a point where security is not affected. Prongs
that are too large may look too bulky and cover up too much of the
diamond. However, provides high security for the diamond.
Single or Double?This is not entirely aesthetic. Double
prongs provide higher security for the diamond, the trade-off once again
is that it does cover up more of the diamond. However, specific diamond
shapes such as cushions or radiants flush well with double prongs.
Double Prongs are not easy tasks for craftsmen, and average skilled ones
would end up creating more of a hideous concoction.
Color?
There is always cases where some clients want to
play with color within their ring, changing some parts to rose gold or
yellow, just to create that extra "oomph". However, it may sometimes
look too "forced" and result in a ring design that may be attracting the
wrong attention. Another consideration is such: Rose gold and Yellow
gold prongs may cause the color to "leak" into the diamond and cause
certain parts of the diamond to appear "reddish brown" if rose gold, or
"yellowish" if yellow gold prongs are set. Hence, when purchasing a high
colored diamond, we always try to recommend not doing this.
2.Tray: The tray adds as a security bench, allowing the diamond to
not simply "drop" and wriggle out if ever the prongs loosen over time.
This also provides aesthetic beauty!
As I make more entries in my
blog, you will notice we do alot of "play" with the tray customization.
Reason being is that this portion is not visible from face up, which
retains the overall simple classic look of a solitaire ring when viewed
from the face of the diamond. However, take a 90 degree turn and you'd
notice something special, a tray different from your usual straight
prong to prong trays in all classic 4 prong rings.
Design and Color of tray?
Simply because our diamonds do
not leak light, we have all possibilities to play around with the color
of the tray, be it rose/yellow gold. The center diamond would not pick
up these reflections because light enters and and goes out fully with
all our super ideal ranged diamonds. Design is of course, up to each
individual client, we have done really funky stuff with this portion of
the ring! From symbols to alphabets to old European vintage filigrees,
the options are limitless. Ultimately, when viewing the finished ring
from the top view, this still retains the classic - 4 prong look. And
the tray reveals a personal design.
Let's Take a look at one of our projects, and we decided to play around with the tray.
Diamond: JP Super Ideal Hearts and Arrrows 57 facets
After the CAD was approved, we went ahead with the WAX model. This is to allow us to check for potential problems that may occur in the future in the ring such as; prongs being too small, weak attachments that may compromise the durability of the ring and the comfort level as well!
Here is the final ring!
