Mrs. Carson
Faceted Stone Set

Faceted Stone Set with a Four Prong Mounting

Preview the video on mounting techniques: Fancy Cut Diamonds and Channel Setting Diamonds.

Preview the PowerPoint presentation on four prong mountings.

A prong mounting can be used to hold a faceted stone in place. There should be no metal directly beneath the center of the stone to allow light to reflect into the stone. Six prong mountings are more secure than a four prong mounting but they cover up more of the stone and therefore should be used only on very large stones.

1. Purchase a faceted stone and a matching mounting of the same size. If the stone is 5 mm then the mounting must be 5 mm also.

2. Fabricate or cast your design. Polish it carefully where the prong mounting will be soldered.

3. Solder the prong mounting in place using medium or easy solder.

4. Notch the mounting with a hart bur 1 mm from the top and being careful not to go deeper than 1/3 if the thickness of the prong.

5. Snap the stone in place and secure it with the Gem Set pliers being careful not to squeeze too hard or you will crack or shatter the stone.

6. Using the flexible shaft, grind, sand and polish the tips of the prong to 1/2 mm from the stone.

7. Use a cupping bur to round off the tips of the prongs.

8. Final polish using the flexible shaft and rouge.