What wire gauge should I be using for prongs on various sized stones?

Jewelry Discussion
1

Hello! I have some projects where I am doing applied- prong settings. They aren’t full baskets, but I have some kind of seat carved in the piece and add prongs to hold the stone down. Obviously the bigger the stone the bigger the prong, but with some of my smallest stones I’m not confident the wire gauge is thick enough. For example, 22gauge on a 4mm stone (5 prongs) looks good but I’m scared the gold is so soft and thin!

Is there any relative guideline?

2

More to point- how tiny is too tiny?

3

Can you post a picture of your setting? I think it’d be easier to answer the question if we could see what you’re talking about.

Thanks!

Jeff