Six Prong Moissanite Solitaire Ring, 0.5ct to 10ct

Six prongs instead of four is a quiet but real upgrade. The extra claws spread the pressure around the stone so no single point carries the load, which is why six prong settings are standard on larger centre stones. They also push the stone slightly higher off the band, letting more light enter from the sides and come back out of the table. A higher setting also makes the stone easier to clean, because soap and water can reach the underside.

The centre is D colour VVS moissanite and arrives GRA certified, so the grading is documented rather than claimed. D is the top of the colourless scale and VVS means inclusions are hard to find even under magnification. On a solitaire, where there is nothing else on the band to distract the eye, that grading is doing most of the work.

The size range is unusually wide. At 5mm and half a carat this is a delicate everyday band. At 6.5mm and a full carat it is a classic engagement proportion. The 8mm two carat and 9mm three carat are the most requested. The 11mm five carat and 14mm ten carat are statement stones and need a confident hand to carry them. Sizes 4 to 12 in half steps, in white, yellow or rose gold over 925 silver. Moissanite has a refractive index of about 2.65, so the fire is strong even at the half carat end.

• Stone: D VVS moissanite, GRA certified
• Sizes: 0.5ct 5mm, 1ct 6.5mm, 2ct 8mm, 3ct 9mm, 5ct 11mm, 10ct 14mm
• Metal: 925 sterling silver
• Finish: white gold, yellow gold or rose gold
• Ring sizes: 4 to 12, half sizes available
• Setting: six prong raised solitaire