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Classic Six-Prong Solitaire

Classic Six-Prong Solitaire

Last updated:

B

78 / 100

ProductScore

$1,200
Rings First-time engagement ring shoppersOnline diamond buyers who want to inspect stonesClassic, traditional engagement ring style

Materials: 14K or 18K white, yellow, or rose gold; 6-prong setting for center diamond (diamond sold separately)

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B

The Verdict

James Allen's Classic Six-Prong Solitaire earns a B ProductScore of 78/100 — the quintessential engagement ring setting executed with solid craftsmanship and backed by the best diamond visualization technology in the industry. The 360-degree diamond viewer is genuinely game-changing for online buyers, though the ring setting itself is competent rather than exceptional.

Score Breakdown

Quality 31/40
Value 26/35
Style 21/25

What Customers Say

Based on 4,800 mentions across social media and review platforms

James Allen's solitaire settings dominate Reddit engagement ring discussions, largely because of the brand's 360-degree diamond viewing technology. Reviewers consistently praise the ability to examine diamonds in extreme detail before purchasing. The settings themselves receive moderate praise — solid quality but not exceptional. Some reviewers note the prongs can appear slightly thick compared to premium jeweler settings.

"The 360-degree diamond viewer is what sold me. Being able to spin and zoom into the actual diamond I was buying from my couch gave me more confidence than any in-store experience."

Reddit r/engagementrings

"Good setting but not amazing. The prongs are a bit thicker than what I've seen at local jewelers. It holds the diamond securely but doesn't disappear the way really refined settings do."

Reddit r/jewelry

"Ordered a 1ct round in this setting and it arrived exactly as it looked online. No surprises. The ring is classic, well-made, and my fiancée is thrilled."

Google Reviews

"Customer service was excellent during the buying process but slower for my resize request afterward. Took about 3 weeks. The ring itself is great though."

Trustpilot

"I compared James Allen settings to Blue Nile and Brilliant Earth side by side. James Allen's pricing was slightly lower and the diamond selection was larger. Setting quality was comparable across all three."

Reddit r/engagementrings

"Perfect classic engagement ring. Nothing flashy, nothing unexpected — and that's exactly what I wanted. The six-prong holds the diamond beautifully and securely."

Google Reviews

Pros & Cons

Strengths

  • + Industry-leading 360-degree diamond viewer lets you inspect every stone before buying
  • + Competitive pricing on settings, typically 10-15% below comparable traditional jewelers
  • + Six-prong design provides excellent diamond security while maximizing light exposure
  • + Available in multiple metal types and karats for full customization
  • + Free resizing and 30-day return policy reduce online buying risk

Trade-offs

  • Prongs are slightly thicker than premium jeweler settings, partially obscuring the diamond
  • Setting quality is solid but not exceptional — competent rather than artisanal
  • Post-purchase customer service can be slower than the attentive pre-sale experience
  • Setting is sold separately from the diamond, so total cost can escalate quickly

Specifications

Metal Options 14K or 18K gold (white, yellow, or rose); platinum available
Prong Style Six-prong solitaire (rounded prongs)
Band Width 2.0mm
Compatible Shapes Round brilliant (0.50ct–3.00ct)
Sizes 3–13 (half sizes available)
Warranty Lifetime manufacturing warranty; free prong tightening

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does James Allen's Classic Six-Prong include the diamond?
No. James Allen sells settings and diamonds separately, which allows you to customize the combination. The $1,200 price reflects a typical setting + diamond combination, but actual costs vary widely based on the diamond you select. Settings alone typically range from $300-600, with the diamond comprising the majority of the total price.
How does James Allen's diamond viewer compare to seeing diamonds in person?
James Allen's 360-degree Super Zoom viewer shows each diamond in 20x magnification from all angles, with real photographs — not renderings. Many reviewers report being able to identify inclusions and color variations more easily than in-store viewing. The technology is genuinely impressive and is considered the industry standard for online diamond shopping.
Is a six-prong solitaire better than four-prong?
Six prongs offer better security for the diamond — if one prong loosens, five remain to hold the stone. Four-prong settings show more of the diamond, maximizing its visual appearance. James Allen's six-prong is the safer choice for daily wear, while four-prong offers slightly more sparkle. For a round brilliant diamond, most experts recommend six prongs for the security advantage.
Can you return a James Allen engagement ring?
Yes, James Allen offers a 30-day return policy with free return shipping. You can also exchange or upgrade diamonds within 30 days. After 30 days, James Allen offers a lifetime upgrade policy where you can apply the original diamond purchase price toward a new diamond of at least double the value.

Full Review

The six-prong solitaire is the most iconic engagement ring silhouette in existence, and James Allen’s version executes the fundamentals with quiet competence. What elevates this particular offering above a generic solitaire isn’t the setting itself — it’s the revolutionary buying experience that surrounds it.

The James Allen Difference: Technology

James Allen’s 360-degree Super Zoom diamond viewer is genuinely transformative for online diamond buying. Every diamond in their inventory is photographed in extreme detail, allowing buyers to spin, zoom, and examine each stone from every angle at 20x magnification. This isn’t a gimmick — it’s the most powerful tool available for remote diamond evaluation, and it changes the calculus of buying an engagement ring online.

The ability to identify inclusions, evaluate cut quality, and compare color grades from your couch gives buyers a level of transparency that even in-store shopping often can’t match. For the Classic Six-Prong Solitaire, this means you can pair the setting with exactly the diamond you want, evaluated to your satisfaction.

The Setting Itself

The six-prong setting is well-made but not remarkable. The prongs are slightly thicker than what you’d find at a premium independent jeweler — functional and secure, but lacking the knife-edge refinement that makes high-end settings seem to disappear. The band is a standard 2.0mm width in your choice of gold or platinum, with a smooth, comfortable interior.

This is a setting that does its job reliably: hold the diamond securely, allow maximum light entry, and stay out of the way visually. It doesn’t aspire to be anything more, and there’s something respectable about that straightforwardness.

Buying Experience & Value

James Allen’s pricing is consistently competitive — typically 10-15% below comparable settings at Tiffany or independent jewelers for equivalent specifications. The free resizing, 30-day return policy, and lifetime warranty provide meaningful peace of mind for what is, for most buyers, a significant financial commitment.

Who Should Buy This

The Classic Six-Prong Solitaire is ideal for buyers who want a timeless, no-surprises engagement ring setting and want to leverage James Allen’s best-in-class diamond selection technology. If you want the most traditional ring possible with the most modern buying experience, this is your play.

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