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Altering DeBeers Setting?

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anny_n_austy

Rough_Rock
Joined
Apr 29, 2012
Messages
25
Just floating this idea out there...
I inherited a De Beers engagement ring and wedding band from my grandmother. It's the De Beers Classic RB with tapered baguettes and three baguette wedding band (both in platinum). Anyway, as beautiful and lovely as it is, it's not quite my style, and the stone is a little smaller than I would like (in the .75 carat range). I know many of you will think I'm crazy, but do you know if it's possible to have the stone removed (to give back to my mom to use for her own jewelry) and replace it with a pear? I'm not sure the way the setting is made if this is possible because I think it's all one solid piece of platinum. On the other hand, could a halo be added to the original stone and setting? (Although that might look strange anyway). I would just take it into a jewelers but it's in the safety deposit box back in FL and I live in NY, so it will be a few weeks before I can pick it up.
Thoughts?
 
Can you post a photo for a better opinion? I'd say it should be possible to change out the diamond - lots of people do....- but put up a pic and we'll have a better idea.
 
Unless there is something unusual from a profile shot, a bench could unset those prongs simply enough. How much larger of a diamond are you considering upgrading to? You'd want a bench to advise you whether the head can be removed and replaced or not (can't tell from the face on shot you've provided).
 
I was actually thinking about a 1.2 - 1.5 carat pear shape... Would that be a problem do you think?
Thanks so much for your advice!!
 
Doubling the size could potentially be a problem I think. I'm not an expert on this stuff by any means but I think that you will find that it won't be cost productive to remake the ring unless it's for sentimental reasons. Have you considered having the metal melted down and making a new ring using the old metal?
 
I think you are going to have to get it from the safety deposit box in FLA and have a bench look at it to decide. That is a big change... what about sending it to one of the PS vendors to get their opinion? Would you consider getting their opinion? If you are in NY - are you near NYC that you could check out some of the people there??

Send an email to a few vendors, once you have it and can take photos of the actual ring, and see what they think. Wish I could be more helpful than that....
 
I really appreciate all of your advice. I figured this big of a change might not be feasible, but you're right, I definitely just need to take it in to a vendor to examine in person. I'm near the city and have begun using GOG to find a new stone - perhaps I could have them look at this setting as well. It's still possible that I will just do something different altogether (have a new setting made), but I figured if I could save some money on the setting, it might be worth looking into further. We'll see! Fortunately, we have a few months before planning to be engaged, so we can go back and forth a little before making a final decision.
 
GOG - well, I'd just go ahead and contact them now by phone and run the idea by them. Do you have any photos of the ring? Can anyone access it at the Florida location and either photograph it or ship it to you (insured, of course!!) and then you can see it again and decide if remaking it is even something you'd want to do.

I have no history at all with GOG but I sure admire the work they've done for tons of PSers - they seem to be able to make anything work, so I'd feel pretty good about that remaining a viable option - and you could have them source out a pear that would be perfect for your setting!! Very exciting!!!

If you call them just as a research step, be sure to post the update here. My guess is, they'd have to see it (or a photo of it) to be able to let you know what can be done.
 
I'm very excited at all the prospects here! I'm going back to visit family in FL at the end of this month (May 26), so I plan to at least look at the ring then, and if I'm still interested in having it remade or somehow reworked after seeing it in person, I will definitely take it in to GOG upon my return. I'll update this thread as things develop :)
 
I've just recently seen some of the custom work that GOG is doing and it looks fabulous! I think that I would reach out to several vendors as well, because each will have an different and unique perspective on what can be done and I'm sure ideas that you haven't even yet considered. Can't wait to here how it all turns out. Having such a sentimental piece is so special! =)
 
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