Are there stone size restrictions on Tension Settings?

[rorn]

Hi there,

I would like to get a 1 carat princess for my girlfriend in a tension setting. However, her finger is a 3.5 and one of the jewellers said it may be difficult to impossible. Is this true?

Rorn

 

[MissAva]

I honestly dont know however you may want to try asking the designer of the setting you are looking at. It may depend on the actual setting you are looking at.

 

[PhillipSchmidt]

Can''t see why there will be a problem. Not a particulary easy sizing job. If the jeweller selling the ring resises his rings for free, then I''ll bet it would eat away at his margin.

To cut the size out you will end up with two pieces. The two halfs need to be rejoined. The metal will have softened with the heat unless a laser welder is used, even so there is still more to do.

Because the metal is now soft it will need to have been sized a bit smaller and hammered up to the desired size. The hammering should harden the metal enough to make the ring secure again.

Then the diamond will have to be re-set.

Hope this helps,

Phillip

 

[valeria101]

Never heard of this... someone else should be able to do it.

 

[denverappraiser]

Date: 6/14/2005 4:47:43 AM
Author: Platinumsmith
Can't see why there will be a problem. Not a particulary easy sizing job. If the jeweller selling the ring resises his rings for free, then I'll bet it would eat away at his margin.

To cut the size out you will end up with two pieces. The two halfs need to be rejoined. The metal will have softened with the heat unless a laser welder is used, even so there is still more to do.

Because the metal is now soft it will need to have been sized a bit smaller and hammered up to the desired size. The hammering should harden the metal enough to make the ring secure again.

Then the diamond will have to be re-set.

Hope this helps,

Phillip

There are several companies that make tension mountings and every one I know of would immediately void the warranty if you do this. Mind you, the process is basically correct but you should be using the ring manufacturer for this job, not a local smith (unless they are the manufacturer of course). They are all quite good about supporting their dealers with this sort of service although sometimes there is a fee. In the case of a new purchase, they will probably simply make the ring in the proper size to start with.

In answer to your question. Difficult? Yes, sort of. Impossible? Probably not. Ask the manufacturer.

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ISA NAJA
Independent Appraisals in Denver

 

[Upgradable]

Have you seen this ring from our very own Platinumsmith?

 

[Ski_Bum]

Check out the Gelin & Abacci settings:
http://www.mickyroof.com/tension-settings.shtml
(the site appears to be down right now)

I just went through a similiar purchase. My girlfriend has a 4.5 ring finger, and most of the rings looked huge on her. That size wasn't listed as being availible in most of the rings(they went to a 5), but the jeweler contacted G&A and ensured it could be done. We choose a GA 007 tension set with a .9C diamond. Each setting has a maximum caret size, we chose just 1 as it fits and is protected (won't snag) by the setting.

The other design we were looking at, I think it was 169, only took up to a .8, but even that looked really good on a small finger.

 

[norman_in_L.A.]

Hi Rorn:

It won't be difficult or impossible. When you pick out the mounting ask the salesperson for a Special Order. Have the ring cast for your girlfriend in size 3 1/2. If you can buy the mounting in size 3 1/2 then it will not need to be cut or sized by a jeweler. First have your girlfriends finger resized to make sure that it is a size 3 1/2!

I have a few questions for you. Have you picked out a mounting? What stores or sites have you spoken with or visited? What city do you live in?

Good luck with the project!

 

[PhillipSchmidt]

Where you come from makes a big difference.

I have never been involved directly with a menufacturer offering tensaion set rings, but it would be good if you could side step this barrier.

The method I suggested is what I have had to do in the past.

I don''t usually make tension set jewellery. Thanks for showing the photo upgradable, but in fact that ring is not tension set and it has been secured by two bars underneath. I prefer to do it that way.

Phillip