Asymmetrical Prongs - Please help!

[Girlz Best Friend]

I recently had my diamond set by a recommended Pricescope vendor. It is a classic Tiffany 6-prong. The appraiser noticed that the prongs were not symmetrical, so I took it back to the jeweler. The appraiser thought that a new basket was necessary, but the jeweler told us that all he had to do was adjust the prongs. The jeweler attempted to fix the problem twice, but it still looks wrong. The photos posted here were taken today. I don''t know what to do.

Should I ask for a completely new basket? Should I go back to the jeweler and ask him to fix it again (for the third time)? Should I ask for my money back?

Thank you!

 

[swingirl]

It's hard to tell since your photo isn't straight. Do you have a photo from the vendor and does the prong issue show up there? What does the vendor say? Is it really a recommended vendor or one that just advertises here. It's unusual, although not unheard of, for a vendor to get it wrong 3 times. If they are paying for the shipping it'd be cheaper for them to start from scratch.

If they have gotten it wrong 3 times I wouldn't think they'd correct it with another try.

 

[Girlz Best Friend]

Thanks for your reply.

It''s hard to get a photo where the ring is held straight, but here''s one where it is lying flat on a table. It leans to the left. Also, we took a photo with a business card placed upright in front of the ring, which I think shows the rotation.

The vendor is one that people on Pricescope talk about and recommend frequently.

 

[lowphat]

If they''ve tried twice and they can''t get it right, you should ask them to either give you a new basket or give you your money back.

 

[oldminer]

One can readily see the 3 opposing prong pairs are not all directly lined up. However, they appear to be close to alignment in a way that making them line up better, visibly "perfect" ought to still be possible without much problem. If not, then the entire 6 prong setting must come out of the shank and be soldered back in place rotated a tiny bit to appear straight. Then the prong tips must still be moved to appear straight, as well. It is not way off, but just an increment.

I think patience is called for. This is not rocket science. If this vendor can't do it for free as they ought to, then some decent jeweler could readily do it for you for a reasonable cost. It is not a lost cause. Of course, getting it done by the original seller and for free is the correct way to proceed initially.

 

[prettycat]

I recently had similar experience with one of the highly recommended vendors here. My setting was not symmetrical and I sent it back for them to correct. I got it back after two weeks, and it turned out to be even worse! I have to return the whole thing for a refund. They will deduct the initial shipping + insurance, but it''s better than keeping a ring with obvious flaws.

 

[oldminer]

example

I made your ring's image level first. Then I ran a vertical line and showed how the prongs could be aligned visually with the black indicators. Note how each prong moves in the same rotation, so I believe they might be able to be aligned only by incremental movements. It depends on how the head is soldered into the shank. If it is crooked, then it probably will need removal and adjustment.

 

[Girlz Best Friend]

Thanks for your replies, everyone.

David, do you think it''s within reason to ask the jeweler for a new head? I''d prefer to get a ring back from him, with visually perfect prongs, but after two tries, it seems like moving the prongs incrementally isn''t working. As you suggested, the head seems to be the underlying issue. The prongs seem rotated from the correct axis. How can I tell is this is the case?

 

[oldminer]

Once you look at the ring in a purely horizontal mode like I adjusted it to, it shows only a slight mis-location of the prong tips. I have no idea of how much or how little they are skewed below the girdle of the diamond because they are not visible in the photos. If the prongs below the girdle are reasonably straight right now, then it could be that just moving 3 of them (noon, 2 and 6 o'clock) a tiny bit clockwise would do the trick. If there is already a twist below the girdle in these prongs, then further moving them into the direction of the twist would not be an improvment. If moving them reduced the twist, then there would be an improvment in all respects.

Right now, I can't suggest that a new head is necessary. Possibly a new jeweler is necessary or a jeweler who sees straighter. Putting in a new setting does nothing to insure it is inserted properly. New does not equate to correct. Correct only happens when the work is done right and finished right.