Bezel repair?

[Cathers]

hi everyone! I have an er from Birks that is a bezel setting. I have had it to Birks a few times, for resizing(was my Mom''s, she has way larger fingers than I) and buffing. There is apparently a problem with the bezel, it has worn down and they HIGHLY recommend a new platinum setting for 3600.00!! They have had it back to Jewelry Factory in Montreal and at their goldsmith in Saskatoon twice. They both say the same thing. I called Myerson''s in Toronto, as I was told they could possibly fix the bezel, but they said the ring needs to be sent in to them by Birks as they are a wholesaler(says nothing of the sort on their page) and Birks refuses to send it in to them, because of conflict of interest. At this point, I am ready to flush my ring down the toilet because of all the grief I have had with it. We got it appraised when I first got it from Mum, and it came back at 3925.00, and they are recommending a new platinum setting for 3600.00, meaning, my diamond .32 vs1 color F oval diamond, is worth 300.00?? Any and all suggestions would be much appreciated. I feel like I am being yanked around a bit. My ring has been gone, for longer than I have owned it, and like I said, I am pretty upset . I don''t know what to do

we don''t have a goldsmith here in town..I feel my options are extremely limited.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

I am not sure why it should not get by with just a new bezel?

can you take some photo''s of your actual ring?
Is there cracking on the sides from being resized down such a lot? If so - it may just need fusing?

It does sound like a lot.
Platinum has been going up in value, and custom work is a little more expensive than regular stock.

 

[iheartscience]

I would take your e-ring to another jeweler to get a second opinion. Is there a good independently owned jeweler where you live? It seems like Birk''s is trying to sell you something instead of just fixing your ring.

 

[TheDoctor]

Doubtful that sizing would have caused much of an issue with the bezel, as an up/down returns the ring to the shape of its original manufacture, or close. You haven''t said how old the ring is, but it is likely that the wear may not be as bad as a salesperson at Birks is telling you it is. In my experience, these people can''t make a proper assessment of technical issues.
If the bezel is indeed that worn that it needs replacing, this can be done without re-making the whole ring.There is no need to make a new platinum mount, especially at Birk''s rates. If the entire ring has seen better days, then, yes, a full new mount in 19 k white gold will easily last you the rest of your life. It sounds like you don''t need a Birks trade stamp to be happy.

 

[Cathers]

thank you all so much for your replies, I was pretty upset when I wrote my original post. History of the ring, well..I am a bit embarrassed to say that I got it from my Mum, who purchased it from a pawn shop a few years back..history before that, I am not sure. I was told by Birks that the piece had been abused and there was major structural damage done to it. This piece was sent to Birks Saskatoon local goldsmith twice, it needed to be resized and cleaned up a bit. It came back with a little ripple on the left backside of the bezel, (it had a sharp edge that caught on things that made me notice the ripple)opposite of the sapphire side, as I wear it with the sapphire out. It went back to the same jeweler, who took the diamond out, had a look, and said he couldn''t fix the bezel. Birks, in turn sent it to Jewelery Factory in Montreal, the place who originally designed/manufactured the ring. They were the ones who told my salesperson that there was nothing they could do with this piece, other than sell me a new platinum setting for $3600.00. My ring has been gone for longer than I have owned it. We live a fair bit away from Saskatoon, and have no local goldsmith that could even attempt to look at it. All repairs from Maul Jewelers are sent to Saskatoon. I am attached to my ring, as it came from my Mum, but, after being told there is nothing they can do for me, I am pretty discouraged.

I took a few pictures of it this morning, and I did NOT realize how hard it was to get a decent photo. I hope this helps, and I appreciate any and all responses.

I have to resize them, the images are too big, I will post them as soon as I get that done! thanks!

 

[Cathers]

I am not sure why I am unable to load more than one image, so I will add a few more, individual photos, bear with me please.

 

[Cathers]

part 2

 

[Cathers]

not super clear, but man is it ever hard to get a good clear photo!

 

[Cathers]

not too bad

 

[Cathers]

this is the side that the bezel originally seemed to be ''crimped'' with the jagged piece that would catch things.

 

[strmrdr]

looks like a stress fracture in the first picture from the resize.
If that''s the case I see why they said its unfixable but a skilled hand could fix it I think.
Someone with a laser welder likely could for sure.
It will need to be V''ed over the crack then filled in.
Id find a very good benchman and get an opinion.

 

[Cathers]

Thank you very much for your response! I cant believe how hard it is to get a good picture!

I have had no luck dealing with Birks. How do you suggest I find a talented goldsmith? There are a few in Saskatoon, so I guess I should just make some phone calls to see if they think they can do the repair eh? At this point, I am just totally freaked out about sending it out again, to an un-known to me goldsmith..I can''t believe a new setting is 3600.00

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 7/5/2007 2:14:45 PM
Author: Çã†hër§
Thank you very much for your response! I cant believe how hard it is to get a good picture!

I have had no luck dealing with Birks. How do you suggest I find a talented goldsmith? There are a few in Saskatoon, so I guess I should just make some phone calls to see if they think they can do the repair eh? At this point, I am just totally freaked out about sending it out again, to an un-known to me goldsmith..I can''t believe a new setting is 3600.00

call around and find a place that does the work themselves and ask for a meeting with the person who actually does the repairs.
Then meet with them and have them look it over with you and form an opinion on the person and what they think of the job.

 

[Cathers]

I will. I will have to do a bit of groundwork before I go to Saskatoon next. Surely someone can help me, well, I hope so! Cross your fingers for me, please

you have given me a glimmer of hope, that I didn''t feel yesterday.

 

[strmrdr]

Here is a list to get started,,,,
http://www.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=Goldsmith&near=Saskatoon,+SK,+Canada&view=text&ie=UTF8&filter=0&oi=lwp_thresh&sa=X

 

[Cathers]

you remind me of my dear fiancee! swift and decisive!! thank you.

I guess the thing that freaked me out the most, was, they sent it back to the place that originally made it, and they said there was no hope for repairing this piece. I asked for a copy of that, but I didn''t get one. Also, when they did the appraisal, there was no mention of structural damage? is that odd?

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 7/5/2007 2:31:29 PM
Author: Çã†hër§
you remind me of my dear fiancee! swift and decisive!! thank you.

I guess the thing that freaked me out the most, was, they sent it back to the place that originally made it, and they said there was no hope for repairing this piece. I asked for a copy of that, but I didn't get one. Also, when they did the appraisal, there was no mention of structural damage? is that odd?

no its actually fairly typical sadly....
once you find a good benchman ask for some horror stories of what he has seen.

 

[Cathers]

so, will that affect the appraisal? or should it be re-appraised? I purchased an additional amount of house insurance to cover this ring, for the 3925.00cdn that they said it was worth.

I talked to Batemans, and the gentleman there said that they have done repairs to platinum bezels before, so I emailed him a few photos..the next time I have to go to the city, I will pop in. *crossing fingers*

Also, Birks felt I was in danger of losing my diamond, so they didn''t recommend that I wear it. Wear at your own risk, basically.

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 7/5/2007 2:44:25 PM
Author: Çã†hër§
so, will that affect the appraisal? or should it be re-appraised? I purchased an additional amount of house insurance to cover this ring, for the 3925.00cdn that they said it was worth.

I talked to Batemans, and the gentleman there said that they have done repairs to platinum bezels before, so I emailed him a few photos..the next time I have to go to the city, I will pop in. *crossing fingers*

Also, Birks felt I was in danger of losing my diamond, so they didn''t recommend that I wear it. Wear at your own risk, basically.

Cant answer the appraisal question because I have no clue what the value is in your market, Once its fixed find a good independent appraiser to go over the ring and check the repair and do an appraisal.

 

[Cathers]

Thank you once again. I really appreciate all the help.

 

[Cathers]

In my haste/desperation for answers, I forgot to ask exactly what was entailed in the repair? how do they actually do it? do you know? I have heard back from Bateman''s. I sent the pictures, but they need to see it in person, to better assess it, of course. They seemed to be in shock that Birks Jewelry Factory could not repair it. It seems to me, that as soon as I mention Birks, I have the plague. People don''t want to deal with me. lol, terrible

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Date: 7/7/2007 11:10:04 AM
Author: Çã†hër§
In my haste/desperation for answers, I forgot to ask exactly what was entailed in the repair? how do they actually do it? do you know? I have heard back from Bateman's. I sent the pictures, but they need to see it in person, to better assess it, of course. They seemed to be in shock that Birks Jewelry Factory could not repair it. It seems to me, that as soon as I mention Birks, I have the plague. People don't want to deal with me. lol, terrible

I would file off the bezel, remove the diamond, add a new bezel and shape it correcty, and reset the stone. This would be about US$150 labour and about the same or a little more for new platinum. I would show you what Rhodium dose and that would be plus $30.
Edited to add +$40 for setting

 

[Cathers]

thanks Garry, did you have a look at the pictures? I realize it is hard to tell from pictures, but do you think it can be done? I was told there was major structural damage, so the setting was basically useless. Do you accept clients from Canada?

 

[strmrdr]

in addition to the the work Garry outlined if im right what the problem is the crack will have to be widened in a V shape filled then buffed to match.
That will give it enough strength too hold, just trying to seal the crack will not work.
(yes iv been trained in welding and brazing and that is how I would handle it in lets say a tool which should translate into doing this the same way)

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Date: 7/7/2007 7:43:08 PM
Author: Çã†hër§
thanks Garry, did you have a look at the pictures? I realize it is hard to tell from pictures, but do you think it can be done? I was told there was major structural damage, so the setting was basically useless. Do you accept clients from Canada?

As I understand the problem is with the bezel, not the rest of the mount. Replacing the bezel is an easy job.

If there is more to it then please take your photo''s in high res and zoom in on photoshop so we can see more detail.

There would be import duty both ways to Oz / Canada - and I do not tout for work from pricescope

 

[Cathers]

I'm sorry Garry, I hope I didn't offend you, that wasn't my intent at all. I was excited to think my ring could be repaired..I called two jewelers in Saskatoon, and am waiting until I go there next to bring it to them, to see if they think it could be done. Again, please accept my apologies...

I should add, I really love this piece, and I am afraid that there are no 'local' jewelers who could repair it, since they were not able to in Montreal..makes me quite sad and a bit freaked out that no-one thinks they can tackle this project and be successful in the repair.


Cathy

 

[quali_boy]

Hi Çã†hër§, they''re taking you for a big fat ride! One of the top, most luxurious jewellers I know charges $1500 CAD to manufacture an 8g platinum tiffany setting ring, to accommodate a 2.0ct! If the bezel has been damaged, it is advisable to have it repaired, to prevent the diamond from getting damaged. With the repair work, the bezel only gets removed, remade, reinserted, soldered, set and that really shouldn''t cost you much at all.

Seek out a good manufacturer who also takes in jobs from the public and that way you will cut out $1000,s.

Regards

 

[Cathers]

thanks for the response! I am not enjoying this ride at all!! You probably saw that the place that manufactured the ring said it was not repairable...that''s why I posted on here, to seek out expert opinions and feedback as I have no jewelers in town, only maul jewlery stores, who send everything out.

 

[Pandora II]

Their replacement charge sounds way out to me. I paid much less than that for a custom ring to my own design, which was considerably more intricate, and over half a carat of seriously high quality melee diamonds.

 

[Cathers]

are you serious?? are you in Canada like me, or elsewhere Pandora2??