Can I have the diamonds replaced with Sapphire for under $300 (pic)?

[zhuzhu]

This is a platinum diamond band I have that I would like to have some "color" add in. The center raw has 12 princess diamonds that are neatly channel-set. I was wondering what the labor cost and french-cut sapphire prices are today? Is it possible for me to have the princess cut diamonds replaced with sapphires for under $300? I would like to keep the side rb small stones, and just replace the princess cuts.

If not, what is the reasonable quote to expect from a jeweler for a work like this?

Thanks!
ZHuzhu

 

[Dreamer_D]

I don''t have any evidence for this, but I doubt you could do it for $200.

 

[oldminer]

You''d likely fnd step cut or princess cut sapphires before you find any ready made French cut ones. They might have to be cut to order to fit the exact spacing of the ring. In addition to the issue of finding the right cut, you could not get fine blue colors within such a price limitation, so you''d end up with dark or pale sapphires, or possibly quite imperfect, non-transparent ones.

Another element which creates problems is the damage done to remove the diamonds must be fixed very carefully to give the sapphires the same ironed in place appearance the diamond have now in the channel setting. This would be difficult.

In my estimate, even if you were to use synthetic sapphires which cost nearly nothing except for cutting, you would not get close to a proper finished job for $300.

If you could line up another consumer to purchase the diamonds which you wish to remove for a good amount of many, then possibly you could do the sapphire exchange with what you got for the diamonds and maybe not have to add much more cash to do the entire deal. It would take a very competent jeweler to make the sapphire ring look as well finished as the current ring looks.

 

[chrono]

I think the labour alone will probably be at least $300, not even taking the sapphires into consideration. You’ll also need to find a good jeweller who can do this without damaging the setting. It can be a challenge just to get princess cut sapphires, let alone French cut sapphires. The French cut stones will have to be custom cut which again, will raise the cost significantly.

 

[tyty333]

I asked a (low-end) jeweler for a quote to replace a 2 point diamond in a bead set ring. He quoted me $60. I
dont think it can be done for $300...I live in a realitivly low-cost area of the country (I thought).

 

[denverappraiser]

It’s entirely possible that you can find a new ring of that design with sapphires in it for less than it will cost you to retrofit the one you have. I would start by asking the jeweler who supplied you with that one if they are available.

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver

 

[denverappraiser]

Perhaps it would be a little more clear with a brief explanation of how these things are made. After the metal is manufactured, usually be CAD and casting but occasionally other techniques, the rails or walls (that’s the 2 gold bars on the sides, and the gallery (that’s the connecting bars between the two sides that are visible from underneath) are cut to the correct shape to fit each stone. Usually the manufacturer will prefer to have the stones in hand before they even do the CAD job so that they can come as close as possible to fitting right out of the gate. The pavilion sides and girdles of the stones never exactly match so to get the perfectly smooth look at the top involves setting some stones a little deeper than others and carefully adjusting things until it’s right. Doing this well is part of what makes some channel sets look totally a seamless line of bling while others look like a 50 year old sidewalk through a tree lined neighborhood. When the seats are cut to where all the stones are level, the top of the rails are hammered to cause them to ‘mushroom’ over the tops and hold the stones. The jeweler then shapes the metal on the top to remove the hammer marks and make the side walls look perfect and symmetrical.

That’s how you do it when it’s new. To replace the stones is a whole different thing. Firstly, you have to find matching stones that fit exactly. Often this is no easy task and it can be remarkably time consuming but that’s not the end of it. Next, you have to get the existing diamonds out. The easiest way to do this is to destroy the diamonds and knock out the powder and the alternative is to destroy the rail which will then need to be completely rebuilt in preparation for the next set of stones. Cutting away material from the rails and gallery is fairly easy but adding it back again is decidedly a pain and if ANY of the previous stones had a deeper pavilion, thicker girdle or whatever then this is going to be necessary. 99% of the time it is. The result is that there’s often a whole lot of work spent doing things that the first setter didn’t have to do.

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver

 

[jewelz617]

Seems like that project would be a bit pricier than $300.

 

[chrono]

Definitely sounds like it''ll be cheaper, easier and less stressful to just get a new sapphire + diamond band than trying to change your existing band.

 

[zhuzhu]

Thank you for all your feedback and helpful suggestions. Regarding using synthetic sapphires, I am not sure if I would be very happy at the end knowing it is synthetic. Selling the existing diamonds may be possible but how much do you think I will get from 12 stones approximating 1ct (G-H, VS)?

I doubt I will be able to buy a art deco heavy platinum band of this quality for less than 500. It is a substantial ring at 10.1 grams.

I am attaching the pic showing the back finish of the ring. Will the jeweler have to cut it up to replace the stones? I hope not because I really love the finish and design.

In the next pic. I will show the side in more detail.

 

[zhuzhu]

This is a view of the side. Note the "two-level concept"? I am not sure if this is " rails or walls" per Mr. Beaty''s question?

 

[denverappraiser]

Date: 3/20/2010 3:23:11 PM
Author: zhuzhu
I doubt I will be able to buy a art deco heavy platinum band of this quality for less than 500. It is a substantial ring at 10.1 grams.

I agree.
I don’t think you’re going to be able to get that job done for anywhere near your proposed budget either. Have you got a quote from a jeweler who has actually seen the piece? If you embark on this I would also be prepared for damage to the stones that come out, which will make it nearly impossible to resell them (It will be difficult anyway, even if you can get them out intact).

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver

 

[zhuzhu]

Date: 3/20/2010 5:22:51 PM
Author: denverappraiser

Date: 3/20/2010 3:23:11 PM

Author: zhuzhu

I doubt I will be able to buy a art deco heavy platinum band of this quality for less than 500. It is a substantial ring at 10.1 grams.

I agree.

I don’t think you’re going to be able to get that job done for anywhere near your proposed budget either. Have you got a quote from a jeweler who has actually seen the piece? If you embark on this I would also be prepared for damage to the stones that come out, which will make it nearly impossible to resell them (It will be difficult anyway, even if you can get them out intact).


Neil Beaty

GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA

Professional Appraisals in Denver

Thank you Mr. Beaty.
No I have not had a chance to bring it in for an estimate just yet. I wanted to get a realistic expectation before taking that trip.

Given the chances of breaking the existing diamonds and less than perfect final finish, I am re-thinking about this potentially expensive project. Maybe I will hang on to it for a while!

Thanks to all!