Can I swap out the stone in this ring?

[Nina-W]

I don’t have any paperwork on this ring. It is not marked at all. The diamonds look like OMC to me. The style seems like late Victorian cluster to me. The prongs are wonky but the ring overall looks nice if this is an antique. The sapphire has a window and is bothering me. Would I be able to the swap the main stone out without damaging the basket? Am I better off to rebuild the entire basket or a completely new setting? The last picture is not the ring but a clear picture of what the prongs/ basket looks like.

 

[Nina-W]

 

[Bron357]

I actually love the ring as is.
Yes, it’s no problem for a competent bench to replace the centre stone. You will need to get the centre gem measurements to then find a replacement gemstone. If the prongs are worn, they can be retipped / rebuilt. Adds a bit to the cost but still much cheaper than making a whole new ring.
I often buy preloved settings and then fit my gemstone and/or switch them around between settings.

 

[kgizo]

Agree with Bron that you can swap it out, but if the stone is not a standard size it might be challenging to find a replacement (ie, an 8x6 is going to be an easier search than a 9x4.5). If you are open to synthetics this is less of a concern. Suggest leaving some money in your budget in case the girdle thickness on the new stone is significantly different and the prongs need a little work.

 

[peacechick]

It looks like an antique Victorian ring to me, and is beautiful. I would enjoy it as it is, knowing that many antique rings have windowed stones, and that’s the look. I wouldn’t want to put a modern precision cut stone in there, it doesn’t feel right somehow.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

As others have said, it really is very pretty as is, you could replace the center stone but you might have to have a stone custom cut and that can get expensive.

Maybe live with it for a bit and see how you’re feeling. If you end up coming around to keeping the stone then definitely get the prongs rehabbed so that you can wear without worry.

Gosh, it really is a great ring though.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

I actually love the ring as is.
Yes, it’s no problem for a competent bench to replace the centre stone. You will need to get the centre gem measurements to then find a replacement gemstone. If the prongs are worn, they can be retipped / rebuilt. Adds a bit to the cost but still much cheaper than making a whole new ring.
I often buy preloved settings and then fit my gemstone and/or switch them around between settings.

Forgive me @Linsey-woolsey .
Can i just ask @Bron357 about her green ring ?

Linsey, im interested in seeing how this goes for you as i have a couple of rings i want to swap out the stone off - one because of a wondow

 

[Nina-W]

I actually love the ring as is.
Yes, it’s no problem for a competent bench to replace the centre stone. You will need to get the centre gem measurements to then find a replacement gemstone. If the prongs are worn, they can be retipped / rebuilt. Adds a bit to the cost but still much cheaper than making a whole new ring.
I often buy preloved settings and then fit my gemstone and/or switch them around between settings.

Gorgeous rings! I love that blue. It’s mesmerizing! Thank you for all the wonderful information.

 

[Nina-W]

I have been wearing as a RHR for a few days and her beauty is growing on me. The sapphire has very good clarity and reflects flashes of blue under different lighting. The window isn’t very obvious when worn unless under close inspection. I’d like to preserve the history and the beauty but definitely touch up the prongs and the cluster head. Any recommended jeweler for this type of work?

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

I have been wearing as a RHR for a few days and her beauty is growing on me. The sapphire has very good clarity and reflects flashes of blue under different lighting. The window isn’t very obvious when worn unless under close inspection. I’d like to preserve the history and the beauty but definitely touch up the prongs and the cluster head. Any recommended jeweler for this type of work?

If the window is still kind of bothering you i beleave you can have silver foil placed under the stone by a jewler
not sure how this effects cleaning or light
but you can put a strip bit of ammonium foil under there to see if it minimises the window

 

[Nina-W]

If the window is still kind of bothering you i beleave you can have silver foil placed under the stone by a jewler
not sure how this effects cleaning or light
but you can put a strip bit of ammonium foil under there to see if it minimises the window

Good to know!

 

[Bron357]

@Daisys and Diamonds thats my Alexandrite ring. I thought I’d removed the photo from my post.
However it was removed from a setting in a bracelet and switched into the ring mount. I then put a wee sapphire into the bracelet mount myself!

 

[athenaworth]

You could replace the stone but it looks like the prongs may have to be remade if you did and that can be pretty costly.

 

[LorettaB]

If you haven't already done it, I would get the stones checked. If it were my ring, I'd leave it alone. I think it is absolutely gorgeous and has "aged" well. Besides, sapphire is my birthstone so I AM a tad partial.

 

[Nina-W]

If you haven't already done it, I would get the stones checked. If it were my ring, I'd leave it alone. I think it is absolutely gorgeous and has "aged" well. Besides, sapphire is my birthstone so I AM a tad partial.

Yes! I’m planning on having it checked and rehabbed.

 

[Nina-W]

As others have said, it really is very pretty as is, you could replace the center stone but you might have to have a stone custom cut and that can get expensive.

Maybe live with it for a bit and see how you’re feeling. If you end up coming around to keeping the stone then definitely get the prongs rehabbed so that you can wear without worry.

Gosh, it really is a great ring though.

Thank you!

 

[Nina-W]

@LorettaB who would you recommend that I have the stones checked? GIA? Jewelers like Dave Klass or David Atlas? Thanks!

 

[LorettaB]

@LorettaB who would you recommend that I have the stones checked? GIA? Jewelers like Dave Klass or David Atlas? Thanks!

I have heard good things about Davis Klass. I've also heard he is good at responding to you. GIA would be my go-to for grading the stones, if you want that. I am thankful that I have a jeweler friend who works from his home now and is fairly local. He checks prongs and such as a matter of routine. (Maybe that's because he knows I'm going to ask him about it.) If there is a very good reputable jeweler near you I would ask them about it first. Can I just say again: that is a lovely ring!!!

 

[Nina-W]

Thank you @LorettaB!! Happy Thanksgiving!

 

[Nina-W]

I sent the ring to our beloved Dave Klass. He confirmed the diamonds are G-H VS-SI old mine cuts. He is testing the sapphire now.

 

[LorettaB]

I sent the ring to our beloved Dave Klass. He confirmed the diamonds are G-H VS-SI old mine cuts. He is testing the sapphire now.

Oh goody!!! You did so well!!!! One of my favorite rings is a smaller sapphire and diamond ring that has two dates on the inside of the band: 1888 and 1898. Wouldn't you just love to know the history and meaning behind some of these older pieces? They fascinate me!

 

[Nina-W]

Oh goody!!! You did so well!!!! One of my favorite rings is a smaller sapphire and diamond ring that has two dates on the inside of the band: 1888 and 1898. Wouldn't you just love to know the history and meaning behind some of these older pieces? They fascinate me!

How unique! I too am intrigued by the history behind these imperfect but beautiful antique pieces. There is just something about them that is so charming. I can’t wait for the test result!

 

[Nina-W]

The sapphire turns out to be no heat Ceylon sapphire, about 0.75ct. OMC diamonds weight approximately 1.40 ct. Three prongs could be retipped around the sapphire although the stone is in very strong .

 

[stracci2000]

The sapphire turns out to be no heat Ceylon sapphire, about 0.75ct. OMC diamonds weight approximately 1.40 ct. Three prongs could be retipped around the sapphire although the stone is in very strong .

This is great news! Now please reassure us that you will not be swapping out that fabulous sapphire!

 

[Nina-W]

This is great news! Now please reassure us that you will not be swapping out that fabulous sapphire!

No, I will not swap out the sapphire. I have also decided not to retip the prongs for now since the stone is secure! It’ll be left the way it is .

 

[Efleon]

This is a PS fairy-tale ending!!!
Congratulations.