Can I use my existing setting for this stone?

[YadaYadaYada]

Recently decided I really need some pink in my life and I'm looking at a pink sapphire or spinel as a center stone. So, I currently have a diamond engagement ring which I love and want to use if at all possible. The ring is platinum. My plan would be to take out the diamond and set it into a pendant and have the sapphire or spinel set into my ring.

So my questions are:

Am I limited to shapes of stones I can look at with my existing prongs or could they be changed out?

Would the sapphire I have pictured work in this setting?

My current diamond is just over a carat, so I need to stay within a certain carat range? Not looking to go big maybe 1 1/2 at most

Thanks for your thoughts in advance!

 

[Lisa Loves Shiny]

For the most part (in my experience) you will need a stone that is very close in shape and size. Prongs can be manipulated slightly but the stone needs to correctly sit and fit in the basket. Best bet would be to measure of have your jeweler measure the basket so you know what size gem to choose. You will be looking at the dimensions of a stone (length, width, height) to determine if it will fit. There are gemstone vendors who may be able to cut a stone to match your setting. I have never had a stone custom cut but if you go that route I am sure we have members here who will lead you in the right direction.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Thanks Lisa! Doesn't sound like this is going to be easy but then nothing in life worth it ever is right?

Do you have any opinions about the sapphire? To me it looks like potential to be a great stone but I'm very green to colored stones.

 

[Lisa Loves Shiny]

From the pictures I like the color but I am not sure about the cut. I think it looks for lack of a better term- wonky and the culet maybe off center. With that said- highly magnified photos may not be true to life on how it looks in hand and it is much harder to find a round cut sapphire. The vendor has a great return policy and the price is very good so if you like it, you might want to see it in hand to make an opinion.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Great, thanks so much Lisa!

 

[rockysalamander]

I agree with @LisaRN. You need to know the exact measurements of your diamond in mm (length, width and depth). Without changing the head of your setting, you will need to stay very very close to that in order to simply switch them out. In general, sapphires have a higher density than diamonds. So, you can't compare by carat weight. Compare by spread (size in mm).

1 carat princess ~ 5.5 x 5.5 x 3.9 mm.
1 carat radiant cut sapphire ~ 6 x 6 x 3.9 mm.

It may be difficult to find a good color, good performance in a very find size range. Alternatively, you could choose a stone you like for color, performance and size -- then, find a setting that works. Many of us have multiple rings we wear on "the" ering finger.

 

[lilmosun]

I find stones for used settings all the time. Unless you go the custon route or get lucky, it takes a lot of patience and waiting for the right one to comes along.

As others said, you need to look at the dimensions rather than weight. Sapphires and other CS are typically cut deeper than diamonds (some more so than others). They will face up smaller than a same weight diamond. Also make sure the setting can hold a stone of its depth (it's usually easier with sapphires than say zircons).

A good bench can tell you what size stone they can make work in the setting.

 

[Sabrina31]

So a jeweler cant change the prong part? Im currently considerimg a similar idea, and was under the impression that the jeweler can order a new mounting part?
Sorry, btw Hi Im Sabrina

 

[chrono]

The jeweller might need to switch out the basket or something. Coloured stones tend to be a lot deeper than diamonds, so go by the dimensions rather than carat weight.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Rockysalamander, thanks for that information, very helpful. Also glad to hear that having multiple possibilities to wear as an e-ring isn't totally crazy! Thinking at this point that maybe I will make this a project for our 12 year anniversary in March, 12 is my lucky number and I love pink so why not right?

Lilmosun, it sounds like using the existing setting might make this much more limiting and complicated, also patience is not a strength so there's that. Now kind of leaning on the idea of leaving my diamond and just starting over with a new ring. That way I can do color when I want or switch it out when the mood strikes.

Hey Sabrina, I haven't had a jeweler look at the setting yet, figured I would ask on the forum first since the posters here are so helpful and insightful. As Chrono and the others pointed out they might be able to change the basket out otherwise I'm going to be limited by the dimensions of the current one. We have a jewelry store downtown and they have been great to us in the past so maybe I'll ask them what they can do with it. By the way I love your name, it was one of our choices if we had a daughter but we ended up with two sons!

 

[rockysalamander]

To reuse the head, you'd have to hit that specific size range very close to your existing stone.

A jeweler can replace the head, but since you have cathedral shoulders, there is a limit how wide the heat can be within the cathedral. So, for a wider stone, they'd have to raise the setting height to allow it to clear the shoulder. You can more easily choose a longer stone and replace the head as there is nothing in the way for that.

But, I still vote for having 2 rings (or more)!!

BTW, it looks like the head of your ring needs repair. It does not seem to be sitting evenly between the shoulders (and is the right shoulder further back than the left?).

 

[YadaYadaYada]

To reuse the head, you'd have to hit that specific size range very close to your existing stone.

A jeweler can replace the head, but since you have cathedral shoulders, there is a limit how wide the heat can be within the cathedral. So, for a wider stone, they'd have to raise the setting height to allow it to clear the shoulder. You can more easily choose a longer stone and replace the head as there is nothing in the way for that.

But, I still vote for having 2 rings (or more)!!

BTW, it looks like the head of your ring needs repair. It does not seem to be sitting evenly between the shoulders (and is the right shoulder further back than the left?).

You are so right, I didn't even realize that the head is not sitting correctly! Thank you for pointing that out, the shoulders seem to be even but the head is all off. How embarrassing is that? Geesh, thanks for pointing it out.

 

[MissyBeaucoup]

Stephanie, I'm going to cheerfully put in another vote for making a whole new ring in honor of your anniversary. We deserve to change colors up a little as the mood strikes. Congratulations on your successful and enduring marriage! Time to celebrate!

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Stephanie, I'm going to cheerfully put in another vote for making a whole new ring in honor of your anniversary. We deserve to change colors up a little as the mood strikes. Congratulations on your successful and enduring marriage! Time to celebrate!

Thank you!