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Can the basket and prongs be changed on a solitaire setting?

kal2021

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Dec 21, 2010
Messages
585
I have a platinum solitaire e-ring setting like the Cartier 1895. I had one of the prongs fixed a couple months ago and I just noticed it doesn't look consistent with the other 3 prongs - a little thicker and curved differently (not happy). Do you know if it's possible for a jeweler to put 4 all new prongs on the setting? I am also thinking I would like to change to claw prongs as opposed to the ones I have now that look like little round beads on top.

On another note, I may end up with a stone that is bigger than the basket on this setting was originally made to hold. If that is the case, can a jeweler put a whole new basket on the setting to accomodate a larger stone? Wouldn't be a huge difference, the diamond may just be 0.2 carats bigger than the original (like going from a 1.4 carats to a 1.6), but looking at it now I don't think a 1.6 could fit.

TIA!
 
Re: Can the basket and prongs be changed on a solitaire sett

What are the dimensions of the current and new stone? Most setting have a certain amount of leeway, probably around 0.5 mm to set a slightly smaller or larger stone.

Is the basket integrated into the setting? If integrated, it is probably going to cost more to have the basket changed out. If the basket is "sitting atop the band", then it's quite easy to replace it with a new basket of your choice.
 
Re: Can the basket and prongs be changed on a solitaire sett

It is easier to see it in the WF ring example but that basket is definitely integrated into the shank. It isn't going to be easy to change out the basket. I've upgraded my solitare from a 0.7 ct stone measuring 5.4 mm up to a 1 ct stone measuring 5.8 mm without having to change the setting or basket (integrated basket style). Obviously when I upgraded the 1 ct stone to a 1.6 ct stone, it needed a completely new setting because the mm size jump was up to 7 mm.
 
Re: Can the basket and prongs be changed on a solitaire sett

Chrono|1293480635|2807204 said:
It is easier to see it in the WF ring example but that basket is definitely integrated into the shank. It isn't going to be easy to change out the basket. I've upgraded my solitare from a 0.7 ct stone measuring 5.4 mm up to a 1 ct stone measuring 5.8 mm without having to change the setting or basket (integrated basket style). Obviously when I upgraded the 1 ct stone to a 1.6 ct stone, it needed a completely new setting because the mm size jump was up to 7 mm.

Thanks so much for the input. If the basket size ends up being ok for the diamond, do you know if it is possible to just change the prongs to the claw prongs instead of the ones shown in the WF image? I know jewelers can fix broken prongs, so I am thinking maybe this can be done?
 
Re: Can the basket and prongs be changed on a solitaire sett

What type of prongs do you have now? Sometimes, the prongs can safely be shaved down into a more pointy claw style.
 
Re: Can the basket and prongs be changed on a solitaire sett

The prongs I have now have more rounded tips, as opposed to pointy tips like the claws.
 
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