Can you replace the centre basket of a 3-stone ring?

[susief]

I have inherited a three-stone platinum ring - centre small oval sapphire, sides two heart-shaped diamonds, basket settings. It's lovely but the centre sapphire is disproportionately small (to my eyes). I'd love to replace it with a bigger, better quality stone, but would I have to get the whole ring re-made? Or can the middle basket be "cut out" and replaced?

I know the easiest answer would be to take it to a jeweller in person, but I work crazy hours and it's difficult to get to them.

I'd be very grateful for any advice!

 

[Niel]

Pictures?

 

[susief]

http://www.rubylane.com/item/757819-R711/Platinum-Sapphire-Heart-Shaped-Diamond-Ring

I can't seem to upload pics but it's pretty much identical to this one. Same company.

 

[aviastar]

I don't think so. One, this isn't a peg head, so it's not designed to be easily interchangeable. And two, the space is the space is the space and its defined by the placement of the two side stones- how would you get a larger stone in there without changing the side stones? It would have to sit way above the other two stones.

 

[chrono]

I've had it done before on a ring with an integrated 3 stone basket. Most jewellers will refuse to do this but a good bench can do it safely and do it well. The jeweller had to change out the entire 3 stone basket, not just the center basket.

 

[unsettled]

I had the basket of my engagement ring replaced with a peg head. I have tapered baguettes. I wasn't trying to put a different sized stone in there though. I don't know if that makes a difference?
BEFORE:


AFTER:

 

[aviastar]

I've had it done before on a ring with an integrated 3 stone basket. Most jewellers will refuse to do this but a good bench can do it safely and do it well. The jeweller had to change out the entire 3 stone basket, not just the center basket.

This makes way more sense to me, all three baskets not just one. Thanks!

 

[susief]

Thanks everyone! That's really helpful.

Chrono - do you mind giving me a ballpark figure of how much it was to change out the whole basket?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Probably not much more to just get a new setting if all you'd retain is the shank.