DIAMOND SPINNING IN SETTING!

[vespergirl]

Oh no! I was polishing my ring with a cloth yesterday, and when I looked at it afterwards, I realized that the diamond had spun around in it''s setting, because the arrows were pointing in different directions! When I tried spinning it again, it was fairly easy to spin the stone in it''s setting. I can also wiggle it slightly where the diamond is not totally secure in the prongs.

I''ve had the prongs tightened on this ring before (it''s platinum! I thought that plat was so strong!) but the prongs are set slightly crookedly now since it used to hold a smaller stone, and the jeweler had to bend them a bit to get them to accomodate a larger stone.

Now I know that it isn''t safe to wear this way, and since the jeweler has already tightened the prongs twice, I just think that it''s finally time to get my new setting - it seems that with the prongs off-center, this old setting is never going to be a secure home for my new diamond.

My dilemma is this - do I just go for a white gold 6-prong tiffany-style solitaire for now, as a temp setting, and wait a year or two to upgrade to a Leon Mege with sidestones (that''s what I was thinking of doing) or shoudl I just try to be decisive & pick a new plat "fancy" setting now? I thought a WG temp wouldn''t be that expensive, but the one I like form Whiteflash is like $800. I feel like that''s too much to spend for a
temp setting. Then again, the new wedding sets I''m looking at will probably cost around $6,000 for ering setting and band, so I really wanted to wait a year or two to do that, and really paln and decide to make sure it''s the one I definitely want.

Does anyone know where I could find an affordable WG Tiffany-style setting? Does Quest make them? Price? What about from Excel Diamonds? Price?

Thanks for your help!

 

[february2003bride]

I had Quest make me a simpe 14K white gold setting for a citrine MQ I own, and it was only $200.00.

Do you know definitely what you want? If you do, and financially can do it, I''d get the permanent setting now. If you don''t know exactly what you want and/or financially it''s not possible (or it would send your DH into fits

) then hold off, and get the temp. setting.

How about seeing if Quest can make the current setting work by tightening the prongs?

 

[vespergirl]

Thanks Feb - that''s a great deal from Quest! Since I''m still not 100% decided on what the upgraded set would be (all I know is it''s going to be expensive, with pave and sidestones) so I was thinking just a simple 6-prong tiffany-style like Coatimundi''s beautiful setting would look good for now, and buy me some time. Even though we could afford it, it would definitely send DH into fits because he know''s I''ve been looking at settings but I keep telling him I want to wait for our 3rd anniversary, May of 2009.

As far as fixing my current setting, two jewlers have both told me the only way to totally acoid the problem is to send it back to Verragio for a new head, and even though I loved this setting for my asscher I really wanted something different for my RB. So, it''s not worth the $350 I got quoted for the new plat head, if I could just get a pretty new WG settling that I like better for around the same price ...

 

[NewEnglandLady]

Sounds like something temporary is your best bet since you need to give your stone a new home ASAP and the Leon setting won''t be decided on for another year or so. Are you planning on keeping the Veraggio setting for any reason? I only ask because I wonder if your local jeweler will work with you on a trade. You seem to have a great relationship with your jeweler and they have a nice trade-in policy, so I''m wondering if maybe you can maybe sell the Veraggio back to them and get a WG temp setting at a discounted price? I know they wouldn''t sell the Veraggio, but maybe they could melt down the platinum or something. It''s just an idea, though it might not work at all. If nothing else, the $200 Quest setting sounds like the best deal.

 

[vespergirl]

Hi NEL,

That would be a great idea, but unfortunately, my jeweler definitely does not take settings back for exchange, metal worth or any reason. My husband is sad to see me want to change the setting at all, since this one cost $1800 when he bought it two years ago - so I think that the next one either has to be super cheap, or the very final.

I think I''m going to talk to some local jewelers & call Quest to get a quote on a 14K 6-prong setting - I''ll let you guys know how it turms out!

 

[oldminer]

Having an experienced jeweler change the prong setting for one which is not as softor too thin might basically save the ring and its design while providing you the continuing tightness everyone would want. This may not cost more than a new white gold mounting. If it could work with your current shank design, a 14K white gold replacement setting might do the trick. If you go for a new platinum setting head, then the price will exceed the simple white gold ring remount option.

 

[february2003bride]

VG- When you talk to Quest, see if they can do anything for your current mounting to keep your stone tight until you are 100% ready for the permanent setting. That way, you save money without having to have a new one made, and will make your DH happy that you are keeping your setting a bit longer. When you do jump to your new setting, you should consign it to Pearlman''s!