Diamond too big for the setting! Thoughts?

[NWD]

We've got a nasty dilemma. We bought a .92 round brilliant from Jonathan at Good Old Gold, then found a vintage engagement, wedding ring set we loved and bought at a local antique shop anticipating that there could be a way to make it work. The setting has an illusion head holding a .4 carat CZ. We've been told that trying to fit a new illusion head in the ring to fit the larger diamond is not a good idea. There are some fine details in the shank that we want to preserve as well.

Current options:

1: Get a new head style that will allow the .92 diamond to be used with this setting
2: Get a new diamond to fit the current illusion head
3: Get a slightly larger diamond than the CZ and modify the illusion head to hold it
4: Get a new setting that will hold the .92 diamond

We spent the budget on the stone so there is minimal money for the setting. Any advice? Anyone know a resource to find a similar style setting in the proper size for the .92 diamond? We haven't really seen anything like it online or in local stores. Thanks for your assistance.

Images of the setting attached.

 

[CharmyPoo]

Can you return the setting? The shank probably needs some work too ... looks out of round and a bit wonky.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I also would return them because I wouldn't think that removing the entire head and putting in a new one that would accommodate a larger stone would result in the ring looking or being the same. I think it is best sold to be used as it is and with a .40 diamond.

I'd get a plain solitaire now if the budget is tight and look for your dream setting later on.

 

[CharmyPoo]

I don't know what your budget is but could this work for you? It's platinum and for a 6 mm stone (guessing what yours should be around). I would email the seller and see if they are willing to negotiate.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Platinum-Engagement-Ring-Setting-Illusion-Mounting-for-6-mm-diamond-Vintage-5-4g-/370804753630?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5655af84de

This one can be rhodium plated (under $20) to make new and look like wg. Try making an offer by emailing the seller.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-00-tcw-High-Quality-Melee-Diamonds-14K-Gold-Setting-7-05-grams-SCRAP-WEAR-/171027269358?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27d20506ee

Another nice platinum setting. Looking at this history - this seller accepts offers 40% off.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Platinum-Diamond-Ring-Needs-Center-Diamond-size-5-3-4-Make-Offer-/170896058066?pt=US_Fine_Rings&hash=item27ca32e6d2

 

[TC1987]

Stuller makes an illusion head similar to that, and also a complete ring with that head and a plain shank. The overall diameter of the head for the 1ct 6.5mm stone is 8mm, the diameter of a 2ct diamond. The one for the 5.8mm 3/4ct diamond is probably about 7mm across.

ring w/ plain shank
Illusion Box Solitaire Mounting
Item #: 140172L:9589

Round Illusion 4-Prong Box Shank Setting
Item #: 172:1715:S

 

[bunnycat]

I would also return that setting and look for one that fits rather than trying to adjust it. There are also some settings on Diamond Bistro right now too that are vintage/vintage reproductions. Just look under the "semi mount" section.

 

[Circe]

I would also return that setting and look for one that fits rather than trying to adjust it. There are also some settings on Diamond Bistro right now too that are vintage/vintage reproductions. Just look under the "semi mount" section.

Big ditto to the various people voting for returning the setting - remaking a head is finicky work, and it would be very hard/costly. The only way I'd suggest it would be if you were, say, combining two family heirlooms. For something like this, where you like the style, but have also found a great stone? I'd say return it and find a new setting.

There are lots of great vintage settings out there ... on Pre-Loved, and you can find them on the various online auction sites searching for settings, mountings, semi-mounts, etc. Or, if you're okay with modern reproductions, you have your pick of the Stuller setting mentioned about, the AmCor fishtail prong setting, and the many settings available from companies like WannaBuyaWatch, etc. I'm pretty sure there's an exhaustive list of people making repro's out there somewhere (and if there isn't there should be!) so I'll see if I can either hunt it down or write it up ....

 

[bunnycat]

Circe's right on the mark. It's a really big deal to do extensive messing with settings. If you've read through her thread at all, you will see just how wrong it can go when it goes wrong.

If it were a minor change, that'd be one thing (though there's still plenty of risk) but cutting out an entire head and replacing with one that may not work is another thing entirely.

I recently changed out my M OEC from the platinum reproduction fishtail setting it was in to a vintage gold setting I found that needed a slight adaptation to make the stone fit. (It was also an old illusion head.) So many things could have gone wrong, and thankfully, the setting was inexpensive enough for me to risk it. The box head could have been bent, they might not have been able to retip the prongs in such a way to make it work, and several other things I knew could go south. Thankfully, I spoke at length to the jeweler who did the actual work, and we talked extensively about it. He was confident it would all be ok and it was. He also did an amazing job on the removal of the stone from the old mounting because he knew I was not going to be keeping it. I still feel very lucky about the whole thing.

 

[Jim Summa]

Hi NWD
If you had to use this ring what might work is to trim the plate out from around the corners to give the setting as much height as possible, creating a 4 prong setting (rather than just cutting the plate off the top of the ring). You'd be giving up on the illusion plate look entirely and settling four a 4 prong look. If you place your .92 diamond upside down on top of the CZ and look straight down on it and see the corners of the plate it just might work. If this were to be done I would (maybe) want to take the rings apart to set the stone.
Good Luck!

 

[NWD]

Thank you all very much for the thoughtful replies. Consensus seems to be strong for seeking out an alternate setting. I am going to go look at all of your suggestions now to see if anything clicks. Again, thank you.