HELP! New setting for 4ct Cushion Purple Sapphire

[kjones83]

Hi everyone! I haven't been active on here very much and didn't think I'd be shopping for a new e-ring (almost) for sure, but here I am 4.5 years later. My e-ring is a 4 carat cushion purple sapphire with double halo and side diamonds, scrolling, etc. Apparently, I'm not as dainty of a woman who can rock micropaves without constantly losing diamonds... either that or the ring just wasn't set well. Nevertheless, every year I've had to replace diamonds in the ring and losing another one on the halo this week took the cake! This time my husband was upset, so he said instead of constantly replacing diamonds I should start looking for another setting to use the diamonds and center stone.

Details, Details, Details:
The sapphire is surrounded by two (2) rows of brilliant cut diamonds.
inner 34: diamonds
outer row: 42
Circumference of top: 42 diamonds
Row around the base of the top that is interrupted by the shoulder of the shank; contains 28 diamonds.
Shanks: 7 diamonds set in each shoulder of the shank
18K White Gold
Size 6

Anyhow, I really need your help selecting a new setting that will not break the bank. I am disappointed about having to find a new setting as I really love what my husband selected initially. What are your thoughts on a halo with larger diamonds and then using some of my diamonds for a shank or double band design. I will post pics of my ring and some ideas I have as well.

Thanks everyone for your help!

 

[kjones83]

Does anyone have a recommendation of who does good rework? WhiteFlash said they would not do it.

 

[Michael_E]

Does anyone have a recommendation of who does good rework? WhiteFlash said they would not do it.

That's probably because removing all those little melee without having them fly off into space somewhere is nearly as much work as setting them in the first place. All you really need to do is walk into a custom shop looking wealthy and offer the jeweler whatever it takes to get the job done. The "whatever it takes" is where the challenge is...how big is your bag of moola?

A new custom setting costs anywhere from $1200 to $3000 or more. New, larger diamonds in the halo run around $2000 per carat, (A good estimate when you include the labor to set them), and the removal and resetting of your stones could cost $10 each or so, (there are a LOT of the, so you might get a much better deal if you talk sweetly to the jeweler). Not cheap by any means. Make sure that the small diamonds are set deeply AND have a protective millgrain ridge surrounding them...then they CAN'T fall out.

 

[sonyachancs]

Does anyone have a recommendation of who does good rework? WhiteFlash said they would not do it.

That's probably because removing all those little melee without having them fly off into space somewhere is nearly as much work as setting them in the first place. All you really need to do is walk into a custom shop looking wealthy and offer the jeweler whatever it takes to get the job done. The "whatever it takes" is where the challenge is...how big is your bag of moola?

A new custom setting costs anywhere from $1200 to $3000 or more. New, larger diamonds in the halo run around $2000 per carat, (A good estimate when you include the labor to set them), and the removal and resetting of your stones could cost $10 each or so, (there are a LOT of the, so you might get a much better deal if you talk sweetly to the jeweler). Not cheap by any means. Make sure that the small diamonds are set deeply AND have a protective millgrain ridge surrounding them...then they CAN'T fall out.

removing it stone by stone does not sound worth it at all. instead of reworking this into a new setting, why not buy a nice new setting for your purple sapphire that is both durable and pretty, and consider stock if you want to keep prices low? ritani does pretty halos, if that's what you want. I figure though that if you're losing melee quite that regularly, you might want a sturdier setting like a bezel..

just for reference though, stuller has some gorgeous new settings (and lots for cushions!) http://www.stuller.com/browse/mountings/new-products/

then you can keep this setting, and maybe set a stone in it for a cocktail/ less-regularly worn ring!

 

[FrekeChild]

The other possibility would be to sell this setting, as is, and use that money to buy a new setting.

But, with labor costs, I would say it's not worth it to have these diamonds removed and reworked into another setting.

 

[chrono]

The labour to remove each stone to reuse will probably be a wash financially if you purchase/make a brand new setting with new melees. There are a few considerations to think about:

1. Will this ring be worn 24/7?
2. If so, the micropave is not the way to go. I would suggest something less diamond encrusted or a stronger method of holding the diamonds in such as shared prong or channel set where there is more metal holding the stones in.
3. If not, then it is the workmanship of the setting. There is good micropave and there is not so good micropave. Not all micropave settings are created equally. You might even want to consider something handforged.
4. You may also want to rethink the design to have a ring that sits closer to the finger which reduces the knocking about that usually loosens diamond melees.