Holes inside rings (azures???)

[Melanie611]

This has probably been asked before, but I was wondering what the holes inside the rings are for? Is it strictly for cleaning? I heard some say it was for light to go through??? I''ve seen some thin pave bands with them and without them. Do you recommend them put in for a custom setting? Or will they make much difference in a pave setting?

 

[mrssalvo]

i always get a chuckle when I hear they are for light to go through..how is light supposed to go through the holes when it's on your finger. Most of the time cast rings will have the holes..some like them for easier cleaning. there was a thread a while back where there were questions as to why the Michael b rings do not have holes. i emailed Michael b and Matthew from there emailed me back and i posted his response. Most handmade rings won't have the holes, leon's don't for example.

here's the quote from Matthew as to why MB rings don't have the holes:

Traditionally, yellow gold was in vogue and the yellow background made the
diamonds look yellow, so holes were used to avoid the yellowing effect of
yellow gold.

MB focused on platinum for bridal and the diamonds actually looked
whiter with the reflection of the pure white metal beneath the diamond.

Also, holes in the back often result in lotion and other residue coming up
into the hole and making the diamonds filthy, forcing you to constantly use
ultra sonic cleaners which in turn loosen the diamonds.

Finally, holes are most often seen in jewelry that is cast to save the
manufacturer money on the amount of metal being used, so that you end up
with a more flimsy and less structurally integrous ring.

We make everything by hand, so structurally the ring is more sound, more
pure, more solid and more beautiful.

A jeweler making a ring by hand won't sit there and drill holes in the back
on purpose, that comes straight out of a wax/mold process which also results
in greater porosity than hand made jewelry.

 

[Gypsy]

Ocean said pretty much the same thing as above. I don''t have azures in my ring.

 

[Melanie611]

Thanks mrssalvo! That makes me feel better. I was hoping for a fairly thin band, about 2 - 2.5 mm, and wondered if it would be sturdy enough with all the holes. I thought maybe it depended on the size of the diamonds. But then, I saw some gorgeous Ritani rings that were very thin and had them.