How do I check for loose stones?

[bfleming]

My gal has small pave stones. I have a loupe because I like to look at her diamond I'm a diamond nerd.

What techniques I should I use to check for loose stones? Like a toothpick and gently touch them? How much pressure? How do I know I've checked it well enough?

Thank u!

 

[treasurehunter]

What do you mean loose stones, loose in the ring? or out of the setting?

 

[bfleming]

In the setting

 

[justginger]

It has never occurred to me to try to check for melee being lose myself. I take my ring to a jeweler once a year for it to be professionally checked. The peace of mind is worth the $60 they charge to check, clean, and polish (though I prefer my platinum patina, so skip the polish part).

 

[treasurehunter]

You can use as much pressure as you want a toothpick won't damage a diamond hehe but if its loose it might fall out in which case you should have it repaired anyway.

 

[bfleming]

I appreciate the replies. What I was wondering is when someone says professionally checked, what are they doing that I couldn't learn to do myself if I just wanted to be paranoid and check my gals ring every once in awhile? The couple of times I've had a jeweler check a ring it took them what seemed like 30 seconds. .

I guess just common sense, look with a loupe, look at the prongs, poke the stones and see if they look loose, don't do it over a sink .

I didn't think a toothpick would damage the diamond! hehe

cheers

 

[ame]

When I test mine I use one of those little plastic flosser things. The tip of it, and I tap on the stone and if it moves that is my indication.

Something like this.
http://www.oralb.com/products/pro-health-clinical-protection-floss-picks/

 

[Sky56]

An easy thing if you are very near-sighted like I am - When my contact lenses are not in my eyes, I hold the jewelry close to my face and gently push the stones with my nails, a plastic toothpick or a metal tool. You can easily see the stone move if it is loose. The stone will either spin or rock. I often trust myself more than the jeweler as have sometimes seen stones move when they didn't see it at first.

 

[bfleming]

An easy thing if you are very near-sighted like I am - When my contact lenses are not in my eyes, I hold the jewelry close to my face and gently push the stones with my nails, a plastic toothpick or a metal tool. You can easily see the stone move if it is loose. The stone will either spin or rock. I often trust myself more than the jeweler as have sometimes seen stones move when they didn't see it at first.

True, nobody is going to scrutinize your ring more than yourself.

 

[Rockdiamond]

Try the "tap test"
Simply tap the ring on your finger and listen- loose stones will rattle ever so slightly.

 

[Rockdiamond]

Try the "tap test"
Simply tap the ring on your finger and listen- loose stones will rattle ever so slightly.

 

[Sky56]

Yep, I've heard that dreaded rattling noise before. You can hear it easily just shaking the jewelry near your ear if your hearing is good and the stone isn't too tiny.