How do you chip a cutlet?

[secretagentdee]

Hi,

I sent my four unset diamonds from my five stone ring to be assessed by AGS for a upgrade and they discovered 3 out of the four have chips on the cutlet. I was a bit shocked actually as I really look after my jewels.

I spoke to my jeweller who set them and he seemed surprised also. I have had done work by him before and it all has seemed really good but I know other jewellers work for him also who my have set my original ring to begin with as I have had it adjusted also. Could it be the jewellers fault?

As I don’t think being in the setting I could have done myself.

Please assist. Thanks.

 

[OoohShiny]

Does the ring sit next to another ring with a low profile on your finger?

Could it be possible the culets have been touched/damaged by such a ring?

Were the stones graded before?

Even if the original jeweller did damage them unintentionally, there is no way of knowing what happened and it is too late to prove anything, so I don't think chasing that rabbit will bring you anything but bad feeling with the jeweller.

 

[secretagentdee]

Does the ring sit next to another ring with a low profile on your finger?

Could it be possible the culets have been touched/damaged by such a ring?

Were the stones graded before?

Even if the original jeweller did damage them unintentionally, there is no way of knowing what happened and it is too late to prove anything, so I don't think chasing that rabbit will bring you anything but bad feeling with the jeweller.

Yes it does sit with a low profile wedding band but my jeweller did add a extra piece of metal to prevent friction as I wanted the ring more low profile. I found it set too high to begin with. This is how it was when I first got it.


Yes they are BGD.

I really love my jeweller and I’d be upset if that was the case.

 

[OoohShiny]

If they are BGD stones, perhaps it could be worth contacting BGD to see what they say?

I am certain they wouldn't replace them for free because 'wear and tear' happens sometimes but they might be able to advise on whether it's possible to add a culet to the stones - they could then be a MRB with a vintage twist and you wouldn't have to buy new stones!


The other option is just to accept that they are how they are - if you've not noticed any substantial drop-off in performance then perhaps you could live with them as they are? (I appreciate knowing something is not perfect can create 'mind-clean' issues!)

 

[secretagentdee]

If they are BGD stones, perhaps it could be worth contacting BGD to see what they say?

I am certain they wouldn't replace them for free because 'wear and tear' happens sometimes but they might be able to advise on whether it's possible to add a culet to the stones - they could then be a MRB with a vintage twist and you wouldn't have to buy new stones!


The other option is just to accept that they are how they are - if you've not noticed any substantial drop-off in performance then perhaps you could live with them as they are? (I appreciate knowing something is not perfect can create 'mind-clean' issues!)

Thanks for your suggestions.
They are beautiful stones but I won’t be keeping these stones as I’m using them for an upgrade.The downside is I will be loosing some of the original value towards the upgrade as the diamonds can be recut but loose some of their diamond weight. The new value of each recut diamond will then be used for the upgrade instead.

I guess I’ll just have deal with the loss and move forward.

 

[OoohShiny]

Ah, that is a shame

Sometimes life does not play fair!

Many years from now you will have forgotten about the money and will instead think about how pretty they were and how pretty your upgrade is, so do not stress too much

 

[SimoneDi]

@secretagentdee I am sorry to hear about your issue, it is unfortunate that the stones were damaged, but it is still good that you can use an adjusted value toward an upgrade. I would highly recommend that you let BGD set the news stone(s) and not a third party jeweler who would take any responsibility for the stones.

 

[tyty333]

I would think what @SimoneDi is saying is that a thrid pary
jeweler WOULD NOT take any responsibility for the stones.

Correct me if you meant to say something else.

 

[SimoneDi]

I would think what @SimoneDi is saying is that a thrid pary
jeweler WOULD NOT take any responsibility for the stones.

Correct me if you meant to say something else.

Thanks for the correction! Yes, that was a typo - 3rd party jeweller would not take responsibility for the stones.

 

[secretagentdee]

Ah, that is a shame

Sometimes life does not play fair!

Many years from now you will have forgotten about the money and will instead think about how pretty they were and how pretty your upgrade is, so do not stress too much

Yes I need to remind myself that. As they say every cloud has a silver lining and in my case a sparkly BGD lining

 

[secretagentdee]

@secretagentdee I am sorry to hear about your issue, it is unfortunate that the stones were damaged, but it is still good that you can use an adjusted value toward an upgrade. I would highly recommend that you let BGD set the news stone(s) and not a third party jeweler who would take any responsibility for the stones.

Yes that would be ideal. Unfortunately I’ve already committed to my jeweller as he will be remelting my old metal to make the new ring.

 

[MollyMalone]

Yes that would be ideal. Unfortunately I’ve already committed to my jeweller as he will be remelting my old metal to make the new ring.

Is it important to you for sentimental reasons that the old metal be used for the new ring? The reason I ask i is because it's very rare for a jeweler to actually do that since properly refining-assaying such a small amount of alloy is cost-prohibitive to do in-house, and even for those experienced in doing it, not without pitfalls, such as ending up with porosity that wasn't present in the original ring. Apparently, old solder is especially a PIA to deal with (the jewelsmith I've used for a couple of custom projects flatly refuses to re-use a customer's jewelry).

So the usual MO is for the jeweler to send it out as "scrap" for processing as part of a commercial refiner's much larger batch -- and simply give you a credit towards the cost of the new ring, without regard as to whether the old alloy is indeed part of the fresh alloy used for the new ring.

 

[SimoneDi]

Yes that would be ideal. Unfortunately I’ve already committed to my jeweller as he will be remelting my old metal to make the new ring.

I am sorry to be blunt, but likely your old jeweler chipped your stones. It could have been because he inappropriately stored them. Also, remelting and reusing metal can contaminate the new alloy and cause porosity. I would HIGHLY recommend that you let BGD set your new stones. Use the metal from the old setting for something else. Otherwise, you risk having a whole new set of chipped super ideal diamonds.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

your jewler may do a good job
But my SIL had a braclete made out of all her collected all bits of gold and broken stuff
don't know who she used (the local blacksmith by the look of it) but it was like a dog's breakfast
i was under the impression that most jewlers just gave credit

 

[secretagentdee]

Is it important to you for sentimental reasons that the old metal be used for the new ring? The reason I ask i is because it's very rare for a jeweler to actually do that since properly refining-assaying such a small amount of alloy is cost-prohibitive to do in-house, and even for those experienced in doing it, not without pitfalls, such as ending up with porosity that wasn't present in the original ring. Apparently, old solder is especially a PIA to deal with (the jewelsmith I've used for a couple of custom projects flatly refuses to re-use a customer's jewelry).

So the usual MO is for the jeweler to send it out as "scrap" for processing as part of a commercial refiner's much larger batch -- and simply give you a credit towards the cost of the new ring, without regard as to whether the old alloy is indeed part of the fresh alloy used for the new ring.

It’s not for sentimental reasons but more for cost effective reasons as I’ll only pay for labour. I’m surprised he actually mentioned it as it’s platinum and I thought you couldn’t re use platinum but he said because he made it he knows exactly what alloys went into it that’s why he can do it.

 

[secretagentdee]

I am sorry to be blunt, but likely your old jeweler chipped your stones. It could have been because he inappropriately stored them. Also, remelting and reusing metal can contaminate the new alloy and cause porosity. I would HIGHLY recommend that you let BGD set your new stones. Use the metal from the old setting for something else. Otherwise, you risk having a whole new set of chipped super ideal diamonds.

Seems like the wrong thing to do reusing this metal. I really have/had faith in my jeweller since he comes highly recommended. He has made some nice pieces for me already. There is a 6 month wait list to get things made by him. He has also made Victoria Beckham’s first engagement ring and has worked on England’s royal family jewels back in the day as well.

 

[SimoneDi]

Seems like the wrong thing to do reusing this metal. I really have/had faith in my jeweller since he comes highly recommended. He has made some nice pieces for me already. There is a 6 month wait list to get things made by him. He has also made Victoria Beckham’s first engagement ring and has worked on England’s royal family jewels back in the day as well.

OP, it’s your ring, your diamonds, your choice who sets them, however, do realize that if the same jeweler damages again the new diamonds, he will not reimburse you for your loss. I don’t know what insurance options are available to you, but I would highly recommend that you look into some policies for the stones alone before you let a 3rd party touch the diamonds. Lastly, the particular jeweler may be highly regarded, but judging by your photo, his work is not exactly refined. Again, it’s your decision in the end.

 

[MollyMalone]

You could continue to use your local jeweler for smaller projects. But especially because Brian Gavin Diamonds is providing 4-5 of the diamonds, I think you'd be far better off having BGD also fabricate the 5-stone mounting & set the diamonds. Even if that means you need to wait a bit longer to save up some additional funds or else put the purchase on a credit card instead of paying the full amount in cash, i.e., wire transfer.

"One-stop shopping" is always preferable when a merchant has both diamonds and settings that appeal to you. Otherwise, you run the risk -- should something go awry -- of you being stuck in the middle as the diamond vendor and the jeweler who made the setting point their fingers at each other. Also, this eliminates concern re coverage for loss/damage during the fabrication and diamond setting process.

BGD has some lovely 5-stone mounting choices:

5 Stone Rings | 5 Stone Diamond Bands | Anniversary Ring

www.briangavindiamonds.com

And because platinum has been cheaper of late than, say, 5 years ago, the prices of platinum mountings are, relatively speaking, a nigh "bargain."

Even if you decide to stick with your local jeweler for the ring mounting, please let him use fresh platinum alloy. Although he knows what alloy he used to make the original ring, contamination is still possible because of the old solder, and porosity is something to be avoided. This isn't a piece of costume jewelry that you won't mind ditching should it fail.

Plus, won't he be charging you for the time-labor involved in melting-refining-assaying? I'd also be surprised if a new mounting can be made without employing some additional new platinum alloy. So I'm thinking the price savings may not be as much as you're hoping for.

 

[meesmom]

your jewler may do a good job
But my SIL had a braclete made out of all her collected all bits of gold and broken stuff
don't know who she used (the local blacksmith by the look of it) but it was like a dog's breakfast
i was under the impression that most jewlers just gave credit

I've got to see this bracelet! Do you have a picture?

 

[meesmom]

OP, it’s your ring, your diamonds, your choice who sets them, however, do realize that if the same jeweler damages again the new diamonds, he will not reimburse you for your loss. I don’t know what insurance options are available to you, but I would highly recommend that you look into some policies for the stones alone before you let a 3rd party touch the diamonds. Lastly, the particular jeweler may be highly regarded, but judging by your photo, his work is not exactly refined. Again, it’s your decision in the end.

I agree, insure the stones if you use your own jeweler. This is great advice!

 

[MollyMalone]

Jewelers Mutual is the only American insurance company that's willing to issue a policy to consumers -- in the US and Canada (but not those who live in the Quebec province) -- which will cover loose stones while being set.

But confirm with JM re the current terms of this kind of insurance before you sign up. It used to cover just 30 days after the date of purchase of the loose stone(s). Which is not necessarily long enough to receive a completed piece of jewelry, depending on the jeweler and what you've requested that they produce for you.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

I've got to see this bracelet! Do you have a picture?

no
havn't even seen it in years
but from memory imangine plastersene - all lumpy like
i think a real blacksmith would have done a better job repurposing an old rusty horse shoe

 

[secretagentdee]

OP, it’s your ring, your diamonds, your choice who sets them, however, do realize that if the same jeweler damages again the new diamonds, he will not reimburse you for your loss. I don’t know what insurance options are available to you, but I would highly recommend that you look into some policies for the stones alone before you let a 3rd party touch the diamonds. Lastly, the particular jeweler may be highly regarded, but judging by your photo, his work is not exactly refined. Again, it’s your decision in the end.

I appreciate your advice. The stones are insured for damage I made sure when I got my insurance for them. Like I said in my previous post it may have not been him himself who set them but some else that works there. If I’m going to still get him to set my new stone (upgrading the smaller stones for one larger one) I’ll make sure it’s him himself doing it.

 

[secretagentdee]

You could continue to use your local jeweler for smaller projects. But especially because Brian Gavin Diamonds is providing 4-5 of the diamonds, I think you'd be far better off having BGD also fabricate the 5-stone mounting & set the diamonds. Even if that means you need to wait a bit longer to save up some additional funds or else put the purchase on a credit card instead of paying the full amount in cash, i.e., wire transfer.

"One-stop shopping" is always preferable when a merchant has both diamonds and settings that appeal to you. Otherwise, you run the risk -- should something go awry -- of you being stuck in the middle as the diamond vendor and the jeweler who made the setting point their fingers at each other. Also, this eliminates concern re coverage for loss/damage during the fabrication and diamond setting process.

BGD has some lovely 5-stone mounting choices:

5 Stone Rings | 5 Stone Diamond Bands | Anniversary Ring

www.briangavindiamonds.com

And because platinum has been cheaper of late than, say, 5 years ago, the prices of platinum mountings are, relatively speaking, a nigh "bargain."

Even if you decide to stick with your local jeweler for the ring mounting, please let him use fresh platinum alloy. Although he knows what alloy he used to make the original ring, contamination is still possible because of the old solder, and porosity is something to be avoided. This isn't a piece of costume jewelry that you won't mind ditching should it fail.

Plus, won't he be charging you for the time-labor involved in melting-refining-assaying? I'd also be surprised if a new mounting can be made without employing some additional new platinum alloy. So I'm thinking the price savings may not be as much as you're hoping for.

I’ll be upgrading the smaller stones for one larger one so it won’t be a five stone ring anymore. Thanks though.

I will make sure I ask him and about the new alloy and compare prices with BGD to see how much of a difference it will be. Unfortunately with declining AUD at the moment I have a feeling it would be a difference. It was when I first got my five stone ring and the Aussie dollar was in a much better state then it is now.

 

[diamondsR4eVR]

OP, you have already been given great advice. GL! I’d be sad too but I’m excited to see your upgrade down the line. I’m just curious, were the stones not certed? Is that why you wanted to send them to AGS?

 

[meesmom]

no
havn't even seen it in years
but from memory imangine plastersene - all lumpy like
i think a real blacksmith would have done a better job repurposing an old rusty horse shoe

Omg the way you describe it @daisysanddiamonds!!!!

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Omg the way you describe it @daisysanddiamonds!!!!

at the time i didn't understand the process (of getting credit from old gold) and she had been collecting bits and bobs for a while so i was quite looking forward to seeing it
U ! G ! L ! Y !
im sure i mumbled something polite about it