Installing dots or springs inside band?

[hearts12181]

Hello everyone,

My fiance''s fingers have a large knuckle, but once you go pass the knuckle, the finger is thinner. As a result, her engagment ring (top heavy due to solitaire setting) and diamond wedding band (less of a problem) tend to "roll around" when she wears it. I understand this is a common problem and the mall jeweler said there are two ways to fix it. 1.) put two "dots" inside the band to help stablize the ring or 2.) install this spring-loaded "floor" that basically makes the band smaller when you wear it pass the knuckle. I have a few questions:

1.) Have you guys installed either of these and does it work? Which one is better? Is the procedure reversible if it doesn''t work?

2.) Do you know any trusted San Francisco bay area jewelers who can do this? I bought this on Blue Nile so I can''t go back to the original jeweler, but at the same time, I don''t really trust the mall stores.

3.) What is a reasonable price for installing these? And how long does it take? Both bands are platinum.

Thanks for any insights!

Hearts

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Date: 10/2/2007 1:23:07 AM
Author:hearts12181
Hello everyone,

My fiance''s fingers have a large knuckle, but once you go pass the knuckle, the finger is thinner. As a result, her engagment ring (top heavy due to solitaire setting) and diamond wedding band (less of a problem) tend to ''roll around'' when she wears it. I understand this is a common problem and the mall jeweler said there are two ways to fix it. 1.) put two ''dots'' inside the band to help stablize the ring or 2.) install this spring-loaded ''floor'' that basically makes the band smaller when you wear it pass the knuckle. I have a few questions:

1.) Have you guys installed either of these and does it work? Which one is better? Is the procedure reversible if it doesn''t work?

2.) Do you know any trusted San Francisco bay area jewelers who can do this? I bought this on Blue Nile so I can''t go back to the original jeweler, but at the same time, I don''t really trust the mall stores.

3.) What is a reasonable price for installing these? And how long does it take? Both bands are platinum.

Thanks for any insights!

Hearts

We do dots and they work pretty well - make sure they are not too sharp.
Some people get dermititus from complex mechanisms with litle gaps for things to grow in.

Expect to pay $100 ish as the rings will need to be enlarged too because the dots take up some space.

 

[Anastasia]

I have the "dots" in my rings. They work beautifully. I have the exact same issues - big knuckles, skinny fingers. I wore my rings for close to 10 years before having the balls put in, and it drove me crazy that they spun around. Now it rarely happens.

I can''t comment on the spring thing, as I''ve never had it.

 

[jimmym]

I was also considering having the balls installed on my fiance''s ring. I saw a pic through a search, it looks like there are commonly 2 on the bottom inside. Her ring is about 1/4 size too large. I''m not sure what you mean by the ring needing to be enlarged because the balls take up space (thought that was the point). But we are considering the balls or an alternative method to resizing because of the setting having much detail which what I have been told will make resizing difficult. Any info would be great!

 

[Diamond*Dana]

I have had the "dots" in my rings before and they have worked really well for me.

 

[Catmom]

I have had both the "dots" [sizing balls] and a bridge. I much prefer the bridge as it is more comfortable when taking on and off. I haven''t had any experience with the springs but have heard that people seem to like them as well.

As far as sizing goes, my ER is a half size bigger than I would need so that it can go over my knuckle. My finger size is really a 4.5 but I need a 5 to go over my knuckle.

 

[hearts12181]

Date: 10/2/2007 9:43:04 AM
Author: Catmom
I have had both the ''dots'' [sizing balls] and a bridge. I much prefer the bridge as it is more comfortable when taking on and off. I haven''t had any experience with the springs but have heard that people seem to like them as well.


As far as sizing goes, my ER is a half size bigger than I would need so that it can go over my knuckle. My finger size is really a 4.5 but I need a 5 to go over my knuckle.

Catmom, how long have you had the bridge? I assume it''s spring loaded and the bridge holds your finger pass the knuckle. One concerns is I''m not sure if a spring loaded mechanism will last long. It sounds kind of fragile to me, but I may be wrong. The mall jeweler said such a mechanism will cost about $500. Does that sound right? Thanks!

 

[frugaljoe]

I''ve seen this conversation before, and not seen an answer to a questions that''s been nagging me. I don''t know for certain what size I should have the setting made. I''ve compared her ring fingers to mine and they seem to size up closely with my pinkie fingers, and I''ve worn a ring she wears on her right ring finger for safe-keeping on my pinkie. However, when I size my pinkie, using the various online sizing tools, it''s suggested that I have her ring sized at a 6. She''s 5''3" and a petite 120lbs. Reading some of the other posts here, I can''t imagine that a size 6 is the correct size.

Given my uncertainty, what would you recommend as to sizing the setting correctly (knowing that the setting will be a 6 prong, tiffany style platinum setting)? Should I have it sized at a 6, and then have it cut to fit, or have balls / dots added? I presume both of those techniques are an additional cost (I''ll be using a local jeweler for the setting)? How much would a temporary setting (which I''ve seen mentioned, but don''t know much about) cost?

 

[Catmom]

Date: 10/2/2007 6:07:30 PM
Author: hearts12181

Date: 10/2/2007 9:43:04 AM
Author: Catmom
I have had both the 'dots' [sizing balls] and a bridge. I much prefer the bridge as it is more comfortable when taking on and off. I haven't had any experience with the springs but have heard that people seem to like them as well.


As far as sizing goes, my ER is a half size bigger than I would need so that it can go over my knuckle. My finger size is really a 4.5 but I need a 5 to go over my knuckle.

Catmom, how long have you had the bridge? I assume it's spring loaded and the bridge holds your finger pass the knuckle. One concerns is I'm not sure if a spring loaded mechanism will last long. It sounds kind of fragile to me, but I may be wrong. The mall jeweler said such a mechanism will cost about $500. Does that sound right? Thanks!

I've had a bridge added to several of my RH rings. I think it's been two years now for my pink sapphire ring. I am including a picture of what it looks like. It is not spring loaded, it is just an added piece of gold arched at the bottom of the ring. It's been awhile since I had one added but I think my jeweler charged somewhere around $40 or $50 dollars to put in the bridge.

ETA: I haven't had any experience with the spring loaded or horseshoe clips so I really have no idea as to the cost. I know there are some ladies on here that have them so maybe they can answer your question.

 

[niceice]

I prefer "sizing beads" or "dots" as they are being referred to here as opposed to spring hinges which seem more prone to problems.

Date: 10/2/2007 11:26:13 PM
Author: frugaljoe
I''ve seen this conversation before, and not seen an answer to a questions that''s been nagging me. I don''t know for certain what size I should have the setting made. I''ve compared her ring fingers to mine and they seem to size up closely with my pinkie fingers, and I''ve worn a ring she wears on her right ring finger for safe-keeping on my pinkie. However, when I size my pinkie, using the various online sizing tools, it''s suggested that I have her ring sized at a 6. She''s 5''3'' and a petite 120lbs. Reading some of the other posts here, I can''t imagine that a size 6 is the correct size.


Given my uncertainty, what would you recommend as to sizing the setting correctly (knowing that the setting will be a 6 prong, tiffany style platinum setting)? Should I have it sized at a 6, and then have it cut to fit, or have balls / dots added? I presume both of those techniques are an additional cost (I''ll be using a local jeweler for the setting)? How much would a temporary setting (which I''ve seen mentioned, but don''t know much about) cost?

Most rings are manufactured in a size 6.0 - 6.5 and thus I would recommend purchasing the ring in that size and then having it sized to your fiance''s finger after you present it to her. The reality being that the less a ring is cut and sized, the less metal stress it is subjected to over time and the more time you will have before the ring needs to be re-shanked (replacing the lower portion of the band). Find a jeweler who is experienced with a laser welder which can seam the two edges of the ring together without adding solder to the ring which reduces the possibility of an allergic reaction.