Is it difficult to chip a round brilliant during setting?

[Lynnchee]

I went to an appraisal and wanted to address a concern have a stone purchased from GOG, set in a setting purchased from Shane Co.

She assured me that the jeweler''s at Shane Co will do an excellent job and that round brilliants are much more difficult to chip than other shapes. That, and she would appraise it again when the work is done to make surre that the diamond is the same and undamaged. Plus, I need it appraised for Jeweler''s Mutual anyway.

Still, I''m a bit worried beacause what if she finds that they did damage it? Do I have options or am I SOL?

 

[neatfreak]

Depends on whether their insurance will cover it or not. Did you buy the whole shebang from them or not?

 

[Lynnchee]

I bought a Ritani setting from the Shane Company, and I bought the center stone from GoodoldGold.

Shane Co will set my diamond without incurring a charge. They''ll insure the band, since I purchased it from them, but they won''t insure the diamond. Though, I find that a bit strange. If they have my diamond in their posession, then shouldn''t it be their responsibility?

Anyway, will JM insure a loose diamond during setting? How much does it cost to insure a loose diamond and how long does it take to get into effect? I don''t think It will be set until Friday.

 

[Lynnchee]

Oh wait, I think I misunderstood your question. You were referring to a Jewelers Mutual plan right? I haven''t gotten insurance yet. I wasn''t sure if I could until the ring was done.

 

[arjunajane]

Date: 6/3/2008 2:34:18 AM
Author: Lynnchee
Oh wait, I think I misunderstood your question. You were referring to a Jewelers Mutual plan right? I haven't gotten insurance yet. I wasn't sure if I could until the ring was done.

JM will ensure your diamond while its being set - shane Co Will NOT - so if they chip it, and you don't have insurance, you lose.

Will be best to take out insurance before doing the setting, there are many threads on this if you want to do a search.
As to your questions of price etc, you will need to get a quote from JM

 

[Allison D.]

It sounds like you''re going to insure through Jewelers Mutual anyway, so in your position, just get this coverage prior to setting.

You would need to fax JM an appraisal or receipt for the stone and a receipt for the setting. They will insure it as one piece; thus it will be covered when Shane & Co. sets it.

I don''t know about cost; you''d have to contact them directly with appraisal details to get a quote, I''m sure.

 

[Lynnchee]

Okay, I think I should go ahead and give you all more details because, frankly, i'm getting a bit nervous about the whole thing.

The Ritani setting I bought from Shane Co doesn't have a head. I wanted to add a head with the diamond from GOG.

However, the head that they want to add is 14K WG, the setting is platinum.

Shane Co told me that they were afraid that if they used a Platinum head, that the heat from soldering might burn the diamonds that are on the sides of the ring. However, I'm allergic to WG. Ugh, so now i'm afraid that if I ask for platinum head, then they might burn the diamonds in the setting and/or chip my diamond

.

Not to mention, the WG turning yellow over time and how that would affect cleaning and polishing.

I guess getting insurance on both the setting and the loose diamond while getting them set would give me the most piece of mind. I'm going to get insurance anyway. I only figure it would be JM, because of the threads i've read about them on here.

Some of the stories I've read on PS about chipping and burning of diamonds has frightened me!

Do you all think I'm just being neurotic?

 

[Lorelei]

No you are not being neurotic, just being cautious and covering all the bases as we all do. I think Alj''s suggestion is the way to go, concerning the WG prongs, I don''t know much about metal allergies, would the WG head and prongs affect you with the rest being platinum?

 

[Lynnchee]

Date: 6/3/2008 4:13:53 AM
Author: Lorelei
No you are not being neurotic, just being cautious and covering all the bases as we all do. I think Alj''s suggestion is the way to go, concerning the WG prongs, I don''t know much about metal allergies, would the WG head and prongs affect you with the rest being platinum?

Well, as long as the WG doesn''t touch myskin for long periods of time, i''m okay. My skin turns green and gets itchy and flaky when I wear WG. If the head being WG won''t upset any skin allergies, then I''m fine with it. Unless there''s a concern regarding the WG eventually turning yellow over time.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 6/3/2008 4:29:07 AM
Author: Lynnchee

Date: 6/3/2008 4:13:53 AM
Author: Lorelei
No you are not being neurotic, just being cautious and covering all the bases as we all do. I think Alj''s suggestion is the way to go, concerning the WG prongs, I don''t know much about metal allergies, would the WG head and prongs affect you with the rest being platinum?

Well, as long as the WG doesn''t touch myskin for long periods of time, i''m okay. My skin turns green and gets itchy and flaky when I wear WG. If the head being WG won''t upset any skin allergies, then I''m fine with it. Unless there''s a concern regarding the WG eventually turning yellow over time.

That is what I was wondering, if the head and prongs were WG, if that might be ok. Put it this way, all my rings have had WG heads and prongs, one I have had for 17 years and worn a lot, the head and prongs are still fine and don''t need plating or any treatment, so you might be fine for a long time. Others may have had different experiences, but just to let you know mine have been perfectly ok.

 

[WinkHPD]

Date: 6/3/2008 4:29:07 AM
Author: Lynnchee

Date: 6/3/2008 4:13:53 AM

Author: Lorelei

No you are not being neurotic, just being cautious and covering all the bases as we all do. I think Alj''s suggestion is the way to go, concerning the WG prongs, I don''t know much about metal allergies, would the WG head and prongs affect you with the rest being platinum?

Well, as long as the WG doesn''t touch myskin for long periods of time, i''m okay. My skin turns green and gets itchy and flaky when I wear WG. If the head being WG won''t upset any skin allergies, then I''m fine with it. Unless there''s a concern regarding the WG eventually turning yellow over time.

You might want to consider finding someone who uses a laser welder who can put in a platinum head for you. This would not raise the temperature of the ring enough to damage the side diamonds, and the concept of putting a gold head in a platinum ring just feels wrong to me. The platinum head will cost more, but it will also wear longer, much longer, than the gold head.

Your original question about insurance has been well answered, Jewelers Mutual will insure it during the setting process if you get it insured prior to the act of setting begins.

Wink

 

[denverappraiser]

Several things.

1) Shanco should be able to assemble a platinum Ritani ring with a platinum head without destroying anything. If they can’t, have them send it to Ritani and let them do it or have the work done at a different Shaneco shop that’s better qualified. It’s not that difficult and they DO have some capable benchworkers who work for them. This may just be a matter of the salesperson not understand what the shop can and cannot do. Damage to the mounting caused by the shop during assembly would surely be covered under the ShaneCo warranty by the way. Are they refusing to do it in platinum? Talk to the manager, this doesn't make any sense.

2) Armed with the paperwork from GoG about the diamond and an advert from Ritiani for the model of ring you plan to put it in, JM will bind a policy prior to setting that will cover any damage during the setting process. As mentioned above, this is generally a good idea, especially if you are planning on using JM when it’s finished anyway.

3) You might consider using an independent appraiser when you’re done rather than using the ‘free’ document prepared by ShaneCo. Your protection under the insurance improves considerably if you provide better documentation.

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver

 

[WinkHPD]

Well said Neil.

I love your new avatar by the way. Very professional looking!

Wink

 

[Lynnchee]

Date: 6/3/2008 7:52:29 AM
Author: denverappraiser
Several things.

1) Shanco should be able to assemble a platinum Ritani ring with a platinum head without destroying anything. If they can’t, have them send it to Ritani and let them do it or have the work done at a different Shaneco shop that’s better qualified. It’s not that difficult and they DO have some capable benchworkers who work for them. This may just be a matter of the salesperson not understand what the shop can and cannot do. Damage to the mounting caused by the shop during assembly would surely be covered under the ShaneCo warranty by the way. Are they refusing to do it in platinum? Talk to the manager, this doesn''t make any sense.

2) Armed with the paperwork from GoG about the diamond and an advert from Ritiani for the model of ring you plan to put it in, JM will bind a policy prior to setting that will cover any damage during the setting process. As mentioned above, this is generally a good idea, especially if you are planning on using JM when it’s finished anyway.

3) You might consider using an independent appraiser when you’re done rather than using the ‘free’ document prepared by ShaneCo. Your protection under the insurance improves considerably if you provide better documentation.

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver

Thank you for the great advice Neil. Initially, they wanted to use a 14K WG head because they were afraid that they would burn the diamonds on the side by soldering a platinum head. When asking them about my concerns regarding allergies or WG eventually turning yellow, they said that it was covered uner their warranty and they would redo the head.

I thought to myself - that''s a lot of work. So I asked them about laser welding. They said that they knew about laser welding but they don''t do it at that location. They would have to send it to another location to get laser welded. But that it would take 2 weeks for my ring to be finished and sent back. That was their excuse for not suggesting it earlier

I told them I would MUCH rather wait 2 more weeks than risk burning the diamonds or irritating my skin. So, that''s what they''re going to do.

I came in with all my GOG papers and JM has insured me for my setting. Shane Co took me to their GemScope to look at my diamond and show me the laser inscription before I let my pieces go to be set.

After all that him-hawing around, i''m still a bit nervous that something might go wrong. But, I''m insured, so at least I have something protecting me. When the piece is finally done I will take it to my appraiser and get the final appraisal to send to JM and i''ll be done!

What a ruckus! Thank you all for your advice and reassurances! You guys are the best!