Jeweler dented one of my prongs!

[Kellybell]

Hi Guys!

(Mostly) long time lurker here!

I have a quick question...I took my engagement ring to a local jeweler yesterday to have it cleaned/checked. They mentioned that my center stone was loose, and took it away to tighten the prongs. Well, after I left the store I noticed that there is a "dent" in one of my prongs! (I'm going to try to attach a photo below - it is the top right prong.) Part of me thinks I am being silly, as no one can see this but me; however, it really bothers me! Is there anything that can be done to fix it? Is this just something that I should accept as a possibility anytime I take my ring in to be checked? I really don't want to have to mail it back to Leon every time I need work done on it.

Thanks so much in advance for your help/advice!

 

[yennyfire]

Hi Kelly,

I'm sorry that one of the prongs was dented when they tightened it. If it were me, I'd either live with it or send it back to Leon. I'd worry that if you went to the same store and asked them to fix it, that there might be more damage to your lovely ring. I wasn't able to find the dent in the photo, so it is probably only noticable to you.

 

[decodelighted]

I'd rather have a secure center stone than an undented prong I suppose! Did you pay them for their work? Is the ring covered under insurance? Hope someone else will weigh in on likelihood of getting it fixed without resetting. I don't think I'd use the same jeweler to try


ETA: maybe you can think of it like that first ding on a new car ..... bound to happen. Prongs can get *dented* w/a whack against a sink or something. Especially those claw kind of delicate prongs. Sorry it happened though ...

 

[Kellybell]

Hi Kelly,

I'm sorry that one of the prongs was dented when they tightened it. If it were me, I'd either live with it or send it back to Leon. I'd worry that if you went to the same store and asked them to fix it, that there might be more damage to your lovely ring. I wasn't able to find the dent in the photo, so it is probably only noticable to you.

Whew! Definitely good to know that you couldn't see it in the photo. I think this may be one of those things where I just need to put down the loupe and step away from the ring for a while. Thanks for your advice! Also, I definitely won't go back to the same store...which is a shame, because they are considered "the best" in town.

 

[Kellybell]

I'd rather have a secure center stone than an undented prong I suppose! Did you pay them for their work? Is the ring covered under insurance? Hope someone else will weigh in on likelihood of getting it fixed without resetting. I don't think I'd use the same jeweler to try


ETA: maybe you can think of it like that first ding on a new car ..... bound to happen. Prongs can get *dented* w/a whack against a sink or something. Especially those claw kind of delicate prongs. Sorry it happened though ...

Very true! I would much rather have my center stone than a perfectly pronged, stone-less ring!

I did not pay them for their work, and the ring is covered under insurance. I guess I'm still in the stage of trying to figure out if it is going to bother me enough to go through the hassle of getting it fixed, or if I should just live with it. It is frustrating though.

Do you know if it is possible to tighten prongs without leaving a mark? It would be good to know for any future maintenance work I need done. Thanks!

 

[emeraldcrazed]

Can you take a closer picture of what you are taking about? I would not want it to be dented either. However, Rings do kinda get banged up. You should do the banging up not the jeweler!

 

[Kellybell]

Can you take a closer picture of what you are taking about? I would not want it to be dented either. However, Rings do kinda get banged up. You should do the banging up not the jeweler!

I agree completely!

Hmmm...hopefully this picture is better...here is a super cropped view of the prong. It is almost as if the tip has been flattened.

 

[kenny]

I'm going to try to attach a photo below - it is the top right prong.

You cropped in on the lower right prong, not the top right prong.

Also, cropping in after a picture is taken never adds any detail, sharpness, focus, or useful resolution or magnification.
It only removes that part of the pic that is removed.

The way to increase resolution of the prong is to use optics to get the prong to be bigger BEFORE the pic is taken - if your camera is capable of doing this.

Another suggestion is to take a pic with the camera looking straight at all four prongs instead of at an angle.
By seeing all four any single one that is wonky will be more apparent.

 

[stargurl78]

I can see it from the photo and while its really very tiny, I think this would bug me. Maybe send it back to Leon for repair?

 

[sonnyjane]

I'm going to try to attach a photo below - it is the top right prong.

You cropped in on the lower right prong, not the top right prong.

Also, cropping in after a picture is taken never adds any detail, sharpness, focus, or useful resolution or magnification.
It only removes that part of the pic that is removed.

The way to increase resolution of the prong is to use optics to get the prong to be bigger BEFORE the pic is taken - if your camera is capable of doing this.

Another suggestion is to take a pic with the camera looking straight at all four prongs instead of at an angle.
By seeing all four any single one that is wonky will be more apparent.

Ahh, okay now I see what you're talking about. I was looking at the top right prong in the original picture, but I believe, after seeing which one you cropped, that you mean the top right prong when you're looking at it on your hand. I do see something that looks like a line across that prong, is that correct? I'm not an expert so I'm not sure how easy or difficult this will be to repair. I'd imagine that it's one of those things where all the little tinkering might eventually make it much worse than it is right now? Also, I'm not sure Leon would be pleased that you let someone else work on his ring? With other companies, letting someone else do repairs voids any warranty you might have with the maker. I don't know your history or how long you've had the ring, but I'd imagine the same is true with Leon?

 

[starshine]

Oh no! If it were bothering me, I'd send it back to Leon to have it checked.

Kind of off topic....we **need** more pictures of your set! Are your bands fitting comfortably with your ER? I'm seriously considering having my RB reset into this setting (love pears, too!) Any insight you could provide would be much appreciated, Kellybell!

 

[Mike R]

Do you know if it is possible to tighten prongs without leaving a mark? It would be good to know for any future maintenance work I need done. Thanks!

Hi, yes it is possible to tighten the prongs without leaving a mark.

To tighten the prong it is pushed against the diamond with a metal tool (normally brass or steel) the tool surface that pushes against the prong must have a bright smooth finish, if the tool has any imperfections they are transferred to the prong.

It is possible to fix your prong but like others have said you really need someone that knows what they are doing to perform the work, there is not a lot of metal to play with so the prong can be damaged further if the work is done with no care.

It's hard to see the dent in your photo, what I can see is a line, if this is what you are talking about I would recommend getting your ring checked ASAP. I don't think it is, but there is the slight chance that it could be a micro crack in the platinum that happened as the prong was pushed over. Better to be safe than sorry and have it checked.

Best of luck, it a very pretty set.

 

[Kellybell]

I'm going to try to attach a photo below - it is the top right prong.

You cropped in on the lower right prong, not the top right prong.

Also, cropping in after a picture is taken never adds any detail, sharpness, focus, or useful resolution or magnification.
It only removes that part of the pic that is removed.

The way to increase resolution of the prong is to use optics to get the prong to be bigger BEFORE the pic is taken - if your camera is capable of doing this.

Another suggestion is to take a pic with the camera looking straight at all four prongs instead of at an angle.
By seeing all four any single one that is wonky will be more apparent.

Hey Kenny! Thanks for the tips. Unfortunately, technology and I are not good friends! I tried taking a few more pics last night with my iPhone, but all of the cropped images were as blurry as the one I posted.

Also, you are absolutely right - I referenced the wrong prong! As sonnyjane mentioned above, I was speaking to the prong based on its orientation on my finger - I didn't even think about the fact that the ring was rotated in the photo. Sorry about that!

 

[Kellybell]

I can see it from the photo and while its really very tiny, I think this would bug me. Maybe send it back to Leon for repair?

That's what I'm thinking. I may try to live with it for a bit to see if it still bothers me...if it does, I'll ship it back to Leon. Thanks for the thoughts!

 

[Kellybell]

I'm going to try to attach a photo below - it is the top right prong.

You cropped in on the lower right prong, not the top right prong.

Also, cropping in after a picture is taken never adds any detail, sharpness, focus, or useful resolution or magnification.
It only removes that part of the pic that is removed.

The way to increase resolution of the prong is to use optics to get the prong to be bigger BEFORE the pic is taken - if your camera is capable of doing this.

Another suggestion is to take a pic with the camera looking straight at all four prongs instead of at an angle.
By seeing all four any single one that is wonky will be more apparent.

Ahh, okay now I see what you're talking about. I was looking at the top right prong in the original picture, but I believe, after seeing which one you cropped, that you mean the top right prong when you're looking at it on your hand. I do see something that looks like a line across that prong, is that correct? I'm not an expert so I'm not sure how easy or difficult this will be to repair. I'd imagine that it's one of those things where all the little tinkering might eventually make it much worse than it is right now? Also, I'm not sure Leon would be pleased that you let someone else work on his ring? With other companies, letting someone else do repairs voids any warranty you might have with the maker. I don't know your history or how long you've had the ring, but I'd imagine the same is true with Leon?

Yes! You are right - I was talking about the top right prong based on its orientation on my hand. That line is the dent left by tightening the prongs. I agree - if I send it back to Leon, I definitely wouldn't expect him to cover the cost of the repair. I just wonder if it is something that is "fixable". If it continues to bother me, I'll call him to discuss options. Thanks for your thoughts!

 

[Kellybell]

Oh no! If it were bothering me, I'd send it back to Leon to have it checked.

Kind of off topic....we **need** more pictures of your set! Are your bands fitting comfortably with your ER? I'm seriously considering having my RB reset into this setting (love pears, too!) Any insight you could provide would be much appreciated, Kellybell!

Hi Starshine! You are very sweet! I posted about my engagement ring back in 2008 when I received it...here is the thread (hopefully the link works):

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/jai-dit-oui-i-said-yes-pics-of-my-leon-oval.87566/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/jai-dit-oui-i-said-yes-pics-of-my-leon-oval.87566/[/URL]

The eternity band is also from Leon. I received it after the birth of my daughter earlier this year, I just haven't posted about it. The bands are great with my engagement ring! They do not sit flush, but I am not super picky about that (I actually prefer the look of them not sitting flush.) I would highly recommend the setting (or one with pears - I LOVE those, too.) Are you considering Leon? I know he has received mixed reviews around here, but he has never been anything other than very nice and accommodating to me. Let me know if you have any other questions!

 

[Kellybell]

Do you know if it is possible to tighten prongs without leaving a mark? It would be good to know for any future maintenance work I need done. Thanks!

Hi, yes it is possible to tighten the prongs without leaving a mark.

To tighten the prong it is pushed against the diamond with a metal tool (normally brass or steel) the tool surface that pushes against the prong must have a bright smooth finish, if the tool has any imperfections they are transferred to the prong.

It is possible to fix your prong but like others have said you really need someone that knows what they are doing to perform the work, there is not a lot of metal to play with so the prong can be damaged further if the work is done with no care.

It's hard to see the dent in your photo, what I can see is a line, if this is what you are talking about I would recommend getting your ring checked ASAP. I don't think it is, but there is the slight chance that it could be a micro crack in the platinum that happened as the prong was pushed over. Better to be safe than sorry and have it checked.

Best of luck, it a very pretty set.

Thank you so much for your response!! Knowing that this should have been possible without doing any damage to the prongs (even minor) makes me even more upset. The line is the dent I was referring to earlier. Thanks also for your thoughts on the crack - I will get it checked as soon as possible.

I have a general question for those who have rings made by Leon, or Whiteflash, or really any jewler that is not located close to where you live. I have always read on here that it is important to find a trusted local jeweler that you can take your rings to for minor maintenence (which is what I thought I was doing - as I mentioned above, this is supposed to be "the best" jewelry store in my town - this is not a mall based chain store.) Is that correct, or should I have been anticipating having to send it back to Leon every time I need the prongs tightened? I'm just not sure where to go from here for future work.

 

[starshine]

Oh no! If it were bothering me, I'd send it back to Leon to have it checked.

Kind of off topic....we **need** more pictures of your set! Are your bands fitting comfortably with your ER? I'm seriously considering having my RB reset into this setting (love pears, too!) Any insight you could provide would be much appreciated, Kellybell!

Hi Starshine! You are very sweet! I posted about my engagement ring back in 2008 when I received it...here is the thread (hopefully the link works):

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/jai-dit-oui-i-said-yes-pics-of-my-leon-oval.87566/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/jai-dit-oui-i-said-yes-pics-of-my-leon-oval.87566/[/URL]

The eternity band is also from Leon. I received it after the birth of my daughter earlier this year, I just haven't posted about it. The bands are great with my engagement ring! They do not sit flush, but I am not super picky about that (I actually prefer the look of them not sitting flush.) I would highly recommend the setting (or one with pears - I LOVE those, too.) Are you considering Leon? I know he has received mixed reviews around here, but he has never been anything other than very nice and accommodating to me. Let me know if you have any other questions!

Thank you Kellybell! Do start a thread on your eternity! Would love to see more pics and pics of the ER with just the plain band! Thanks for the insight on Leon, too. I know people have had various experiences with him....but he does tend to get the proportions on a 3-stone juuuuusssttt right!

 

[tyty333]

Just a thought (because I cant really see it in the pictures) but do you think it can be buffed out or is it too deep?

 

[denverappraiser]

It's not all that hard to fix this but it takes a laser and a bit of talent to do it properly (I'm assuming that the ring is made of platinum). I doubt a competent jeweler would charge all that much to do the job but you already have reason not to trust these guys, I suggest you send it back to Leon. 'Buffing it out' is not a good choice.

It's good to have a local jeweler to do work for you but tightening a big oval in a handmade ring is NOT part of a standard cleaning process. The fact that it was being done casually as a rush job and for free is not a good sign. Keep on looking for a good local jeweler but you haven't found them yet.

 

[Rockdiamond]

I can't speak for any other sellers- but as a general rule:
If a company stands behind their product- such as offering a warantee- having a different jeweler touch the ring may void that warantee.
Another negative possibility is that the jeweler trying to fix something they don't know how to make can actually cause some serious damage.
So a minor prong tightening becomes a total rebuild of prongs.

my suggestion to consumers:
1) when purchasing a ring from an online or local seller, ask about what the policy is if a ring needs repair.
2) even if you neglected to do number one- if the ring shows any damage, talk to the vendor before having someone else touch it.

Kelly- I don't mean to alarm you at all- these are general suggestions, you'll be able to get yours fixed I'm sure

 

[Kellybell]

Sorry for not replying sooner. I just wanted to sincerely thank Rockdiamond and Denverappraiser for their extremely helpful advice. I honestly did not realize that prong tightening was not a part of the standard cleaning process. I know now. Thank you. I will contact Leon about the repair.

Thanks again for everyone's help! I appreciate it greatly.