Mom''s Solitaire with Illusion Head

[Fly Girl]

My mom''s e-ring has been needing some work (and a good cleaning!) for some time. It is a quarter carat RB diamond set in an illusion head, which was popular about 60 years ago. My dad worked all summer and bought the ring from Sears and gave it to her in 1950. The shank was replaced about 20 years ago after it wore through. The head was repronged a number of years ago, and it looks horrible. She never liked the overly long prongs, and, well, it was time for a fixing up.

Here is the head before I took it in to the jeweler''s for repair. Top view. The prongs were very long and thick, but they certainly did their job holding in the stone.

 

[Fly Girl]

Here is the side view before going into the jewelers. Can you say, "Clean me!"?

 

[Fly Girl]

I picked it up today, and what a change! Mom always said she had a nice diamond, and Mom was right!

 

[CKinNYC]

Wow, what a difference! It looks amazing! Congrats to your mum!

 

[AmberGretchen]

What an amazing difference - it looks like a completely different ring! Nice job on the cleaning and repairs

 

[Fly Girl]

Side view after repair and cleaning. This ring has been worn 24/7 for nearly 60 years, folks! I know this is where my love of solitaires began.

 

[Fly Girl]

Side by side with my original e-ring with upgraded 0.63 ct E VS2 ISEE2 diamond from GOG. I clean my ring daily, but right now Mom''s is even cleaner.

 

[Fly Girl]

Another side view.

 

[Fly Girl]

Top view. Mom''s diamond has some arrows.

 

[Fly Girl]

0.23 ct in illusion head next to my 0.63 ct. The illusion head really works. The ring certainly holds its own. Nice sparkle in both stones. Mom''s diamond hasn''t looked so good in years!

 

[paeony]

Yay! I love illusion heads-- I can''t believe the difference!

It looks awesome! Thanks for sharing!!!

 

[Fly Girl]

Here is my attempt to get an idealscope shot before returning the ring to Mom.

 

[Fly Girl]

Last one. Two rather worn, but still gorgeous, diamond rings hanging out together. I love solitaires!

Thanks for looking!

 

[got2goldens]

What a difference! It''s like a totally new ring

Yours is gorgeous, too!

Kat

 

[Diamond*Dana]

Wow, what a difference! The new prongs are so much better...both rings are beautiful!

 

[FrekeChild]

Wow. The difference is AMAZING. Prongs can really be a PITA...

 

[AprilBaby]

Congratulations MOM on a lovely ring after all these years!

 

[coatimundi_org]

Wow--looks really nice! They did a fantastic job--what a difference!

 

[MissGotRocks]

The ring looks so nice - and so does the diamond! I cannot believe someone buried that stone under those massive prongs! It certainly was safe but covering up the beauty!

You are such a good daughter to have her ring reworked - it looks fabulous!

 

[needmorediamonds]

I adore your mom''s ring! That miracle-head top is charming, pretty, and true retro - how wonderful that you kept it. Personally, I''d love to see it make a comeback.

 

[Fly Girl]

Date: 2/16/2009 10:42:23 PM
Author: needmorediamonds
I adore your mom's ring! That miracle-head top is charming, pretty, and true retro - how wonderful that you kept it. Personally, I'd love to see it make a comeback.

Thank you, all, for your kind comments!

needmorediamonds, the ring is back on my mom's finger, where it belongs.

She turns 80 this year, and I can't believe it. She doesn't look a day over 60! Amazing lady!

 

[mochi]

It''s really amazing the beautiful the diamond is! I couldn''t even see the diamond in the before picture, only the big prongs, but in the new setting the diamond really is pretty!

 

[ckrickett]

I love the look of the illusion head. Nothing I would want as an ering but if I found a cool piece as a RHR.
Both those rings are beautiful!

 

[marcy]

Wow, what a difference. It looks great.

 

[motownmama]

you are so nice to do that for your mom - I love her ring!

 

[BlueSki231]

WOW!! Awesome difference!!

 

[EricaR]

It looks wonderful! How did your mom react?

 

[AdiS]

What a change!!! It looks fantastic!

 

[Maisie]

Amazing difference. I bet she is thrilled!

 

[pixley]

Look at how happy that stone is now that it's not being smothered! What a beautiful, sweet thing for you to do!