paging Mike...pave band sizing advice

[Christina...]

Hi Mike. Thanks for offering to give me some guidance. I really only need to size my ring 1/4- 1/2 a size, and honestly it bothers DH more than it does me. My ring does constantly spin though and I'm always adjusting it, however, because so many others have posted about the nightmares that they have had with their pave rings, I'm hesitant to do anything to mine. I've had the ring for just over a year and have no problems at all. It''s a 2mm french pave shank with 2 pointers. I tried getting some decent photos for you, and well...this is the best that I came up with. The ring was purchased from JA and they would also be doing the sizing. I'm having them set a new stone for me and they will have to replace the head as well.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much!

 

[Christina...]

another..

 

[Gypsy]

Not Mike, but Christina have you considered sizing beads instead of actual sizing? If I were sizing down instead of up I wouldn't risk my pave.

 

[Mike R]

Hi Christina, sorry for the late reply, tomorrow is ANZAC day (a holiday) down here in NZ so I was rushed off my feet today.

I'm sure JA will be able to successfully size your ring down that little amount for you.
Your ring has four beads per melee, that's really good.
You also have deep cuts in the casting between the melee, it is more likely for those cuts to open slightly (not a noticeably visual difference) than for the seats to open up or oval, the cuts can open slightly while the beads will remain safely holding the diamond.

Is the band solid or are the holes for the melee drilled all the way through?

I can see in the second picture that the lower row of beads look like little bars and the top they row look more like beads, it's hard to tell because of the sun but they should be checked that it's not wear (from a band maybe) the difference might also just be camera angle.

Gypsys idea of sizing beads is also a great suggestion, they tend to give you a bit more room on hot swollen days but the grip enough to stop the ring from spinning on cold ones.

Again, you really should in this case be fine with that small adjustment.

Hope that helps

 

[Christina...]

I'm sorry, yes, I forgot to mention that the ring is solid. And thank you so much for your thoughts. It's so nice to have someone with your experience and expertise on the boards now to offer direction and insight.

I have actually considered sizing beads. I'll be purchasing a band soon and prefer that it be a full eternity but reconsider when I think about the sizing restrictions and the possibility of (lets face it ) size fluxuation in the future, so ordering a slightly larger size and adding beads seemed to a good consideration.

Thank you Mike and Gypsy for the thoughts, I appreciate them!!

 

[Christina...]

I just had another thought. I mentioned that JA will be changing my head as well to accommodate a larger stone. I''m assuming that this will not be a problem since the ring is a tiffany style and it appears that the head is just sort of soldered onto the shank. I'm not sure if you can see this from the photos, but would you agree that this also shouldn't be an issue?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Christina, I absolutely recommend the sizing beads. You don't want to have to repeatedly size a ring over time, so that really is the best way to make adjustments without compromising your pave.

 

[maiell1]

Happy ANZAC day Mike...

This is another Mike over here in Australia!!

 

[Mike R]

I just had another thought. I mentioned that JA will be changing my head as well to accommodate a larger stone. I''m assuming that this will not be a problem since the ring is a tiffany style and it appears that the head is just sort of soldered onto the shank. I'm not sure if you can see this from the photos, but would you agree that this also shouldn't be an issue?

I can't really see from these pictures how integrated the head is, I would need a profile pic to be sure, but it does look like it would be an easy change over.

Because your thinking of changing the setting/head can I give you something else to think about, half of the rings I make are for NZ Women, Kiwis are an active bunch that wear their jewellery hard so my experience and concerns might not apply to you or your ring.

I know people like to have their settings open to view the pavilion but have you ever thought about having a thin under bezel tying the four claws together?
Personally settings like yours always make me feel a little nervous, I know lots of people have that style but the claw wires are just sitting out there without the support of some sort of structure tying them together or any support from a catherdral shoulder. If your claw wires were reinforced with a thin under bezel they wouldn't have to be as thick as they currently are and you would still have better security in my opinion. The under bezel would not be visible from the top.

Think of your prongs like your hand/fingers holding a golf ball at your finger tips, your finger tips holding that ball is just like a five prong setting holding a diamond.
Someone would reasonably easily be able to walk up to your hand and pry back a couple of your fingers or give your hand a slap resulting in you dropping the golf ball.
Then imagine the same golf ball at your finger tips but this time you have a single ring of strong tape wrapped around your fingers (tightly) at your knuckles, if done properly there would be no way you could drop the ball/diamond without removing the tape.
This is the same way an under bezel would work to keep your diamond safe and tight in the prongs.

If you do plan to keep the same unsupported wire setting you should ask your jeweller what type of peg heads they use, I don't have any experience with them but my understanding is that they can be either cast of forged/stamped by a machine, you will get better reliability and durability from the forged ones if that is an option.

Good luck.

 

[Mike R]

Happy ANZAC day Mike...

This is another Mike over here in Australia!!

Happy ANZAC day to you too Aussie Mike.

 

[Christina...]

I've always been worried about my setting, and have never been comfortable enough with it to be able to wear as I would like. I'm a stay at home mom for the most part but I won't wear my ring while I'm at home because I fear getting it caught up in the basket of the washing machine or banged while scrubbing floors...the glamorous life of a housewife! Fortuantely it's a temporary setting, unfortunately, it's temporary for perhaps another year. We've decided to do a series of small upgrades, this current one,1.25, and then the final one a 1.75, and then we plan on finding it's permanent home. I have setting phobia! We both want a custom hand forged piece, but I fear I may be one of those that don't have the artistic ability to visualize the final piece. But absolutely want to have a beautiful gallery and under bezel, I think that are beautiful!

Funny you should mention the prongs too, I've always despised my prongs, and I actually asked if they could do the new head differently and add claw prongs. I sent them several photos and they stated that they would not do the prongs as they felt they were too thin. Perhaps because the head doesn't have the basket to support it as you suggested.

I hope that you are enjoying your holiday!!


Gypsy, I think your right, I'm just not willing to risk it, and like I said, it bothers hubby more than me. I've always felt quite lucky to have had no issues with the setting, so why mess with it! Do you find the beads comfortable? They don't look like they would be, but I'm sure you must get used to it. I thought having pave between my fingers would bother me, but even with the constant spinning, I don't notice anything.

 

[Mike R]

It sounds like your a perfect client! Good on you for looking after your ring so well

It is a holiday but I'm in the workshop working on a big project I have to finish before I leave for the States, I'm still enjoying myself though
it's a lovely sunny day outside.

 

[Christina...]

I'm not sure if PS rules prevent you from answering this on the forum, but are you able to work and ship to the US? I thought that I had read a thread that mentioned that you weren't able to at this time. If you can't reply here I can contact you through your website.

 

[Mike R]

I'm really not sure if I should answer that on here, probably best I don't.

 

[Christina...]

Gotcha! I'll contact you through your website. Thanks again!

 

[Mike R]

I'm not sure if PS rules prevent you from answering this on the forum, but are you able to work and ship to the US? I thought that I had read a thread that mentioned that you weren't able to at this time. If you can't reply here I can contact you through your website.

I checked with Ella and I can answer this question,
Yes we do ship pieces to the US and also visit at least once a year.

I would like to say for those reading this that we are a very small shop, while I will always try and make the time for an interesting project, sometimes due to the labor intensive way we make our pieces we are unable to take on new projects.

Take care, Mike.