Process of resetting e-ring?

[chrissywu1128]

My husband bought my e-ring from BN back in 2007. I still love the setting but I've always thought the prongs were a little chunky and not rounded enough. So I'm thinking of resetting the diamond. I'd love for people who have done it before to explain their process to me. Did you go to a local jeweler? Send your ring to an internet vendor? How do you deal with insuring it? Could I just ask a local jeweler to redo the prongs on the old ring and how would that affect the integrity? Thanks in advance.

 

[Gypsy]

Your ring should be insured already. If it is not, do so. That's the first thing.

What type of setting do you want? Let's start there.

 

[chrissywu1128]

I don't have a standalone policy for it but it should be covered by my homeowner's insurance. But I'm not sure if that covers it being worked on by a jeweler...

I'd like something with 6 prongs (for a round brilliant) and a simple thin band. And something more fluid than the traditional Tiffany setting.

 

[Gypsy]

No. Your homeowners will not cover the entire value of your ring. Most homeowners insurance covers a VERY small amount of a jewelry item. Usually around 1500. You can purchase Riders to cover the whole value. If you do not have this, I suggest you call your insurance company and speak with them.

You can also get a stand alone, and frankly it's the ideal. Jeweler's Mutual specializes in this.

I am getting the feeling you probably haven't been keeping up with your appraisals as well. You should get your ring appraised every 18-36 months.

So the first thing you need to do is get the ring reliably appraised and fully insured.

You can't do anything until those two things happen. I highly recommend you have the appraiser or a jeweler unset your stone for the appraisal. It's just a good idea. If you have a lab report, take that with you.

After that, we can discuss what you need to do. But until you do those two things, you cannot safely get your diamond reset. Okay?

 

[Gypsy]

Where are you located, so we can recommend an appraiser. You should do to someone local to you, if possible.

How large is your stone?

I love this setting, by Engagement Rings Direct. It seems to have what you want: http://www.pricescope.com/blog/jewel-week-rose-gold-solitaire-355-carat-old-european-cut-diamond

But it requires a larger stone.

If your stone is smaller then this is what I'd recommend.

 

[Sunstorm]

Great suggestions Gypsy; nice setting. As a private person while living in the US I too used JM for insurance, for higher value items good insurance is a must and yes they will require a recent appraisal.

 

[TC1987]

I don't think I'd use a local jeweler to make prongs more aesthetically pleasing. Brian Gavin's people can make great claw prongs out of chunky one. Send it to BGD or GOG or Wink or some other Pricescope jeweler is what I'd recommend.

Or, get a new setting. If you want claw prongs you'd have to choose a jeweler who makes good ones. For remounts, you can use stock settings from Stuller or other casting house, go with any designer line that appeals to you, etc. Decide what your budget is, and that will probably help narrow down the options.

The bridal magazines used to always do a big 4-6 page spread featuring engagement rings. But I think they stopped that back in about 2009 when the economy tanked. I don't watch closely, but I don't think I've seen a decent e-ring article since then.

 

[chrissywu1128]

I didn't realize you have to keep getting your ring appraised. What's the purpose of that? Sounds like I have some homework to do before I can reset my ring. I'm in the San Jose Bay Area and my stone is 1.3 carats. So while I get my insurance in place, can you guys tell me the specifics of the process? I would pick a vendor, purchase a setting, mail my ring to them, they reset and mail both back?