Question on Tension Settings

[kboggs315]

I inquired with my jeweler the other day about tension settings. He told me that he had a recent customer who had her princess cut diamond in a tension setting and kept complaining that the diamond was loose. Turns out they physically watched her put the ring on over her large knuckle, and the setting actually opened causing her diamond to shift loosely, and then resumed tension once over her knuckle. Now, my knuckles are large, but not terribly so. This nonetheless caused me to think twice about a tension setting.

Has anyone heard of this?

 

[2Artists]

Hi-I''m not an expert on tension settings but we researched them for my Dad and I found a number of different threads here debating the security of tension settings. Some people thought they were OK some not. I read on here about at least one diamond getting lost from one.

Mrs.2Artists

 

[denverappraiser]

This is a serious manufacturing defect. A properly done tension mounting definitely will NOT do this. The key to good tension settings is in the alloy of the metal and there are only a couple of companies that do it. Kretchmer, Nissen, and Gelen & Abachi come to mind but there may be others. Unfortunately, there are lots of knockoffs that look sort of right on the outside but that don’t have the structural integrity to pull it off. Research your manufacturer before you buy. The good ones are hugely proud of their products and talk about the metallurgy prominently in their advertising and educational materials. If in doubt, ask about them here.

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

 

[kboggs315]

It was a Gelin Abaci ring! Thats why I was confused and concerned.

 

[denverappraiser]

Date: 7/22/2008 8:32:29 AM
Author: kboggs315
It was a Gelin Abaci ring! Thats why I was confused and concerned.

The owner of the ring should contact G&A immediately. I’ve never seen the piece in question but from the description I would fully expect this to be covered under the G&A warranty. Is the jeweler here an authorized G&A dealer? What did they recommend?

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

 

[kboggs315]

One more question....can a tension setting be worn 24/7? Can any ring be worn 24/7?

 

[kboggs315]

To my knowledge, they are an authorized dealer. Also, all I know up to now is that the ring was returned to GA.

I was very interested in tension settings (I should have listened to my husband in the first place, thats what he wanted me to get). But, the jeweler dissuaded me based on the fact that they know how "worried" (aka anal) I am about the safety of my diamond.