re-build/re-size an channel set eternity?

[petit_bijou]

I know that the general consensus is that eternity bands can't be re-sized, but I have a ring that is too large and a bit damaged, but that it would mean a lot for me to wear. My great-aunt has an eternity band of french-cut sapphires that she wants to give me for my birthday (it's my birthstone), but it's two sizes too big for me, and has one cracked/crushed stone. The timing is kind of crazy, as I had just been thinking about how much I would love to have a band like it to wear alongside a plain band in place of an e-ring for days I don't want the height of a mounted stone, and of course, it would have extra sentimental value.

Do you think it would be possible to take out the damaged stone to re-size the ring smaller without having to build a new band for the stones? The platinum is in otherwise good condition, so it seems a shame to scrap it all. How much do you think it would cost to deconstruct the ring and have a new one made in my size? I guess the other option is to see if a horse-shoe sizer could be installed, and wear it with the cracked stone turned down... what do you guys thing I should do?

Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of the actual ring, but it's like MayK's band with no milgrain. I hope she doesn't mind me posting a photo as an example...

 

[kefira]

I had this done with an antique ring. It was a size 7.5 when I bought it, and it is now a size 4.5. The resizing was actually done twice - I had estimated that 4 stones needed to come out for it to fit, but they first took out 3 and had me try it on for size again to be sure, then they took out the fourth stone as it was definitely still too big. So, just be sure to find a jeweler with a laser welder who has done the process before, and see what they say. You do have to be aware that you may not get the exact size you want, and may need sizing beads (as you are limited to the size of the stones), if you want to keep the ring a true eternity band. Personally, I don't like the look of near-eternity rings, so I wanted to avoid a sizing area. It worked out very well for me, and I was able to have migraine added and the side engraving matched up as well. On very close inspection, I can see tiny (hair-width or smaller) gaps between a few stones from the resize, but you can't see them unless you are really looking.

I just realized that I never posted this ring in the antiques or SMTB section, which I had planned to do. Ah well, my camera isn't much for detailed shots. Have a crappy phone pic anyway!