shape
carat
color
clarity

Reset or learn to live with it?

Status
Not open for further replies. Please create a new topic or request for this thread to be opened.

Dee Jay

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Dec 19, 2005
Messages
240

I received my beautiful 3 ct oval upgrade for X-mas but the setting is (in my non-expert opinion) just crap. They obviously removed the old head (which was for a 1.33 ct pear) and jammed in a new one to fit this stone. It doesn''t look like the pear side stones were spread apart at all, so the oval sits up more than 8 mm, and the bottom of the band looks "wrinkled."


(The obvious question is why I didn''t get a loose stone and have my regular guy do it in the first place, which is what I really wanted. Unfortunately the diamond seller wouldn''t ship a loose stone--something about insurance?--so I had to let him set it before it went out. I didn''t have a lot of confidence in the quality of the workmanship of that jeweler based on what I had heard, but I hoped for the best... and that is not exactly what I got.)


My easy answer was to just have a whole new *perfect* mounting made from scratch. This morning though I read some horror stories about diamonds getting damaged during resetting. Am I worrying too much and should I leave it in the capable hands of the setter, or should I just learn to love the diamond and overlook the setting?


One final item: There is an inverted natural on the girdle, which is currently right beside--not under--a prong (which I understand is the right place for it to be) and the appraiser I took it to yesterday said the flaw is so small not to worry about it from a structural standpoint. But realistically that must add some sort of danger to the resetting process, although of course I would point it out to the setter.


Knowing how I’ve been with other pieces the setting might become a non-issue over time, but at the moment it’s driving me crazy. (I do have to confess that aside from the obvious height of the stone, I have to take the ring off and scrutinize the thing from a very short distance and at odd angles to notice the things that bug me. So, from the vantage point of a normal personal looking at the ring, there are no obvious issues.)


Oh, what to do, what to do… ? Please give me some advice!
 
Oh no! So sorry to read this...

My answer is this--do NOT settle for what you are not thrilled with. And you are not thrilled with this setting job. I recommend a new setting made to hold all three stones correctly. Itll be worth the expense.
 
Ame - Off topic of this thread, but I was 100% with you on the one you started about being afraid to wear your rings. I was TERRIFIED of this thing for the first few days--I even took it to an appraiser and asked her opinion on the flaws to make sure it was structurally sound (like the thing was going to just fall apart on my hand or something!). She told me to relax and enjoy it. And, of course, I am insured up the wazoo, so that helps a bit too. But the whole way to work on Tuesday morning I had a plan of how to catch myself with my RIGHT hand if I should happen to trip on the sidewalk and fall!
 
Hi Dee Jay,

Congrats on your beautiful new stone. Do not settle for a setting that your not absolutely "in love" with. It''s a big purchase, you should love.

I vote for a new setting!
 
I agree Dee Jay a new setting is in order. Don''t settle for something you''re not thrilled with. Good luck!!
 
First of all, I think you should take a breather for at least a couple months before deciding. There are so many expectations involved in a big upgrade like that -- pictures in your head, fantasies etc ... NOTHING can live up to the dream.

On my e-ring one of the prongs is a tiny bit askew. I decided to wait to ask the appraiser what she thought and she said DON''T TOUCH IT. DON''T FIX IT. That the stone was very secure and that any "fixing" might ruin an otherwise perfect, gorgeous setting. Almost two months later it doesn''t bug me much. I decided the overall look was more important to me & after seeing so many "fixing" horror stories on P-scope - to leave well enough alone. If I''m unhappy in the long run -- I''d probably reset rather than fix, because I imagine by then my tastes may have changed or new styles might tempt me etc. Also I just don''t have much confidence in "fixes" - there seem to be so few artists out there that do work I wouldn''t pick apart in some way. I figure I can chase the dream forever or concede & love the one I''m with/wearing
2.gif
.

That said, if you''re still not happy in a couple months (cooling off period) ... I''d probably reset unless you''ve got a lot of confidence in your usual guy. GOOD LUCK -- pictures wouldn''t hurt
18.gif
17.gif
 
I agree with everyone else - reset it so you love it!
 
Date: 12/29/2005 1:48:06 PM
Author: old-fashioned girl
I agree with everyone else - reset it so you love it!
ditto-----------i would be hospitallized over something like that --i am embarassed to admit. REDO IT RIGHT.........
 
Hi, Dee Jay! I knew the answer to this one without even reading your post!

Reset it...DON''T settle and ''live with it''!!!

How weird that the seller wouldn''t ship a loose stone. Obviously it''s done all the time...
33.gif


widget
 
Thank you all for your input!

I think Decodelighted has a good point (although I wish the topic of PRONGS had not come up--I didn''t even MENTION those in my original message!). And Window Shopper, that comment about being hospitalized made me laugh out loud. I am right there with you!

I will post pics as soon as the batteries for the digital camera recharge (too many photos of the dog opening his Christmas presents ran them down...) and then you can all tell me if I''m crazy.
 
3.gif
Haha we all love our furry friends here on PS.
 
Life is short - if you are in a position to have it reset then do it. Why live with flaws that you can''t stand? There are some things in life you can do nothing about. Change the ones you can!

Do you have any pics of this ring to share with us?
 
I''ll post pics hopefully tonight (the camera batteries should be ready by then). Actually got my nails done just for the photos!
 
First of all, can''t wait for the pics!

As for the setting, I would definitely reset it if it looks as bad as it sounds.
 
Good - we''ll be waiting for the pictures!
 
Just tried to take photos but the light meter on the camera says there''s not enough light anywhere in my house. Will have to take them outside in the daylight on Saturday. Sorry about the delay, but I promise they will get posted!
 
Dee Jay so sorry to hear that you aren't entirely happy with the setting for your upgrade. Hope you will be able to post pictures for us soon.
 
Date: 12/29/2005 7:13:24 PM
Author: Dee Jay
Just tried to take photos but the light meter on the camera says there''s not enough light anywhere in my house. Will have to take them outside in the daylight on Saturday. Sorry about the delay, but I promise they will get posted!
i feel like charlie brown with lucy pulling away the football....................
 
Date: 12/29/2005 1:31:02 PM
Author:Dee Jay


My easy answer was to just have a whole new *perfect* mounting made from scratch.

Way to go!


This morning though I read some horror stories about diamonds getting damaged during resetting.
Am I worrying too much and should I leave it in the capable hands of the setter,

Yeah... if these accidents were anywhere common, there wouldn't be any jewelry store left and everyone would be wearing diamonds on string.


or should I just learn to love the diamond and overlook the setting?

Nooooooo....


One final item: There is an inverted natural on the girdle, .... But realistically that must add some sort of danger to the resetting process

No. This is not rare at all.




Oh, what to do, what to do… ?

Choose a custom jeweler you can trust and go for it.
Just my 2c, of course.

I can understand why you are nervous about these things... But this doesn't change the fact that diamonds are reset very often and if problems occur, this is very rare occurrence. The jeweler making the ring has even more reason to keep it in one piece than you do - his reputation is more critical than any piece of jewelry.

If you can, it may make sense to avoind having the piece reworked by the same shop that did the shoddy work. If this is the best they can do... no reason to fidn out what else they might come up with (worse?).
11.gif
 
Date: 12/29/2005 1:31:02 PM
Author:Dee Jay

I received my beautiful 3 ct oval upgrade for X-mas but the setting is (in my non-expert opinion) just crap.

Dee Jay, no one, repeat no one, should pay good money for an upgrade and then have it back and call it crap. DEFINITELY speak to the jeweler, let them know your thoughts on the setting and get them to fix it properly. Insist that if it is not fixed to your satisfaction 2nd time round then you want your money back so you can get the diamond set elsewhere. As for them not being able to ship a loose diamond.... huh? What''s their problem? Vendors do it all the time.
 
Sorry, Window Shopper, about the "football." I tried everywhere for good enough light, but no dice. This weekend, I promise!

You''re right, Valeria, people do get their pieces reset all the time without tragedy, so I need to get over my fear and trot this off to the jeweler. I keep thinking I''ll get used to this setting, and it just ain''t happenin''...

And Mini Mouse, I didn''t pay for the new mounting or for the stone to be set (unless you consider the price of those items already embedded in the price of the diamond) so I can''t really ask for $ back unfortunately. As for not shipping a loose stone, I had the ring sent out of state for sales tax reasons (hope no one from the state taxing authorities is reading this forum!!!) and the store said their insurance would not permit the shipment of a loose stone so it had to be set. I don''t think they had any reason to say that if it wasn''t true because it cost the store more by virtue of having to build the new mounting and set the stone rather than just shipping it loose. I also thought it was odd, but since it was purchased at a B&M store rather than an internet vendor I guess I went their explanation.

Anyway, barring a blizzard in the midwest, I will go out on my roofdeck tomorrow for the best light and photos WILL be posted!

P.S. - I read the thread on spacer rings the other day. Any opinions on whether a regular rounded domed style or a knife edge would be less noticeable? Maybe if you go small enough it doesn''t matter, but I would like it to be "invisible" and still stop the e-ring and the eternity band from clunking together.
 
Status
Not open for further replies. Please create a new topic or request for this thread to be opened.
GET 3 FREE HCA RESULTS JOIN THE FORUM. ASK FOR HELP
Top