Resizing Ring Questions

[noob2010]

I have a platinum ring that needs to be resized down 1/4 or 1/2 size. I was quoted $60 from a local jewelry shop for the resizing work. Is that too expensive?

And how is it actually done? Do they just cut out a small piece and weld it back together?

I was searching through the archvies and someone mentioned asking to keep the cut out piece of your ring. Is this typical or would the jeweler look at me like I''m crazy for asking for that little bit back?

Thanks

 

[zhuzhu]

To be honest $60 sounds rather high to me. Of course it also depends on if the band is very difficult to work with due to its design. I would shop around by asking a few more jewelers.

 

[denverappraiser]

Prices vary from market to market and from jeweler to jeweler. Not all value their time and skills the same and the best are rarely the cheapest. I''m not so sure it''s in your best interest to be pressing for the craftsman with the cheapest prices but that''s up to you. I would be shopping for someone with the tools and the talent to do it well unless they''re way out of line pricewise. That said, that’s pretty typical around here (Denver)for a platinum size down but it may be different in your town.

A ‘size’ is a 2.5mm piece, which means a quarter size is going to be a 0.62mm piece. The sawcuts are about 0.25mm each so this means the remaining piece would be 0.12mm, which is a little more than the thickness of a piece of paper. That’s way too small to worry about collecting and recycling yourself. Chances are god that the jeweler is going to be using a file instead of cutting out a piece anyway.

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

 

[MustangGal]

$60 sounds about right for platinum, I think I paid about the same to have mine sized.

 

[Rockdiamond]

IMO $60 is by no means a high price for a size adjustment in platinum if it''s done correctly.
A lot of places will solder the ring together, as opposed to welding it.
This can leave a lot more evidence of the size adjustment compared to platinum welded back together.

As Neil mentioned, skill levels vary dramatically...... cheap might be very expensive in the long run.

 

[tyty333]

For plat $60 sounds like a deal! I had my 1.5mm plat ring sized up 1/2 size and it cost me just over $100 and I live
in a town which is fairly affordable.

 

[noob2010]

(I really wished the email notifications on this site would work...)

Thanks for your advice. So it seems like $60 isn''t totally out of line. Is there anything specific I should be asking when they do the resize other than making sure that they weld it instead of soldering?

 

[LGK]

Make sure that they leave the assay marks- the platinum mark. They can get polished out. Oh and if they're soldering, make sure they solder with platinum, not gold. A lot of not-so-great benches will use gold solder on platinum and that makes for a poor/weak join. The gold solder is cheaper, you see... hence the temptation to cut corners using it.

The bench guy I go to uses solder to size, and he is able to do undetectable sizing. I would say that you just want to find someone who is proficient with their tools with experience and who can show you examples of their work.

I would also say it's a good idea to not shop for the cheapest. I've seen sooooo many butchered rings sized poorly. A good sizing job should be virtually undetectable. Unfortunately most are not that well done. You want someone who is going to do a nice job and make your ring look like it looked before sizing. It is possible! (Tattoos and jewelry bench work- two things which should not be bargain shopped IMO.)

 

[noob2010]

Ok, if they solder, I''ll make sure they use platinum... but would they even need to use anything extra if I''m down sizing?

Are there any advantages/disadvantages to welding vs soldering?

 

[snuapril01]

hello. i am new to this forum and it seemed like many gem knowledgeable people visit this place, so i just registered myself.
so, i haven''t been married for that long now, and i usually just wear my beverley k wedding band these days. but I do have a lovely engagement ring that i wish to wear time to time, but because of the design of the ring and also because of my weight loss the ring fits me very loose now.

the problem is, my center stone is irradiated blue diamond in radiant cut 3 ct.
and if it gets direct high heat it may change the color of the center stone which is peacock blue now.

as far as i know, it was only enhanced for its color, and did not have any clarity enhance and the band it self is very thin and made with 14k yellow gold.

i have a very small ring finger and the ring is now sz 5
but it seems like the true size i need is 4.5
it''s really hard to find this sz ring to begin with anyway.

so, i have been trying to find a jeweler who can resize the irradiated stone rings, while i am attending but it is kind of hard to find.

i live in valencia, california 91355
does any one know where i can find someone who deals with irradiated diamonds rings in the drivable area?

thanks everyone!