Reusing diamond already set in ring

[MJ0911]

Hi all,

I'm not sure whether this is the right place for this post but I'm hoping someone can help. I've been looking for an oval diamond and found the perfect one (I think!) - GIA-graded F, SI1 with good polish and symmetry. Importantly it's a price I can actually afford. My problem is that it is set in a ring already. The diamond is inset into the metal (rather than prongs etc), and I just wondered before I buy whether anyone can confirm it's possible to extract the diamond from this kind of setting without damaging it?

Many thanks!

 

[dk168]

A skilled goldsmith should be able to extract the stone from bezel/gypsy setting without scratching/damaging the stone. However, the setting may not be usable after the stone has been extracted.

I am certain this has been done before by other PSers. Hopefully, they will come along soon to offer their advice and recommendations of suitable benches that can undertake such work.

DK

 

[MJ0911]

Thanks - that's reassuring! I'm not planning on reusing the setting (though I might melt down and reuse the gold).

And v cute dog btw!

 

[Acinom]

It can be done by an experienced goldsmith. My ring was gypsy set with 14 stones and all stones came out without any damage. The setting was damaged but not as bad as I thought beforehand. The gold was used to make a channel set eternity.

My OEC was set in a very very very thick bezel . It took the goldsmith a while to take it out but there was no damage to the diamond at all. The setting is damaged (a hole needed to be drilled near the bottom as well), but I guess it can be repaired if I would ever want to set a coloured stone in the thick bezel .

All the best with your purchase

 

[Tekate]

The jewelry store where I have had two rings made said a jeweler cannot reuse gold, it has to be melt down and the gold taken out and then add new gold.. I thought it 'odd' but i've seen people say on Pricescope that they reused their gold... is my jewler correct?

thank you so much.

It can be done by an experienced goldsmith. My ring was gypsy set with 14 stones and all stones came out without any damage. The setting was damaged but not as bad as I thought beforehand. The gold was used to make a channel set eternity.

My OEC was set in a very very very thick bezel . It took the goldsmith a while to take it out but there was no damage to the diamond at all. The setting is damaged (a hole needed to be drilled near the bottom as well), but I guess it can be repaired if I would ever want to set a coloured stone in the thick bezel .

All the best with your purchase

 

[WinkHPD]

Hi all,

I'm not sure whether this is the right place for this post but I'm hoping someone can help. I've been looking for an oval diamond and found the perfect one (I think!) - GIA-graded F, SI1 with good polish and symmetry. Importantly it's a price I can actually afford. My problem is that it is set in a ring already. The diamond is inset into the metal (rather than prongs etc), and I just wondered before I buy whether anyone can confirm it's possible to extract the diamond from this kind of setting without damaging it?

Many thanks!

A competent goldsmith will be able to do this. What he/she can not guarantee however is that there is no preexisting damage to the stone that is hidden by the bezel. While it is unlikely that there is any preexisting damage, you might want to take the ring to a gemologist so that he/she can examine the ring under a microscope and also check in the reflections from the opposite pavilion facets to take a "sneak peak" at the area under the metal.

If you are buying this ring from a retail store or internet vendor, make the sale contingent upon them removing the stone for you. If you are buying from a private party, have the gemologist inspect the stone for you and return it still set if he gives you a negative opinion.

Just my thoughts...

Wink