sizing an opal/diamond ring?

[scoutfinch]

Hi All,
Is it possible to resize (up) an opal ring? I have an antique opal ring set with a diamond halo. I had heard its difficult because the heat can crack the opal. Impossible?
Thanks!

 

[Bron357]

Opals, like emeralds are routinely unset to resize a ring If any heat is involved.
It doesn’t greatly add to the expense as it a relatively simple. Better safe than sorry,
Even “stretching up half a size” a ring with a bezel set opal usually requires removal from setting because the possible change in pressure on the bezel mount might cause a fracture.

 

[kindred]

I once had an opal ring destroyed during re-sizing. I'm sure it was a low-quality opal and it was just a sterling silver ring, but it was pretty and I was bummed about.

If it can be removed from the setting without damaging it, go that route.

 

[scoutfinch]

Thank you @Bron357 and @kindred for your advice! Kindred I'm sorry that happened. I'll check to see how easily it can be removed..

 

[kindred]

You know, I just realized that opal ring I had must have just been a "triplet". I had never heard the term before googling it. I had the ring around 30 years ago. It had a bezel and I am not sure if it would have been possible to remove the stone before sizing anyway. The jeweler who resized/damaged my "opal" said there was a little sponge behind it. Does that make any sense?

Can a real stone (not a triplet) typically be removed from a bezel without damaging the ring or the stone?

 

[MollyMalone]

The good news is that

Hi All,
Is it possible to resize (up) an opal ring? I have an antique opal ring set with a diamond halo. I had heard its difficult because the heat can crack the opal. Impossible?
Thanks!

The good news is that heat does not *have* to be used when re-sizing -- but you will need to find a "bench" with a laser welder. Laser welding set-ups aren't cheap, so not all that many benches have made the investment. But those that do have laser welding capability aren't usually shy about touting their ability to offer this superior way of accomplishing re-sizing and repairs of all kinds. E.g.,
http://hoffjewelers.com/new-york-jeweler-services/#D
http://www.smithsjlrs.com/laser-welding

 

[MollyMalone]

You know, I just realized that opal ring I had must have just been a "triplet". I had never heard the term before googling it. I had the ring around 30 years ago. It had a bezel and I am not sure if it would have been possible to remove the stone before sizing anyway. The jeweler who resized/damaged my "opal" said there was a little sponge behind it. Does that make any sense?
Perhaps the opal, or triplet, was glued down but owing to the passage of time, the glue had decomposed so as to resemble a sponge?
Can a real stone (not a triplet) typically be removed from a bezel without damaging the ring or the stone?
Conventional wisdom is that you either have to "bust" the bezel or smash the stone (and not just opals). Bezels can be re-built, but it's not a cheap fix because it's not easy to do well -- and I'd sure want to see some examples of bezels that a bench has rebuilt before I'd entrust them with the task.

 

[kindred]

Thank you, @MollyMalone. Perhaps it was glue.
As to the info on bezels, I was afraid of that! I love the look of bezeled halos but that might not be a practical choice for me since I would like the option of switching settings down the line.