krohrbaugh
Rough_Rock
- Joined
- Apr 15, 2008
- Messages
- 2
My S.O. and I are currently on the market for an engagement ring and we''re both very interested in tension rings. We''ve made the rounds to the local jewelers and been encouraged by the B&M sales reps to steer clear of tension rings because the diamonds always fall out.
After having researched this on Pricescope and other sites, it seems that this is only common with low-quality knock-offs, and that quality tension rings are at least as safe as traditional prong mounts.
That said, it seems that information on how one actually goes about purchasing a ring like this is relatively scarce, so I thought I''d pose a few questions to the community:
1) Does anybody know if Steven Kretchmer''s studio is still doing business following his death? I found their website (http://www.stevenkretchmer.com/) but the site has some very out-of-date events and press information on it, and no list of authorized dealers. I called their phone number and got an answering service that says the company name (they were closed but it was in the evening), but was curious if anyone had information.
2) When purchasing a tension ring, does one buy the diamond and then send it in to a specialized studio to actually make the ring? It seems that Kretchmer''s studio did all the work in-house due to the patented alloys and process and that special equipment and processes are required in the Niessing and Gelin & Abaci rings, but the actual process of getting one of these isn''t all that clear. Our local jewelers seemed to be implying their jeweler would be doing the mount, but this seems to be the path to a lost diamond since the alloy hardening after mounting is what provides the pressure to hold the stone.
3) Aside from Kretchmer, Niessing and Gelin & Abaci are there any other high-quality sources for tension rings? I''d rather pay a bit more for quality than have a ring that needs tightened every three months or to lose the diamond altogether.
4) Are we crazy for wanting a tension ring? They look really unique and interesting, but the re-sizing issue and limited availability to see them in person before purchasing is a bit concerning.
Any other tips or information would be helpful. This whole thing is new for us, so we''re just kind of fumbling around in the dark.
Thanks!
After having researched this on Pricescope and other sites, it seems that this is only common with low-quality knock-offs, and that quality tension rings are at least as safe as traditional prong mounts.
That said, it seems that information on how one actually goes about purchasing a ring like this is relatively scarce, so I thought I''d pose a few questions to the community:
1) Does anybody know if Steven Kretchmer''s studio is still doing business following his death? I found their website (http://www.stevenkretchmer.com/) but the site has some very out-of-date events and press information on it, and no list of authorized dealers. I called their phone number and got an answering service that says the company name (they were closed but it was in the evening), but was curious if anyone had information.
2) When purchasing a tension ring, does one buy the diamond and then send it in to a specialized studio to actually make the ring? It seems that Kretchmer''s studio did all the work in-house due to the patented alloys and process and that special equipment and processes are required in the Niessing and Gelin & Abaci rings, but the actual process of getting one of these isn''t all that clear. Our local jewelers seemed to be implying their jeweler would be doing the mount, but this seems to be the path to a lost diamond since the alloy hardening after mounting is what provides the pressure to hold the stone.
3) Aside from Kretchmer, Niessing and Gelin & Abaci are there any other high-quality sources for tension rings? I''d rather pay a bit more for quality than have a ring that needs tightened every three months or to lose the diamond altogether.
4) Are we crazy for wanting a tension ring? They look really unique and interesting, but the re-sizing issue and limited availability to see them in person before purchasing is a bit concerning.
Any other tips or information would be helpful. This whole thing is new for us, so we''re just kind of fumbling around in the dark.
Thanks!