TERRIFYING!!! Lost diamond in 10 month old ring!

[rottenstinker]

Absolutely terrifying experience this week when my diamond came out of it''s bezel setting and I didn''t notice until I thought it was too late. I was working on set (I am a set decorator in the film & TV industry) when I looked down during a take and realized it was gone. There it is was... a big hole in my beautiful ring. After the panic set in, I frantically started trying to retrace my steps and remember when the last time was that I saw it. Did I see it in the car on the way to work? Did I loose it in the shower at whatever ungodly hour it was that I woke up? Something in my mind vaguely remembered feeling like something had fallen while I was taking flowers out of a bucket to cut and put in a vase. I headed in that direction and there it was... on the floor just beaming in the sunlight waiting for me to find it. You have no idea how that feels. WOW, I was lucky. Which brings me to my question for the forum. It was a bezel setting. The ring is only 10 months old. A professional and well known jeweler made the ring. Is this normal? It thought I had a good setting for someone who uses her hands a lot for work. I didn''t bump it... it just fell out. HELP. Do I trust the jeweler to put it back in again? Do jewelers normally insure their work? The diamond was bought from a different source than where the ring was made. I am so afraid that when it is repaired that I will spend most of my time staring at it to make sure it is still there. Any information and suggestions would be very much appreciated.

 

[door knob solitaire]

What a first post, rottenstinker! So welcome

!!

I can''t believe how fortunate you were! That is incredible. I thought the bezel was bulletproof! I would have thought it falling out was never to be an issue. (at least out of the top of the design.) It seems to me the size or measurement may have been off...was it a custom made piece?

Sorry I don''t have PRO knowledge to comment on your question. But I wonder if they can add some sort of holder beads underneath so the stone won''t move. Maybe a bead isn''t the answer but a shelf or something? Not sure if I would just reset it...I mean put it back in. I would make sure something was in place as next time it may be a cloudy day!

Just wanted to chime in and say WHEW! Have you considered buying a power ball ticket? You are on a roll!!

Welcome once again...wish it had been a happier news post. All in all, it is pretty incredible that you found it.

DKS

 

[rottenstinker]

Funny you should mention it, Door Knob Solitaire, I did buy a Super Lotto ticket! No luck though. I decided in the end that the diamond was meant to be with me and that was why I found it. What my husband and I share is so amazing to me that, as cheesy as it sounds, maybe love brought the diamond back to me.

My husband thought about your suggestion as well. We wondered if there was a more secure way to attach the diamond inside the ring. It was a custom design by a local jeweler and he sends his rings out to a "setter." We will be discussing this with him this week when we go and see him. I am still nervous!!

Thanks for the welcome. I am hoping to ease some of my anxiety by learning from this forum.

 

[SuzyQZ]

Date: 8/26/2007 3:05:55 PM
Author: door knob solitaire
What a first post, rottenstinker! So welcome

!!

I can''t believe how fortunate you were! That is incredible. I thought the bezel was bulletproof! I would have thought it falling out was never to be an issue. (at least out of the top of the design.) It seems to me the size or measurement may have been off...was it a custom made piece?

Sorry I don''t have PRO knowledge to comment on your question. But I wonder if they can add some sort of holder beads underneath so the stone won''t move. Maybe a bead isn''t the answer but a shelf or something? Not sure if I would just reset it...I mean put it back in. I would make sure something was in place as next time it may be a cloudy day!

Just wanted to chime in and say WHEW! Have you considered buying a power ball ticket? You are on a roll!!

Welcome once again...wish it had been a happier news post. All in all, it is pretty incredible that you found it.

DKS

Yup, that''s what I thought too! A bezel setting was THE safestest way to secure a diamond, perfect for active people who use their hands alot.

Phew! (wiping the sweat off my forehead) what a close call you had!

Thank goodness you found your diamond!!

I hear ya about being paranoid now, even if reset, I would be so uneasy about the security of the diamond in the setting.

I don''t know if anyone can "guarantee" a diamond will never fall out, but still... I always thought bezel settings were the "Fort Knox" of diamond setting safety.

I''m curious to hear what the jeweler is going to say. Is this a workmanship issue? I''m sure the PS "experts" will chime in to give you tips on what to ask about and look for in the setting to make sure it''s done correctly.

Again, I''m so happy for you that you found your diamond

 

[diamondseeker2006]

My big question is...is your ring insured? If not, I wouldn''t wear it another day until it is fully insured. That said, I''d certainly have some questions for the person who set your stone in the first place! And once they reset it (for free), I''d take it somewhere else and have it checked to be sure it is secure.

 

[rottenstinker]

Thanks SuzyQZ. I am hoping to be able to walk in there with information and the right questions to ask. I just hope he might be able to tell me WHY it happened.

Funny you guys should mention "Bulletproof" because that is what I said when I got it (well, after the tears and the standing ovation at the restaurant where he proposed). I always knew if I got an engagement ring that it would have to be like Fort Knox! Lets hope the resetting is! I''ll keep you posted.

 

[rottenstinker]

Oh and absolutely the ring is insured! The day we got back from our special weekend we did it!! And obviously I can replace the diamond, but it is the sentiment that can never be replaced.

Thanks for the advice. I am actually going to another jeweler in the area and get some advice and bring the ring in for him to see. I refuse to feel like an idiot about this.

 

[denverappraiser]

I’m glad to hear you found it.

You’re correct that bezels are generally very secure and the one in the photo seems to be heavy enough to hold a stone for a good long time. There’s no way of telling from the picture if there was a craftsmanship problem with the original setting job but the fact that the stone came out without a significant amount of trauma is evidence that there was. Did you have it appraised and did the appraiser discuss the setting work with you?

It’s worth noting that since you were insured, this would have been a covered loss had you not found the stone. Not that this is a justification for bad workmanship on the part of the jeweler but at least some of the pain would have been borne by the insurance company.

My suggestion is first to pay a visit to the jeweler who set it. Ask specifically for an explanation of what went wrong and a confirmation that the diamond has not been damaged and that the mounting is not defective. Assuming that the stone and mounting are ok and you get a polite apology and an offer to reset it for free, I would let him/her do it. Next, take it to an independent appraiser and get a confirmation that it was set properly, that it’s still undamaged, that the mounting isn't defective and that it's secure. Then take or email the report from the appraiser to your insurance agent. Call it an update. What this does is provide a paper trail for the insurance company and prevents them from being able to say that you withheld relevant facts.

Lastly, wear it and don’t worry. Bezels are indeed a secure way to set stones and in the unlikely event of a future problem it will be an issue for the insurance company to deal with, not you.

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

 

[Kaleigh]

So glad you found it!!! Let us know what the other jeweler says. I too was under the impression that bezel settings are some of the most secure settings out there. Good luck!!

 

[rottenstinker]

Thank you so much for the advice Neil. What a great idea to inform the insurance company. And you are the 2nd person to suggest having an appraiser check the ring after it has been reset.

I''ll keep you posted.

 

[Circe]

First off, congratulations on finding the stone! As to why it fell out ... this sounds like a jewelers/setters error, plain and simple. Bezel settings are *very* safe, in general ... unless the jeweler makes the bezel a hair too big in circumference (which can allow rattling, wearing away of the bezel, etc.), or a hair too small in height, which won''t adequately secure the stone once the metal is pushed over it - then, even a few small knocks can be enough to weaken the metal and eventually loosen the stone. Alternately, the jeweler could have made an exquisite ring (from the picture, it looks beautiful!), but if the setter was nervous about damaging the stone, or simply hadn''t done too many bezel settings before, s/he might have left it a bit loose.

It''s impossible to tell what the problem was from the photo, but once you have it fixed, the way to reassure yourself is simply to examine the bezel periodically the same way people with prong-set rings are encouraged to check theirs ... make sure that the bezel extends far enough past the girdle to make you feel safe, see if the bezel is in contact with the stone at all points, check for rattling, etc. ... and, given Neil''s excellent advice, not drive yourself frantic worrying about it. Lightening striking twice, and all that ....

Good luck, and let us know how it goes!

 

[rottenstinker]

Thanks Circe for the info. The strange thing about it all is that the diamond sits back in it''s place very nicely right now and if I didn''t know it was loose, it would look totally normal to me. Which makes me believe that the circumference around the stone was too big. I feel like there was not enough of the white gold covering the diamond around the edges and it was only a matter of time before it fell out. Again, I am curious to see if anyone can give me a better explanation seeing as how I am simply going on what I see.

 

[rottenstinker]

Oh, and since I am getting such great advice from you guys, does anyone know of a good appraiser in Santa Monica, Venice or Culver City, CA. Neil, do you have a network of appraisers that might know of one in my area?
Thanks again!!

 

[Stone Hunter]

WOW I''m so glad you found your stone!!!

 

[denverappraiser]

There are some first rate appraisers out in California but I don’t claim to know navigation between the various towns. I get lost every time I visit my brother in Fullerton or my wife’s family in Chula Vista. There’s a list of appraisers at the top of the page under ‘resources’ that should be helpful.

Here are some additional places to look for a jewelry appraiser. Bear in mind that most appraisers are associated with jewelry stores, auction houses and similar folks that are in the business of buying and selling things. In many cases this isn't a problem but in this case I think it is since you are specifically looking for information about craftsmanship problems with a competitor. If you can find an independent, I recommend it.

American Gem Society www.ags.org
National Association of Jewelry Appraisers www.najaappraisers.com
American Society of Appraisers www.appraisers.org
International Society of Appraisers www.isa-appraisers.org

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

 

[rottenstinker]

Thank you Neil. I agree. An independent would be best. I''ll take a look.

 

[:)]

Try under resources at the top of the page, then appraisers. For what you want, Patrick Davis is in your area and a really nice guy.

 

[rottenstinker]

Thanks Ideal Rock! Have you worked with Patrick Davis? I''ll check him out.

 

[:)]

Yes, I have worked with him a couple of times - very nice guy, enjoys teaching. He has weekend hours too if you need them.

 

[rottenstinker]

Appreciate the info!!! Thank you!

 

[:)]

You''re welcome!

 

[angeline]

Hey rottenstinker! what a story! I am glad it had a happy ending. I too am in the ''bulletproof'' camp. I love your setting by the way, I would love to see more pics of it (when it''s back to normal!)

Welcome and keep us updated!

 

[LuvPugs]

Yay, so glad you found it! What a beautiful ring!

P.S. You have such a neat job! I want to hear more about what you do!

 

[shminbabe]

What an enormous relief!

My mom''s 1 ct round stone fell out of her ring once several years ago. She also found it. It was amazing how it happened. She found it in the dirt just off her mother''s front porch. Imagine. I think it was meant to come back to her, just like yours.

I''m so happy with you.

jeannie

 

[rottenstinker]

Thanks for all the responses. Trust me when I tell you that I feel like the luckiest woman on the planet. And again, it isn''t so much about the value of the diamond, but more about the fact that my husband picked out the diamond and designed the ring having never had a conversation with me about what I would like in an engagement ring. Some people have their knight in shining armor who rides up and sweeps them off their feet. My only hope when I found Mr. Right For Me was that he would know me well enough to be able to create a ring that I would love. I found that man and I love my ring. I feel so naked without it on.

As for my job, Luv Pugs, I basically decorate spaces for a living. I have a Production Designer and/or an Art Director that comes up with a general idea of what the set should look like and I shop for all of the furniture and decorations that will make the space what he has envisioned. It''s kind of like being a mind reader some days. It can be exhausting as well. I work long hours - 12 on average per day and that is a good day, but that is normal in Film and TV. I am also a photographer so I do a lot of self promoting by putting my art work on the wall.

I enjoy the fact that I don''t have a 9-5 desk job and that I only end up working 8 months out of the year so I can''t really complain.

Shminbabe, I love your story too! My mom lost her diamond about 15 years ago at her mothers house in England and thought it was lost forever. One afternoon we got a call from her and she had run across it while she was vacuuming. Seems she saw a sparkle on the rug and stopped to check it out before sucking it up. Good thing, eh! My parents have been married for 40 years. I think the diamond was meant to be with her too.

I will keep the updates coming as I learn more.

 

[marcy]

Rottenstinker, I am so glad to hear you found your diamond. That is really lucky. I have butterflies in my stomach thinking about how freaked out I would be if my diamond was missing. I am sure it can be fixed and securely set but I would certainly have that confirmed by an appraiser. Good luck!

 

[Tacori E-ring]

First of all welcome to PS!

I am SO glad you found your diamond! What a relief that must have been. Good luck fixing your setting. It is a really pretty ring.

 

[door knob solitaire]

Rotten...what an incredible job you have! You get to shop and create and do it all over again. Envy YOU! I am sure your 12 hour days are exhausting...and alot like Christmas shopping. Rush to get this and that...frustrated that it is the wrong color or size...

Never underestimate the power of PS...can''t find something? Just ask the gang. If it can be found...they''ll do it!

DKS

 

[rottenstinker]

**UPDATE.** So I spoke to my jeweler yesterday and he was so apologetic. He might make a few adjustments to the setting (maybe dropping the diamond a hair) and is speaking to his setter today. He was so shocked that my "bullet proof" setting did not hold. He really had no answers other than to say that he would do his best to make it as 100% secure as he could. I felt a lot better after hearing his sincerity towards the situation. He even postponed his Labor Day trip to deal with it. I will let you all know how it goes when I get it back. We will be taking it immediately to the local appraiser to have it checked and making a note with our insurance company. Thank you all for your kind words. Let''s hope my next major post is a good one.

 

[door knob solitaire]

Great...agents are standing by...when you return!!

DKS