Thoughts on Palladium setting and leaving ring with jeweler??

[lono]

Hello, I''m hoping to get some advice from the very knowledgable people on pricescope! After much research my fiance decided to buy my e-ring through Blue Nile and we were very pleased with the ring, especially the diamond, which I''ve had since the end of October. However, this month the diamond became loose and turns in the setting -- all platinum. The strange thing is that although you can turn it halfway, the prongs are over it snugly. I don''t want to send my ring out to Blue Nile as I hate the idea of shipping it away and I''ve also read some negative feedback on Blue Nile''s bands. So I went to a local jeweler who, to the best of my research, is very well respected and recommended by folks here on pricescope. He has suggested plucking out the setting (just where he stone actually sits) and swapping it out for a palladium setting, which he says is much stronger. First, any thoughts on that?? I''ve always thought platinum was the best, which is why we went with platinum. But I also see the trend toward palladium is starting.

Also, I will have to leave my ring with him this week to get this done. I hate the idea of leaving my ring. I assume this is the way it has to be done since he has to rebuild a setting for the main diamond in the band? That said, how can I be sure I get MY diamond back? Like I said, I believe this jeweler is a good guy with a solid reputation, but you never know for certain ... I also feel awkward bringing this up with him. This is all new to me so any advice is appreciated!

Lori

 

[Diamond*Dana]

I am not sure that I am understanding this...your stone is spinning in the setting, but the jeweler thinks you should change out the platinum head for a palladium head...why not just tighten the prongs? I dropped my ring on ceramic tile last week, thankfully I did not crack my diamond, but it did start to spin in the setting. The prongs still looked like they were snug, but after a trip to my jeweler and a good old tightening, everything is good as new.

As for Blue Nile...I have always heard great things about the quality of their merchandise and they have wonderful customer service. I am not sure what warranty came with your ring, but in order for the warranty to stay in effect, you will have to have repairs done through them. If you have the head replaced by this jeweler, your BN warranty will be void.

 

[lono]

Hi Dana, good point about the warranty. I''ll look into that now. I know you can return for 30 days but I''m not sure there is anything beyond that. The jeweler did try tightening the prongs and after he did the diamond moved less but he said something about the prongs being built a bit high and there''s extra space?? He said that was as tight as he could make it without warping the prong and that I was safe to wear the ring until I bring it back. He said, "the diamond isn''t going anywhere - the prongs over over it securely." I don''t know if that makes any sense ... all I know is I can wiggle my diamond if I push it gently with my finger. Basically, he said palladium is the way to go because of it''s strength. I''m going to post pics of the prongs in a bit too ...

thanks again

 

[mrssalvo]

i have to be honest. i have never heard of a jeweler recommending palladium over platinum. Palladium is still new and many jewelers don''t even work with it yet. Does the jeweler you are working with have someone onsite that works with platinum. sometimes we see jewelers pushing whitegold or other metals basically b/c they don''t really work with platinum. if you stone is coming loose or is loose, my guess is it''s not seated correctly in the head of the ring and may need someone to recut the seat where the stone is and the prongs wrap around. but that is just a guess. many folks actually will still opt for plat prongs over whitegold or yellowgold or palladium so it just doesn''t make sense to me why someone would want you to get rid of the platinum head. who is the vendor?

 

[Diamond*Dana]

I am not sure what he means, but yes...post pictures! Also, if this is an issue with the prongs and the way that they were originally made, I would see what BN has to say about it and what they can offer in fixing it. Believe me, I can totally understand no wanting to be without your ring, but it could save you some money and a lot of grief down the road.

 

[Diamond*Dana]

Date: 2/24/2008 4:00:33 PM
Author: mrssalvo
i have to be honest. i have never heard of a jeweler recommending palladium over platinum. Palladium is still new and many jewelers don''t even work with it yet. Does the jeweler you are working with have someone onsite that works with platinum. sometimes we see jewelers pushing whitegold or other metals basically b/c they don''t really work with platinum. if you stone is coming loose or is loose, my guess is it''s not seated correctly in the head of the ring and may need someone to recut the seat where the stone is and the prongs wrap around. but that is just a guess. many folks actually will still opt for plat prongs over whitegold or yellowgold or palladium so it just doesn''t make sense to me why someone would want you to get rid of the platinum head. who is the vendor?

I had thought the same thing. And I agree, a lot of B&M''s around here do not work with palladium which is one reason I had gotten rid of my palladium set...I could not find anyone to work on it!

 

[dmus]

I assume you have a cert and plot with your diamond and possibly the cert is lasered on your diamond. With this I wouldn''t worry about leaving with a B&M. Just get a receipt stating what you left with the cert #. I wouldn''t be apprehensive about asking for this from your jeweler. If he is professional he will gladly do this. I would then insist on seeing the laser inscription when you pick it up. This shouldn''t be a problem. And if this doesn''t make you totally comfortable I would take it to another jeweler or appraiser with your cert to verify the diamonds authenticity.

I hjaven''t had work done by BN but I did have great service on a diamond purchase. I''d be interested to hear how it goes if you work with them.

 

[lono]

not the best photos but tried to get close-ups of the prongs

 

[lono]

another pic ...

 

[lono]

thanks so much everyone. just to answer some questions: the jeweler i''m now taking it to is Jeff at John Franklin Jewelers in San Diego. So he is the one recommending the palladium replacement. I do have a GIA cert but the diamond is not laser-inscribed.

Really appreciate the comments - I''m agnozing over this and have a wedding to plan!

 

[mrssalvo]

well, i''ve never heard him mentioned here on PS. doesn''t mean he hasn''t been, i''ve just never heard of him in my 3 years here. I would take it to another jeweler and get their opinion before doing anything. try to find someone who has an onsite benchperson who works with platinum and see what they tell you. I personally would not want to swap out the the plat. head for a palladium one.

 

[choro72]

I gotta go soon, but one word. Get a second opinion! I ordered a Palladium Setting, but if we could have afforded it we would have went Platinum. I''ve never heard of a jeweler suggesting otherwise.

Good Luck!