Tweaking a setting to accomodate a larger stone ?

[SKR]

Yesterday a local dealer offered me a 2ct RB H&A stone for what seems a cracking price. I am thinking of buying it to replace my wifes 1.4-1.5 (I can remember what exactly it was) stone currently set in a Cartier 3 color gold ring. I checked with Cartier and they wont replace the stone for me in their setting.

Whilst I wasnt in the market for an RB, it seems like a good opportunity to get her a slightly larger stone. Without discussing the merits of the stone itself (I will get it checked out) how easy is it to adjust the ring to accomodate the larger stone ? Is this something that a decent jeweller can do relatively easily ? Advice appreciated. Thanks

 

[kcoursolle]

Because the ring is cartier, I would be hesitant to have non-cartier jewelers work on it. It might decrease the value and cartier may not garantee the piece anymore if someone else works on it. The increase from 1.5-2.0 is fairly substantial and although I''m not an expert on this, I would be surprised if a four/six prong 1.5 carat center stone setting could accomodate a 2.0. Can you trade in the setting through cartier?

 

[SKR]

Although she loves the ring, the diamond could do with an upgrade. I am not that impressed with it. See the picture below which should give an idea of the setting. The colour is ok but I dont really buy into the cut (i''m no expert so am probably just talking rubbish anyway!). In the pic below there also seems to be some minor markings around the edges of the diamond which I cant see with the naked eye. I am hoping this is dirt but my cleaned it and it''s still there (it was very very dirty though).

Cartier will not exchange the stone for me full stop. If I want a larger stone with them I have to pay serious $$''s. They certainly wont make a ring for me using someone elses stone. You have to buy the entire package from them.

 

[SKR]

 

[decodelighted]

From the pictures it doesn''t look like that setting could be made to fit a 2 ct stone easily/safely if at all. The basket looks too small. It''s not a matter of switching out a new "head" ... the head of your ring is part of it. But I''m not an expert or anything. I''d also be hesitant to have a non-Cartier jeweler do serious work on the ring .. it def would affect future "value" of the ring -- though it doesn''t sound like you''d be sellng it or anything.

Would you be trading in the old Cartier stone to the jeweler? Or keeping it .. You could get the new stone in a simple solitare setting & keep the "old" ring as is ... or set the old stone in a pendent & put a sapphire or something in the old Cartier setting (same size stone as original so it would "work".)

 

[SKR]

Thanks.

I am not trading the exisiting diamond in. Just wanted to replace the stone but based on the feedback it doesnt look probable.

I''ll take a look at the H&A to see what it''s like - if its up to scratch then I may consider just putting it into a new setting.

Can anyone confirm what they think the marks around the stone are - is it dirt or likely to be ? Looks like I need to get my wife a USonic cleaner. She has been pretty lax in cleaning her rings - about 1 a year with normal washing up liquid !!

 

[JulieN]

could be mineral buildup?

 

[decodelighted]

It''s impossible to tell what those marks are in a photo ... do you remember if the diamond was Si1 or Si2?? I doubt Cartier sells those though ... good chance it''s dirt /water marks??

If you are considering another setting for the 2ct ... lots of gals on here are loving the Ritini solitare setting. A thinner setting like that would really emphasise the SIZE of the 2ct also ... the wide Cartier setting, though beautiful, isn''t super-flattering to the existing stone''s size. Does that make sense?

What kind of wedding band does she have? Would she be wearing the new stone/setting with that band?

 

[SKR]

What is mineral build up ?

It was supposed to be a G VS1.

Yes I understand what you mean by the ring being overbearing on the existing stone and thats why we wanted to replace it with a larger one. I wil look into the other setting you mentioned.

 

[Ellen]

You left out who cleaned it, I take it, it was a jeweler? If all they used was an US, I''d say it''s still dirty. Soak in very hot water with some Dawn dish liquid, then take a jewelry brush (or tooth brush) to it and give it a very good scrub.

 

[SKR]

Ellen - it was my wife, coz she was feeling guilty about not cleaning her rings for months on end. She used washing up liquid and lukewarm water with a tootbrush. It was caked in gunge underneath the setting. It already looks a lot cleaner and sparkles a bit more.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 11/12/2006 6:42:52 PM
Author: SKR
Ellen - it was my wife, coz she was feeling guilty about not cleaning her rings for months on end. She used washing up liquid and lukewarm water with a tootbrush. It was caked in gunge underneath the setting. It already looks a lot cleaner and sparkles a bit more.

Well, if it was that dirty, it just needs a few more good soakings/cleanings. A VS1 shouldn''t show anything.

 

[decodelighted]

If your house has "hard water" sometimes minerals can build up on a ring after handwashing etc ...

I don''t have an ultrasonic but here''s what I do -- this might help ... I spritz the stone with glass cleaner (really shooting it into the underneath pavillion part). Then I heat some soapy water in the micro (in a little dish) ... when it comes out piping hot - I gently put the rings into the soapy water. After a couple of minute bath, I fish em out with a spoon handle & rinse ''em off/cool ''em off with more tap water.

MAKE SURE you have the drain pan in the sink though!!

Just in case.

Most gals do toothbrush scrubbing too - I just haven''t gotten an extra brush yet! And my ring is relatively new (1 year) -- isn''t too gunked up yet!

Somebody on here was just raving about GIN as a magic cleaner. Or was it Vodka? Would it matter?

 

[SKR]

Ok - she (def not me as its her baby) will clean it over and over with very hot water and a toothbrush with washing up liquid. Will use glass cleaner if that doesnt work.

Not sure about the Gin / Vodka bit. Seems like a waste of a good drink !!

 

[Ellen]

It was Gin, and it''s the alcohol, as I''ve used real alcohol to clean mine, so I don''t know that it would matter.

 

[decodelighted]

Date: 11/12/2006 6:53:35 PM
Author: SKR
Not sure about the Gin / Vodka bit. Seems like a waste of a good drink !!

Hee! You''ll notice that wasn''t in *my* cleaning routine either! But maybe I''ll add it - as a "toast"/shot at the end.

"Here''s to clean bling" GULP.

 

[denverappraiser]

‘Tweaking’ isn’t really the right word for retrofitting that ring to accept a new diamond but yes, I’m sure it’s possible. I’m also not sure I would agree with the statement that any decent jeweler could do it. This is not an easy job but it should be possible for someone with the right skills and tools. As kcoursolle pointed out, it will no longer be a Cartier piece if you do this.

A good cleaning will almost certainly make it look better. A toothbrush and dish soap works pretty well with a final rinse of distilled water so that you don’t get water spots.

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

 

[widget]

I sure wouldn''t mess with a Cartier ring....you said she loves it, right?

And if it''s a Cartier diamond, I''m sure it''s a lovely one. H&As are not the only beautiful diamonds in the world...

widget

 

[SKR]

Yes she does Widget. It''s her daily ring. I was just thinking of upgrading the stone but it sounds like it was a bad idea. She also has matching 1.6-1.7ct earings from Cartier so its kind of like a set and I wouldnt want to make a Cartier piece "non Cartier" if you know what I mean. .