Unsetting a diamond

[doctranod]

Hi! I am wondering if it is possible to damage a stone during the "unsetting" process? I have read that a diamond can sometimes be damaged when it is being set, but how about when it is removed from a setting?

 

[denverappraiser]

Yes, it’s possible to damage a stone taking it out of a mounting. Don’t try to do it yourself. It’s generally not all that difficult but practice helps a lot along with having the right tools. Most professional bench jewelers can do it fairly quickly and for a reasonable fee. Make sure to ask them the charges before you start along with your concerns about the possibility of prior damage or damage that they might inflict while working on it.

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

 

[CLEICS]

Yes it is definitly possible to damage a stone whilst changing the setting - Ive just finished a rather lengthy process of procuring a replacement diamond for my original stone which came back from the jewellers chipped! I think it is quite rare tho and I was very unlucky

 

[Michael_E]

Unless the person doing the removal is not competent, then I would say that it is just not possible to damage a diamond during it''s removal. The reason that I say this is that you''re never placing any pressure on the diamond during removal, just the opposite, you are removing pressure from the stone. That said, I have seen diamonds which were chipped during setting, and this damage was not apparent after setting, (tips of princess cuts hidden by chevron mountings are a good example. When these stones are removed the damage becomes apparent and many people would feel that the damage was done during the removal when it was done prior to that. If you''re concerned about it I would suggest talking to the person who will be doing the removal and see how much experience they have and what their opinion is with your particular diamond.