What happens to ring settings that are returned back to the company/vendors?

[haagen_dazs]

What happens when customers do not like their settings and returned them back to the company/vendors?
Does the vendor reuse the setting again? (refurb except maybe the next customer may or may not know about it)
OR
Do they melt down the setting (remove any side stones) and use the metal for something else?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I don''t think that happens very often, actually. Usually there is a cost for returning a setting that has already had a diamond set in it. Plus, it''s a whole lot of trouble! In other words, I really don''t think you need to worry about this.

(I''m sure you realize there would be varied answers depending on the vendor and the condition of the setting.)

 

[stone-cold11]

I think usually it is sold as scrap to be refined back into the basic metal, at least the good jewelers, as refurbishing the ring might brough about too much liability problems and the alloy cannot be reuse as is because of the contaminant present.

 

[Allison D.]

Date: 10/14/2009 5:37:30 AM
Author: Stone-cold11
I think usually it is sold as scrap to be refined back into the basic metal, at least the good jewelers, as refurbishing the ring might brough about too much liability problems and the alloy cannot be reuse as is because of the contaminant present.

Stone''s right; contaminants prevent us from reusing the metal for anything but scrap.

 

[Rockdiamond]

Generally speaking, there are no threatening contaminants present if a ring has been worn and in the same state it was when sold- at least none that can't be steamed away.

When a ring is "scrapped" there's a lot of loss involved, therefore companies try to find ways to reuse settings. It's also true that scrapped metal can't just be "poured into a new mold" to make a new ring. if the metal is melted, the contaminants prevent re-casting without first re-alloying the metal.

There are companies that accept rings back for "trade up"
Since gold and platinum can be re-polished to look like they did new, it's possible to re-sell such rings. Personally I feel it's incumbent upon these sellers to identify any ring that was previously sold.
A properly refinished ring, checked for integrity of setting and metal, should pose no problem

It's also possible to remove stones and re-use a setting with different stones.
Sometimes the head needs to be changed, other times not.
This is a more dicey situation as prongs may be weaker after a stone has been removed and re-set. A competent bench person will re-tip the prongs, avoiding problems.

Without a doubt consumers should be aware of this possibility, especially if it is something they are concerned about.