3rd strike....Pave diamond falling out of halo. Now what?

[diamondseeker2006]

I agree. The ring is defective with losing that many stones. Enough is enough. Tell him you are totally unhappy with the ring and that you want a different one. I surely wouldn''t let him make you another pave one, though!

 

[Tacori E-ring]

How frusterating!!!! I hope in the end he just wants you to be happy and will do the right thing.

 

[mrssalvo]

Date: 9/24/2006 1:06:03 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006

Date: 9/23/2006 6:51:57 PM

Author: Sundial

I certainly hope you have luck getting this problem resolved with your jeweler. Pave is obviously a little more delicate than some types of settings, but it really should be able to stand up to normal everyday wear. I have had my pave ring for a year and a half now and have not lost any stones. I think Mrssalvo is right that more pave rings are being produced these days and we tend to hear from the few who are having issues.

Sundial, isn''t your pave ring in white gold? I''m wondering if it isn''t partly the soft platinum being used that is part of the problem as well as the method the stones are set. The Ritanis are in the soft 95% platinum, but the stones are prong-set.Maybe they stay in more securely than bead set? Just trying to identify what kinds are causing the problems. Obviously we can''t say that all pave is a problem, but it seems that we can differentiate what kinds are safer than others. This could really be helpful to those planning to have rings made.

DS, i''ll have to double check but i''m pretty sure the Ritani''s are bead set also. each stone shares 2 beads but I don''t think shared prong is a term used when talking about pave settings. I think it might have something to do with the size of the melee and anything under 1.2mm wide is pave and anything over is some type of prong setting, shared, single, 4 prong...there was an old thread on here a while back discussing the loss of pave stones. you might find it interesting and imformative and it might have some of the answers you''re looking for.

here''s the link..




https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/another-angle-addressing-the-loss-of-pave-stones.36139/

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Mrss, when I went on my setting shopping spree, one of the Ritani dealers took me to the microscope and showed me the perfect minute little prongs in the Ritani's! They were perfection for sure...as smooth as can be. I had asked how they were set and couldn't believe there were tiny prongs, and that is when he took me to the microscope so I could see. I don't know how their platinum holds up, but the diamonds looked to be very secure.

ETA: When reading what Mr. Pearlman said about types of pave, I'm not sure if the Ritani fits into either of his categories. I have a bead set pave wedding band now, and there are just little blobs of gold holding the stones in place. The Ritani was much more like little tiny prongs.

 

[mrssalvo]

Date: 9/24/2006 6:05:19 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
Mrss, when I went on my setting shopping spree, one of the Ritani dealers took me to the microscope and showed me the perfect minute little prongs in the Ritani's! They were perfection for sure...as smooth as can be. I had asked how they were set and couldn't believe there were tiny prongs, and that is when he took me to the microscope so I could see. I don't know how their platinum holds up, but the diamonds looked to be very secure.

i'm getting in over my head on the technical stuff and you very well could be right.I've never heard of prong set pave, it's pave which is the style of how the melee is set or it's not and on Pearlmans site the ritani rings are described as pave. I'm just going by what I've learned on this forum and in my discussions with Bill P. I've never seen Ritani under a microscope but I did view Daniel K with a loupe and the same was true for his pave, it was perfect and smooth like well done pave should be. . in the thread i linked you to, Bill talks about carrying his designers for many years and not having problems with stones just falling out. in his opinion it is because those designers have been doing it day in and day out for years and have perfected their quality control depts. now, many people are doing pave but unlike a designer who does it 24/7 they may only do one or two pave rings a week. it might not be so surprising that those rings might have more potential for losing stones.

here's the definition of pave from artofplatinums site

Literal meaning: paved. Very tightly set stones, as in a pavement; a gem setting technique in which the stones are set low and very closely spaced so the surface appears to be paved with gemstones. Stones are secured with small beads raised from the metal surface. Most commonly set with diamonds but may be used with any stones.

In the US the word pave is usually spelled in a regular fashion without accent acute. However in Europe it's traditionally spelled pavé.

ETA: if the Ritani's or any other "pave" design are not secured with small beads than they should not be called pave.


ETA again...ok I just read the thread and Bill says this:. Here's the quote:

IWhere problems occur is with 2 prong pave or when heated metal beads are applied to the ring like granulation. The two prong will allow the diamond to slip between the prongs when pressure is applied. The heated metal beads (granulation) can just break off.

 

[Mara]

to me ritani is bead set but when we asked the gal at BBB she said it was prong set pave i think. i don't think that they consider it bead set maybe.

sorry to hear about the other stone dg...i agree, get that ring replaced! that's just ridiculous. you should not have to be dealing with that many stones falling out.

cehra...as for who is responsible for the cost, it depends in my opinion. i mean sure if a stone falls out once a year, i'd pay $20 to replace it. no biggie. i certainly wouldn't freak out if i got charged to fix it once a year for a small amount. but if stones are falling out all the time then that's obviously some sort of flaw since while pave is more delicate by nature, it's not THAT delicate. i think for me it's kind a 'common sense' thing...what makes sense to be okay and what is definitely not okay. however, i do think that most jewelers will replace a pave in a ring done by them or a brand they carry at no charge for the most part as well. but if it's another jeweler fixing it, he may charge.

eta i just saw one of the pictures i posted of my friend's ritani in another thread that mrs salvo posted and they look like bead set to me but each stone is held in with 2 beads, so it could be considered prong set i guess. when i see 'bead set' i tend to think of multiple rows of pave with one bead at each 'end' of the stone so it seems like 2 stones share maybe 3 beads, whereas the ritanis have 2 bead to each stone. i consider the ritani to be more safe, because it has as much metal as a shared prong setting AND it has the channel it's set into as well, so to me the ritanis are safer than most bead set or 1.7mm pave bands because it's like double duty on the stones.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Yeah, it''s over my head, too, but it must be that last kind you mentioned that is responsible for the problems. My bead-set wedding band hasn''t lost a stone in 29 years. But a stone came loose last fall when I had them sized and the jeweler obviously didn''t check the stones before giving it back to me!

 

[divergrrl]

Update...

Well, my ring is at the jewelers, and one of the gentlemen who works there started to give me a little bit of attitude when I suggestted that we may need to talk about doing something different if they can''t get the stones to stay in. The main owner was not there, and he is who I usually deal with.

I felt really let down that he wouldn''t even hear me out, but I don''t think he knows how many times the stone fell out, so when he said he''d have the owner (who sets the stones) look at it, I just agreed. I was about in tears, and then who pops out from the back room, but one of my very good friends who I haven''t talked to in a couple months. (we used to work together in telecom, but after the dot.com fall, she went back into sparklies...

)

At any rate, I told her what was going on, but she''s only been there a week, & obviously is not a decision maker, nor would I want to make her job uncomfortable by having her go to bat for me.

I did tell her I was really upset about the damn thing breaking all the time (AND ITS BRAND NEW!), and that I''m willing to give it one more chance & then we are going to need to do some talking.

I know its custom.....and that "you buy it you keep it".....but I totally disagree with them in saying that I should just hop in my car, with toddler in tow (my husband travels, and they are closed after 5pm, so I don''t have a choice but to bring him) and drive into the city, find parking, etc...every time a stone pops out, which on average is about ONCE A MONTH!

Now if a stone fell out every few years, ok...well that wouldn''t be such a bad thing, I''m not an unreasonable woman.

And here''s the other issue, I don''t wish to reset it. I feel like the original ''ring'' my husband gave me has been lost somehow, and I have half a mind to have them put my diamond back in the 4 V- prong 2mm tiffany setting it came in (my temp setting--which I''m not crazy about design wise, but it is a nice classic) at least my husband PROPOSED to me with that, and have them put my garnet gemstone (which is in aforementioned tiffany setting..i wear it as a rhr) into the pave nightmare ring.

I swear...this is so tiring. I''ve had more problems getting this stone set, & the problem I am finding is that no one seems to care what I think or how I feel, and that I''ve spent another chunk of money trying to get my setting right & I cannot spend any more! I just don''t have it to spend right now, & besides, I shouldn''t have to keep throwing my money at a problem that is not my fault!

It''s a workmanship issue, defective, faulty, error on their part, whatever. I wish they would at least discuss an option that may be fair for all. I''m not unreasonable, but just don''t brush me off & expect me to frickin'' drop everything every time a stone falls out.

ITS MY WEDDING RING!

Jeannine

 

[Sundial]

How frustrating for you Jeannine! It sounds like you really need to have a heart to heart talk with the owner. He is probably the only one who can make a decision to do right by you. Custom made or not, pave or not, you should not be having this many problems with your ring! I hope you can reach a good outcome. Please keep us posted.

 

[Stone Hunter]

I''m so sorry to read that you lost another stone.

I hope the owner will work with you on this. It does seem like a workmanship issue.

 

[february2003bride]

Date: 9/27/2006 12:35:59 PM
Author: divergrrl
Update...

Well, my ring is at the jewelers, and one of the gentlemen who works there started to give me a little bit of attitude when I suggestted that we may need to talk about doing something different if they can''t get the stones to stay in. The main owner was not there, and he is who I usually deal with.

I felt really let down that he wouldn''t even hear me out, but I don''t think he knows how many times the stone fell out, so when he said he''d have the owner (who sets the stones) look at it, I just agreed. I was about in tears, and then who pops out from the back room, but one of my very good friends who I haven''t talked to in a couple months. (we used to work together in telecom, but after the dot.com fall, she went back into sparklies...

)

At any rate, I told her what was going on, but she''s only been there a week, & obviously is not a decision maker, nor would I want to make her job uncomfortable by having her go to bat for me.

I did tell her I was really upset about the damn thing breaking all the time (AND ITS BRAND NEW!), and that I''m willing to give it one more chance & then we are going to need to do some talking.

I know its custom.....and that ''you buy it you keep it''.....but I totally disagree with them in saying that I should just hop in my car, with toddler in tow (my husband travels, and they are closed after 5pm, so I don''t have a choice but to bring him) and drive into the city, find parking, etc...every time a stone pops out, which on average is about ONCE A MONTH!

Now if a stone fell out every few years, ok...well that wouldn''t be such a bad thing, I''m not an unreasonable woman.

And here''s the other issue, I don''t wish to reset it. I feel like the original ''ring'' my husband gave me has been lost somehow, and I have half a mind to have them put my diamond back in the 4 V- prong 2mm tiffany setting it came in (my temp setting--which I''m not crazy about design wise, but it is a nice classic) at least my husband PROPOSED to me with that, and have them put my garnet gemstone (which is in aforementioned tiffany setting..i wear it as a rhr) into the pave nightmare ring.

I swear...this is so tiring. I''ve had more problems getting this stone set, & the problem I am finding is that no one seems to care what I think or how I feel, and that I''ve spent another chunk of money trying to get my setting right & I cannot spend any more! I just don''t have it to spend right now, & besides, I shouldn''t have to keep throwing my money at a problem that is not my fault!

It''s a workmanship issue, defective, faulty, error on their part, whatever. I wish they would at least discuss an option that may be fair for all. I''m not unreasonable, but just don''t brush me off & expect me to frickin'' drop everything every time a stone falls out.

ITS MY WEDDING RING!

Jeannine

Jeannine-

Oh how I sympathize and relate to you girlfriend! You have no idea! I''ve altered my e-ring more times than I can count (and I know DH, my mother and closest friend are irritated with me at this point). I added a satin finish then had it polished off. It''s been sized up and down and cut off my finger (third pregnancy swelling). I''ve had the cathedral arms shifted so there was no longer a gap between the "arms" and the V-prongs and recently had our engagement date engraved inside the ring. And now, it''s nothing. I dinged it and the scratch is too deep for it to be polished out. I can''t tell you how many trips over the last 2 years that I''ve made to the jewelers! I''m almost embarrassed at this point to go in but I have at least one more trip tomorrow- to pick up my diamond and the damaged setting

And yes, I''ll be schlepping my two boys with me!

Anyway, I think you (and me as well) need to just stop for the moment and think about what we really want with our rings. If you want to keep your current setting then the jeweler who set it should make good on his workmanship. If he can''t or won''t, then I''d consider a new setting. Just because it was custom, doesn''t mean you have to settle for less than perfect.

I think resetting it in the ring your DH originally proposed with is sweet! Hey, classic ain''t bad and if it keeps you from taking multiple trips with a toddler in tow, that can''t be half bad, right? Low maintenence, sentimental value for the hubby (brownie points!), and you could wear it everyday without worry! You could always sparkle it up with a gorgeous diamond band

Or what about a setting close to what your DH proposed ot you with but more your style? That way it maintains SOME type of character to what your DH proposed with but still fits your style more. Like the WhiteFlash W or X-prong?

And I would mention to the owner the attitude of the cs rep who dealt with you.

I don''t care if you have to go in everday for a stone falling out, rudeness (or as my 2 year old calls it, rudie!) is never ok!

Good luck and keep us posted!

 

[silverlvr]

"He said its because his hands have such callouses & blisters on them, that sometimes its hard to get those little ones in there."

maybe this is the problem. If his hands are too damaged to feel what he''s doing, it sounds like he needs to have a benchman who has a more delicate touch and can do the repairs properly.

Just my .02Cents

 

[divergrrl]

Well, I got my ring back yesterday & it looks amazing and gorgeous! I'm so in love with the setting, that I imagine I will just keep getting repairs if stones keep falling out. *sigh*

February 2003 bride... in my search for a "temporary setting" I found some x-prong & cathedral settings on ebay from a huge seller with great feedback, 18k white gold for $140 to $175 and $300 in platinum (for cathedral) and $700 in plat for xprong. The sellers name is American Set


I'm so sorry you are having issues too! I'm deciding to 1) relax and 2) appreciate my ring & 3) Wear it in good health. I tend to obsess too much and I really need a reality check. This ring is flat out gorgeous & unusual & people constantly grab my hand & ooh and ahh over it (which I love..hee hee) so I just need to CHILLLLLLLLLL.

But you and I F2003B sound like "ring drama sisters.." LOL!

Viva la reset!

Jeannine

 

[mepearl53]

Date: 9/24/2006 6:20:51 PM
Author: mrssalvo

Date: 9/24/2006 6:05:19 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
Mrss, when I went on my setting shopping spree, one of the Ritani dealers took me to the microscope and showed me the perfect minute little prongs in the Ritani''s! They were perfection for sure...as smooth as can be. I had asked how they were set and couldn''t believe there were tiny prongs, and that is when he took me to the microscope so I could see. I don''t know how their platinum holds up, but the diamonds looked to be very secure.

i''m getting in over my head on the technical stuff and you very well could be right.I''ve never heard of prong set pave, it''s pave which is the style of how the melee is set or it''s not and on Pearlmans site the ritani rings are described as pave. I''m just going by what I''ve learned on this forum and in my discussions with Bill P. I''ve never seen Ritani under a microscope but I did view Daniel K with a loupe and the same was true for his pave, it was perfect and smooth like well done pave should be. . in the thread i linked you to, Bill talks about carrying his designers for many years and not having problems with stones just falling out. in his opinion it is because those designers have been doing it day in and day out for years and have perfected their quality control depts. now, many people are doing pave but unlike a designer who does it 24/7 they may only do one or two pave rings a week. it might not be so surprising that those rings might have more potential for losing stones.

here''s the definition of pave from artofplatinums site

Literal meaning: paved. Very tightly set stones, as in a pavement; a gem setting technique in which the stones are set low and very closely spaced so the surface appears to be paved with gemstones. Stones are secured with small beads raised from the metal surface. Most commonly set with diamonds but may be used with any stones.

In the US the word pave is usually spelled in a regular fashion without accent acute. However in Europe it''s traditionally spelled pavé.

ETA: if the Ritani''s or any other ''pave'' design are not secured with small beads than they should not be called pave.


ETA again...ok I just read the thread and Bill says this:. Here''s the quote:

IWhere problems occur is with 2 prong pave or when heated metal beads are applied to the ring like granulation. The two prong will allow the diamond to slip between the prongs when pressure is applied. The heated metal beads (granulation) can just break off.

The Ritani rings are micro pave which are small prongs. These as with some of the other better micro pave designers are so secure you almost have to break them out of the mountings to lose diamonds. Big difference between hand made / machined vs casting.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Date: 9/29/2006 4:52:51 PM
Author: mepearl53
The Ritani rings are micro pave which are small prongs. These as with some of the other better micro pave designers are so secure you almost have to break them out of the mountings to lose diamonds. Big difference between hand made / machined vs casting.

Thanks for confirming that, Bill! Those tiny prongs are impressive! Could you clarify what you mean in your last sentence, though? Thanks!

Jeannine, I am so glad you got your ring back and are pleased! Hopefully it will be a long time before you have a problem again!

 

[kcoursolle]

I''m so sorry to hear that another stone fell out. I would really try talking to the guy you usually do business with. If another stone falls out you are going to go mad. I can understand why your husband is dissappointed, you might try showing him some threads here where other people have had problems with pave to help him realize it''s not uncommon.