Can a cabochon be replaced with a faceted stone?

[FutureChocolateMLK]

I wasn't sure if this could be posted over on RT, but I assumed this was safer territory. I can ask the mods to move if not. I have been looking into an antique cluster halo ring, and really love the idea of an old setting with some history. There's something whimsical and romantic about it all. The issue is some of the settings I've liked have a cabochon as the center stone and I would prefer to replace it with something faceted and sparkly. I've attached a few photos of the setting I'm referring to. Is this even a possibility or should I scrap the idea altogether and start looking for custom options?

 

[Crochet_Sparkles]

I'll defer to other experts, but from my eye that should be totally do-able. A faceted round should easily fit into that setting.

 

[FutureChocolateMLK]

I'll defer to other experts, but from my eye that should be totally do-able. A faceted round should easily fit into that setting.

That's what I was hoping since it's open under the stone. I imagine something would have to be done with the prongs, but that aside I didn't see any other reasons for additional modifications. I'm on the fence about the ring itself since I'm no antique expert but it looks really lovely to my eye.

 

[LilAlex]

Yes. And I agree with your reasoning on this one.

I think some sparkle would look nicer nestled in there. With a diamond halo, I think most would prefer a vivid, glowy cab; it may be the lighting but I do not get that vibe from your photos.

 

[icy_jade]

Typically my jeweller says no, due to where the basket for a faceted gem sits vs a cabochon.

 

[Rfisher]

My opinion
i think it depends on the jewelers/bench desire for the project.
also depends on the faceted gemstones pavilion

As you can see how the base of the prong snugs up to the cab bottom.

if you are picky about how the new gem sits and how it’s finished, I think there’s the possibility it won’t be a budget job to transform it
theres plenty of settings on eBay (or it used to) where someone solders four long rods at the corner of old worn fishtails, to also accept a much larger stone if wanted, and mounted higher - so it’s a done thing on a lower cost level - but not the only way to rehab an old setting to accept a new stone. But tastes vary on acceptability on that.

but that really depends on you, how much you spent for this ring, and whether or not this ring 100% otherwise meets your hearts wants in the ‘antique cluster halo’ category. And finding a jeweler/bench to have the wants to do it.

As an aside - I love the look of yellow gold, old diamonds, and a turquoise cab

 

[stracci2000]

Most jewelers will want to grind out all the prongs, and solder in a whole new head.
Whatever makes them more money.

They probably won't want to play with the existing prongs at all, even though it can be done.

 

[FutureChocolateMLK]

I think I’ll probably just go custom at this point. While I love the setting, it might be not only more cost effective but also giving me the exact design I want as well as the gold color in the long run. I appreciate all the responses, they’re all very helpful!

 

[stracci2000]

I have a ring where the center stone was slightly large for the setting. All four prongs appeared to be too short, and I didn't think the stone looked secure.

I asked a local B&M jeweler to look at it, basically because I was skittish to unset the stone myself.
I wanted them to unset the gem, grind the recess a bit to accommodate the larger stone, and reset the gem.
OMG-No can do!
They insisted that a whole new head was needed, and this would cost $$$.
So I went home and did the work myself.

 

[FutureChocolateMLK]

I have a ring where the center stone was slightly large for the setting. All four prongs appeared to be too short, and I didn't think the stone looked secure.

I asked a local B&M jeweler to look at it, basically because I was skittish to unset the stone myself.
I wanted them to unset the gem, grind the recess a bit to accommodate the larger stone, and reset the gem.
OMG-No can do!
They insisted that a whole new head was needed, and this would cost $$$.
So I went home and did the work myself.

Wow, that’s impressive! I could never trust myself to do something like that.

I actually have a vintage cluster ring with 7 diamonds that was my grandmothers wedding band. I’m not sure how big they are, but curious if I could use them as the halo and maybe source another 1 or 2 diamonds. I’m only wanting a .5-.6 carat center so the halo doesn’t need to have a huge presence. I’m thinking these proportions. It’s a .42ct center with 11 point halo stones.

 

[qubitasaurus]

From the behind shot it seems likely there is no basket for the pavilion of the faceted stone to sit down into. Typically to support a faceted gem the jeweler notches the prongs and also cuts a seat down into the basket. So the faceted stone is securely wedged in place and does not wriggle arround. I can not see how that will be possible without some major reworking of the basket area in that setting. Sounds expensive to be honest and I don't like the probability of a clean implementation.

Ofcourse I'm not an expert and I could be wrong. But it doesn't look like the best candidate for a conversion.

 

[FutureChocolateMLK]

From the behind shot it seems likely there is no basket for the pavilion of the faceted stone to sit down into. Typically to support a faceted gem the jeweler notches the prongs and also cuts a seat down into the basket. So the faceted stone is securely wedged in place and does not wriggle arround. I can not see how that will be possible without some major reworking of the basket area in that setting. Sounds expensive to be honest and I don't like the probability of a clean implementation.

Ofcourse I'm not an expert and I could be wrong. But it doesn't look like the best candidate for a conversion.

Thank you for your insight! Without knowledge of rework I wasn’t sure. I think after mulling it over I’ll probably go custom instead, unless I find something that’s already got a faceted stone in the center.