can this bezel be shaved down?

[Bella_mezzo]

I am thinking about getting this pendant from an estate sale, but ideally I'd prefer if the bezel wasn't so tall, is it possible to get this shaved down a little and if so, any ideas on a cost for that?

If not, I may just live with it as is, or keep looking until I find exactly what I want. But this is a really good price, and would be a great "placeholder" so I can save up for the next few years to get a big kahuna pendant like Mara's (I'm still convincing DH that that's a good idea, plus it will take a while to save for that)

 

[Gleam]

That is a very oddly tall bezel! Never seen anything like that.

 

[elle_chris]

Is that the front or back of the bezel?

 

[Jim Summa]

This appears to be a "backset" style of setting in that the stone is slipped in from the back and little prongs hold it in within the bezel.
This saves time when setting.
It should be easy to file down if in fact the tall bezel isn''t hollow, a quick look should tell you that.
Is it rhodium over yellow?

 

[Bella_mezzo]

thanks Jim,

they only info they give is that it is in a "donut" setting in 14K white gold...I'm going back this weekend and if it's still there I'll see if I can get more info

there's another one with a not so tall bezel but it's in yellow gold. My earrings are set in white gold bezels so I think it might look strange if I wore them together everyday...

 

[Jim Summa]

Hi Bella,
Because this is a pendant you plan on upgrading later I would take a second look at the yellow gold one.
You would spend $25 to $50 to plate it white to match your earring. (have your earring checked while your at it).
The photo you posted makes me think this pendant was plated white somewhere down the line anyhow...

 

[Bella_mezzo]

Thanks Jim, I''m kind of a noobie and have never gotten anything replated. I live in NYC, is that something I can just walk into a store in the diamond district and have done?

I''ll post pics of the yellow gold one tonight...it''s a slider bezel and isn''t so tall. It''s 1/3 ct while the white gold is 1/4 ct, they both have ok diamonds, not amazing, but sparkly enough for a placeholder pendant and the price is right, they are each $199...

 

[Jim Summa]

Have you guys dug out from all the snow?
You need a store that has a jeweler, this can take a couple of days because before you plate you have to refinish the item.
You could call around to see if someone provides this service in the city.

 

[denverappraiser]

I agree with Jim that this looks like a backset piece but I have serious doubts if you can make it look thinner for a reasonable price. The whole point of this sort of design is to have it look big while using a relatively small diamond and not much metal. It may be easier (read cheaper) to take the stone out and reset into a new bezel that’s more to your liking. If this style isn’t what you’re looking for, I would recommend against buying it with the hope of retrofitting it later to get what you really want.


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

 

[Dreamer_D]

I bet getting it shaved down and replated will cost at least $100. For an extra $175 over the total price for that pendant you can get this: http://www.whiteflash.com/fine-jewelry/pendants/full-bezel-diamond-pendant--ready-set-to-go_1084.htm And it will have a killer diamond and a high quality bezel.

Better to save a little longer and get something great than spend money now on something no so great.

 

[Bella_mezzo]

thanks dreamer, I've actually already talked with WF and BGD b/c I may just have them set a vintage stone...there are a lot of options...hopefully I'll have it nailed down by this weekend. if I am going to spend more than $300 then I want at least a .5 ct. So, we'll see...I may just keep saving for a while, but if I can get a little fun pendant in the meantime, which I could pass onto a niece when I get a bigger one, it might be worth it for the short-term...

 

[Bella_mezzo]

So, I think it might be do-able to great a great pendant now that will last me for quite some time I''m starting a new thread b/c I need opinions on the stone choices.