Damaged Vatche Grace Platinum Setting!

[Candygrl]

Hello Everyone,
I fell over the summer and badly damaged my platinum Vatche Grace setting. The shank was slightly twisted and bent on one side along with a side diamond that popped out. I sent it back to where I purchased it for evaluation and they were confident they could fix it. I had it back about a month and it is right back to the way it was. It's a mess. I had the center stone removed and put into my original solitaire for now. I am not going to have it fixed again because I believe at this point it is beyond repair. I love the setting and I want to have another one made. Should I choose a different platinum alloy in hopes this doesn't happen again? The current alloy is 950/5% Ruthenium. I am so paranoid this will happen again. I mean hopefully I won't happen again, but is there a better alloy option? TIA

 

[Dreamer_D]

Yikes! I dunno, this sounds like something that can happen to any alloy if t he fall is right... or wrong!

 

[Dreamer_D]

I'm just glad your diamond wasn't damaged!

 

[MWM]

That mounting style looks to be reasonably stout for average daily wear. I had some very much like it in 90/10 platinum that never came back due to distortion.

Two thoughts come to mind -

What is your ring size?

Do you tend to grasp or lift luggage, exercise equipment or the like as part of your routine?

 

[marymm]

OP, this was bought in 2014, right?

I wonder, do you wear your rings 24/7?

Over the years did you ever have your jeweler check it over for loose prongs and servicing?

Regardless, depending on how you fell and the angle of impact, likely a ring of any alloy would have had similar damage.

Unless you have a lifestyle/sports/hobby in which similar falls are to be expected, if it were me I'd feel comfortable getting the same setting in same alloy again, and have the prongs checked over every year or two ...

 

[secretagentlaura]

I've had the same setting in 18K white gold since 2012 and it's always lovely to run into other admirers of it.

It could be the case that what happened to your ring initially is more a function of a freak impact than the specific alloy, and the shank with the pave is just not restorable to a "brand-new" level of sturdiness. I hope that you had a smooth recovery from. your fall!

 

[Candygrl]

I'm just glad your diamond wasn't damaged!

Me too!!!

 

[Candygrl]

That mounting style looks to be reasonably stout for average daily wear. I had some very much like it in 90/10 platinum that never came back due to distortion.

Two thoughts come to mind -

What is your ring size?

Do you tend to grasp or lift luggage, exercise equipment or the like as part of your routine?

Ring size is 5.75 I had it sized down once about 5 years ago. Also I am left handed so I believe it probably gets more wear than a right handed person. I take my rings off when doing house work, exercising etc. However yes I was in a cruise a week ago and had to carry my heavy bag down a flight of stairs.

 

[Candygrl]

OP, this was bought in 2014, right?

I wonder, do you wear your rings 24/7?

Over the years did you ever have your jeweler check it over for loose prongs and servicing?

Regardless, depending on how you fell and the angle of impact, likely a ring of any alloy would have had similar damage.

Unless you have a lifestyle/sports/hobby in which similar falls are to be expected, if it were me I'd feel comfortable getting the same setting in same alloy again, and have the prongs checked over every year or two ...

Yes 2014 and I don’t usually fall
Lol. My flip flop got stuck and ate crap lol! I have taken it in yearly since I have owned it and always take my rings off when
Cleaning cooking etc. I baby them for the most part other than normal type of things

 

[Candygrl]

I'm just glad your diamond wasn't damaged!

Me too!!!

 

[Candygrl]

I've had the same setting in 18K white gold since 2012 and it's always lovely to run into other admirers of it.

It could be the case that what happened to your ring initially is more a function of a freak impact than the specific alloy, and the shank with the pave is just not restorable to a "brand-new" level of sturdiness. I hope that you had a smooth recovery from. your fall!

I actually hurt my tailbone pretty bad but I am doing better now. Thank you for your concern I love the setting so much, it’s been so weird looking down and not seeing it there! I feel a little lost lol. I do believe I will just have a new one made.

 

[Candygrl]

*UPDATE*
I talked to the jeweler that I purchased my setting from and they contacted Vatche. Vatche is going to take my old setting as a trade and they are going to remake my setting for a fair price. I’m pretty happy with this. I was considering changing the halo to round instead of cushion, but very undecided. Thoughts?