Help with lowering custom setting

[Godrick]

Hi all! I need some advice on lowering my custom setting (slightly)

Attached is a photo of my ring setting now - 4 claw prongs and a slightly elevated "stool" as I call it right under the cutlet. I want to re-set it to the photo attached (without the basket) which allows the cutlet to sit right atop the band.

Will lowering the stone this slightly make the stone look smaller? I know people say that, but I almost felt the stone looks diminished now as it stick up so high that from various angles the sides arent visible. It also just looks funny to me. TIA!

 

[tyty333]

Only one picture is displaying @Godrick ...you need to upload your picture to pricescope and try again.

 

[Godrick]

here we go, this should work!

 

[Godrick]

Only one picture is displaying @Godrick ...you need to upload your picture to pricescope and try again.

I uploaded it and I think it worked, thanks for letting me know!

 

[tyty333]

Oh yeah, its too high and that high single point of contact is worrisome. I would definitely reset it lower like your
other photo. I wouldn't worry about it looking smaller. It looks like a large stone!

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

I usually recommend an integrated head into the band to stabilize. This makes a basket/stone loss scenario much less likely.

*I only caution because I know that I would destroy that mount in a week, tops

 

[Godrick]

Oh yeah, its too high and that high single point of contact is worrisome. I would definitely reset it lower like your
other photo. I wouldn't worry about it looking smaller. It looks like a large stone!

Thank you for your take, I appreciate the gut check!

 

[Godrick]

I usually recommend an integrated head into the band to stabilize. This makes a basket/stone loss scenario much less likely.

*I only caution because I know that I would destroy that mount in a week, tops

Thank you, I like the look to the right! I agree, though I will say I am an extremely cautions ring wearer and take off to cook, sleep, shower, and workout so I think it will hold up for me. Not suitable for activities! haha

 

[NY_Resonant]

I don’t know about the visual impact of lowering the profile of such a larger stone… but a low profile versus normal profile on a 7 stone 16 pointer ring had a noticeable difference in visual size. The higher profile stones looked noticeably larger to our eyes.

 

[Ibrakeforpossums]

Just don't set it so you can't clean under it. I inherited one like that, it's maddening.

 

[Godrick]

I don’t know about the visual impact of lowering the profile of such a larger stone… but a low profile versus normal profile on a 7 stone 16 pointer ring had a noticeable difference in visual size. The higher profile stones looked noticeably larger to our eyes.

Thanks - but not sure what you mean? are you referring to a 7 diamond band?

 

[Lookinagain]

I would definitely lower it. The way the head is mounted looks like one accidental knock could be trouble. Plus, just aesthetically, I think lower would look better. Personally, I wouldn't worry about it looking smaller.

 

[Daze]

Goodness yes definitely lower it. It looks pretty but I speak from experience. I had a ring setting extremely similar, nothing fancy in terms of the stone but the height and design was almost the same. It snapped clean off!! It was set in 14k gold I believe so nothing too brittle and it’s worth mentioning that I spend almost 24/7 in bed due to long term chronic illness and I only caught the ring on the inside of a pillow case - that was enough, the head came right off!
I can only imagine the likelihood would be increased for someone who isn’t poorly and who actually goes out and uses their hands in any sort of meaningful way.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do!

 

[Godrick]

Goodness yes definitely lower it. It looks pretty but I speak from experience. I had a ring setting extremely similar, nothing fancy in terms of the stone but the height and design was almost the same. It snapped clean off!! It was set in 14k gold I believe so nothing too brittle and it’s worth mentioning that I spend almost 24/7 in bed due to long term chronic illness and I only caught the ring on the inside of a pillow case - that was enough, the head came right off!
I can only imagine the likelihood would be increased for someone who isn’t poorly and who actually goes out and uses their hands in any sort of meaningful way.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do!

omg I cant have that!! I decided definitely to lower. Thanks for your input!

 

[Godrick]

I decided to lower it, the jeweler told me the goldsmith will need to create a new head to replace this one. Any ideas on whether that will impact stability or security? TIA!

 

[Ibrakeforpossums]

Find this post above for images. Great advice.

ItsMainelyYou Ideal_Rock
JoinedJun 27, 2014
Messages4,021
Yesterday at 12:58 PM
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#6
I usually recommend an integrated head into the band to stabilize. This makes a basket/stone loss scenario much less likely.
image_2023-06-16_134556113.png image_2023-06-16_135200948.png image_2023-06-16_135451758.png
*I only caution because I know that I would destroy that mount in a week, tops

“Those who have lost their rights don’t have the luxury to care about your traditions.”
Beau of the Fifth Column

 

[tyty333]

I decided to lower it, the jeweler told me the goldsmith will need to create a new head to replace this one. Any ideas on whether that will impact stability or security? TIA!

What did you ask for (as far as the head)? The stability of your current setting is questionable ...so depending on what they do
to re-do it I would think it would be better. Not sure what you asked for and not sure what they plan to do to re-do it so cant really answer this question. We just dont have enough information and we dont know how good your bench is. If they are the ones
that set the head so high in the first place then I question their experience (did you ask for it to be set this high?)

If it were my ring, I would start over from scratch with a setting/head that I liked and thought was durable. However, I understand
you may have some sentimental attachment to this ring (or not).

 

[Godrick]

What did you ask for (as far as the head)? The stability of your current setting is questionable ...so depending on what they do
to re-do it I would think it would be better. Not sure what you asked for and not sure what they plan to do to re-do it so cant really answer this question. We just dont have enough information and we dont know how good your bench is. If they are the ones
that set the head so high in the first place then I question their experience (did you ask for it to be set this high?)

If it were my ring, I would start over from scratch with a setting/head that I liked and thought was durable. However, I understand
you may have some sentimental attachment to this ring (or not).

I don't have sentimental value to it as its brand new, so I think I will request starting over to increase stability. Initially, the jeweler suggested setting it medium-high, they source out their setting/bench work and looking back at the rendering, that "stool" setting was what I approved, I just didnt realize what it would look like in person (hindsight 20/20) and was so focused on the stone I didnt do too much research on settings. Now I have much more info and she says her bench notified her that they will need to remake the head to achieve the look of my second photo I shared. My next question to her is what method will be used to attach the head to the band, and to request that they either 1. start from scratch or 2. integrate the prongs/head into the band for more security. I'll also ask for a new virtual rendering before approving as well!

Thanks for all the help, this is great and also interesting!

 

[737liz]

This is great news @Godrick.

Not to reiterate what has already been said. But make sure the bench knows that you want more than 1 point of contact between the head and the band. As in, have all 4 prongs meet the band. So that it is more secure. That is what your photo from the 1st post shows.

Secondly, just know that depending on the thickness ( rise off the finger) of the band, you may not be able to get a wedding band to sit flush with the engagement ring. As the stone and prongs will be lower and jut out. In my opinion this is totally worth it. Lower will be more secure and look better. Please come back with updates!

 

[tyty333]

@Godrick I would ask for a CAD and then post it here for comments before you give your approval. We have a lot of PSers that
can see possible issues that newcomers just cant know about (because not used to looking at CADs). We probably could have
prevented this in the first place but I think you need to make sure your second attempt is really what you want!

I think you should give your jeweler/bench a photo/pic of how you would like it to look.

 

[Godrick]

This is great news @Godrick.

Not to reiterate what has already been said. But make sure the bench knows that you want more than 1 point of contact between the head and the band. As in, have all 4 prongs meet the band. So that it is more secure. That is what your photo from the 1st post shows.

Secondly, just know that depending on the thickness ( rise off the finger) of the band, you may not be able to get a wedding band to sit flush with the engagement ring. As the stone and prongs will be lower and jut out. In my opinion this is totally worth it. Lower will be more secure and look better. Please come back with updates!

Thats a great way to phrase it re:points of contact with band. Thank you! I will report back!

 

[Godrick]

@Godrick I would ask for a CAD and then post it here for comments before you give your approval. We have a lot of PSers that
can see possible issues that newcomers just cant know about (because not used to looking at CADs). We probably could have
prevented this in the first place but I think you need to make sure your second attempt is really what you want!

I think you should give your jeweler/bench a photo/pic of how you would like it to look.

Thank you! I will post here when received - i provided the bench the photo from my first posting as a guide!

 

[Godrick]

The jeweler is giving me a bit of a runaround here. She says that in order to achieve the look of the photo, the head must be re-made and that there is an additional fee to remake it. I pushed back here, because when we originally spoke she told me I could have the diamond lowered easily if I didn't like the height. She agreed to waive the fee, and explained that she could lower the diamond using the original head (without a fee incurring) but that the head would need to be remade to achieve the look of the photo.

Am I missing something here? My ring head and the photo I attached look the same to me (keep in mind, I clarified no basket even though I know the photo has a basket) and the only difference is the lack of "stool" and lower height.

She agreed to waive the extra cost but I am still just confused.

 

[BMI]

She says that in order to achieve the look of the photo, the head must be re-made

I think the reason your jeweler said the head must be remade is because there are cross bars on the photo you showed her and your current head does not have them. If I am understanding you correctly and you do not want the cross bars, then I suggest finding a new picture for her. Maybe something similar to this one?

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Nonsese. The simple and safest solution is saw the pin off as low as possible.
Drill a hole and cut a portion of the band away.
Insert the pin all the way through the band.
Solder so you will see the white part of the pin from the inside of the band.

Max 1 hour plus polish and plating. Safer and more secure.
47 years. Employ 4 jewelers and a setter. Made heaps of pieces between 22 and 40 years of age.

 

[Godrick]

Thank you all for input - the jeweler confirmed she is going to have the head re-made and attached to band, and she says this will be the most aesthetically pleasing and safe/secure. Garry, this will include removing the old head so I hope they would use your technique when attaching the new one! I will keep you posted!

 

[Rfisher]

Garry, this will include removing the old head so I hope they would use your technique when attaching the new one!

The jeweler is giving me a bit of a runaround here. She says that in order to achieve the look of the photo, the head must be re-made and that there is an additional fee to remake it. I pushed back here, because when we originally spoke she told me I could have the diamond lowered easily if I didn't like the height. She agreed to waive the fee, and explained that she could lower the diamond using the original head (without a fee incurring) but that the head would need to be remade to achieve the look of the photo.

She agreed to waive the extra cost but I am still just confused.

because of extra fees being discussed, and waiving of fees, and extra labor and the feelings of getting the runaround in the middle of it

If the peg technique that was mentioned matters to you - don’t assume. Ask beforehand.

best wishes

 

[Godrick]

because of extra fees being discussed, and waiving of fees, and extra labor and the feelings of getting the runaround in the middle of it

If the peg technique that was mentioned matters to you - don’t assume. Ask beforehand.

best wishes

I just sent an inquiry now. Thanks!

 

[Bruin Bling]

Lots of great feedback already provided. Curious to see the final result when it’s done. Good luck!!

 

[Godrick]

Thanks all for your help! I was traveling and couldnt update, but attached see the new rendering (with personal info/logo & name of jeweler redacted), I also confirmed that the pin method that Gary suggested above will be used