is it possible to fix the shank without remaking the whole ring?

[MonkeyPants]

Hi RTers. I don''t usually post here but I have an e-ring annoyance and since y''all are the experts...

Fi purchased my e-ring last May and since then we''ve sent it back to be "fixed" 3 times. Problem #1--a small rust-like spot that started appearing in the metal a week after purchase. Solution--a deep cleaning. Problem #2-one of the accent diamonds fell out and rust-like spot was returning. Solution-replaced the diamond and deep cleaned again. Problem #3-noticed that my octagonal halo with milgrain was not symmetrical and didn''t have milgrain throughout. Solution-remade the ring.

So now I have this re-made ring that is far better than the one Fi initially purchased in terms of craftsmanship however, now it''s the shank that looks unfinished. There are gaps between the metal and the diamonds. The shank on the old ring was the only part of the ring that looked good! Instead of having them remake the ring again (didn''t want to part with my ring again when I had no confidence that they would adequately fix the problem) I''ve just let it be. I would like to eventually have it fixed one day by a different jeweler. My questions are: 1) would another jeweler even touch a ring they didn''t sell? If so, how much would that cost approx.? 2) is it possible to fix the shank without remaking the entire ring? 3) should I just call this a lesson learned, live with it and re-set the diamond in a few years?

Here''s a picture of my ring with a pictures of what the shank is supposed to look like according to the vendor''s website. I hope this uploads.

 

[MonkeyPants]

Here is my current ring...See the big ol'' gaps?

 

[MonkeyPants]

The shank should look like the one in this picture.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 2/14/2010 5:29:13 PM
Author:MonkeyPants
Hi RTers. I don''t usually post here but I have an e-ring annoyance and since y''all are the experts...

Fi purchased my e-ring last May and since then we''ve sent it back to be ''fixed'' 3 times. Problem #1--a small rust-like spot that started appearing in the metal a week after purchase. Solution--a deep cleaning. Problem #2-one of the accent diamonds fell out and rust-like spot was returning. Solution-replaced the diamond and deep cleaned again. Problem #3-noticed that my octagonal halo with milgrain was not symmetrical and didn''t have milgrain throughout. Solution-remade the ring.

So now I have this re-made ring that is far better than the one Fi initially purchased in terms of craftsmanship however, now it''s the shank that looks unfinished. There are gaps between the metal and the diamonds. The shank on the old ring was the only part of the ring that looked good! Instead of having them remake the ring again (didn''t want to part with my ring again when I had no confidence that they would adequately fix the problem) I''ve just let it be. I would like to eventually have it fixed one day by a different jeweler. My questions are: 1) would another jeweler even touch a ring they didn''t sell? If so, how much would that cost approx.? 2) is it possible to fix the shank without remaking the entire ring? 3) should I just call this a lesson learned, live with it and re-set the diamond in a few years?

Here''s a picture of my ring with a pictures of what the shank is supposed to look like according to the vendor''s website. I hope this uploads.

Honestly, I think you should do this. Yes, you can remove the head of a ring and add a new shank, but with all the issues you have had I hate to see you put more money into it. I would suggest saving up for a known brand like beverly K where you know the quality is there.

 

[MonkeyPants]

Thanks for the response Dreamer...I was also starting to feel that living with an imperfect ring for a bit was the best way to go. I initially took all these ring issues to be an omen for a troubled marriage (yeah, I can be a little superstitious sometimes

) and even though I know that the ring doesn't have anything to do with my relationship with Fi, I still have twinges of bitterness toward the it since it cost so much extra time and headache (no additional cost thank God!). I feel bad that I feel this way about what is supposed to be a symbol of love and commitment. At this point, if I did remount the head onto a new shank, I think I would still have ill feelings toward the ring even if the end result was a perfectly made ring.

So yes, for many reasons I think finding a completely different, brand-named setting in 5-10 years might just be the best way to go. I guess I was hoping that remaking the shank would cost less than re-setting the ring later on. Which brings me to my next question:

What will happen to the old setting? Does it sit around in my jewelry box, diamondless or do people typically sell this back to a jeweler for cash or trade-in?

 

[HVVS]

The old setting should be returned to you unless you and the jeweler agree that it gets a trade-in allowance for your new setting. Clearly define what your expectations are on that, up front. I had one jeweler try to keep the old mounting and give me no credit for it. That didn't appeal to me. I was rather loud and vocal about it. But I got that setting back. lol You can sell your old one on eBay or you can keep it and put a colored gem in it.

 

[MonkeyPants]

Thanks for the info HVVS! I''m glad you got your setting back!