Is there a risk of damaging stones from setting?

[alpha238]

My original wedding band is an eternity with single cut diamonds. I was told that the prongs were too thin to re tip and I'm afraid of losing a stone. I wanted to have the original diamonds taken out and put into a new setting. I was told by the jeweler that there was too much of a risk of damaging the diamonds when they removed them from the setting.

This conversation was done on-line and they have not seen the setting. They did say that they would be happy to make me a ring with new diamonds, of course. Is there really that much of a risk?

 

[MissGotRocks]

There's always a risk of something happening but you're more interested in probability - what is the probability that something will happen to the stones? In the hands of a good jeweler, probably small. However, I would make sure that my insurance would cover this ring and the jeweler working on it. If you absolutely can't abide something happening to one of the stones, perhaps getting a new band made would be your better bet.

I'd also feel better if someone was actually looking at the ring - or at least a picture of it. I don't know how anyone can tell you the risk is that great without seeing the ring. Makes me wonder if they just don't want to be bothered with it and would rather just sell you a brand new ring. . .

 

[stone-cold11]

How big are the stones?

From what I understand, melee stones are usually smashed if the settings are to be reused or the setting dissolve by acid if the stones are to be recovered, not worth the $/time/effort to recover the stones.

 

[denverappraiser]

Yeah, there's a risk, and this risk would be a covered loss under most insurance contracts. Ask your insurance agent about the details of your policy, assuming you have one in force on the existing ring. Are you confident that they aren't damaged already? As mentioned above, the time required to recover the stones from your old piece may make it economically unworkable anyway unless the issue here is the emotional attachment to those particular diamonds.

 

[alpha238]

The stones seem to be fine. My ring is over 28 years old so the prongs are worn from daily wear. The stones are about 1 pt. each.

You all are probably right that they just don't want to be bothered. I wanted to use them more for the sentimental aspect of it.

 

[MissGotRocks]

The stones seem to be fine. My ring is over 28 years old so the prongs are worn from daily wear. The stones are about 1 pt. each.

You all are probably right that they just don't want to be bothered. I wanted to use them more for the sentimental aspect of it.

Well, I'm guessing SC is right - the size of the stones probably does factor into it. Those may be a bit harder to extract without damaging at least one or some of them.