Options to service/ maintain James Allen diamond engagement ring (from Australia)

[S00ntobeengaged]

Hi all,

I'm wondering if I could get some help with deciding on my best options to service and maintain my James Allen ring (diamond, halo, pave, on a platinum four-prongs setting) from Australia. Below are some ideas/ questions I have.

1. Utilise JA's free lifetime warranty and servicing, and send the ring back to JA every 6 months to a year - we are happy to pay for international fedex shipping to the US, but worried and unclear about customs/ FedEx duty, taxes, and handling fee for the ring to be returned to us
2. Find a local jeweller who will be willing to inspect and service the ring - wondering how to go about doing this and how much to expect to pay for the service. Also what happens if the ring/ diamond is damaged in the process? I imagine JA warranty will be voided if that happens
3. Get a 10x loupe online to check it myself regularly?
4. How much should I actually have to worry about the diamonds (especially the center stone; 1.52crt) falling out?
5. Things to consider regarding jewellery insurance?

TIA!!

 

[Snowdrop13]

I would definitely find someone local. If you keep sending it back and forward you’ll never be wearing it!

I’ve had my ring for 20 plus years and it’s never been serviced as such. I’ve taken it in for a resize once (post pregnancy) and the prongs were checked then. Admittedly I do not have any pavé.

Keep the ring clean and check regularly for any missing stones, especially if you hit the ring off something. If you find that stones are falling out it might be time to reset.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Long before store warranties were a thing my mum just took her rings in every year to the family jewler to be checked over
Years latter when i inherited them and had them sized and valued the jewler said she had taken good care of her rings

 

[foxinsox]

Definitely get a loupe and inspect it yourself - looking closely at your diamond is fun and also useful so you can recognise the inclusions if you ever need to get it worked on so you can be sure your diamond is what you get back.
Find someone local - James Allen’s warranty is only going to be useful if the ring is majorly faulty. Usually to have their warranty be active/applicable, the manufacturer will require you to have it inspected by them at regular intervals. That will add up unnecessarily over the years to quite a lot of postage and handling. And probably a lot of hassle each time to convince Aussie customs that you don’t owe them anything (if you don’t - they may decide you do!).
When you get it, get it inspected by a good quality jeweller, not a mall one, for soundness. The Aussies on the board can likely recommend someone if you say which city you’re in. If there’s no major issues seen then, do your own checks or get the local jeweller to do them annually.
Congratulations on your engagement and please post loads of pictures when your ring arrives!

 

[MillieLou]

OP, I am no help but in a similar predicament!

I did have my old rings (made elsewhere) polished at a good local jeweller for £15 GBP each. They inspected them at the same time. So, maybe a check, clean and polish is in that ballpark.

For @foxinsox and other people of experience: how easy is a home inspection? Is it really as simple as no movement or rattling in the stones, stone seems appropriately placed in the prongs, job done? Or is it something that benefits from an expert eye and skill?

 

[foxinsox]

For @foxinsox and other people of experience: how easy is a home inspection? Is it really as simple as no movement or rattling in the stones, stone seems appropriately placed in the prongs, job done? Or is it something that benefits from an expert eye and skill?

I think it’s pretty straightforward yeah - look through the loupe, see that the prongs are sitting smooth and tight, that there’s no movement, cracking or putting. As you get familiar with your ring you’ll know what’s normal and what’s not. If there’s something that bugs you or you’ve dropped or whacked it, take it to your local trusted jeweller and get them to check it out.

 

[MillieLou]

I think it’s pretty straightforward yeah - look through the loupe, see that the prongs are sitting smooth and tight, that there’s no movement, cracking or putting. As you get familiar with your ring you’ll know what’s normal and what’s not. If there’s something that bugs you or you’ve dropped or whacked it, take it to your local trusted jeweller and get them to check it out.

Thanks @foxinsox . I'm going to get myself a loupe and start practising.

 

[monipod]

I think as everyone else has said, find yourself a local jeweller who can do an inspect/clean every so often. Get to know your ring with a loupe so you can notice if something is amiss.

 

[S00ntobeengaged]

Hi all, thanks for your input! They have been majorly helpful!!

@foxinsox Here's a picture of my ring! Will definitely get a loupe! Is 10x magnification what I need?

And we're located in Adelaide, South Australia if anyone knows a good/ reliable jeweller to go to!

Btw would anyone know if micropave stones are known to fall out even with periodic prong adjustment? Just wanting to know what to expect!

Thanks again!

 

[foxinsox]

Hi all, thanks for your input! They have been majorly helpful!!

@foxinsox Here's a picture of my ring! Will definitely get a loupe! Is 10x magnification what I need?

And we're located in Adelaide, South Australia if anyone knows a good/ reliable jeweller to go to!

Btw would anyone know if micropave stones are known to fall out even with periodic prong adjustment? Just wanting to know what to expect!

Thanks again!

Congratulations on your engagement. That’s a lovely ring! Create a thread in SMTB with loads of pictures so we can all appreciate it.
10x should be fine - I’ve got a 10x and a 30x and probably use the 10x more often.
I think micropave can come loose as the prongs are so small - luckily they’re not usually too expensive to replace. Make sure you’re not wearing your ring when you’re using your hands a lot like gardening, working out etc. you’d be surprised how much you hit it if you’re not careful!