Risk of unmounting diamond?

[blackwave]

Just a little bit ago I brought my Mark Morrell Torchiere to a reputable jewelry shop to see about having the diamond taken out of the setting. I'm hoping to keep the setting in tact so I can sell it, but his first response is that he'll have to cut it to get it out. He said he can try to get it out by prying back the prongs but they may break.

Needless to say, I wasn't comfy with any of this so I took the ring back and walked.

So my question.. is this what I should expect for what I thought would be a simple process? Is it actually risky? Will I be able to keep it in its perfect condition through this process?

As a side note, he complemented the diamond but said that the setting is a cheap alloy that they wouldn't use (!!!) I know why Mark uses that alloy so I know better, but ugh, frustrating.

Thanks for the help!
Chris

 

[Michael_E]

So my question.. is this what I should expect for what I thought would be a simple process? Is it actually risky? Will I be able to keep it in its perfect condition through this process?

It is a simple process, but that doesn't mean that it's gentle to the metalwork. It is always very risky as the chances are about 50/50 whether the tip of the prong will crack and break off. If it's in white gold, then the chances are worse than that, if it's yellow gold or platinum, then chances of cracking are lower, (maybe 40%). Whatever the alloy the very end of the prong is still going to get chewed up a bit and lose some bulk during resetting. That said, it is fairly easy to rebuild prong tips, especially with a laser welder, so its not usually a huge concern, (though it's not cheap either).

As a side note, he complemented the diamond but said that the setting is a cheap alloy that they wouldn't use (!!!) I know why Mark uses that alloy so I know better, but ugh, frustrating.

Any more there are no cheap alloys and all of the alloys used by competent craftspeople are more than adequate to do what they are designed to do and that's hold your stone on your finger and stay good looking over an extended period. Anyone who starts yakking about "cheap" anything from a recognized quality craftsperson is just blowing hot air because they didn't sell it initially.

 

[marcy]

I have watched them remove my diamonds or sapphires before and it's like watching your kids get a shot. It's awful. They way they've always done it is bend the heck out of the setting. I think prying up the prongs would probably be more risky than just popping it out of the setting (of course I am only guessing). I am sure either way could result in damage to your diamond.