Sentimental: larger stone in original e-ring setting?

[uiggu]

As the title says, I'm sentimental. I really don't want to have to change my setting if at all possible. The problem is, the original diamond is only a 0.2 and I'm aiming to upgrade significantly to a 0.9. The head is integrated, the shank is platinum with pave.

I searched the forum extensively and I found only advice saying it would be 'easier' and 'less trouble' to just go for a whole new setting. However I am less concerned about cost, and more whether this is physically possible.

So jewellers, or anyone with any experience keeping their original setting and upgrading the diamond: can the original head of a ring be laser-cut out (?) and a new one soldered in?

 

[Christina...]

do you have photos of your ring?

 

[SB621]

It depends on your ring. Like Christina said do you have any photos? Once we see those it should be easy to determine if you can reset your new diamond or not.

 

[uiggu]

Thank you both for taking the time to reply. Here are some pictures - apologies for the quality; I only have my iPhone to hand at the moment.

It's about the most integrated head of integrated heads... it's a Japanese brand ring, and they don't tend to go for protruding diamonds here. On the whole the jewellers are very skilled, though.

 

[Doc_1]

Looks like .9 is a nice upgrade from the current diamond and you still can go with the melee you have to be used in a new ring, i will go with a new design to complement the new diamond with the use of the old ones in that design!
JUMHO

 

[Rosebloom]

I'm certainly not an expert, but I have read of some people having the head removed by laser incision. That might work in this case. But no doubt it would be expensive and complicated.

If that doesn't work out, perhaps you could put a stunning colored stone in it and wear it on your right hand? Maybe your SO's birthstone or the birthstone for the month of your anniversary? Or keep the stone but use it as a side stone? A pair of .2s would look lovely flanking a .9.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I would suggest keeping the current ring as is for sentimental reasons, and get a new setting for the new diamond. That way you have both!

 

[Circe]

I would suggest keeping the current ring as is for sentimental reasons, and get a new setting for the new diamond. That way you have both!

I second DS's idea - but I think you could have it done. The head of your ring was in all likelihood not cast in one piece with the shank, but soldered in (not unlike a peg head, but with two connecting points instead of one). You'd want to be careful because of the melee on the shank, but, yeah, a qualified jeweler could totally do it.

 

[distracts]

Yes it will be possible - the jeweler will have to cut the basket out and replace it with a new one but it can be done.

 

[bunnycat]

I agree with Circe and Distracts it could be done. They'd have to cut out the current head and replace it with another, but I have looked at entirely new heads (non peg) from Stuller and they definitely exist so I am pretty sure it could be done. Not sure about price though.

I was considering a head change for one of my rings with a similar issue (head sitting inside a cathedral-like shank with sidestones in this case) and the jeweler said he could do it, but he'd have to remove and reset side stones but it was not an issue about putting a new head in. And mine has 4 attachment points whereas yours only has 2 so I bet it wouldn't be a problem. It never hurts to go to a few places and ask about it. Just don't go with anyone who says "they'll try". Someone who is confident and knowledgeable in a repair like this would be who to choose.

 

[CharmyPoo]

It can but it will be cost prohibiting I suspect. Agreed with others that you should probably just keep the ring together and get a new one.

 

[Fly Girl]

I did replace my original 0.21 ct diamond with a larger 0.63 ct diamond and kept my original e-ring setting. However, my ring had a peg-head design, so the jeweler simply replaced the head with one that fit the new diamond.

I would think that the entire head of your ring could be cut out and replaced, then the ring resized. I would ask about laser technology as that may make it easier to do.

 

[uiggu]

Thank you to everyone who took the time to reply! I'm glad to hear it would be at least possible, not withstanding cost. I'm planning to get a quote from a jeweller and then decide where to go from there.

Thanks again for the help .

 

[uiggu]

I'm certainly not an expert, but I have read of some people having the head removed by laser incision. That might work in this case. But no doubt it would be expensive and complicated.

If that doesn't work out, perhaps you could put a stunning colored stone in it and wear it on your right hand? Maybe your SO's birthstone or the birthstone for the month of your anniversary? Or keep the stone but use it as a side stone? A pair of .2s would look lovely flanking a .9.

Thank you Rosebloom - I hadn't considered changing out the diamond for a birthstone. That's a brilliant idea!

 

[04diamond<3]

Thank you both for taking the time to reply. Here are some pictures - apologies for the quality; I only have my iPhone to hand at the moment.

It's about the most integrated head of integrated heads... it's a Japanese brand ring, and they don't tend to go for protruding diamonds here. On the whole the jewellers are very skilled, though.

It definitely looks like it can be done! Just have the head replaced! Check with your jeweler though and make sure that it's something you can afford to have done. Although, doesn't seem like it'd cost much. I'm having a similar thing done to my ering. If it just costs too much then maybe a new temp setting would be better. How exciting for you!!!

 

[FrankieL]

Congrats on upgrading, it's such an exciting (& nerve-racking) process! My husband upgraded my center stone recently as well & while several of the extremely knowledgable people on this forum suggested it might not be possible to just switch diamonds, we went with the recommendation of our local jeweler & had it done. While my e-ring doesn't look exactly the same as it originally did, I'm extremely happy we kept my original setting intact. Good luck with whatever you decide & post pics of the finished project!