Jewelry

[violann]

My engagement ring was a 1.59 solitaire in a 4 prong setting when it was purchased at a Macys 38 years ago. I don't have any information about the color although it appears by eye to be at least in the H neighborhood, and it's supposed to be "Brilliant" cut. Several years ago I had it set in a large "Beltcher" setting. I've worn it off and on through the years, but the setting is to say the least mannish. There is a chip in the girdle of the stone that is covered by a prong in the present setting. I am now taking all of my jewelry to a lovely little local shop, and I trust the jeweler with every good piece that I own, and I REALLY want to have that ring reset into something more flattering to the stone. Has anyone done this? I wouldn't mind having the chip repaired if it could be done. Opinions?

[ennui1]

I like the Belcher setting.

[lboone]

I had a diamond reset several years ago and I LOVE it. My local "artisan" store made the setting for me, I specified and got large prongs. I don't have a chip in mine but the large prongs help protect the stone, they act like "bumpers." What I am trying to say is that a large prong would also cover that chip.

Personally I would have the stone reset in to a more modern setting, but I wouldn't have the stone re-cut. I wouldn't want to lose the carat weight for something that can be disguised with a carefully placed prong.

[violann]

On 2/15/2014 ennui1 said:

I like the Belcher setting.

Me too, so sweet of you to say so! My dear grandma's .25 diamond is set in a very feminine Belcher- but my own engagement ring looks like something Rocky would wear. If I could find a Belcher like Grandma's that would work fine- the prong would support the crack like the prong it's in now.

[ennui1]

If you Google "diamond setting to hide chip," there are various suggestions. I like the half-bezel. It's timeless.

Do you intend to leave it as a solitaire?

[esmeraldagooch]

If the prong hides the chip on the new setting do you really want to go though having it recut? The stone will be smaller when they are done and you should find out the costs involved before deciding.

[violann]

ennui your Google suggestion was very helpful. I'm wondering if some sort of "halo" look could soften it a little.... Have to get a couple jewelers' estimates......I can't remember where or how big the chip is, so I'm going to have to find that out too.

[FranandZoe]

The jeweler will surely suggest a setting that would hide the chip. Or alternately you can have it repaired - they can file it away not necessarily re-cut it.

[serenity4ever]

You can have the diamond re-cut but you would lose carat weight. Are you sure that the chip you are seeing isn't an indented natural? Ask a certified appraiser because often what appears to be a chip is a natural on the girdle of the stone.

If the chip isn't covered properly if you hit the diamond, it can break further into the diamond, so it is best to either have it re-cut or find a setting where the prong will completely cover it. You could look at 6 prong or 4 prong Tiffany settings or the halo setting may be more to your liking. Whatever you choose I wish you the best of luck....