Jewelry Question

I have been told that my diamonds were loose when I've taken my rings in to be cleaned. They show me with their little pointer how the diamonds move. They can be tightened, for a fee...was $40 or $60 a diamond if I remember correctly. They actually won't clean them in the ultra sonic cleaner unless you have them tightened b/c they don't want to be responsible if they come out.

Yikes!
I took my watch in for a battery to Jarad's,and asked them to clean my ring while I waited. He said he'd have to do a quick inspection before hand...and immediatly could hear the stone rattling in it's setting. I swear I'm hard to hear high pitched noises...thank goodness my husband was w/me, he agreed it was making the noise. Long story short, in about 30 minutes, they fixed it right there, at the store, and we watched them work it. I've been wearing that ring for 14 years...Didnt buy it from Jarad, but I feel totally comfortable having them do work on my ring.
There are so many jewelry stores out there...But it was important to me that they didnt ship my ring out of state, and that it didnt take weeks to get back.
Hope this helps!

Take it in somewhere else they can inspect it and clean for free and will tell you what is wrong with it.It shouldn't move rattle or do what you mentioned if it was mounted properly.Don't know how big it is but if it is big diamond i'd hate to lose it.I don't have my insured nor inspected like I should it was a little less than 2,000 but the diamond alone was 1700 or somewhere close and I had noticed that maybe the prongs were bent from hitting it on the washer took it in and was reapaired.

I am a jeweler. No, it should not move--if it is rattling, it is loose and not seated well. You should have it put in a new head (the prong part) and if it is over .50 carat, it should be in a 6 prong setting. The 6 prongs will ensure that even if one breaks or is loose, the other 5 will hold it better than only 3.

As far as tightening it yourself, well, diamonds are brittle. If you tighten it too much or your tools move, you could very easily chip your stone. It is not as hard to do as one might think.

Third, and my own personal soap box, stone switching is absolutely NOT COMMON. In the jewelry industry you can purchase supplies and inventory from few places, and your credit is based upon a system not unlike credit scores. If you are stupid enough to switch a stone, you lose all credit, all your reputation, and essentially, your entire business. Now, there are stupid people out there. But not usually so stupid as to risk their entire livelihood on one stone--which there is squat for markups on diamonds anyway--there are so many more ways to make better money than switching stones. So, please, oh please, take that with a huge grain of salt. Especially when you are dealing with a stone under 2 carats--they are not going to waste their time on smaller stones.

Good luck, and get that head replaced.

A.

I own a LOT of jewelry and have never had any of my stones jiggle. Stop going to mall type jewelry stores and go to a good place like Tivol's, Swirk's or Meirotto's in the KC area. They have extremely experienced jewelry repair people and you won't have to worry about getting your diamond switch for a lesser quality one (yes, this does happen). They have employees who are true gemologists and are trained in what to look for. And I know you think these places might be too expensive, but they're not when it comes to repairs, and frankly, isn't spending a little more money better than losing your diamond?

No matter if the warranty is out take it to a local jeweler and have them look at it. I would not wear it until you get the prongs taken care of or you risk it falling out and then you may not find it. the jeweler can tell you if you have a good piece and fix it.

No, it shouldn't move at all...Ask around locally and take it to someone reputable...shouldn't take them more than a couple of minutes but there should be no movement to the stone. Any movement is an indication that the prongs are not securing the stone well enough....and any tug on those prongs could result in a very expensive loss.

And, if you haven't had it inspected at the place you bought it within the last 6 months you have already nullified the contract so they don't have to technically honor anything...those contracts all sound great when you are starting off but they are nothing more than a come on...very few people stay put for a lifetime.

Get the ring inspected pronto and make time to do so. I have been there and didn't know the diamond fell out until I looked down one day and it was gone. Hubby didn't buy the extended warranty but the took care of it anyway and I had this problem several times it falling out and they ended up having to make me a new set and I haven't had any problems since then. But get this taken care of and don't keep procrastinating about it.

I agree with Stephanie B. Your stone should not move. Please don't go to a mall jeweler or department store jewelry counter. I highly recommend Tivol. You didn't mention if you've insured your ring, but don't count on your renter's or homeowner's policy to cover this ring. You'll have to add a rider, which requires an appraisal, something you can easily get from Tivol, as well. They'll take good care of you and your ring.

I sounds like your prongs are weak ....If so you will need it repronged. This same thing happen to my daughter .

Nope, your diamond should probably not move. I would take it to Zales (or another big name jewelry store) and have them check it out. I think Zales charges about $30 to tighten a diamond. You might have to leave it for a few days...not all stores have a jeweler on hand every day.

Carrie, It seems strange that it moves. I'm glad you are having it checked. I know that a while back there was a popular setting for necklaces where the diamond could slide up and down in a rectangular setting, maybe it's something like that?

I think, for my own peace of mind, I'd have the prongs changed or tighted.

There is a small family owned jewelry store on Johnson Drive, (I think), called Riley's Jewlers. Their prices might be more reasonable.

M.

I agree with the some of the others. It is not normal and take it in right away. Do check out Tivol. That is where my husband bought my wedding ring and his band and they are one of the best in KC. Also, the son Tom Tivol has a jewelry appraisal business I think on State Line somewhere. Tom Tivol is who my husband dealt directly with and is very nice. He could do the work for you as well.

No, the diamond should not move around in the mounting. The prongs should hold it firmly in place and there should be no "jiggle". I suggest you take it to a jeweler to check whether the prongs need to be tightened or possibly retipped/replaced. Also, the head may be too large for the diamond. I recommend Romantique Jewelers located in Bridgeton near 270 and St. Charles Rock Road. It is a family-owned business and has been in business for 30+ years.

Hi, Carrie!
First of all, a diamond is NOT supposed to move, no matter what type of setting or what the store told you. This means the setting is loose. Don't panic, there are easy ways to fix is yourself for free. First, you can take a very small pair of pliers or tweezers and tighten the prongs around the stone by gently squeezing from opposite sides until you get no more rattle. Or, you can tighten the prongs and add a VERY small touch of super glue (will not hurt the stone or setting) to keep in secure and safe. I have many diamonds in all kinds of settings and both of these methods work well for me. If you took it to a store, the store would just tighten the setting anyway, so you might as well do it yourself.

My engagement ring did the same thing and it drove me nuts! Not only that but it was just ever so slightly crooked in the setting. For some reason, this didn't seem to alarm the jeweler so I had to take it back twice to get it right - I think they fixed the rattling but it still was not straight in the setting. A diamond should be perfect! I doubt it will be expensive to fix, even at a jewelry store that didn't sell it to you.

Not to freak you out, but my first engangement ring didn't rattle and one day I looked at my hand and had four little prongs where the diamond was supposed to be. I had had just been swimming in the YMCA pool. So, do get it checked. Of course, this was years and years into my marriage, so my husband gave me a new engagement ring with a much bigger diamond to replace it (and this one rattled!)

it should never move. go have it checked

First off, they will still honor your warranty. Just have them look you up in the computer at your new location.

The diamond should not move and I don't think you should wear it until it has been fixed. Mine had to be repaired several times before it was finally right and now I haven't had a problem in years.

Good Luck!

After working in a jewelry store I can tell you that your diamond isn't supposed to move! You need to go to a store and have the setting tightened. If that doesn't seem to hold it tight for long then you need a new prong heads.

I don't think it is suppose to move. I would definately have it looked at , at a different dealer, before you loose your diamond.

Mine wiggled and then fell out. Luckily, I was able to find it and take it in even though mine was covered under warranty through Zales. They did not cover the prongs which I thought was strange so I ended up buying another warranty to make sure everything was covered. Definitely take it in and have it looked over and possibly another jeweler will offer some kind of warranty to purchase. Good luck!

No I don't believe it should jiggle. You can take it to Kay or someplace in the mall and they will look at it and repair if needed for a price. You may want to take it to a couple places for the best price. I too bought mine out of state, but JB Robinson is owned by Kay, so I was able to uphold my check ups through them. HTH

have it inspected. stones are not supposed to move in the setting. it damages the stone.

I have a similar warranty on my ring, have to bring it in every 6 months. During the summers I play softball and I always have to have the prongs tightened after the summer because the diamond is loose. They take a little tool and check each diamond and if they move even slightly they have me leave the ring for a week and have their jeweler tighten the prongs. I don't think you diamond is supposed to move. If I were you I would get it checked and make sure that is not by design. If it is not, then I would have the jeweler tighten the prongs just to be safe. You definetly do not want to loose your diamond especially since it is out of warranty. Also many of those stores like Kays and Zales (where I got my ring) are chain stores so there is usually one that can service your warranty even if it falls under a different name. I would check the website and make sure there is not a store in your area that can service your warranty.