How to put stones back in this kind of setting

I got this ring with one stone lost. After cleaning in ultrasonic, the other sone fell off. So - what are the best option to put those 2mm stones back?




After fitting a stone back into the setting, I would slide the ring onto a steel ring mandrel and use a beading tool to push each bead down between the stones, locking and tightening them.

I am going to assume that every other stone is probably loose, so you will want to address every prong in this way, pushing the prong down and toward the center of the setting, rotating the beading tool to refinish the bead tip as you push.

Myself I have a GRS ring clamp system for holding, but the steel mandrel will do. I also would use the beading tool in a holder in my Hravermeister hammer handpiece, but again, this can be done by handtools also.

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The “Ringdoctor” was spot on with his much needed process. Next, I would examine the bearings underneath each of the empty holes. I would even get my 156C (undercutting bur) and readdress each of those old mini-claws, again!
Namely just touch the mini-claws with that bur. But the question remains what size of bur? I would use a bur that is no more than 1/2 the size of the “empty hole”. Just ever so slightly into the metal.
That bur must be no more than half-way up from the base of the mini-claw. Carefully put a new stone in and burnish that claw down over the new stone.
BURNISH EVERYONE ON THE REMAINING DIAMONDS. If two stones got loose and left the scene and darned sure the others will be wanting to escape, too…
What size of burnishing tool? Use a tool that will cover the tip of the mini-claw.
Press down with your tool held in a vertical position and ROTATE in a circular motion.
Also check to see if the remaining claws need re-tipping!.THAT COULD BE THE PROBLEM. Wishing you success in this re-setting. Sorry for my lengthy answer.
Many thanks, “ringdoctor” you were great as well with your answers. Especially with your ridea of “ROTATING” your bead-burnisher. Gerry Lewy!

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Thank you Gerry.
I am not the setting specialist that you are, although that was my original training, but over 45 years of specializing in repair has taught me a few tricks that work.
In the image, I do not spot overly worn looking prongs, but as you note, if 1 stone is lost, all need to be checked. I expect them to all need TLC.
Stones do not “just fall out”, at least in decently crafted jewelry they don’t.

This little email addendum is from “my first time looking at the three photos”, which was at 7:00 a.m. but now I’m looking at those three photos again now at 8:30 p.m. I see that in my humble opinion and in the future, certain things needed to be done, and here they are.

  1. RETIP: ALL OF THE CLAWS. (They all look in rough shape).
  2. Use a saw blade of #4/0 width, this is to separate the claws from the channel wall. They seem to be so badly worn down and they are joined to the channel wall…OUCH!
  3. Get a written permission to do any additional work that requires the other diamonds to be fully secure. The customer needs this information ahead of time.
  4. During of your soldering of the claw tips, keep those tips a touch higher than what is shown in the photos. They look so badly worn down.
  5. Gently Polish the ring and the new claw tips, (but you know how this is to be done!)
    Many times when I see problems like this ring, I like to put my 63 years of training into finding solutions. Hoping my friend “Ringdoctor” won’t be offended by my additional notes. On Orchid, we are a helpful team, agree? Gerry!
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I have only seen pics of this item, so I can give no more definitive answer without actually handling the piece of jewelry.
I specialize in repairs, and have now for nearly 50 years, and I pride myself in never spending a customer’s money without good reason.
I do not see a major repair required here, in the limited images shown, but in person the answer might be different.
I think that my original response would satisfy most customer’s needs, based on those few pics. Could I turn this into a major $, repair? Certanly! I also pride myself in restoration work, when the jewelry warrants this type of creativity and expense and, or the customer wishes to go this route.

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