Hello, I am giving my son an heirloom diamond and have purchased a mount from Rio. Is it OK to ask the forum for a referral to a jeweler in a specific city who could do the stone setting (I’m not confident enough in my own stone-setting skills yet!)?
Of course it’s fine. My husband Tim and I have pretty much 100 years of combined experience. But we also have different levels of expertise in our skill sets. I can prong set and bezel set like a champ. But when it’s time for bead and channel setting I hand it off to Tim. The same with wax carving and fabrication. He carves I fabricate.
Can you attach an image of the mounting you ordered? I’d like to see if it’s appropriate for the stone. It’s important to have a well engineered mounting, especially since it is an heirloom diamond. We almost always recommend platinum crowns or bezels. It is the strongest metal as it does not wear away like yellow and white gold. Also the white setting keeps the stone looking white. A yellow gold setting will cast a yellow-sh hue to the stone. If using prongs we always suggest 6. With 4, if one gets snagged, broken, or worn down the stone can easily slide out. Also platinum does not wear off. With time, daily wear, and all of the micro impacts on the setting… the stone will get tighter in it’s setting.
Hello!
100 years experience, that’s wonderful! The shank is 14K yellow gold and the 4 prongs are white gold. I couldn’t find platinum as I had hoped. It’s not easy to purchase your own mount. I got sent to the jewelry stores the companies’ partner with, which I’m sure raises the price alot. Also had trouble finding a 6 prong mount that has the very simple lines that my son thinks his girlfriend would like. I had chatted with a stone setter who said that 4 prong was fine with a 1 carat, but I understand what you’re saying about it not being the safest mount.
The ring is purchased, but returnable - if you have any resources where I could purchase a gold low shank with platinum 6 prongs, I’d be delighted. Thank you so much for your response to my question!
Low engagement ring mounting:
So how much did the store charge you for the mounting? Also what will be their price for setting the stone? Do they have in house jeweler, or do they out source to a trade shop. You really should not go to a retail store as they will charge you retail. Were I you I would go to an independent wholesale trade shop. They are usually much less expensive than retailers. Retailers routinely mark labor and materials up 3 times their cost.
-Jo