What Do I Do If My Diamond In My Engagement Ring is Loose?
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Shop Twist Shank Engagement RingsYou’ve found the man of your dreams and he’s given you the diamond engagement ring of your dreams. What happens when that stunning center diamond or moissanite is loose? It does happen, even though your engagement ring setting is made to securely hold that sparkling gem. First of all, don’t panic. Your Ben Garelick experts are here to help! We’re giving you tips on keeping your diamond secure, how to tell if you diamond is loose and what to do if your gemstone does come loose.
In this article...
Is It Normal For My Diamond To Be Loose?
Whether you’re sporting a large center diamond, a halo setting or a three-stone setting engagement ring, it is fairly common for your ring to eventually need to have its prongs tightened.
There are times you may even need to replace the prongs to ensure your diamond doesn’t become loose or fall out. Even the diamonds in wedding bands from the finest jewelry designers in the world may become loose, depending on the normal wear over time.
Most ring settings use tiny prongs made of metal to squeeze the diamond securely in place. The prongs are purposely made to maximize the visible surface of the sparkling gemstone.
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Although diamonds are one of the strongest minerals in the world, the metal — whether silver, gold or platinum — is much more fragile. If you wear your ring every day, over time, the metal of your prongs can wear down and become weakened.
How To Check If Your Diamond Is Loose
- Listen for a sound. Hold your jewelry up to your ear and give it a shake, you'll be able to hear it rattle or move if it's loose. Round diamonds can also rotate in their settings if loose.
- Run your finger across the diamond. Run your finger around the stone and feel for any chips or cracks, take note if it's near the prong as this is a tell-tale sign that something is wrong. Go to your original point of purchase to have the jewelry checked.
How Can I Keep My Diamond From Becoming Loose?
Since it’s clear that your diamond ring may be in danger of losing a diamond with normal wear, it’s important to know what you can do to reduce the risk of losing a diamond.
- Choose a quality jeweler. Make sure to buy a high quality ring from a fine jewelry store. Many times, cheaper, less expensive rings will use less metal to hold the stones in place, making them fall out sooner & more easily than a well-made wedding ring.
- Avoid hard impacts. Create fewer chances that your diamond ring will snag on another object or be knocked into something hard by taking it off when you are doing active tasks such as gardening, cleaning your home, or playing sports.
- Keep it fitting fine. If your ring becomes too small, you may put a lot of pressure on your setting each time you take your ring on and off. Consider resizing your ring to avoid this and also use the sides of the bands when putting your ring on and off.
- Clean properly. We know you want to keep your ring sparkling like new and that requires regular cleaning. Be sure to use an approved jewelry cleaner for this task so unknown chemicals don’t cause damage to your prongs. Ben Garelick suggests making your own cleaner from a mild dishwashing soap and warm water, used with a soft-bristled brush.
- Jewelry inspections. Take your ring to a professional jeweler like Ben Garelick at least every year and have them check your setting for loose diamonds. If you’re an active person, consider taking it twice a year. Ben Garelick offers complimentary cleanings for the life of your ring and will also check to make sure no diamonds are loose after the ultrasonic cleaning they perform.
How Much Does It Cost To Fix A Loose Diamond?
If you find your diamond is loose and the prongs cannot be tightened, you will want to look into the cost of getting the stone reset. The costs vary depending on the jeweler, but you can expect to pay between $35 and $200 per stone depending on the number of prongs that need to be fixed and the size and cut of the stone. Larger carat diamonds with fancy cuts in a prong setting will cost more.
How Do You Tighten A Loose Diamond Ring?
When your engagement ring diamond does come loose, it’s important to follow these steps to ensure successful repair and to keep your keepsake intact.
- Remove the ring. Again, don’t panic, but it’s important that you take the ring off immediately to remove the risk of losing the diamond.
- Store safely. Store your ring safely in a box or container lined with a soft cloth.
- Visit your jeweler. Make an appointment to take your ring into a trusted jeweler for a professional examination.
- DON’T attempt repair on your own. It’s never recommended that you try to repair the ring yourself because this may invalidate the warranty or insurance policy on your diamond if you have one. You also risk doing more damage to the ring or even to the stone itself.
Is It Time To Have Your Diamond Engagement Ring Checked?
Don’t regret waiting to have your diamond ring checked for loose diamonds. In this situation, it’s far better to be safe than sorry. Bring your ring to Ben Garelick’s Buffalo, New York, jewelry store today and let us professionally inspect and clean your diamond engagement ring, wedding band, anniversary ring or other diamond jewelry. Questions about loose diamonds? Give us call at (716) 631-1584 or shoot us a text at (716) 574-0966 and we’ll be happy to answer them! We look forward to keeping your fine jewelry safe for its lifetime!