QuestionI purchased an engagement ring for my wife from a local jeweler. A solitaire diamond with a wrap ring of diamond and emeralds all in a white gold setting. Even with wearing it selectively she is losing diamonds and emeralds. We have had the ring recoated 1 and all the tips replaced 2 and they say it needs a third time. We just got it back from having the emerald replaced and two days later we lose a diamond. The ring is only 14 years old and this seems excessive I have spent more on upkeep than the initial investment. My mother in law has a similar ring and has never had to do anything to it nor has many of my wife's friends. Is this just poor quality or maybe they are not being honest, what is the typical lifespan for a ring like this?
AnswerDean,
I hesitate to comment on quality without seeing the ring. However,I believe the stone setting workmanship or prong repair is not up to standards I would accept, considering losses continue. It is quite possible that the ring when new was not well made
Without knowing the daily history of this ring, there is no clear way to how much wear and what sort of wear the ring encounters. Are stones becoming loose then being lost or are prongs and setting features breaking off? If the latter is true, it sounds like chemical damage and internal stress corrosion of the white gold. White gold is most easily damaged by chemicals, chlorine and similar chemicals being prime culprits. Swimming pool chlorine, household bleach, etc. are notorious for destroying white gold jewelry.
Lifespan of the ring cannot be put on a hart simply because each jewelry item faces different patterns of wear. Service work such as prong repair figures in and if not well done, other areas of the ring may be left more vulnerable to stone loosening or loss.
I hope this answer in some way will help you. God Bless and Peace. Thomas.
