QuestionI have been setting gem stones in sterling silver. I have a 14k gold ring with a 6 prong setting. The stone is a CZ and I want to replace it with a white topaz. How do I remove the stone without damaging the prongs. The gold is much stronger than silver.
Answer
Stone removal tools
Robin, this is not your answer. I want to make a simple sketch or photo to help you understand what I will be saying. That should happen tomorrow. See you then.
God Bless and Peace. Thomas.
________________________________Answer is Below_______________________________________________
Robin, I am back.
Generally to remove a stone and try to both keep the prongs and the stone from damage requires a gentle method of raising the prong tips, upward or backward, or moving the prong away from the stone girdle(waist). There are simple steel tools called "prong lifters" you can find on jewelery supplier websites such as Contenti. Here is link so you can see the tool:
http://www.contenti.com/products/stone-setting/410-730.html
They show two kinds of prong lifting pliers and a simple flat steel prong lifter. The prong lifter is used by placing the prong tip against one of the notch edges. When the edge has a grip on the prong tip, the tool is angled away from the setting to bend the prong upward. The prong pliers work much the same way. Another version of prong plier is on an eBay site here:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Box-Joint-Gem-Stone-Removal-Prong-Pliers-FindingKing-/230657
The best tool I have used for moving the prong away from the stone is a home made prong lifter made from a flush cutter pliers. The flush cutter has a sharper edge than regular cutting pliers. One jaw is used for the prong tip and is kept as is. The other jaw is ground to a rounded shape and polished, taking off the sharp edge. Imagine the ring is perpendicular or straight up from a table. The pliers are held with the body in parallel with the table, the sharp jaw behind the prong tip and the smooth jaw lower down on the prong. The pliers are then turned so the jaw on the prong moves the tip outward while the other jaw rests on the lower part of the prong.
Otherwise, without special tools, use a fine round nose or needle nose pliers to grip a prong and gently twist the prong to the side and away from the stone. Go around the setting until the prongs are out far enough to get the stone out. The prongs must be straightened to set the new stone. Also, if there are any scars on the prongs, sand and polish those away after straightening the prongs and prior to setting the new stone.
If the stone is quite tiny, you can use a sharp edge of a knife-like tool to gently go under the prong tip and push it back from the stone. This is a more difficult method but does work.
Most any sort of stone removal will leave some marks, some at the prong tip and some on the prongs further down. You need to clean up any marks.
Best wishes! God Bless and Peace. Thomas.
