Question
E-Ring
My girlfriend and I have been shopping around for an engagement ring for awhile now with some difficulty. We finally found one that she loves. Unfortunately they only sell the style in a size 7 and don't offer the choice to special order in any other size. She is a size 4.5. With the diamonds running down the edge of the band is it possible for the ring to safely be sized down 2.5 sizes? If so what is the likelihood of stones falling out and is it possible for such small stones to be tightened?
The ring is a 10k White Gold 1-ct. T.W. Diamond Ring.
AnswerHi, Matthew. Thanks for this question. Special thanks for the image.
When a size is removed, that takes about 2.5mm or 0.1 inch per size, meaning to size this ring will need right at 0.25 inch or 6.25mm removed from between the hollow sides where the side stones are set. The piece is removed then the ends must be brought together. Visualize that in your mind and you can see that is a fairly large distance to push the sides of the ring together. Of course, the jeweler will try to make the ring around again. When the circle is made smaller, the prongs will spread apart a little, possible making stones loose or even falling out.
The advantage this ring has over some others of similar style is that the side stones are set in 4 prongs each. Many are made with shared prongs something like this :0:0: with a pair of prongs between and shared by two stones. I would recommend this ring not be sized so much smaller for fear of loosening stones or creating a condition where stones might be lost in days to come. Sure, a jeweler doing the work will tighten or reset those that do get loose or come out and the 4 prongs makes that easier to do safely. Still, that much of a new and smaller curve will almost certainly move some prong metal away from the stones and stones might seem tight only to loosen and be lost later on.
My recommendation is if the seller will not do the sizing work, do not purchase this ring. Look more and try to find one where the seller will take responsibility for the sizing. You want to have recourse with the seller to be responsible for loose or lost stones, during sizing or later. If you buy the ring somewhere else and take it to a local jeweler, you are going to pay for lost stones and labor for tightening. The jeweler might not want to guarantee against future stone losses since they did not sell the ring and are doing the hard part of sixing it down 2.5 sizes.
Matthew, I do not want to be discouraging but must tell it straight up. You need to know. Also, if another similar style is found and must be sized down this much, do not even consider a ring with shared prongs between the diamonds. Does that make sense?
A local jeweler may take on the job after seeing the ring. I cannot see it in reality but from the image would likely not do the work.
I hope this helps. It is better t look even more and be happy with a ring meant to last you two many wonderful years.
God Bless and Peace. Thomas.
