Engagement Ring Prong Repair Cost & Safety: Is $120 Reasonable?

Question
I have my Mom's platinum engagment ring - center stone is a carat with 2 small diamonds on both sides. I was told that the prongs are thin and since it has alot of sentimental value I should get it fixed. They want $120 to replace the prongs.  Does this sound reasonable?  I thought I should ask around since the place I went is a very exclusive shop in PA.  I also thought what are the changes of all 4 prongs going at once and losing the stone?
Thank you for your help.

Answer
Dear Elaine,

Please keep in mind that platinum is the most expensive metal used in jewelry. Not only is the metal more costly to begin with but the purity of the jewelry is much higher than with gold. For instance, a 950 platinum item is 95% pure platinum in the jewelry metal mix.  Gold of 18k for instance is 75% pure gold in the mix and 14k is generally around 57% pure gold in the mix.  Price is based on metal weight, platinum weighs the most and in platinum jewelery there is simply more platinum to begin with than there would be gold in a gold item.

I honestly cannot begin to estimate a repair price without seeing the ring in my hand to evaluate the needed service and to decide technically what is the best way to put the ring back into fine condition.  I can say this, for the stone size and the labor in general, the quote give you sounds reasonable. Do not think an exclusive store in necessarily more costly in repair. Quite often the prices are similar to less exclusive stores. And, keep in mind that if the store has higher end clients, they know it is essential to offer top quality service.  With your ring, you do want well done professional work.

As for losing the stone, with 4 prongs it only takes one for the stone to be lost. With three and worn at that, a slight bump and out goes the stone!  Six are safer because more prongs are used and if one is worn or several, there is still more left to hold the stone.  With regular cleaning and inspection, let us hope it does not come to that as a surprise.

I do hope this answer will assist you. Please rate the answer if you want to so I know something of the helpfulness to you. Use a follow-up as desired to ask more on this subject.

God Bless and Peace.  Thomas.