Elevating Your Diamond: Understanding Ring Settings & Visibility

Question
Hi Thomas,

I recieved a very nice pave setting engagement ring with a 1 ct. center diamond that was from my fiancee's great grandmothers ring. I really love the ring with the one exception being the center stone is set really low. (He had it put into this new pave setting.) It is almost flush with the band which I feel actually takes away from the center diamond itself.  The ring is open underneath the diamonds so light can get through but I would really like to have the center diamond set higher up. Is there any way to elongate the prongs (it is a 4 prong setting) to raise the diamond off the band a bit more?

I hope this made sense as I really do not have any technical knowledge of rings/settings.

Thanks for you help!

Answer
Jess, this is a good question.

First, consider how high you want the stone to be and ask a jeweler. Without seeing the ring, I cannot tell exactly what must be done.  I give you the general approach so when you speak to a jeweler you will have an idea of what is going on.

The diamond is in a 4 prong setting. This setting is either a formed part of the ring (cast as an integral part) or is brazed in place.  (If I made the ring, I would likely add the setting to the ring body and this is done neatly so all looks right together as a unit.) Either way, most likely the diamond may be removed and a taller setting brazed into place, replacing the original setting.  The original is heated to remove or ground out to make a hole or suitable support for the new setting. Then the new setting is added, finished neatly and the diamond is set. The ring should look just fine with the difference being your stone is now higher.

P. S.  As far as light is concerned, a modern cut diamond does not need light from below. The sparkle and reflection you see is light which enters from the top and is sent back to your eye in the special way a diamond affects light.  With pave or any set stones, opening beneath the stone is desired since this is the only way to allow the stone to be cleaned properly.

Jess, find a reputable local jeweler and ask if what I have suggested will work with your ring. In most cases there should be no problems in making the alteration.

Enjoy this ring! God Bless and Peace. Thomas.