QuestionAlthough it has no stamps it is obviously at least 14, maybe 18k. I has 4 leaves and 1 larger and 2 smaller diamonds set to look like a flower growing out of the leaves with the two smaller diamonds above as smaller blooms. I have 3 daughters, all of who want to claim it when I leave this life. I would dearly love to have it copied so each could have one but do not know who to go to now that most jewelery stores are just selling mass marketed rings. I have never seen one like this and only know that it came from my husband's side. The band is getting thin with age.
AnswerHello, Sam. Great idea you have here and the best way to possibly leave each daughter with a special memory they can grasp and wear.
When it comes to having any item of jewelry duplicated the choices you have to do the job are custom jewelers. Now, there are jewelers who make thing from scratch and do a pitiful job. Then, there are jewelers who do custom work and the work is magnificent, generally above the fine quality of better factory work.
You are going to have to check out jewelers and see who does custom work. Then, tell them about the ring and if they are still interested take it by for them to look over and determine a method of producing the duplicates...and provide a ballpark estimate. The work will not be inexpensive.
I see three primary ways the ring to be duplicated. The first is by direct fabrication in the metal. Each ring would be made individually according to the original design. Expect some slight but insignificant differences in each ring.
The second method is casting. Lost wax casting is the primary method of jewelry body construction and is ideal for your ring..unless the ring was fabricated originally and that is the better choice. Making a mold from the ring results in shrinkage so expect the final items to be about 10% smaller than the original in all dimensions. Finger sizes are done as a final step if needed.
The third method is possible only if the jeweler does this work or has access to someone specializing in it: Cad/cam work. Honestly, this is an extension to normal casting methods. In normal casting, a mold is made of the original and then wax models from the mold and the rings are cast in metal, finished and stones mounted. With cad work, the ring is remade in a virtual sense in a computer program. If the cad/cam person happens to have a laser scanner, a 3d scan of the ring will save time. If not, the ring is built in a "3D" computer world. The files are used to control a milling machine or wax growing machine to make exact duplicates of the computer model in wax. These wax models are then cast in precious metal.
Ask the jeweler about a cad person possibly doing the wax work. You will get to see a printed or computer image of the ring prior to making the wax models. This might be a long shot but is worth asking about.
Sam, I certainly hope this helps. Check around and see who does good work and who appears comfortable with doing yours.
God Bless and Peace. Thomas.
