QuestionGreetings from Canada. I have purchased a 950 platinum semi mount in sz 6 3/4. I have a sz 9 1/2 finger! Can it be sized this much? There are 3 horizontal rows of small prong set diamonds on each shoulder. The center diamond,(which is from separate source and still loose) has been enhanced, is my 2nd concern. I have heard intense heat is used on the platinum and that it could destroy my enhanced stone?? Any advice would be helpful, thanks.
AnswerThanks for this question, Alice.
May I assume your enhanced center stone is a Yehuda diamond? These stones have fractures filled with another material and look very good. Yehuda will retreat their stones if inadvertently damaged by a jeweler who did not know the stone was enhanced. Here is a site for Yehuda:
http://www.yehuda.com/?adnum=1258&gclid=CNmIt-yI7poCFRnBbwoddR9_BA
If not Yehuda, the stone may have enhanced color from another sort of treatment. You are correct about damage from heat since many color altered diamonds will have the color changed by heat of repair work.
Since the stone is loose, simply have the ring sized prior to having the center stone set. That way the heat is not a problem. As for the heat of platinum sizing, the intense heat can burn any diamond, enhanced or not, if the diamond is next to the work area. Generally, with sizing done at the bottom of the ring and some distance from diamonds, the work may be done quickly and there is no damage to the stones. Any jeweler who tries to weld or braze platinum next to a diamond using platinum welding or solders is going to ruin a stone. A good jeweler knows better and knows the proper means to size platinum rings.
A jeweler who is familiar with platinum work needs to see your semi-mount and let you know if it is ok for sizing. I simply cannot give you an accurate answer without having the ring in my hands to examine the structure, thickness of the band and closeness of the side stones to the sizing point.
One consideration is the side stones, not from heat but from bending of the ring shoulders to the larger circle of a size 9 1/2. The piece of metal to be added is about 2.75mm or approximately 0.28 inch. (One finger size is close to 2.5mm or 1/10 inch.) Your ring needs to go up 2 3/4 sizes. The jeweler will need to see the ring and see how the stones are set and how hollow or solid are the shoulders of the ring. All this figures in on expanding a ring by the amount stated without damage to the settings or the shoulders. I would be more concerned about this last part than damage to the stones.
Please take the ring and center stone to a reputable jeweler with platinum sizing skills (call first?) and ask their thoughts on the job. That is the only way to know for certain. Oh, remember to keep the center treated stone out of the ring until the sizing is done.
Best wishes. God Bless and Peace. Thomas.
