Question Ring, side view, chip
QUESTION: Hello,
I just had a custom engagement ring made and I absolutely love it. After inspecting it very closely at home, I noticed there is a small chip on the outside edge of the ring at the bottom of the "bezel"?... I am not sure of the proper terminology. Please see the image attached. Is this fixable? I plan on going to the jeweler soon but would like to get your opinion first before I go back. I really hope this can be fixed. Thank you!
ANSWER: Robert
From the picture Im assuming you mean the bottom left section which appears like small dents in the ring with a larger one closer towards the center stone is that right???
This is what is known as porosity in the metal. When the ring is cast from gold from a wax model or mold tiny air bubbles can get into the melted gold just before it hits the mold and when the metal cools and conforms the tiny bubbles appear. This is common in centrifuge casting using equipment that is still used by some. However, today we have much better equipment although more expensive but gives perfect results. It is also likely that the gold used although Im sure is good gold, may be used or scrap gold and was not cleaned or processed as it should have. This an be repaired with proper files and hand labor although tedious and may also turn into a nightmare if there is a larger air pocket under the smaller ones....then the entire ring would have to be remade.
It is also possible to hammer the gold together and smooth the finish out......either way, if you got a deal you may have to learn to live with it, although this would be unacceptable in our shop.
Your Jeweler should offer to remake the ring for you.....
all the best
Les
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Les,
Thank you very much for your prompt response. I did get a good deal on the ring but still did not expect an imperfection like this. I really hope they can fix this because I want to propose in about 2 and a half weeks. I was indeed referring to the dent towards the top where the rose gold and white gold meet, and it seems to be right on a corner. If they could fix this by hand and let's just say there is not a pocket of air underneath that dent, how long would it take to fix this?
Thanks so much for your help, Les. I hope to go to the jeweler tomorrow.
Robert
ANSWER: robert
Should not take a jeweler who knows what he is doing longer than 1 hour but there are no guarantees, he would probably take our the larger "dent" or porosity but the smaller ones may be deeper and you're opening a can of worms...who knows whats under the small porosity could be larger ones same as the "dent". Either case let them try.
all the best
Les
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Les,
I just took my ring to the jeweler and he didnt' seem too happy but said he would fix it. He said he would either have to a) reheat the metal so he could fix it, I guess he would form the shape back or b) do some kind of filing. He said in either case, he would have to refinish the whole ring, which is why I think he was a little ticked off. He said that "she would do more damage to this on the first day wearing it". I guess I can put myself into his shoes, but I really want this ring to be as perfect as possible, it is for the love of my life and you only get to propose once. With all that being said, he did say he would fix it and for me to call him in a day or two. I hope that his repair attempt doesn't mess up the ring in other ways or compromises the structure of the ring. I am getting all worked up about this. Do you think he will be able to fix this or make the appearance better in the approaches described above?
Thanks again. Sorry for all the questions.
Robert
AnswerNOt sure what "reheating the ring" means????? does he want to add solder to the ring? you cant fix it that way and it wont work.....the only way to fix it, is to complete the job properly by filing the ring to get rid of the porosity, however , as I said before, there may be larger holes under the structure and if he starts filings this may be the case....or he may get lucky and hit solid gold under the first layer...in any case he's doing it and we shall see. If its not perfect, insist on a new ring, you paid what he asked and he should do a perfect job.....is he a caster? jeweler? does he do the work himself??? I did not like his answer that she would nick it up anyway or something like that. Stand by your product and fix it with a smile.
all the best
Les
