QuestionWhen inspecting my platinum wedding set today the salesperson indicated in the next year I should replace the head of my ring indicating that the platinum prongs will wear down on 10 years average, mine is seven years. She said they looked strong now. Am I being had? Do mall jewelry stores just use the 6 month inspections to pressure you into unneeded work?
AnswerJennifer, platinum generally wears better than gold, tending to burnish into eventually a flattish prong tip while gold tends to wear away and be gone.
If the prongs are strong now, why replace the head? No reason for that at this point. Depending on daily habits and wear, I would expect the head to last longer than 10 years.
Most of the platinum rings needing prong work which we see are either much older than that or perhaps too thin to start with. Then we provide the option of replacing the head or rebuilding the prongs.
We rebuild the prong ends with platinum but have to braze that in place with high quality white gold solders. To use platinum solders will burn the stone. Most folks go for the rebuilding the prong tips rather than complete head replacement, all depending on whether the rest of the head is still strong. This sort of repair lasts a long time.
Generally, the 6 months inspections are often connected to their "statement of repair services" given when the ring was purchased or related to insurance on the item. Some stores would claim they are not liable if the purchase required 6 month inspections. Then again, a store has no control over the treatment a ring has once purchased. We stand behind what we sell but do charge for normal wear and tear repairs down the road. Anything major that should happen because of workmanship within a reasonable period of time is taken care of by us. This is always a judgment call, whether to charge or not.
I don't know that the 6 months inspections are to pressure you into unneeded work but certainly if the head is ok now, wear it and don't have any repair done until needed. Any respectable jewelers will inspect your ring for free and that is a good way to compare what the mall store says and what other jewelers might say.
I hope this helps. God Bless and Peace. Thomas.
November 30, 2007 9:42PM
