Sterling Silver & Diamonds: Can They Be Set Together?

Question
Hello!  I am looking to have my engagement diamond reset for my 10th anniversary next month, and I have found a beautiful sterling silver mount on ebay.  It seems like a long time ago I read something to the effect that sterling was considered too soft for diamonds. Is this true? Could a jeweler rework or reinforce the existing prongs with white gold or would it just be best to try and find a white gold mount?  Also, what is the approximate cost to have a stone reset?  
Thank you!

Emily

Answer
HI EMILY,

THERE ARE A COUPLE OF WAYS TO REMEDY THIS SITUATION. YOU COULD BUY THE STERLING SILVER MOUNTING AND HAVE IT RECAST IN GOLD THE JEWELER WOULD MAKE A COPY BY MAKING A WAX MODEL FROM THE ORIGINAL AND THEN CASTING IT OR YOU COULD HAVE THE SILVER 'HEAD' REMOVED AND REPLACED WITH A GOLD HEAD. A DIAMOND SHOULD NOT BE SET IN SILVER. THERE IS TO MUCH OF A DANGER OF LOSING THE STONE. TO RESET THE STONE IS ABOT $50 BUT THE CASTING OR REPLACING THE HEAD IS MORE. MAYBE ANOTHER $250 PLUS THE GOLD. GOOD LUCK.

PETER