Baguette Ring Repair: Replacing Stones in Channel Settings

Question
Hi!
Thanks for responding to my question...
I would like to know if a channel set baguette(in a ring I own) which appears to be cracked, can actually be replaced with another baguette easily in a channel set ring?  Is replacing stones in channel set jewelry easy to do?

Answer
Diana, replacing a broken or lost baguette is certainly not easy work, even for a skilled jeweler.  Much has to do with how the original was set. Why? You did say channel set. Well, nowadays,the hand done channel setting is done in some jewelry with neat channels cut for the ends of the stones. Some less expensive jewelry is "cast in place", meaning the diamonds are pressed into a wax pattern with a wax channel and all is cast in metal. The final product may look fine but the channel is not even since each diamond end creates its own signature in the wax and the final metal casting.

A stone may be replaced in both types but "cast in place" can be more difficult. Either way, the jeweler must raise the channel edge enough to allow a new stone to be put into the channel. (A new seat for the stone ends may need to be cut.) Then if enough metal is left of the channel top and not cut up too much, this is burnished down to hold the new gem. If more work is needed to open up the channel to a replacement stone, the top of the channel may have to be built up with added gold and then finished to match the rest.

Measuring a baguette for replacement is easier if the stone can be removed in one piece. If broken in two or missing, trying to measure the "hole" for a baguette is difficult at best.  We will try several stones of close but slightly different dimensions to get a good level and close fit to other stones.

No, this is not an easy task in most cases. Once in a while, with good fortune, a new stone will simply drop in place and may be burnished secure with little effort..generally not the case.  Rest assured, even if not as easy as some other stone replacements, channel set stones can be replaced!  A competent jeweler familiar with channel setting should be able to do the job and make the work unnoticeable.

Best wishes with the replacement.

God Bless and Peace. Thomas.  Jan. 7,2007  7:13PM