Discovering a broken diamond in your wedding ring can be a shocking experience. After all, diamonds are renowned for their toughness, but they’re also quite brittle. A hard knock or substantial impact can chip, break, or even shatter a diamond. If you've found yourself in this situation, there’s no need to panic. Here's a guide on what to do and how to replace a broken diamond in your wedding ring.
How to Identify a Broken Diamond
A broken or missing diamond typically appears as a dark spot in the setting of your ring. This could mean the diamond has been lost or damaged. To confirm, examine your ring closely with a magnifying glass or a 10x loupe. If a part of the diamond remains in the setting, you’ll likely see it.
What to Do If You Discover a Broken Diamond
The first thing to do is not to worry. Contact a qualified jeweler who can assist you. It helps if you provide clear photographs of your ring and, if possible, details about the metal type (such as 9ct Gold, 18ct Gold, or Platinum). The photographs will help the jeweler assess the damage and determine how easy it will be to replace the diamond. Certain settings, like channel settings, may be trickier to work with than others, such as grain or flush settings.
How to Replace a Broken Diamond and Repair Your Ring
Jewelry professionals, like those at specialized repair services, can assist with replacing your broken diamond. Typically, this involves:
- Matching a Replacement Diamond – A new diamond is selected to match the existing stones in your ring.
- Repairing the Setting – The damaged setting is fixed to securely hold the new diamond.
- Re-setting the Diamond – The replacement diamond is carefully set in place.
- Re-finishing the Ring – The final step involves polishing and re-plating (if necessary), such as rhodium plating for white gold or platinum.
For smaller broken diamonds, they cannot usually be re-cut. However, larger stones with chips can sometimes be re-cut to restore their appearance.
How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Broken Diamond?
The cost of replacing a broken diamond can vary. A small replacement diamond typically costs between £10-40 or more, depending on size, colour, and clarity. The cost of repair work and re-setting will add to the price, and generally, the total cost for repair and replacement will be in the range of £150 to £200, but this can differ based on individual cases.
What if Your Ring Is Heavily Worn or Scratched?
If your ring shows signs of heavy wear, scratching, or additional damage, it’s possible to refurbish and polish the ring during the repair process. As long as there is enough metal, the ring can be polished back to its near-new condition, and any scratches or excessive wear can be removed. This can all be done in one go with the replacement of the broken diamond.
How Long Does It Take to Replace a Diamond?
Replacing a broken diamond typically takes about a week or two, depending on the jeweler and the extent of the work needed.
Conclusion
Don’t stress if you find a broken diamond in your wedding ring. With proper care and professional repair, your ring can be restored to its former beauty. Whether it’s a small chip or a complete break, experts are available to help you replace the diamond and bring your ring back to life.