A Unique Engagement Ring

Posted on: 13 July 2016

If you have a ring that you wear on a daily basis, over the years, there is a chance that one of the prongs on the ring could get damaged. Here is a quick breakdown of how your ring is constructed and what you need to do if a ring prong is ever damaged.

The Construction Of Your Ring

Most rings are made out of a few different parts that are all connected together. First, there is the main circular shape of the ring. This part is created separately on its own.

On the main ring frame, heads are mounted. The head is what holds the individual stones on the ring in place. The head is comprised of individual prongs that wrap around each stone and keep it attached to your ring and in the proper arrangement. Each head typically has at least three prongs, if not more, holding each stone in place. This arrangement is often called either the setting or the mounting. Finally, there are the actual stones or gems that are on your ring. 

The Purpose Of Heads

The purpose of the heads on your rings is to keep each individual gemstone in place. The heads are generally individually designed and cast in order to fix the exact shape and size of each individual gemstone that is one your ring. Each head is soldered onto the main body of the ring after it has been designed and the gemstone has been placed inside of it. 

When a prong on the head becomes chipped or broken, the gems on your ring are at risk. The gems could become loose due to the missing prong, or they could even fall out if enough prongs become damaged, which is why it is essential to have any damaged prongs fixed right away. 

Repairing Options

When a prong on your ring is broken, you have a few different repair options.Your first option is to have your ring re-tipped. When your prong is re-tipped, the broken tip is essentially replaced on your ring. This is the best option if the rest of the prongs on your ring are still strong, thick and not worn down at all. Sometimes a prong on an otherwise strong ring can become damaged when your ring collides with another object; in these situations, re-tipping is the best way to go.

Your other option is to have the head on your ring replaced. In this scenario, the gemstone arrangement on your ring will be removed from the main body of the ring, and new heads will be created for each gem on your ring. This process takes longer than re-tipping and tends to be more expensive than re-tipping your ring. However, it is a good option if you have multiple prongs that have fallen off or have become damaged on your ring, or if the other prongs are worn down and are at risk of becoming damaged in the future. This is also a good option if your ring is older; getting a new setting will extend the life of your ring and protect the gemstones inside of your ring.

If you have broken a prong on a ring, take it to a professional jewelry repair shop and have them inspect your ring and give you their opinion on if it should be re-tipped or if the head needs to be completely replaced. For more information, visit websites like http://solsjewelryandloan.net/.