What would you do with this ring?

[SetPhasersToStunning]

I’ve recently inherited a collection of jewellery from a close relative of my husband’s. One of the items is an engagement ring from the 1930s with little pave diamonds (which the artist Weston I inherited from inherited in the 1980s). As you can see (once the photos load!) there are two stones missing

I’m bringing it to a really reputable jeweler tomorrow for a repair and to get the prongs checked and my instinct is to just get the missing stones replaced like-for-like (ideally with vintage stones if they can get them, if not, newer stones that match the colour and clarity of the existing ones).

Just before I commit to it, does anyone have any other ideas I should consider?

I want to keep it as a ring, not looking to convert to a pendant or anything.

I really like it and it fits perfectly so plan on wearing it daily once repaired. My husband doesn’t have any sentimental attachment to it so is completely agnostic about what I have done with it.

Why would you not simply replace the diamonds and get the prongs fixed? I’m glad you’ve found a reputable jeweller - I once had a ring mended, and they didn’t do the prongs properly. Yours is a pretty ring - I think you’ll be pleased once the stones are replaced.

You could also get a good clean whilst they replace the little diamonds. I like it.

Get it repaired, if they can match the stones well. I inherited a ring from MiL which had had a stone replaced and unfortunately it doesn’t quite match and is quite noticeable.

That’s what I was thinking but had a last minute thought that maybe I hadn’t put enough thought into it and was missing something glaringly obvious that would be better!

Thanks. I like it too, it’s a very sweet little ring.

Yes, it’ll be cleaned too. It’s still in its original box and has probably been sitting there unopened for about 40 years so definitely in need of a deep clean 😬

Oh no! That would drive me mad. Any tips for me on how to avoid having the same issue?

Get it cleaned, looked at and get an estimate for the repair. They're little diamonds so it shouldn't be an issue.

I've actually got a necklace that is very similar and aunty gave to me years ago.

Beautiful ring!

Yes do it. Make sure you get a warranty and if they'd throw in a free valuation and clean it up. It's lovely.

Find a jeweller that buys and sells antique jewellery. Not every jeweller does.

I love antique rings. Yours is gorgeous.

Im a jeweller
the first thing i would do before starting any work would be to clean it in an ultra sonic cleaner, to get rid of any dirt behind the diamonds.
A word of warning though, if the ring has worn such that 2 stones have come out, others might be loose as well, so other repairs may be needed although obviously youll only need to replace the 2 diamonds that are out, and they should not be especially expensive.

With a piece of that age, they may not be able to provide a guarantee, beyond the work/diamonds they provide. I do occassional repairs for a shop selling antique jewellery and the small print on their receipt guarantees for 3 months iirc.

For reassurance for any pp saying get it cleaned, its almost impossible to do any work on jewellery without cleaning first and polishing when the work is complete. 😊

Also if you have any old jewellery you dont want to keep, ask if they buy scrap, gold is at an all time high price, platinum is also very high

Thank you, that’s very useful.

The jeweller I use is excellent and has previously repaired/restored/valued piece for me so I’m confident they’ll give it a good clean and MOT before touching it. It’s a very sweet ring and, while it doesn’t hold much sentimentality for my husband, it was his grandmother’s engagement ring so my plan is to hold on to it.