Any jewellery makers/restorers out there..?

[CerealMom]

I've fallen in love with an eternity ring. About 100 yrs old - old cut diamonds, platinum, tapered, not claw set. However, it does have problems.

1. Crack in shank about 3/4 of way through.
2. Metal worn very thin each side of stones.
3. 4 stones are in danger of falling out.

The jeweller (who doesn't do repairs) had a good look at the ring and told me that given the problems it would need specialist work (laser welding at best) and if it was beyond help then a new metal ring would need to be made. This would be c£2k because the stones are not the same size (old cuts) and it's tapered.

Does the c£2k sound reasonable to make the new metal ring? If so then I think when added to cost of buying the ring, would be more than the ring's worth.

I've been looking for an old eternity ring for a long time. Is this why they don't come up very often - knackered/expensive to restore/wrong size?

Can you source old stones to make a new ring with?

That sounds expensive.
I know a jeweller...PM me

Jacky I'm hitting 'message poster' for all I'm worth. What am I doing wrong - aarrrggg.

I p'md you...

Do you love it? Is it worth the joy of seeing it on your finger every day, of knowing that it's yours? If so and if you can't get something similar from new now or as a reproduction, then yes it's worth the price.

But on the other hand if a whole new metal ring has to be made for it then it's not original and that may affect how you feel about it.

I don't mind the metal being repaired/replaced. As a piece to be worn it needs to be structurally sound otherwise I'll loose the lovely twinkly stones.

It's the old cut stones that are hard to come by. But once you factor in the cost of ring, then any specialist restoration, the total becomes much more than if I bought an equivalent carat modern ring. What makes it more difficult/expensive to repair is that it is a full eternity and old/fragile.

Thinking about it, the modern equivalent would have 'better quality' stones than this one. But it's not just about the modern definitions, it's about the twinkle and old (good) stones do have a different twinkle to modern ones.

I suppose it's like buying an old house or furniture. You could buy new/cheaper but you want the look/feel of an old one and the restoration/upkeep/rarity is factored into the price.

Jackydanny I've replied :-)