Balancing design with function

February 6th 2011

The bent setting.

Many things in our life are designed for certain types of usage. Jewellery is similar in a way. A design that might be suitable as a dress ring may not be practical to wear every day. This was certainly the case with a ring that was brought to me a couple of years ago.

The engagement ring was purchased during a holiday in America and like most engagement rings was worn every day. Unfortunately not long after returning to Australia the diamond fell out of the ring and was luckily found.

I was asked by the customer to reset the diamond and after a quick inspection of the ring I advised her that I could not do so. The claws on the ring were so fine, and the diamond so high in the setting that no matter how well I reset the diamond it would soon come loose again.

The customer was unable to return the ring to the manufacturer and asked me what I could suggest. I digitally edited a photo of the ring to show her the changes needed to secure the stone into the ring. The customer felt that the changes still maintained the design so I set about modifying the ring.

Required changes on the right.

The finished ring is shown below and several years on has not had a problem. There are many jewellery design features that look wonderful but may not suit your lifestyle. I consider all these factors when you bring your jewellery to me or have me create it for you.