There are many reasons that you may need to mount a diamond. Perhaps your old setting was damaged, you are replacing your diamond, or you are in the mood for a ring upgrade.
Well, regardless of what the reason is, here is a guide to how much this may cost you:
How Much Does It Cost to Mount a Diamond?
On average, setting or re-setting a diamond in a ring can cost between $50 and $300, although it may be as much as $500 in certain cases. If the setting or the band is quite intricate, you may have to spend $1000 or more, but this is quite rare.
Here are some of the factors that can determine the overall cost of the process:
Type of Setting
There are more ring setting types that people realize. The prong setting is the most common style, but you can find anything ranging from pave and bezel to cathedral.
Some settings such as the prong setting are fairly easy to work with. As such, they will often cost less. If the setting is more intricate or delicate, though, the process will be more labor intensive and may even require special skills or tools.
Therefore, you will be required to pay more.
Stock vs. Custom Setting
Do you have a custom designed ring? If so, there is a high probability that the setting is custom made as well.
Now, most jewelers are familiar with stock settings. As such, they know just how to work the surrounding metal elements and to get the mount to fit the diamond.
In the case of custom settings, though, the jeweler has to first become accustomed to the new design and determine if they need to use a special technique to work the surrounding metal. Such a task may take more time, skill, and money.
Mounting Size
Are you setting a new diamond into an old ring or vice versa? If so, there is a chance that the diamond may not fit the setting of the ring.
In this instance, the jeweler will have to rework the metal setting so that it fits the diamond perfectly. This can be especially tricky if the surrounding setting is delicate or if the design is intricate.
It can take special skill to set a larger diamond. This is because, unlike with a smaller diamond, the metal doesn’t have to just provide a tighter fit. Instead, the setting must be re-worked to suit the shape and size of the larger diamond.
In certain cases, more metal may have to be added to the setting to make room for the diamond. As this requires more work, the cost will naturally be higher.
On the other hand, if the diamond is a near or perfect fit, then you will not have to pay all that much.
The Metal of the Band
Rings can be made from a variety of metals – silver, gold, platinum, titanium, etc. Each of these metals have their own value. Some, like silver are cheaper and others such as platinum are more expensive.
As previously mentioned, it is possible that the setting may need to have metal added to it. Or, the band itself may need to be altered in some way to fit the setting or diamond.
In this case, the price of the metal will come into play. The jeweler will inform you of the current market value of the metal and you will need to pay this based on how much metal will needed to be added to the band or setting.
Some rings may also be more difficult to manipulate or alter. If the jeweler has to make a greater effort, then they will charge you a higher price.
The Condition of the Setting
The condition of the setting also needs to be taken into consideration. It isn’t uncommon for settings to become damaged or to even lose a prong.
If the damage is mild, the setting can simply be repaired. Keep in mind that this will still cost more than just placing the diamond in the setting.
If the damage is significant enough, then the entire setting may need to be replaced or altered in some manner. It is possible that you may even need a new ring. Thus, this will cost you a lot more money.
The Jeweler
The jeweler can be an important factor as well. If you go to the jeweler who originally designed or set the ring, then you may find that the price is lower.
These individuals are more familiar with the design and will be able to replace it more quickly. If the ring is still under warranty, the service may even be free.
If you go to another jeweler, though, the cost may be higher. This is because they may offer the re-setting as an entirely separate service and charge it as such.
The renown or the capability of the jeweler can come into play here as well. A better known jeweler or one who is quite skilled will naturally cost more.
It is always a good idea to choose a good jeweler for such a task, however, even if it may cost you more money. After all, these can require a great level of skill and you need to make sure that neither the diamond nor the ring is damaged in the process.
Other Factors That May Impact Price
Remember, the quoted price range for this article is based on the assumption that you already have both the diamond or the ring.
If you are buying a new diamond, new band, or adding additional stones to the setting, then naturally the cost will be much higher. The price quoted to you will depend on diamond clarity, other stones you wish to add, intricacy of the design, and the type of metal.
How Much Does It Cost to Fit a Diamond in a Setting?
The cost to fit a diamond in a setting can vary depending on various factors. One such factor is the bench’s responsibility. In some cases the bench may take on the liability issue and have a liability policy in place. This can increase the cost of the service. Another factor is the type of metal used for the setting. Platinum is a more expensive metal compared to white gold or 14K gold so the cost may be higher for platinum settings. The availability of the setting can also affect the cost. Some unique or rare settings may cost more due to their limited availability. Additionally the workload and waiting times can impact the cost. Some jewelers may charge higher prices for faster delivery time frames. It is important to consider all of these aspects when determining the overall cost of fitting a diamond in a setting.
