Diamond jewelry is expensive, and that is why you need to be careful when handling it. Losing your diamond is easy if you don’t take good care of your engagement ring since it can easily fall out. So why do diamonds fall out of rings, and how do you avoid losing them? In this article, you’ll find reasons why diamonds fall out and things you can do to avoid diamond falling.
Key Takeaways
- Displaced claws, cleaning and refinishing, resizing, incorrect diamond size, loose diamonds, worn prong setting, damage to ring setting, and diamond are the main causes of diamond falls.
- Diamonds set in broken, bent, or worn prongs are at a higher risk of falling out.
- Avoid exposing your diamond to too much water and using ultrasonic cleaners since they can result in diamond falls.
- Always work closely with an experienced, trusted, and reliable diamond seller to avoid diamond falls and get high-quality products.
Why Do Diamonds Fall Out of Rings?
The case of diamonds falling from engagement rings isn’t a unique one; while some engagement ring settings lose inlaid stones after a long period of use, others simply drop off within a few years. Inlaid gemstones are unavoidable to go missing, especially if you don’t adopt caution.
Depending on the design, construction, and shape of your engagement ring, your diamond is still at a high risk of falling over time. Most diamond jewelry owners struggle to know how and why small diamonds fall, yet they purchase them from respected and trusted jewelers. Diamond falling is a common occurrence, irrespective of the quality, design, size, and ring setting.
Is one of Your Diamonds Missing?
Jewelry owners often do not realize their diamonds are missing from their engagement rings. Depending on the design of your ring, you can have several small diamonds or a bigger stone, which means either a piece or two can go missing. However, engagement rings with small diamonds are the most affected since they easily detach and fall.
Diamonds with pave settings are the easiest to fall without the owner noticing. Invisible set diamonds and those with bezel settings are also at big risk since these types don’t hold gemstones stronger as prongs do. Even channel settings, which jewelers believe are more secure, aren’t always safe; as long as a channel is damaged, it’ll not grasp the stones as expected.
Usual Causes of Diamonds Falling Out of Rings
Most work that a local jeweler carries out frequently involves replacing lost small diamonds from ring settings which happens, despite best practices to protect against this occurrence.
Even if you’re very careful when handling your diamond ring with small diamonds, it’s something that can also happen to you. With that in mind, here are some of the things that make diamonds fall.
The Diamonds Were Not Set Properly
This is one of the most common reasons small diamonds fall out, and in most cases, it’s an issue that originates from the craftsmanship of a local jeweler. Also, this problem can occur when you buy a diamond ring from an inexperienced dealer.
Remember, if the stones are set loose on the ring settings, even without knowing, the pieces could be knocked without much force. Over time, the loose stones will become looser, hence a higher risk of loss.
Damage to the Diamond
Diamonds score 10 out of 10 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness; as a result, they’re one of the hardest stones in the world. While they score highly on the scale of hardness, they can damage easily if not handled properly.
And when they damage, they can easily fall off and get lost. This usually happens if you apply enough force, which can even result in a complete break of the diamond, making it fall.
Damage to the Ring Setting
Whether your ring comes with invisible settings, tension settings, or prong and bezel settings, you could lose the small diamonds or the entire stone in case of accidental damage to the settings. The settings could break, and the small diamonds could be lost if the damage is extreme.
With that in mind, you should know that diamond rings with claws for settings are thinner and weak, making them susceptible to damage. Platinum or gold ring settings are usually thin, and sometimes, the claws may not be durable or well-secured; these weaknesses in the ring structure can increase the loss of small diamonds.
Loose Diamond
Small diamonds can rest loosely on your ring for a long time without knowing, and because they are the hardest stones, loose diamonds wear the rings setting slowly over time, making them looser with a higher risk of falling off.
You should always carry out the tap test if you aren’t sure that your small diamonds are loose. This test involves holding the ring near your ear and tapping it to hear if any diamond piece is loose.
Worn Prongs and Ring Settings
With time, settings and claws that hold stones in place can become worn, making the diamonds fall. There are numerous claws made of fake gold, keeping diamonds secure within rings. Such claws or ring settings are a great threat to your small diamond; remember, they can be replaced, built up, or repaired.
Incorrect Diamond Size
An incorrect stone size should not be a common cause of diamonds falling if you purchase your engagement rings from an experienced and reputable dealer. That said, you should keep in mind that diamonds set in the incorrect size mean a higher risk of falling off.
If the diamond is small for the ring mount, it affects how safe and secure the stone is once the jeweler mounts it. Consider working closely with a professional when purchasing your engagement rings, and make sure that nearly every task associated with maintenance is taken care of by the jeweler.
Cleaning and Refinishing
Sometimes, cleaning can cause diamonds to fall, as they make them loose. Intensive polishing and ultrasonic cleaning, in most cases, disturb gold and platinum prongs or any other soft metal that holds one or more stones in position.
After any thorough cleaning, it’s important to check the prongs and let the ring be fixed immediately. Over several years of wear, dirt can accumulate in the settings, and removing the prongs can lead to diamond drops since the stones become loose in the rings.
Displaced Claw
It’s not always accidental damage that makes a claw fail, leading to a lost diamond. Engagement ring prongs and claws can be displaced during wear, and if they no longer secure the small diamonds, there can be a higher risk of loss.
If you’re very keen, you’ll notice some movements from your diamond if the claws are displaced. You should avoid poking the diamond; instead, tap it using a finger while holding it near your ear; if something clinks, then your ring claws are displaced.
Weakness after You Resize the Ring
The falling risk increases when you decide to resize your ring; however, this, in most cases, depends on the ring setting type and the number of changes executed.
The channel and tension settings are extremely hard to work with, especially with a stronger metal like platinum or tungsten. The falling risk is even higher when resizing impacts the diamond most, and not just the engagement ring.
Which Diamonds are at Risk?
If you want to know that your diamond is at risk, check your stones to see if any are loose. Push your diamonds gently, keeping in mind any slight movements, which should be fixed if they show up.
Gemstones set in broken, bent, or worn prongs are at a bigger risk of falling out. Remember, ring settings are easy to damage and bend because they consist of silver and gold prongs, which are soft metals.
How to Keep Your Diamond Safe
The first piece of advice is to ensure you have adequate insurance for your jewelry pieces. Most insurance will cover accidental damage or loss, so be sure to read the terms and conditions of your provider to know what is covered. Additional practices that can help you avoid losing diamonds include:
- Avoid exposing your diamond ring to too much water
- Keep your diamonds safe, and be sure to fix any minor issues
- Avoid using cleaning solutions that have unknown chemicals
- Don’t use ultrasonic cleaners when cleaning your diamond ring
- Avoid wearing your ring when engaging in strenuous activities
FAQs
Is it Normal for a Diamond to fall out of a Ring?
It isn’t normal for a diamond to fall out of a ring. If it falls, then there is a problem, and the most common cause is old-fashioned tear and wear.
How Do I Keep my Diamond from Falling out of my Ring?
You can do several things to keep your diamond from falling out of your ring. These things are; avoiding exposing your ring to water, never using harsh chemicals to clean your diamond band, and not using ultrasonic cleaning techniques too often.
What Causes a Diamond to Become Loose?
Several things can cause your diamond to become loose. Some people hit the diamond accidentally, or the prong gets in contact with substances like fabric, which make the stone become loose.
Is it Common for Small Diamonds to Fall Out of Rings?
It’s common for small diamonds to fall out of rings as long as they’re loose. If they fall out, there is no need to worry since they can be re-affixed if you discover the issue on time.
