Why Does My Diamond Keep Coming Loose?

One of the biggest fears regarding engagement rings is losing the center stone. Even when the stone is tightened, unforeseen things can unfortunately happen. You might be wondering: Why does my diamond keep coming loose?

Sometimes the ring is poorly crafted. Other times, there are times when a hard blow could’ve damaged the setting, resulting in the diamond coming loose.

But often, losing a diamond is due to general wear and tear on a ring that hasn’t been properly cared for and maintained regularly.

In this article, we’ve covered the reasons why diamonds are lost from rings and shared some tips on how to check if your stone is loose – and prevent that. So without further ado, let’s dive in.

Common Reasons Why Diamonds Are Lost From Rings

Sometimes diamonds can fall out of rings, despite our efforts to prevent such occurrences. It’s a shame, but regardless of excellent care, it might be something that happens to your ring – or any other piece of jewelry, for that matter.

The following are eight of the most common reasons why diamonds are lost from rings. Some of the mentioned reasons overlap – but break down into eight main areas of risk.

1. Damage To Ring Setting

Accidental damage to the ring setting can result in the loss of diamond. Claws can bend or even break, depending on the magnitude of damage.

Over time, claws that are tinner – and thus weaker – are far more susceptible to damage. A solution for this would be to seek advice from a professional jeweler and get a quote for repair work.

2. Damage To Diamond

While diamonds are one of the hardest substances on Earth, that doesn’t mean they can’t break – diamonds are brittle. With enough force, a diamond will chip or break. A diamond that’s broken can result in the parts of it being lost from the ring.

If you break your diamond, be sure to visit a qualified jeweler to replace the stone.

3. Worn Out Ring Setting

Over time, prongs can become worn out. Platinum and gold can become thin. We’ve seen some prongs that are barely a flake of gold, “securing” stones within a ring.

Solution? Prongs can be replaced, repaired, or complete settings can be made true to the original design.

4. Loose Diamond

Diamonds can rest loose within prongs for a long time without you even noticing.

Since diamonds are the hardest gemstone, a loose diamond will wear the setting over time – becoming looser and increasing the risk of losing it.

5. Incorrect Diamond Size

If your diamond is just too small for your ring, this could impact how secure your stone is. Conversely, if your diamond is too big, it can put additional stress on the prongs leading to damage to the ring setting.

6. Resizing

Engagement rings with tension settings are at increased risk once resized.

When we tackle resizing work, it’s essential to check the setting’s security after any adjustments to the size to ensure the stone is set securely before it’s returned to the client.

7. Cleaning And Refinishing

Cleaning can sometimes lead to diamonds becoming loose within the ring setting. Ultrasonic cleaning and intensive polishing could disrupt the settings. That’s why the settings need to be checked following any cleaning procedure.

Grime can become accumulated within a setting – and removal could result in stones that were once safe and secure becoming loose in the setting.

8. Displaced Claw

It’s not always damage that leads to prongs failing and for a stone to get lost. Engagement ring prongs can be moved out of place during your daily wear. If prongs no longer secure the stone, there can be a risk of losing it.

The chances are you’re going to notice some movement from the diamond if this happens, so don’t stress about it.

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Types Of Settings That Are More Likely To Lose A Diamond

Ring settings with prongs made from less durable materials are more likely to “lose” your stone because the metal wears down much quicker. Even more so, particular settings, such as pave settings, are more at risk because there’s less metal holding the stone.

If your ring has a silver or gold setting style, you’ll want to get it inspected by a professional jeweler more often.

With that said: For all rings, it’s essential to have in mind that the prongs will wear down as time passes – and it becomes more likely that your stone will fall out.

How To Check If A Diamond Is Loose?

There are four methods one could use to check if your diamond is loose and could potentially fall out:

Put your diamond ring close to your ear. Hold the side of the band tightly between your fingers, then tap it with the index finger of your other hand and listen for a rattling sound. If it’s there, your diamond is loose.
Use your fingernail to feel along the girdle of the diamond. As you do this, try to push the stone and see if it moves. If you have a round-cut diamond, see if it spins or rotates.
Another method is to position your diamond ring so the light can reflect clearly off of its surface. Use a pair of tweezers to push ever so lightly on the diamond. See if the reflected light shifts. This method will highlight if the stone can move in the setting.
Finally, you can try to move the stone by applying pressure with a pin positioned on the girdle. Gently push in all directions to see if the gem is loose. A magnifying glass can aid in visualizing the position of the pin and any movement caused by it.

What If Your Diamond Is Loose?

If you notice any movement or hear a rattling sound while testing your diamond, these are clear signs your stone is loose.

First, it’s crucial to stop wearing the ring. You wouldn’t want to have it fall out and lose the stone before you can bring it to the jeweler for inspecting.

Put your jewelry in a tightly closed box as soon as possible.

Then you need to take your ring to a reliable jeweler to get the setting repaired or tightened. We’d never recommend that you try to fix it by yourself – this could invalidate your diamond’s warranty or insurance policy if you have one.

However, if you want to reduce the risk of your diamond getting loose and falling out, you will have to take it off at certain times.

When To Take Off Your Diamond Ring?

Taking off your diamond ring will not only minimize the risk of damaging your stone but will also prevent it from getting dirty. It’s a win-win.

So, here’s when to take off your diamond ring if you want to keep it in mint condition.

Working Out

Before you break a sweat, take your diamond ring off. The materials used in diamond jewelry, such as gold and platinum, are soft to a certain degree.

So if you wear your ring while participating in activities that put pressure on these materials, you risk altering their shape. If the form of your ring is bent enough, you risk bending the prongs that hold the gem, resulting in your diamond falling out.

The same goes for sports: Any type of hands-on physical activities, such as basketball and tennis, are great examples of when to take your diamond ring off.

Moisturizing

Moisturizers and lotions may be great for your skin – but they aren’t good for your ring. Excess buildup can reduce the brilliance and dull your diamond over time.

In order to protect your stone and ensure a cloudy layer doesn’t form on it, wait until your hands are dry again before you slip your diamond ring back on.

Read Also: Why Do Diamonds Get Cloudy?

Primping

Cosmetics, perfumes, and hairsprays can cause a buildup of grime over time which weakens the natural shine of your stone. Be sure to take off your diamond ring before moving through your nightly routine.

If you get any grime on your diamond ring, make a solution of warm water and dishwashing soap. Dip your diamond ring in the solution for 10 minutes. After that, rinse it with clean running water and dry it with a soft cloth.

Swimming

You should never wear your expensive jewelry in the pool or the ocean. First of all, cold water shrinks your fingers, making it easy for your ring to slip off and disappear forever in the depths of the ocean during a seemingly harmless swimming session.

That means the ocean is off-limits for rings. As for the swimming pool, chlorine can potentially damage and discolor the ring mounting and your gold or platinum band.

Cleaning

Not only could you bang a diamond ring against a tough surface while cleaning the home – such as bathroom counters – and kitchen floors, you could also do severe damage to your gem and its setting.

You might even alter the color of your band thanks to harsh chemicals like ammonia and bleach found in many common household cleaners.

Showering

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Can I shower with my diamond ring?” you probably had a feeling the answer was no – and you were right. The shower can potentially be a dangerous place for your diamond ring for two reasons.

First, a ring can slip off pretty quickly when your fingers are slippery with soap. And if it slips off, there’s a chance of it falling down the drain and getting lost forever. Second, oily soaps can dull the finish of the diamond, making it look lifeless.

So, it’s better to take off your diamond ring before you shower.

Read More: Can Soap Ruin A Diamond?

Cooking

Another time when wearing a diamond ring is a no-go is during cooking and food preparation: Bacteria and germs can easily get lodged in the setting of your ring. Plus, just like in the shower – you risk your diamond slipping off when you rinse something in the sink.

If you can, take off your diamond ring while cooking.

Insuring Your Diamond Ring

Diamond ring insurance is a contractual way of risk management to protect you from financial consequences in case of loss, damage, or theft.

The policies usually extend to all jewelry items put forward to the coverage scope and lead to repair, replacement, or cost compensation.

What happens if you lose your diamond? If someone steals it? Or it gets damaged?

You don’t want anything terrible to happen to your precious stone; we get it.

But that’s the thing: Whether you lost your diamond at the gym, left it behind on the beach, or had your ring stolen, insurance can offer financial protection when you need it most.

While anything bad that happens to your diamond ring is heartbreaking, knowing it’s insured properly can help you soften the financial impact.

Even though no two insurance policies are alike, it’s reassuring to know that you’re protected against some of the more distressing possibilities life throws at you.

Final Word

If you’re asking yourself, “Why does my diamond keep coming loose?” let us break it down for you one last time:

You might not be aware of it – but several things could lead to your diamond falling out. Whether it’s damage to the ring setting or to the diamond itself, your diamond can come loose and ultimately fall out.

If you suspect that your diamond is loose, you can check it by taping it to see if it rattles in the setting, or you can gently push the stone in all directions to see if it spins.

If your diamond is loose, be sure to take it to a professional jeweler for further inspection and repair.