Repairs / Diamond replacement
Diamond replacement
& missing stone repair.
Lost a diamond from your ring? Don’t panic. A missing stone rarely means a lost ring. We match, replace and re-set missing diamonds and stones by hand at our jewellery repair workshop in Diss. A family workshop since 1975.
Lost a diamond? Here’s what to do first.
A stone that has worked loose or fallen out is upsetting, but rarely a disaster. A few calm steps in the first hour give you the best chance of finding the diamond and keeping the setting sound.
Take it off and set it somewhere safe. Wearing a ring with an empty or loose setting risks losing more stones, or bending the claws further out of shape.
Diamonds are small and dull without light. Check gently near sinks, plugholes, carpets and bedding, ideally with a torch held low across the floor to catch a sparkle.
A clear photo helps us, and your insurer, see exactly which stone and setting are involved before you bring the ring in.
Home fixes rarely hold and often make a proper repair harder. A loose or empty setting needs a jeweller’s tools, not adhesive.
Bring the ring to the workshop, with the stone if you have found it. We check the setting under magnification and quote you honestly, with no obligation.
Why diamonds fall out of rings.
A lost stone is usually not bad luck. It is a setting that has quietly worn out. Caught early, it is a small job.
Worn or bent claws. The tiny claws that hold a stone thin with the years, or bend after a knock, until the stone works loose. This is by far the most common cause, and why worn claws are worth re-tipping before a diamond is ever lost.
Age, knocks and lost tension. Older rings, rubover and tension settings, and everyday knocks against doors and worktops all loosen stones over time. If a stone is only loose, not gone, our stone replacement and resetting service can often secure it before it falls.
How we replace a missing diamond.
A diamond replacement is worked at our own bench in Diss, by the same goldsmiths who make our bespoke pieces, and most are ready within about two weeks once the stone is agreed. Where a setting calls for specialist hands, it goes to specialists we know and trust, never a faceless chain.
We examine the ring under magnification to see why the stone was lost, and whether the claws or setting need rebuilding before anything is re-set.
Worn or broken claws are re-tipped or rebuilt by hand, so the new diamond is held as securely as the day the ring was made.
We match the replacement to your ring for cut, colour, clarity and size, drawing on our trade contacts. Natural or lab-grown, whichever suits the piece and your budget.
The diamond is set at the bench and checked under magnification, so it sits level and secure beside the stones you have kept.
The ring is polished and cleaned so it leaves looking whole again, often with no sign it was ever apart. On white-gold settings we re-plate the rhodium so the finish stays even.
How much does it cost to replace a diamond in a ring?
Replacing a diamond splits into two parts: setting the stone, and the stone itself. The setting is a fixed workshop charge; the diamond is quoted separately, because size, cut and quality vary so much and stone prices move with the market.
Setting a replacement stone
Rebuilding the claws where needed and setting the new stone by hand at our Diss bench, then checking it under magnification. A quick, simple re-set can be less.
from £75
The diamond or gemstone
Matched to your ring for cut, colour, clarity and size. We hold a large stock of loose diamonds and coloured stones, so many are matched and set without a wait.
quoted to match
Because we carry a large stock of loose stones ourselves, we can often match and set a replacement quickly, without waiting for one to be sourced. We will always confirm the full price, setting and stone together, before any work begins. For the finished ring’s insurance value, see our jewellery valuations.
Insurance and lost-stone claims.
If your diamond is covered, a claim needn’t be daunting. We deal with insurers’ repair work often, and can make your side of it simple.
Written quotes for your insurer. We provide a clear, itemised written quote for the replacement and setting work, in the form most insurers ask for, so your claim is straightforward.
Replaced to match, here at the bench. Once the claim is agreed, we match the diamond and carry out the work here in Diss. If you would rather have the ring valued or reset or redesigned instead, we can do that too.
An independent Norfolk workshop, not a name over a London shopfront.
We have looked after customers’ jewellery from our Diss workshop since 1975. A missing diamond is often something precious, so it matters who you hand it to.
Worked by the people you meet. Your ring is matched and set at our own bench in Diss, by the same goldsmiths who make our bespoke work, with any specialist stage entrusted to specialists we trust, never a faceless chain.
Free assessments, UK-wide by post. Bring your ring in for an honest, obligation-free assessment, or send it to us securely by insured post from anywhere in the UK.
Diamond replacement — questions
Can a jeweller replace a missing diamond?
Yes. In most cases a missing diamond can be matched and re-set, and the worn claws that let it go rebuilt at the same time. Bring your ring to our Diss workshop and we will assess the setting and quote you, free and with no obligation.
How much does it cost to replace a diamond in a ring?
Setting a replacement diamond is usually from £75 for the bench work, though a quick, simple job can be less. The diamond itself is quoted separately, as size, cut and quality vary so widely, but we hold a large stock of loose stones so many are matched on the spot. We confirm the full price before starting.
What should I do if a diamond falls out of my ring?
Stop wearing the ring so no more stones are lost, and look carefully where you last had it. Do not try to glue it back. Photograph the empty setting and bring the ring to us for a free assessment, with the stone if you have found it.
Can you match my existing diamonds?
In most cases, yes. We match the replacement for cut, colour, clarity and size as closely as the eye allows, using our trade contacts, and show you the stone before setting so you are happy with it.
Do you replace coloured gemstones too?
We do. As well as diamonds we source and set sapphires, rubies, emeralds and other coloured stones, matched to your piece. See our stone replacement service for loose and chipped stones of any kind.
Can you help with an insurance claim?
Yes. We provide a written, itemised quote for the replacement in the form insurers ask for, and carry out the agreed work here at our bench. Bring in the ring and any paperwork and we will talk you through it.
A lost diamond needn’t mean a lost ring.