A Lady comes up to me in the Jewelry Store and asks
Why her Ring has a hole in it? I look at her seriously and reply "
Your Ring has a hole in it, so you can slip it on your finger!" I couldn't help my response, it was funny. But she assured me she wasn't talking about 'the ring hole', she was talking about all the holes on the underside of her ring.
She takes her Anniversary Band off and flips it over. With her index finger she points to a dozen or so holes on the underside of her Ring. "These Holes!" She says. I see... She was talking about those perfectly cut-out circles on the inside of her Band. "Those Holes!"
So, let me explain what those holes are and why it should matter to you.
The biggest reason for Holes or Circles in your Rings are to not only show the Jewelers where the Diamonds are to be set into the Mounting, (Sort of like a bulls-eye! The Diamonds go here...) But it also allows the Diamond's or Gemstone's Point to be protected. It keeps them from getting chipped and broken.
Without a hole on the underside of your shank, chances are good, the sharp point of your stone would break off during setting. The tapered part of a Diamond is called the Pavilion. The Pavilion comes to a sharp point at the end. That point is fragile and can chip easily. (Sometimes the sharp point has a flat facet on the end of it, called the Culet! The Culet is only there to keep that point from chipping!) If you exert any pressure on that point during setting, it can break it right off and crush it. Setting your Diamond into those round circles keeps your Diamond or Gemstone aligned, and keeps the Stones from being broken.
And there are more reasons for those holes in your Ring... Like Cleaning! Ring Holes makes it easier to clean your Diamonds and Stones. It gives you better access to the base of your Diamond where dirt and debris would accumulate and build up. Holes allow you to steam your Diamonds easily, or scrub them with a toothbrush to clean them. It keeps your Diamonds and Gems sparkling clean.
A Ring without holes would fill up with dirt (Especially Channel-Settings!) and be almost impossible to clean. Your Diamonds would always look dark, dirty and lifeless!
Those holes give your beautiful Diamond Life and Light!
And they still have one more Huge and Important benefit... They allow your finger to breath! It allows your sweat to evaporate through those holes so your finger won't get irritated. Without them, your finger would probably break out in a rash due to moisture build up. Holes are good!
Not all Rings have holes underneath the stones. Not all Rings need them! Usually the Rings that need the holes are Rings that are low and flat and hold lots of Diamonds or Stones. Channel-Set Rings are good for this. So are Mother's Rings! Anniversary Bands, (See Picture) Wedding Bands, and Eternity Rings are high on the list also. Low Profile Rings and Flat Bands usually have Holes underneath each and every Stone! Take a look and see!
So if you were thinking that your Ring had holes in it to save on Gold and make it Cheaper... You were wrong!
Holes are for Alignment, Protection, Cleaning and Breathing... And you thought a Hole was just a Hole! You know?
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Copyright © 09-27-2008 Jewelry-Secrets.com
