ASK THE JEWELER QUESTIONS & ANSWERS!

READER'S QUESTIONS ANSWERED HERE!

QUESTION FROM SHARON IN SALT LAKE CITY, UT:

Question :

I have always had my prongs checked quarterly. In the past year I have suddenly had a broken or weak prong almost every time. I Googled an article about detergents and such harming prongs, but when I asked my jeweler about the leather biking gloves and garden gloves possibly abrading the prongs, he didn't know. Can you answer this? Should I generally take my ring off every time I wear gloves, do you think?

ANSWER FOR SHARON:

Hi Sharon.

It is possible that your gloves are catching on your prongs. If there is fabric inside the gloves they do a fabulous job of getting snagged underneath them. But, I would guess that the problem is more in your prongs than the gloves.

When prongs get weak and break often it means the entire head is just worn and weak. I would look into replacing the entire head and getting more durable prongs and that will probably take care of your broken prong issue. Plus, make sure the Jeweler pushes the prongs flat on top of your diamond so there is no room for things to get caught under.

Good luck!

RELATED ARTICLES:

Do your Prongs need Retipping?
Do your Prongs Snag?
Why do Prongs become weak?

NEXT QUESTION