Lost a Stone? What to do if Your Diamond Falls Out

Having a precious stone come loose from your favorite piece of jewelry can be a disheartening and nerve-racking experience. While proper care and regular maintenance can help prevent such potential catastrophes, accidents can and do happen. Knowing what to do in these situations is essential to ensuring the longevity and beauty of your treasured items, even if you’ve taken every precaution with your collection. In this guide, the experts at Huntington Fine Jewelers can walk you through the steps to take if a stone falls out of your engagement ring or other precious jewelry, helping you navigate this unexpected event with grace and confidence. Let us help you preserve the elegance and value of your most cherished pieces for generations to come.

Determine What’s Missing

When you notice a diamond or precious stone missing from your jewelry, the first step is to determine exactly what is missing. Is your center stone missing, or a smaller accent stone? Carefully inspect the setting to confirm the absence of the stone, and which stone is absent. Next, meticulously retrace your steps to try and locate the lost gem. If you are at home, check areas where you removed or wore the jewelry, such as sinks, carpets, and clothing that may have become snagged on your jewelry. If you were out and about, revisit areas you were at around the time the gem went missing, paying special attention to places where you might have inadvertently knocked the setting or snagged something on your jewelry. Even if the search feels daunting, recovering your precious stone is worth the effort.

Be Gentle with Your Jewelry

After losing a stone from your jewelry, it's crucial to handle the piece with care to prevent further damage and to keep things organized. If you manage to locate the missing stone, handle it delicately and avoid touching it with bare fingers to prevent oils and dirt from adhering to it. Otherwise, wash your hands before handling a loose stone. Use a small container with a secure closure, such as a box or a zip-top bag, to safely store the recovered gem until repairs can be made. When retrieving smaller stones like accent stones, consider using tweezers or a piece of tape to ensure a secure grip, minimizing the risk of dropping and losing the stone again. Taking these precautions will help safeguard your jewelry and its precious components.

File an Insurance Claim

If your jewelry is insured, filing a claim can alleviate some of the stress associated with losing a precious stone. After losing a diamond from your jewelry, contact your insurance provider as soon as possible to begin the claims process. Provide them with all relevant information, including details about the missing stone and any supporting documentation, such as purchase receipts or appraisals. If your jewelry isn't currently insured, consider obtaining a specialized jewelry insurance policy from a reputable provider. Alternatively, you can explore adding coverage for your pieces to your existing homeowners' or renters' insurance policy. Investing in insurance ensures peace of mind, knowing your valuable possessions are protected against unforeseen events.

Talk to Your Jeweler

Whether you managed to recover the missing stone or you never found it, contacting your local jeweler, like Huntington Fine Jewelers, is an essential next step. If you found the fallen diamond or precious stone, your jeweler can expertly reset the fallen stone into your jewelry, restoring its original beauty and fortifying the piece’s security. If you were unable to find the missing stone, they can help you select a similar replacement, ensuring a seamless match in quality and appearance. Additionally, your jeweler can inspect the entire piece for any potential issues, preventing future losses or mishaps. Trusting a professional, like those on our team here, ensures your treasured jewelry is handled with the utmost care and expertise, bringing peace of mind and renewed elegance to your cherished pieces.

Protect Your Jewelry at Huntington Fine Jewelers

Care for your fine jewelry with the expert assistance of Huntington Fine Jewelers, proudly serving Oklahoma with six convenient locations in Oklahoma City, Shawnee, Midwest City, Stillwater, Yukon, and Norman. Huntington Fine Jewelers offers exceptional custom design and jewelry repair services, ensuring your cherished pieces remain in pristine condition for years to come. Whether you need a stone reset or are looking to create a unique custom piece, our skilled craftsmen are dedicated to providing unparalleled craftsmanship and care. Visit any of our showrooms or request an appointment with a member of our knowledgeable staff for a personalized experience that caters to all your jewelry needs.