12 replies to this topic

[stillsearching]

My friend just showed me a picture of a ring he's going to buy for his fiance and it's the weirdest thing I've ever seen. He calls it a tension ring and there is apparently nothing holding the diamond in place except the band? Doesn't the diamond wiggle or fall out?? And he said he's getting the ring done in stainless steel and not gold. Is that ok? I've been looking at diamond after dimond at traditional jewelery stores and they are all mounted in some kind of setting. I'm sort of fascinated and sort of worried for him. Is this a real way of making diamond rings?

Stillsearching and notfinding......

[Feydakin]

Tension rings are very cool and do require a very special set of skills to make them work properly.. Stainless Steel is ok, but not very "traditional"as far as ladies jewelry goes..

Send him over to see www.stevenkretchmer.com for some very well done tension settings in gold etc....

[Drovalle]

After much searching I am purchasing a tension ring from Gelin Abaci. They have quite a large selection of rings and bands. Here is their link I hope you find the ring you are looking for.

[url="http://www.gelinabaci.com/index2.html"][url]http://www.gelinabaci.com/index2.html[/url][/url]

[stillsearching]

You guys are right, these are very cool looking rings! But how does the diamond not fall out? Is it pinched between the metal? And if so, don't you run the risk of cracking the diamond? Are these rings practical?

[Drovalle]

This is information about tension rings by GAI. I hope it provides the answers you need:

"GelinAbaci, Inc. is one of four companies in the world that manufacture tension products...and we are one of two such companies in the United States.
We are considered the largest manufacturer of tension products in the world.

The tension concept is over forty years old.

With over 10,000 units sold, there have been no known diamond losses due to design or craftsmanship.

Every unit is closely inspected to ensure that it meets the high standards of G.A.I.

Each tension ring is custom made for a specific diamond size and finger size.

Our tension products are manufactured with special alloys by a sophisticated technique which enables the metal to retain its "memory."

Tension products are considered to be as safe as, or safer than, four-prong settings.

Depending on the style, tension products exert from 65 to 95 pounds of pressure on the center stone.

Tension products have been manufactured for stone sizes from .10 carat to 8.0 carats.

Due to the special "memory" in tension products, all adjustments must be performed by G.A.I. (no exceptions).

Rubies, sapphires, Moissanites and cubic zirconia, as well as diamonds, may be tension set.

Any stone with a surface fracture is not suitable for tension mounting.

Tension mounting is the very best method for showing a stone's brilliance: it can enhance the color as much as two grades."

GelinAbaci was quite a pleasure to deal with. They quickly put me in touch with a dealer near me who answered all my questions. I'm now working on finding the right diamond to show off on the setting decided on.

[jan]

We've carried the Gelin Abaci tension rings for over 4 years with no problems. When you think about it, the metal that is holding in the stone in the tension ring is much thicker than in a small little prong. I think they are even safer.

[phil77]

They do look unique. I could not find prices on either of the 2 websites listed.
Does that mean that they are out of the range of regular folk ?

[jan]

I've sold alot of them to regular folks. If you want any prices for particular styles, feel free to e-mail me at:
www.brokersj@bellsouth.net

[nightmare]

I've sold quite a few of them as well - think they're absolutely stunning....have no worries about them lasting; as long as you do buy from someone with skill....as Feydakin mentions it does take a special design, alloy and skill to make effectively

[aineroane]

Also, just so you know, when a diamond is set in a tension ring it is still in a "seat" which is a ridge created in the sides of the metal. This is the same method used as in regular prong settings. They create these little shelves to secure the diamond from slipping while the pressure of the metal keeps the band from shifting.

[Princess Tess]

Hey that's good to know. I kept wondering myself how those slippery diamonds stayed put against that slippery metal. A "shelf" makes sense.

Princess Tess

[kawkar]

In talking to friends that are jewlers, I am told that with tension rings you cant build up the seat like you would in a regular set diamond, so in 4-5 years when the ring wears you have to replace the whole thing. When heat is applied to the ring, you loose the tension because the gold expands. I really wanted a tension ring but now im considering ones that are an illusion meaning they have a small ring of support below the diamond that you can build up as the ring wears, does anyone know where I can find this type of tension ring?

[jan]

I'm not sure why you would be applying heat to the ring once it is made?? unless someone is trying to resize the ring which is not recommended. Usually Gelin-Abaci will remake the ring for a small service charge. Also we've carried them over 5 years and I've yet to have anyone even have a stone loosen in the ring. They are very sturdy indeed.