Anyone done this after the fact? I have the diamond. Can any old Jeweler do this?

I'm sure they can but I'd go through Balfour. If anyone else messes with your ring it'll void the warranty. Pretty sure the association will handle it for you.

I am getting mine down with chuck when i do it.

http://aggiejeweler.com

Dad got his done by Hereford jewelers and never had a problem. You do violate balfour's warranty though, that's why I added it when I ordered

Here is the warranty that you will lose... i really dont see anything glaring

quote:

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The following services will be performed without charge for the original owner of a Balfour college Ring purchased in 1972 or after, and that is still under warranty:

• Repair defects in workmanship or materials at the time of original delivery.
  
• If repairs cannot be made due to defects in workmanship and materials, the product will be replaced at Balfour's discretion.
  
• Resize your ring (ring can be resized up or down two sizes).
  
• Clean and polish your ring.
  
• Restore the original dark finish on your Ring (there is a charge for changing the finish).
  
• Diamonds are not covered by Balfour’s warranty.
  
• Change graduation date prior to graduation. Any change of date must be approved and handled by the Aggie Ring Office.
  
• No other change from the original order is permitted under the warranty.
  
• This warranty is void if work is performed on your ring by someone other than Balfour. A repair fee must be paid for any ring not under warranty.
  
• If the ring is damaged or worn beyond your satisfaction, it may be exchanged for a ring of current design at Balfour's current remake charge. The same gold is not used.
  
• Damages resulting from improper handling, lack of care, or normal wear and tear are not covered by this warranty.
  
• This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state. The Balfour Company makes the final decision under the terms of the warranty.

Balfour's Limited Lifetime Warranty does not cover the loss or theft of your Aggie Ring. You may choose to purchase personal insurance for your Ring.

---

Balfour won't set a diamond you send them, only one they provide.

I had the diamond from my mother's engagement ring set in my Aggie ring by David Gardners a few years back. They did a fantastic job. They mounted it in a platinum shield. I would recommend having it set by someone that works on a lot of Aggie rings... ie, someone in CS. I can't see the big whoop about losing a warranty on something that doesn't turn on and off.

[This message has been edited by FiTxAg04 (edited 5/19/2013 6:17p).]

i've had mine re-sized by Balfour. was glad it was free... and they refinished it to look almost new!

I would not void the warranty lightly.

The resizing thing is the biggest thing you lose.

I'd suggest calling chuck. He is a great Aggie and makes damn good jewelry

I have an "aftermarket" diamond in mine. Had to get it resized a couple months ago. I took it to my local jeweler who sent it to Balfour for me. They resized it, re-antiqued it, and fixed all parts that were worn. It cost me a whopping 50 bucks and that included postage to and from. So the warranty is not a big deal.

[This message has been edited by Jbonnot03 (edited 5/19/2013 8:11p).]

How did they fix all the parts that were worn?

They'll clean it? Mine looks like it has been to Vietnam, so I'll take them up on that

I've always wondered how much they'd charge to give mine the antique finish. I got the bling look but always wanted the old fashioned finish.

They don't fix parts that are worn, they recast the entire ring, so it's brand new. It's cheaper and easier for them to just throw your ring in the smelter and mold a new one.

I think gettin it antiqued is like 50-100 bucks, but not sure.

I got mine done by David Gardeners. The diamond keeps coming lose because, as the lady at the store told me, the diamond is harder than the platinum and is cutting the setting. They've reset it for me for free 3 times but it's annoying being without my ring for a few days while they fix it.

I voided my warranty and later sent it to Balfours to be resized. The non-warranty charge was somewhere in the ball park of $20 so I wouldn't worry too much about voiding it.

IMO, the warranty is mainly good for folks who have the two part rings. It's not uncommon for the top of the ring to separate from the base. When that happens, Balfour will repair/replace even if you lose the top half of your ring.

If you have a newer, 1 part ring, the "warranty" doesn't add a ton of value.

I don't think I would want them to recast my ring. I like its aged character.

Interesting about the diamond setting.

I've had a diamond in mine since I got it in '06 and aside from the diamond from Balfour breaking, it's never moved.

I think DG isn't setting it correctly, or the platinum is too hard for the diamond, with gold it is soft enough to grip it I think.

Diamond that I acquired while on a safari hunt is South Africa in 2008.

Cody
Fightin Texas Aggie c/o 04

What txyaloo said. The warranty on the newer 1 part rings (can't remember when they changed over, but want to say it was in the early 90's or so) is really only for resizing, and any good store can resize your ring for very little as it is.

I have thought about putting a diamond in mine, but don't know that I ever will. Still debating.

One thing I will do though is have my ring re-cast with the gold from each of my daughter's rings when/if they get theirs from A&M. I think it will be awesome for all of us to have some of the same gold in each of our rings.

I love aggie ring urban legends.

[This message has been edited by Txagfan (edited 5/21/2013 1:44a).]

I don't understand why a guy would want to drill a hole an put a diamond in his ring?

Probaly the same kind of guy that has a really fancy wedding band with diamonds in it.

Might as well just borrow your wife/girlfriends purse next time you go out?

damn phone - dp

[This message has been edited by schmellba99 (edited 5/21/2013 8:32a).]

quote:

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I love aggie ring urban legends.

[This message has been edited by Txagfan (edited 5/21/2013 1:44a).]

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What exactly are the urban legends on this thread?

[This message has been edited by schmellba99 (edited 5/21/2013 8:30a).]

You can't even get "your own" ring back if it needs major repair/modification let alone have yours melted down with materials for two others.

Ok then.

Maybe if you pay full price and the association doesn't pay for half can do that.

Sorry, feel like an ass now. The lore around our rings is just something I find very funny. They are a great tradition and representation of our school an I'm proud to wear mine everyday.

I went to work for an Aggie, Class of '25, about 5 years after I received my ring. You could not tell his ring was an Aggie ring it was so badly worn. My wife lost one of her ear studs and had the other diamond put in my ring by some random jeweler in Corsicana in the late '70s. I wear it constantly, work on cars, do home repair, hunt, fish, etc. Never had a problem and you can still read my year ('67) even though the shield and some of the year is worn. I did wear my ring through Viet Nam and hurricane relief following for four different hurricanes. I have yet to borrow my wife's purse.....but I ain't dead yet, so that could still happen.

I don't understand!?!

According to the false testosterone above you are supposed to be a poon! Going to war and being a first responder doesn't equal being a poon right?

The know it all attitude driven by insecurity displayed by some is truly pathetic.

Typo.

[This message has been edited by Agla06 (edited 5/21/2013 11:13a).]

My buddies and i always heard/were told that you get a diamond either after marrying an Aggie girl or after you make your first million dollars.

I bought a diamond to have for my ring but never did it. I think the Aggie ring is unique in itself and with the stone, looks more like other universities. Just my opinion!

DOC, all depends on the size of the diamond IMO.

For mine you can still see the stars in the top of the shield, just no stripes.

See below.


[This message has been edited by Onlyfornow (edited 5/21/2013 12:26p).]

Hey BQ98, my father has a diamond in his ring. He made it through Vietnam and then several years with law enforcement with it. And I'd be more than happy to set up a face to face with you and him so you could tell him your opinion on his ring and his masculinity.

My ring is the same. I purposely fit the diamond to not disrupt the integrity of the shield.

First let me say I'm surprised we've had a ring argument go this long with out the antique vs natural debate (antique is better FYI)

Second, I see just as many guys get diamonds as women. Hell, in my family I have 4 aunts and 3 uncles plus both of my parents that all graduated from A&M. Every single one of them has a diamond in their ring. It was actually weird for me the first time I saw a ring without a diamond in it, it just looked different since it wasn't what I was used to seeing.

And this:

quote:

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DOC, all depends on the size of the diamond IMO.

For mine you can still see the stars in the top of the shield, just no stripes.

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I totally agree, I like the 10 or 20 point diamonds that fit within the shield, the big ones that need the larger platinum shield don't look as good (to me, not trying to start an argument on that, if you have one and like it then great for you).

[This message has been edited by Agfan2013 (edited 5/21/2013 12:49p).]