Losing a stone from a piece of jewelry is one of the most sinking feelings a jewelry owner can experience. Whether it's a diamond from an engagement ring or a gemstone from a favorite pendant, here's what to do — calmly and practically.
Step 1: Don't Panic, But Act Quickly
The stone may still be findable. Carefully check the immediate area — floor, sink drain, clothing. If it fell indoors, run your hands along carpet or hard floor around where you noticed it missing. Many lost stones are recovered within a few feet of where the jewelry was being worn.
Step 2: Save the Jewelry Immediately
Stop wearing the piece. Continuing to wear jewelry with a missing stone can damage the setting further, loosen other stones, and make repair more expensive. Put it somewhere safe and bring it in as soon as possible.
Step 3: Understand Why It Happened
Stones fall out for specific reasons — and understanding why prevents it from happening again:
- Worn prongs — The most common cause. Prongs wear down over years of daily wear and eventually can't hold the stone securely. This is why annual prong checks matter.
- Bent or broken prong — From impact. A single blow to the ring can bend a prong enough to release the stone.
- Setting failure — Bezel or channel settings can open over time with wear.
- Improper sizing — A ring that's been resized incorrectly can stress the setting.
Step 4: Get It Repaired and Re-Set
Bring the jewelry into Solomon Jewelers in Wichita. We'll assess the setting, identify what failed, and either re-set your original stone (if recovered) or source a replacement. We'll also repair or rebuild the setting to prevent future loss. For diamonds, we can often source a replacement stone that matches the original closely in cut, color, and clarity.
Prevention: The Annual Checkup
The single best way to avoid losing a stone is an annual prong inspection. At Solomon Jewelers, we do complimentary inspections — walk in anytime and we'll check your prongs, clean your pieces, and let you know if anything needs attention before a stone is at risk.