The six prong peg head was in relatively good shape except for two prong tips were completely sheared off. I had concerns that the diamond was enhanced. Any retipping with a torch could potentially damage the fill material. I opted to use the laser. I fashioned the end of a 14k white gold wire to an angle so the diamond’s crown facet and wire would be in full contact. If I were to weld the wire straight up and use pliers to bend the prong in place to secure the stone, I believe that the new tip would break off now or later if stressed. It seems that weld joints are not in the annealed state and tend to be a bit more acceptable to breakage if worked.
The new tips were filed and shaped with a cup burr to match the others and the ring was refinished.
Atlas Jewelers Bench Talk 