How to set this crystal ring (?)

[Charette]

Hi all - working on an old orient and need to get this ring back around the crystal. I am having a very difficult time getting the the ring set in.

Any tips I should know about? I’ve never worked on a case like this before.

I am trying to squeeze it in with a press, but can’t get it going evenly all around. 

thank you.

I should mention I have fitted the new crystal and it snaps into place - I am trying to fit the ring around it now. Not sure if this is the correct way to do this. If I try to put the crystal into the ring (a bezel, I guess?) it falls through. 

Edited March 9, 2023 by Charette

[Charette]

Well, I my attempts to press it in with my Chinese press, I managed to press the threaded insert out of a die, right into the crystal, putting a huge crack in it. So much for that. Had paid almost $30 cdn to get it from cousins, they seem to be the only ones in the world with it.

What is the learning experience here - I guess, you get that you pay for. Though, not sure if any other dies are made any differently.

Pic of crystal pack if anyone knows where I can get one in North America.

Edited March 9, 2023 by Charette

[Charette]

To finish off the thread for anyone in the future who may be dealing with the same case - I went back to the old crystal which was terribly beat up and had a crack on the side, and sanded/buffed it up. The crack is at least at the side and smaller than the one I put in the new crystal (across the centre).

I then took the case out to the garage and used a piece of hardwood to push around the metal ring. This worked like a charm, very easily. I wish I would have done this sooner! Live and learn.