I''d love to get advice on my situation? I purchased 2 3-stone diamond engagement rings, one round cut and one princess cut, for myself and my partner from a thought-to-be reputable jeweler (who would not want reputation tarnished).
We''ve had problems with the rings, however, since we received them last June (see my original post below). After my original posted problem, the jeweler agreed to reset my ring with a center stone that was a certified princess cut stone from EGL (but made me pay an extra $376 to replace with the certed stone):
.70ct
H color
VS2 clarity
Depth/Table: 81.7%/78%
Polish: Good
Symmetry: Good
measurements: 4.57 - 4.64x3.73
My ring also has 6 smaller diamonds, 3 on each side of the larger side stones. My partner''s ring is a 3-stone, not certified, but jeweler told us diamonds were G color, SI2 clarity with total weight approx 1.5ct. Both settings (including prongs) are entirely 14K white gold.
My partner and I recently went to look for wedding bands (eternity)at a different jeweler and when we tried them on, our rings started to look very yellow and dull. We already had suspicions that craftsmanship was poor and diamonds might not be what they said they were, but our suspicions were confirmed by this very reputable and well-known jeweler.
The gemologist at the jeweler said that the round cut was definitely not a G color, SI2 clarity and was at most 1.25 ct but probably closer to 1ct tw. And, the 2 side stones were actually spinning around in the prong settings. He estimated (looking thru loupe) that color was J and clarity I1, possibly even I2. The band on the ring is also wearing down already. All these problems after only *4* months of wear.
Then, he told me my ring was not an H color, but rather an I-J. He thought the clarity might be VS2 in center stone but side stones were probably SI2. Also, the milligrain is dented and one of my smaller side stones was chipped and another was about to fall out of the ring. My band is also wearing thin and you can easily see the line where it was sautered together. Plus, it''s yellowing after 4 mos. of wear. He also told me they do not carry EGL stones for the reason that EGL consistently grades higher than others (and probably than reality).
We are furious! We knew enough when we bought them that we did not want anything below SI2 or H color. We''re now having the rings independently appraised. The appraiser has told us he will note as well all of the problems he sees with both rings. He told us that the craftsmanship was poor and that he wouldn''t sell it in his store. Told us we definitely overpaid. (He has no incentive to say so-- in fact he seemed very reluctant to be bearer of bad news).
We paid $2600 for the 3-stone round cut with plain band. And we paid approx $4250 for the 3-stone princess with smaller side stones and milligrain band. Total ct weight on princess ring is approx 1.30 ct.
We have the original sales documentation for the rings, which states the round stone ring to be G color and SI2 clarity. We also have the appraisals from the jeweler we bought the rings from, in which he appraises the rings at $3100 for the round stone and $5200 for the princess.
If the independent appraisals come in significantly lower and at the quality (and at lower ct wt, clarity and color than original jeweler stipulated), *and* given the significant workmanship problems we''ve had from the beginning, how should we approach the original jeweler for a full refund?
We want nothing to do with him at this point. Can you please advise as to what we should do?
Thanks for help!
not2happy
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**MY ORIGINAL POST**
I''m desperate for advice on how to handle a situation with a jeweler from whom I purchased a 3-stone diamond ring. The side stones are .25 carat weight. The center stone was not certified, but was .63 ct and jeweler told me it was an SI2, H color. I looked at the center stone (which was a loose stone) with a loupe and saw some dark spots (not visible to naked eye) but no feather inclusions.
The ring was sent to me upon setting and sizing, and I noticed the center or side stone appeared slightly askew. I went back to the jeweler, who agreed that it was set slightly askew. (I was annoyed at that point that someone as qualified as him would send me a ring when the setting was obviously off-center). Anyway, he sent it back to his jeweler to have it straightened and then mailed it back to me.
Upon receiving the ring, though the stones were straight, the center stone had what looked to me to be a highly visible crack in the corner very close to the prong. I called the jeweler back again and he said he would need to see it to tell. I sent him the ring overnight and asked him to call me once he''d looked at it. I called him 3 times over the course of the week to try to reach him. (He never called). When I finally did reach him, he told me that it wasn''t a "crack" but a feather in the diamond and he''d sent it back to the jeweler to see if he could cover it with a prong. I told him that there was no feather when I bought it, nor was there a feather when he sent it to me the first time (when the diamond were set off kilter). Then he went into this whole thing about having his jeweler pop out the diamond to weigh it to ensure that it was the same diamond. He said "it would be the first time ever" and "he''ll probably tell me where to go when I ask him to pop it out and check". And that if I wasn''t happy with the diamond that I could pay more for a better one. He rushed me off the phone and said he would call me in a couple of days.
How should I handle this? I won''t be happy with a diamond that has a visible feather, and from what I''ve read, the fact that it is close to surface and to edge of diamond is not good! I paid $3600 for the ring. It''s a white gold setting with smaller chips along the band in addition to the 3-stone.
Am I being taken for a ride? What should I do? Please help!
Thanks,
not2happy
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