Chip in a Princess Cut?

[magnolia_r]

Hello all,

I''m incredibly new to this site, but would GREATLY appreciate some advice.

Here''s my story...My now fiance popped the question June 22nd and I obviously agreed. He''d gone to a lot of trouble to have a setting specially made for me (it''s Gorgeous!) and did lots of viewing diamonds under microscopes picking out a really nice one. Because he was proud of his pretty selection, he wanted me to see it under the microscope when we took it to the jewelry store to have the miscellaneous sorted out. When we did so, we noticed a funny flaw extending out under one of the prongs, which we took maybe to be a bit of moisture as they''d just steamed the ring to clean it. I left the ring there and waited a few days to hear back from the jeweler who had made the ring. Yesterday I finally heard back a bit and it turns out that this "water spot" is a chip in the corner of the diamond. Now, I will admit I can be hard on my jewelry, but I''ve been terribly careful and definitely did nothing to the ring that should have chipped that diamond. Something happened between selecting the diamond and my fiance picking up the ring (probably when the jeweler was mounting the diamond).

So now what? The jewelry store said they would send it off to a local diamond cutter and have it re-cut, which they assure us will not change the diamond a bit, but I''m skeptical. They were insinuating that the carat weight of the diamond is how the value of the stone is assessed (which is only one part of it), and since it shouldn''t take enough off to change the weight, I shouldn''t worry. (Actually, there first statements were something like "you chipped the diamond when you hit the stone but we''ll have it re-cut and won''t charge you for it." Umm...there would have been some serious marks in the gold if I''d whacked the ring that hard.) I am really very upset by all this and feel like I can''t trust them. Another thing that is bothering me is that they haven''t handed over the specifications for the diamond to my fiance yet. All he has at the moment is a hand-written note with the carat weight, the clarity, and the color, but none of the myriad of other information he should have.

Also, there are a few things I''d like fixed with the ring--the setting isn''t quite at 90 degree angles so it looks just a little off and a couple prongs are a bit "catchy" (things only I would notice because I spend at least an hour a day staring at my new sparkly finger). I''m not sure I trust the jeweler not to crunch another corner once the diamond is re-cut. And how do I know that it''s just a chip and the whole corner isn''t damaged? Ugh!

If anyone can give me some guidance as to how to proceed, I would be really, REALLY grateful.

 

[katiedid]

I''m sorry to hear this magnolia! But congrats on your engagement anyway. I was wondering, since you seem unsure about continuing on with this jeweler, is it possible to just return the ring and get your fiancee''s money back? I learned the hard way (with 2 princess stones that were chipped by a jeweler I was working with) that princess stones are prone to chipping and also if you don''t feel good about moving forward with the jeweler, it''s best to just cut your losses and go with someone you completely trust. I know you''d both hate to return the ring, but if that''s an option, I would at least consider it. Good luck--I''m sure you''ll be able to work things out one way or the other and end up with a beautiful engagement ring!

 

[fanboy]

I'd get a second opinion. The jeweler doesn't sound all too trustworthy, what with automatically blaming you for the chip and the issues with the ring. I don't see how you could re-cut the stone without losing some weight, as little as it might be and I'd suspect the cutter would have to take a look at it to figure out how much he'd have to shave off. The very fact that this jeweler is so quick to assure you that no weight will be lost is dubious in and of itself.

 

[magnolia_r]

I''d like to leave the possibility of just completely returning the ring as an absolute last resort. My guy had it designed specially for me and it really is beautiful. I just don''t know what kind of options I have.

Advice?

 

[fanboy]

If you want to preserve your right to return the ring, you can start by making sure you never assume fault. I would not be bashful about politely saying: "There's no way I did this, there's no matching damage to the gold surrounding the diamond. You were the last to handle the ring before we noticed the chip, and you never reported the chip to us beforehand, which you should have done to prevent liability. Thus, you're at fault and, anyway, you have insurance to cover this kind of damage."

Whether you say it like that or not, those are the relevant facts for making your case. Don't be apologetic; remember, if they damaged your diamond, you should be firm and judicious, not a softy. Of course, always be polite.

 

[risingsun]

I agree with fanboy

 

[Diamond*Dana]

I agree with fanboy...I would politely, but firmly ask them how soon they can get a stone to correct this.