Crack in my diamond :(

[golfgirl]

Over xmas I took my diamond ring to Jared''s to have it inspected along with 3 other pieces of jewelry. To my surprise, I was called by the jeweler and told they could not work on my ring because the diamond had a crack in it. OMG - what!! I waiting until the time I was told to pick up the other pieces of jewelry and was shown my diamond (1k) on the microscope. The diamond is a princess cut and they showed me a corner under the prong that was chipped and a straigt slightly down and across from there...just one single crack. They also showed me on the one of the other sides, some little starburst type dings as well. I was so upset. They said there was really nothing I could do with it. They were even afraid to clean it.

I purchased this diamond about 4 1/2 years ago from a jeweler in Colorado Springs, CO. Brendan Diamonds. Although I live in VA, I have kept up on my inspections every 6 mo''s, so I called them on 12/27 to discuss the lifetime warrenty on my diamond and to see what they could do to help me. Once I finally got someone on the phone, I was informed that they were closing....permanantly...that night. WHAT??? I was told that the Peace of Mind guarentee that they offer as well as all lifetime warrenties were null and void as of Dec. 15th. Can you believe that - I tried to contact their corporate headquarter''s, but have not received any response as of yet. I did google them and found out that they are Chapter 11.

So, today I contact my insurance company as we have jewelry under our homeowner''s insurance only to find out they don''t cover breakage....only loss, fire and flood....UGHHHHHHH. So basically if I had lost it, I''d be better off

What in the world do I do? I even asked the jeweler about cutting the diamond down or even having smaller diamonds made to use for something else and they told me it is probably useless in its condition.

The diamond itself if valued @ $4259. It is a 1K Princess - Color/Clarity G/SI2 - Measures 5.21x5.39 - 4.00

i tried to draw what the crack and starbursts look like. If you are looking at my diamond, the front is where the crack is and the right side is where the starbursts are, if that makes sense

I am looking for any suggestions...anything at all!

If I continue to wear the ring....what are the chances the diamond will just split at that crack?

HELP

 

[Lorelei]

Hi Golfgirl,

I am really sorry to hear whats happened, I would hang tight and wait for some of the experts to advise you. It could be a good idea to see if you can get an independant appraiser to take a look at it and advise on the best course of action - one who does not sell diamonds, here is a list you can use to find one in your area.

https://www.pricescope.com/appr_list.aspx

Again I am so sorry.

 

[golfgirl]

Thanks for the advice as well as the list of appraisers. I definitely would like to take to an appraiser who doesn''t sell jewelry. They already had me looking at new diamonds at Jared''s

Thanks!

 

[golfgirl]

I know....I thought the same thing....it is like they are asking you to do the wrong thing!!

CRAZY!

Thanks for the smile!

 

[Sizzle]

Date: 12/29/2008 11:47:53 AM
Author:golfgirl
Over xmas I took my diamond ring to Jared''s to have it inspected along with 3 other pieces of jewelry. To my surprise, I was called by the jeweler and told they could not work on my ring because the diamond had a crack in it. OMG - what!! I waiting until the time I was told to pick up the other pieces of jewelry and was shown my diamond (1k) on the microscope. The diamond is a princess cut and they showed me a corner under the prong that was chipped and a straigt slightly down and across from there...just one single crack. They also showed me on the one of the other sides, some little starburst type dings as well. I was so upset. They said there was really nothing I could do with it. They were even afraid to clean it.

I purchased this diamond about 4 1/2 years ago from a jeweler in Colorado Springs, CO. Brendan Diamonds. Although I live in VA, I have kept up on my inspections every 6 mo''s, so I called them on 12/27 to discuss the lifetime warrenty on my diamond and to see what they could do to help me. Once I finally got someone on the phone, I was informed that they were closing....permanantly...that night. WHAT??? I was told that the Peace of Mind guarentee that they offer as well as all lifetime warrenties were null and void as of Dec. 15th. Can you believe that - I tried to contact their corporate headquarter''s, but have not received any response as of yet. I did google them and found out that they are Chapter 11.

So, today I contact my insurance company as we have jewelry under our homeowner''s insurance only to find out they don''t cover breakage....only loss, fire and flood....UGHHHHHHH. So basically if I had lost it, I''d be better off

What in the world do I do? I even asked the jeweler about cutting the diamond down or even having smaller diamonds made to use for something else and they told me it is probably useless in its condition.

The diamond itself if valued @ $4259. It is a 1K Princess - Color/Clarity G/SI2 - Measures 5.21x5.39 - 4.00

i tried to draw what the crack and starbursts look like. If you are looking at my diamond, the front is where the crack is and the right side is where the starbursts are, if that makes sense

I am looking for any suggestions...anything at all!

If I continue to wear the ring....what are the chances the diamond will just split at that crack?

HELP

Aww. I would definately get an expert opinion as to what to do. Maybe it can be salvaged! If not, maybe someone could try to bezel set it for you for more protection from further breakage.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 12/29/2008 12:07:47 PM
Author: golfgirl
Thanks for the advice as well as the list of appraisers. I definitely would like to take to an appraiser who doesn''t sell jewelry. They already had me looking at new diamonds at Jared''s

Thanks!

You are most welcome! Please keep us posted and let us know what an expert says when he or she sees the diamond.

 

[EricaR]

Date: 12/29/2008 12:27:30 PM
Author: golfgirl
I know....I thought the same thing....it is like they are asking you to do the wrong thing!!

CRAZY!

Thanks for the smile!

Unfortunately, if you''ve already called your insurance company they probably already have a record of you inquiry and might deny any other loss claims you make in the near future...

 

[denverappraiser]

Who is your insurance carrier? Have you read the details of your policy? If not, do so. If you don’t have a copy, get one.

Here’s Brendan’s warranty, as of today (Dec 29, 200. Note how there is no mention at all about this not applying after Dec 15, 2008. Save a copy of this page, then call up the Brenden’s corporate offices and make a stink. It''s likely that you are going to be lumped in with the other creditors but if you don''t file a claim you won''t even be that.
http://www.brendandiamonds.com/Warranty.html

Get it appraised by an independent appraiser as soon as possible so that you’ve got documentation of the damage with a date attached to it. Be in a hurry.

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 12/29/2008 12:52:49 PM
Author: EricaR

Date: 12/29/2008 12:27:30 PM

Author: golfgirl

I know....I thought the same thing....it is like they are asking you to do the wrong thing!!


CRAZY!


Thanks for the smile!

Unfortunately, if you've already called your insurance company they probably already have a record of you inquiry and might deny any other loss claims you make in the near future...

Not to mention the fact that insurance fraud is a very serious offense...

Golfgirl, I am so sorry this happened. Unfortunately, diamonds do crack with a good thwack sometimes. I wonder if there is anything you can do via the jeweler who sold you the diamond. Is it a chain? If so, I would start there and contact a different store, the corporate offices, the local news media, anything you can do to get them to honor the warranty.

 

[beechezz]

Golfgirl-I am so sorry to hear about what has happened to your diamond. Isn''t it amazing the timing of these things? It is a terrible, terrible thing. I hope you can find a way to use it (since it is still intact). I like the bezel idea. Please keep us posted, we are all thinking of you!

 

[Steel]

Wow, that is unfortunate.

I hope the crack is not a crack. Please report back when you know more.

I would like to add in the nicest way possible, that I am pleased that the ring did not cost more; it would have sucked terribly if you laid down more 10k for example. Not that 1k is not a lot of money - it is, I am just saying if you have to take a hit on this it could be much worse.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Truthfully, on your future diamond purchases, you have to have a separate rider to cover jewelry and that will cover loss due to breakage in addition to all kinds of loss or theft. It is really sad to see posts like these, but this is why we tell everyone new to please get insurance on expensive jewelry items. Diamonds can and do chip or crack. Princess cuts have very vulnerable corners, unfortunately. I do hope maybe your stone can be recut to at least use for a pendant or something. I''m really sorry!

 

[MustangGal]

I''m sorry about your diamond!

I cracked my diamond last year, with no insurance, so I had it mounted into a half bezel pendent. Maybe if you can''t get anywhere with Brendan or your insurance that could be an option.

 

[MissGotRocks]

I have my jewelry insured through my homeowner''s policy with Erie Insurance. It is an all risk policy. I did not know that there was a homeowner''s policy that would exclude breakage!

I am so terribly sorry that this happened. It is a diamond lover''s nightmare. You''ve been given some good advice regarding contacting the company and your insurance company.

Best of luck to you - please let us know how it turns out.

 

[deegee]

I cracked my original diamond, which was a marquise. It started out as a crack right beside a prong. I kept wearing it, and the crack kept getting bigger. You can clearly see the it from the top, and from the bottom you can see lots of little cracks off of the big crack. The jeweler looked at it and said nothing could be done with it and that he wouldn't even try to remove it from the setting. Of course I had no insurance. I took the loss, replaced the stone and got insurance (for loss, theft, damage, etc.) immediately.

So sorry this happened to you.

 

[Moh 10]

If you contacted your insurance company and they told you it was only covered if you lost it, then you just happened to lose it, they'd investigate the living daylights out of you.
Even if they paid the claim I'll bet a record would be kept of the suspicious circumstances and made available to other insurance companies.
I just wouldn't risk it.

 

[golfgirl]

okay - enough with the whole insurance fraud thing....NOT GOING TO HAPPEN

Here is an update as of this evening...

Someone from Brendan called me and we spoke briefly. She was very sorry and was actually fairly nice. She apologized and said that if there was a store open, she would take care of it for me. She said there was nothing she could do. I was a little shocked when she told me that they found out they were going under in Oct 06......hmmmmm, selling diamonds with warrenties that you know are not going to be valid sounds quite shady to me! She gave me some ideas and we talked about the diamond and the crack and such. Like I said, she seemed pretty sympathetic.

Insurance company......called them back and spoke to someone different and got a claim filed. The person I spoke to said it can fall under personal property insurance (things you take from one place to another...clothes, electronics, furniture, etc.) The claims person was very nice this time and took all my information including the appraisal amount and the actual purchase price of the diamond. I was told an adjuster would call in a couple days. I have my fingers crossed I will keep you all posted!

Thanks for all the advice - I have looked at some rings with bezel setting and I might be able to make something work with the setting/ring I have. So, I am going to hold tight for the insurance and if that fails, I will get it independantly appraised and see what my options are.

Thanks again - cross your fingers for me!!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Good luck, golfgirl! Please let us know what happens!!!

 

[jewelerman]

Date: 12/29/2008 11:50:18 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
Good luck, golfgirl! Please let us know what happens!!!

One question...why didnt Jareds loupe the diamond when you first brought it in the store?Every piece of jewelry should have its condition recorded on the repair envolope when its taken it to be cleaned,appraised or repaired and any problems brought to your attention...if the sales person didnt record any damage when it came in the store then who is to know if the damage was done while in their care...as far as you know you brought in a non-chipped diamond to them and they should have informed you of any damage BEFORE you left it in their care....to call you later is very un-professional and they should not be counted out just yet as a responsible party.

 

[golfgirl]

That is very true....the lady who took care of us actually inspected each of my rings before they were given to the jeweler for repair. She was even the one to to tell me which rings had loose stones. She originally looked at them under the microscope while she wrote up the repair tickets. I can see the crack with my bare eye....

She also took the rings back and showed them to the jeweler so that they could put a value on each of the rings. My appraisal for my engagement ring was valued at $8500....Jared told me they could only value it at $6100 which is based on something similar in the store. So both her and the jeweler looked at my diamond before it was ever even considered to be worked on. If she looked at it under the microscope, how would she have missed the crack?? RIGHT?? I will go over there this evening after work and see what I can find out from them....

Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[jewelerman]

Date: 12/30/2008 9:24:38 AM
Author: golfgirl
That is very true....the lady who took care of us actually inspected each of my rings before they were given to the jeweler for repair. She was even the one to to tell me which rings had loose stones. She originally looked at them under the microscope while she wrote up the repair tickets. I can see the crack with my bare eye....

She also took the rings back and showed them to the jeweler so that they could put a value on each of the rings. My appraisal for my engagement ring was valued at $8500....Jared told me they could only value it at $6100 which is based on something similar in the store. So both her and the jeweler looked at my diamond before it was ever even considered to be worked on. If she looked at it under the microscope, how would she have missed the crack?? RIGHT?? I will go over there this evening after work and see what I can find out from them....

Thanks for the suggestion!

Something wrong here!If she looked/louped/scoped the rings and also had the jeweler look at them to value the rings and then didnt bring this break/damage to your attention ....if the damage was there previous to taking it in then they would never had accepted it in the first place...my bet is that they damaged the stone while tightning the prongs

 

[jewelerman]

Date: 12/31/2008 2:05:59 AM
Author: jewelerman

Date: 12/30/2008 9:24:38 AM
Author: golfgirl
That is very true....the lady who took care of us actually inspected each of my rings before they were given to the jeweler for repair. She was even the one to to tell me which rings had loose stones. She originally looked at them under the microscope while she wrote up the repair tickets. I can see the crack with my bare eye....

She also took the rings back and showed them to the jeweler so that they could put a value on each of the rings. My appraisal for my engagement ring was valued at $8500....Jared told me they could only value it at $6100 which is based on something similar in the store. So both her and the jeweler looked at my diamond before it was ever even considered to be worked on. If she looked at it under the microscope, how would she have missed the crack?? RIGHT?? I will go over there this evening after work and see what I can find out from them....

Thanks for the suggestion!

Something wrong here!If she looked/louped/scoped the rings and also had the jeweler look at them to value the rings and then didnt bring this break/damage to your attention ....if the damage was there previous to taking it in then they would never had accepted it in the first place...my bet is that they damaged the stone while tightning the prongs

ask to see the original repair envelope...look for the $6100 valuation and if there is any recorded remarks about the condition...an absence of a plot with damage recorded may be all the proof you need to show they are possible suspects.

 

[arjunajane]

Date: 12/31/2008 2:16:40 AM
Author: jewelerman

Date: 12/31/2008 2:05:59 AM
Author: jewelerman

Date: 12/30/2008 9:24:38 AM
Author: golfgirl
That is very true....the lady who took care of us actually inspected each of my rings before they were given to the jeweler for repair. She was even the one to to tell me which rings had loose stones. She originally looked at them under the microscope while she wrote up the repair tickets. I can see the crack with my bare eye....

She also took the rings back and showed them to the jeweler so that they could put a value on each of the rings. My appraisal for my engagement ring was valued at $8500....Jared told me they could only value it at $6100 which is based on something similar in the store. So both her and the jeweler looked at my diamond before it was ever even considered to be worked on. If she looked at it under the microscope, how would she have missed the crack?? RIGHT?? I will go over there this evening after work and see what I can find out from them....

Thanks for the suggestion!

Something wrong here!If she looked/louped/scoped the rings and also had the jeweler look at them to value the rings and then didnt bring this break/damage to your attention ....if the damage was there previous to taking it in then they would never had accepted it in the first place...my bet is that they damaged the stone while tightning the prongs

ask to see the original repair envelope...look for the $6100 valuation and if there is any recorded remarks about the condition...an absence of a plot with damage recorded may be all the proof you need to show they are possible suspects.

Whoa - uh yeah, can anyone say shady?!

Golfgirl, I would be quite concerned about this discrpancy at Jareds - it would be a very bad thing for a store to do, but you never know.
I agree with J.M that it seems very odd two ppl checked your diamond and didn''t notice what sounds like a large amount of damage..

Golfgirl, I really hope that you get some answers, from Jareds and your insurance, I will cross my fingers

Aside from this, I would just like to take the chance to just remind others reading not to be complacent about your insurance !
Your normal home owners or contents insurance will Not cover damage, or loss or theft outside the home. If you think about the nature of jewellery, it is usually outside the home !
Please everyone make sure your coverage is sufficient and current

 

[golfgirl]

Update for everyone!

I didn''t even bother going to Jared''s. When I got my ring back, I did sign off on it...so I am sure they would use this against me

I did however find a Jewelry/Estate Buyer in my area that buys broken diamonds. After shopping for diamonds all day on New Years Day, we went there on Friday. It was a very small store with lots of estate jewelry and pawned items. For such a small place, there were about 15 people inside. I waited for someone to help me...a nice gentlemen, younger came over. He asked my what I needed. I told him the story about the diamond. He snagged my ring and broke out his loop. He laughed and said, it''s just a chip in the side, not a crack. He grabbed some pliers and promptly got the diamond out (let me tell you how much that scared me). He took the diamond and we went into his office and put it on the microscope. Yep - it was a long chip in the side of the diamond - not a crack. It didn''t even look that bad...Jared''s was definitely out in left field on this one. The jeweler told me he could get it re-cut with no problem and that it wouldn''t cost more then a couple hundred dollars. Since the chip was under the girdle, he said I wouldn''t loose any table size on the diamond...so that was cool. There was also a good size chip off of one of the corners on my princess as well. So we decided to have it smoothed out so that it is flat and to do the same to the other 3 corners. So my princess will sorta look like the angles on an asscher cut. Once we get the stone back we are going to look at some other mounting options. I currently have a "V" style mounting. I may look at a basket style and mount it the princess near the top and then have the bottom showing if that makes sense. My diamond started out as a 1.0 K. We measured it with the chip on the side and on the corner and it came out to .994 The jeweler didn''t think I would loose too much more weight after smoothing out the side with the long chip and flattening out the corners...maybe down to about .980 I am crossing my fingers that this works I will know more this week....I should get a call to let me know how much they will be shaving down and smoothing out, as well as the price...I will keep everyone posted.

ALSO................all of my other jewelry is now insured. I did specific schedules on my wedding band and two watches of my husbands. We also did an umbrella plan for anything else that is under $2500 in value. With our camera on there too it came out to about $88/year. Wish I had done that before....live and learn!

 

[kindred]

I''m so glad this story has a happy ending.

 

[Dreamer_D]

I'm glad it worked out, although I am still very suspicious about Jared's.

And not to be silly or anal, but "carat" like the weight of a diamond is indicated with "ct."... I only mention it b/c you were using "k", which refers to thousands of dollars, and one poster thought you meant $$ not weight when you said your diamond was 1k.

 

[golfgirl]

Sorry for the goof on the "K" instead of "ct"

Funny, I was just giggling at someone who spelled it carrot (like the vegetable)!

I am such a dork sometimes

 

[beechezz]

Golfgirl,

I am so happy that this can be fixed without too much of a loss to your diamond! What a relief for you! Please post pics after you are done with the reset!

 

[Steel]

Date: 1/5/2009 1:37:19 PM
Author: dreamer_dachsie
I''m glad it worked out, although I am still very suspicious about Jared''s.

And not to be silly or anal, but ''carat'' like the weight of a diamond is indicated with ''ct.''... I only mention it b/c you were using ''k'', which refers to thousands of dollars, and one poster thought you meant $$ not weight when you said your diamond was 1k.

That would be me

.

I am glad your diamond was not cracked, please let us know how the reset works out.

I wonder can you claim for the reset on your insurance?