Diamond is loose in the setting

[kaoms352]

I purchased a engagement ring (2.3 carat) from a very reputable pricescope vendor and my fiancé said she thought the diamond may be loose in the setting. Upon inspection I noticed you can spin the diamond around in the setting! Is this something that can be fixed easily and would the vendor cover this since they set the ring in November?

 

[MissGotRocks]

I'm sure the vendor would cover it but they might want you to have it done locally. Give them a call first though so you don't void any warranty on the setting.

 

[Laila619]

Yikes! I would give them a call. Luckily you guys caught it before the diamond fell out.

I would also consider switching to a 6 prong setting, if you have a 4 prong.

 

[kaoms352]

Is it normal to charge $80 for shipping to have warranty work?

 

[MissGotRocks]

I'm sure the shipping costs include insurance as well. That's why I thought they might authorize you to go to someone local but I guess they want to take no chances with someone damaging the diamond. I've seen it come up before and I know it is a lot of money to have a stone tightened but they can check the mounting out as well to make sure there are no issues with it. Would you consider changing the head to a six prong? If so, you could have that done while it's there.

 

[ame]

It's not even 2 months old (maybe not even a month) and you're being charged at all? I don't think that's fair.

 

[kaoms352]

It's not even 2 months old (maybe not even a month) and you're being charged at all? I don't think that's fair.

I would have thought this was covered under warranty. $80 is nothing compared to what I paid for the ring but obviously this was not wear and tear.

 

[distracts]

I would have thought this was covered under warranty. $80 is nothing compared to what I paid for the ring but obviously this was not wear and tear.

Even a week is plenty of time to put enough stress on the prongs to loosen them. So it very well could be wear and tear. And I often see repairs under warranty where you still have to pay for the shipping.

 

[Hera]

Is it normal to charge $80 for shipping to have warranty work?

Yes, it's normal. I sent my ring to Ritani via an authorized seller and it was $100 for shipping. If there will be additional charges, I think I would push to have those waived considering it's so soon after setting.

 

[msop04]

kaoms352,
Although I probably wouldn't like to pay for shipping while still under warranty, I'd definitely be thankful that your DF noticed this before it was too late and the diamond was lost. Hopefully, this won't happen again.

 

[CharmyPoo]

I wouldn't want to pay it too but a lot of the stuff I have sent in for warranty usually involved me paying shipping for one way.

 

[kaoms352]

Ok, if it is standard then I understand. Thanks.

 

[swingirl]

While you were in the Bahamas did the ring spend much time near the sand? Think back if there were any activities that could have caused damage.

If you mail the ring back to the vendor using US registered mail if will be much less expensive.

 

[Laila619]

It shouldn't be loose in the setting after just one month. I think it would be very nice of the vendor to send you a prepaid label.

 

[kaoms352]

While you were in the Bahamas did the ring spend much time near the sand? Think back if there were any activities that could have caused damage.

If you mail the ring back to the vendor using US registered mail if will be much less expensive.

We went to the beach but didnt really touch the sand. We went to the Bahamas a month ago and it wasn't loose when we got back.

 

[kaoms352]

It shouldn't be loose in the setting after just one month. I think it would be very nice of the vendor to send you a prepaid label.

I agree. I believe it is loose because it was not set tight enough. I dont think I should have to pay for their mistake. My fiancé has never dropped the ring and she works inside. I doubt it is loose because of "wear and tear".

 

[MissGotRocks]

Did you relay that to the vendor? I would tell them how you feel and see what they say. It really shouldn't have worked loose in a month and I so understand your frustration.

 

[kaoms352]

Yes, I emailed her a second time saying that this is warranty and why should I have to pay. Still no bending. I will pay the $80, its not a big deal but I was just wondering what everyone's opinion would be and to make sure I wasn't be ridiculous. Its funny because I have recommended two friends to this website in the last month and then this happens. I probably won't recommend them again...

 

[Maisie]

Are you being charged for the warranty work?

 

[kaoms352]

I have to pay to ship it to them and then pay $80 for them to ship it back.

 

[Maisie]

If the diamond wasn't loose when you received it and it wasn't loose when you returned from your vacation something must have happened to it to loosen the stone? And if that's the case you will have to pay the shipping costs if you want the original vendor to repair it. That's the downside to buying online. The vendors are usually a considerable distance from where we live.

 

[kaoms352]

I would expect the prongs to be tight enough to endure normal office wear worn by a woman for at least a year and not need to be tightened after a month of normal wear. The ring has never been dropped or knocked against anything.

 

[Laila619]

I would expect the prongs to be tight enough to endure normal office wear worn by a woman for at least a year and not need to be tightened after a month of normal wear. The ring has never been dropped or knocked against anything.

Yes, me too. Very disappointing that they won't budge.

Sounds like a setting issue to me. This happened to a previous poster, and BGD said that sometime setting compound is accidentally left under the prongs, so the diamond appears to be tight at first, but then when the setting compound eventually goes away, you have yourself a loose diamond.

 

[kaoms352]

I would expect the prongs to be tight enough to endure normal office wear worn by a woman for at least a year and not need to be tightened after a month of normal wear. The ring has never been dropped or knocked against anything.

Yes, me too. Very disappointing that they won't budge.

Sounds like a setting issue to me. This happened to a previous poster, and BGD said that sometime setting compound is accidentally left under the prongs, so the diamond appears to be tight at first, but then when the setting compound eventually goes away, you have yourself a loose diamond.

Do you remember if this customer was charged for the repair?

 

[Artquest]

Crazy! I don't understand why you have to pay to ship it over there, and then $80 to get it shipped back. I live in FL for example, and had my ring shipped from NY and it was $80 for the whole round trip, not a one way! (It should be arriving tomorrow, got sent out on Friday)

 

[Jim Summa]

Hi Kaoms352,
Sorry about your diamond, maybe this will help.
I wouldn't call it rare for a diamond to loosen a little after its been set. The reasons can vary but the best case scenario is that it turned into a low spot.

If you look at the profile of the stone, and turn it slowly while keeping a keen eye on the facet heights, you will see peaks and valleys as you turn it. Most times this results in a stone that when/if becomes loose moves ever so slightly (back and forth) in the setting. This means on a stone your size you could turn the stone with your fingers towards were the table "squares" up and the diamond will tighten up because the high spots on the stone are back under the clamps. When I set a stone my tightness test is to grab it and try to turn it as hard as I can. The last thing I would ever do is over tighten it , first, because of breakage and second because of metal stress.

If this is indeed why your stone loosened its not your or the jewelers fault. If it repeats after tightening then things should be reassessed as in workmanship/design.

Hope this helps and Good Luck!

 

[Hera]

Now, return shipping at that cost is not as normal, IMO. I paid the $100 and it was rt shipping.