Help! Diamond popped out of Elsa Peretti stacking ring!

[HopeDream]

Hi everyone,

I have a lovely little silver Elsa Peretti stacking ring that I've been wearing 24/7 for the last few months. This afternoon I was cleaning it and it slipped out of my hand, bounced on the floor and the diamond popped out.
Both the diamond and the ring appear to be in good shape (no chips to the stone).

I thought bezeled stones were supposed to be secure!
Has this happened to you?

How much would it cost to have Tiffany fix it for me? (Would they do it for free?)
Should I just give up and shop around for alternatives?

I'm so sad! It was my favorite stealth bling.

 

[cflutist]

Did you purchase the ring from Tiffany?
If so, I have read where they have helped e.g. replaced a chain the broke for free, etc.

If you bought it "pre-loved", then it wouldn't hurt to call and ask.

Good luck.

 

[thecat]

It won't hurt to ask Tiffany if they would do the repair and the cost of repair. Then you can decide if it's worth repairing. Can you post a picture of your ring? Is it bezel or burnished set?

 

[HopeDream]

Hi Cflutist, I got the ring as an estate piece last fall, so I'm not sure what sort of service I can expect. One day I will be rich enough to buy the complete Tiffany experience, but not yet.

Hi Thecat, The ring was burnished set (maybe only semiburnished?) like this one but a diamond http://www.tiffany.com/Shopping/Ite...6270+10&search=0&origin=browse&searchkeyword=)

Since the ring is of no use to me now and since seeing it around only makes me sad, I've gone ahead and printed and filled out the repair form and mailed the ring and the diamond off to Tiffany. (So, sorry, no pics )I looked at the setting under a microscope and the stone seat had so little material to work with, that I'm sure none of my local jewelers have the skill to fix it.

I read online forum posts circa 2007 that Tiffany used to re-set diamonds for free, provided you still had the loose stone, but I would not be surprised if that is no longer the case. I leave the fate of my ring to the good graces of Tiffany . If the repair cost turns out to be exorbitant, I can either replace it with another from the used market for about $100 + shipping, or take this as a cue from fate to push forward more quickly with another project as a replacement.

I'll keep you updated on the turn of events.
Here's hoping for a positive outcome!

Anyone else had experience with Tiffany repairs?

 

[LoveLikeCrazy]

I have only had issues with repairs of broken chains and the lobster claw on my bracelet. I have also sent items for some deep cleaning and polishing. I am lucky enough to have a tiffany store within driving distance. They usually take you into an office and look at the piece and then give you an estimate. After the estimate they actually photocopy your items and describe the condition and make you sign off. They ask if you would like to be called if the estimate is off. Then they ship it off to NY and you can choose to either pick up in store or they will ship to your house.

I have paid $50 to repair a broken silver chain, and i believe it was $25 a piece for the polishing in NY (these were both silver pieces). I don't remember the cost of the lobster claw.

 

[momhappy]

Hi Cflutist, I got the ring as an estate piece last fall, so I'm not sure what sort of service I can expect. One day I will be rich enough to buy the complete Tiffany experience, but not yet.

Hi Thecat, The ring was burnished set (maybe only semiburnished?) like this one but a diamond http://www.tiffany.com/Shopping/Ite...6270+10&search=0&origin=browse&searchkeyword=)

Since the ring is of no use to me now and since seeing it around only makes me sad, I've gone ahead and printed and filled out the repair form and mailed the ring and the diamond off to Tiffany. (So, sorry, no pics )I looked at the setting under a microscope and the stone seat had so little material to work with, that I'm sure none of my local jewelers have the skill to fix it.

I read online forum posts circa 2007 that Tiffany used to re-set diamonds for free, provided you still had the loose stone, but I would not be surprised if that is no longer the case. I leave the fate of my ring to the good graces of Tiffany . If the repair cost turns out to be exorbitant, I can either replace it with another from the used market for about $100 + shipping, or take this as a cue from fate to push forward more quickly with another project as a replacement.

I'll keep you updated on the turn of events.
Here's hoping for a positive outcome!

Anyone else had experience with Tiffany repairs?

I had a repair - it was no charge and their customer service was excellent.

 

[thecat]

I think it's possible for burnished set diamond to fall out when the it isn't held in with enough metal. Hope you have a positive experience e to report.

 

[baby monster]

I have bezeled earrings in a daisy-type design. A diamond popped out few years ago and I had to take it for repair. With the cost of diamond it was around $100 or slightly more. I think the bezel just wore out or didn't have enough metal in the first place. Get it fixed and enjoy your ring again.

 

[motownmama]

I have the Etoile in Plat - got it 2nd hand. I stupidly put it in the ultrasonic and a stone fell out. I sent it to Tiff repairs in NY and I think it cost $100. No problems since and I wear the ring constantly and am hard on my hands.

 

[Sunstorm]

Wow, these are very high cost repairs. Any goldsmith with considerable skill can reset a stone, if you have a good one, you should just use them. Normally, in my area where it can be very expensive, it costs in the vicinity of 15 USD max. to have a stone reset. 100 is super high, I am not sure how they justify this price.

 

[motownmama]

I'm questioning whether my repair was in fact a little less. Definitely not below $50 though

 

[Sunstorm]

Definitely ouch but then it is Tiffany, one may wonder though why they do not fix their own pieces either for free or at a very low cost unless the owner obviously did something negligent or wrong, it may not be structurally wrong but we know even dropping pieces can in unfortunate cases damage settings, it can be argued whose fault it was but I still think they should offer great customer service, it should not be what they make money on but perhaps this is only my take on the issue. Hopefully OP can get her beloved piece fixed at a reasonable price.

 

[HopeDream]

A quick update:
I received a call from Tiffany today and they will be shipping out my repaired ring tomorrow.
I'm cautiously optimistic. The after sales care representative made no mention of a repair fee.
I'll let you know more when I receive it.

 

[HopeDream]

Great news! The ring is home, the stone was re-set beautifully, and it came back polished too! Tiffany took care of everything at no charge. Amazing!

I must admit I was expecting corporate lip-service to customer care and a hefty repair fee, but Tiffany delivered what I would consider to be PS vendor level customer care pro bono. I guess customer service isn't dead.

I think Tiffany has earned a place on my bucket list for an in-store purchase.