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HELP!!! What do I do!?!?!

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suemann

Rough_Rock
Joined
Sep 13, 2005
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My husband purchased a 1.5 carat diamond (2.0 carat total for the ring) for me from whiteflash and gave it to me less than 2 years ago when he asked me to marry him. I had the ring set shortly after and have had no problems. Today I get to work and I notice a huge crack in the diamond, on the side to the left of the prong (not touching the prong). I am so upset I feel like crying. I showed some of the ladies at work, and no one has ever seen a crack in a diamond like this. It''s not even in a place where I could have caused it, in my opinion. Plus, it seems I would remember hitting the ring on something hard enough to crack the stone! I am so careful with it, it''s become a running joke to friends and family. I take tremendously good care of my ring. I clean and inspect it often. I have the setting checked every six months for loose stones. I am careful not to wear the diamond while doing anything strenuous.

Is there any recourse? Can whiteflash help me? The ring is not on my homeowner''s insurance because it appraised for over $25,000--making it too high for coverage. It cost about $8500 for the stone and setting. What frustrates me most is that we canceled the independent insurance we took out on the ring after the first three months. Insurance was $250 a month, and we figured we have enough to replace the stone if I were ever to lose the ring so the monthly payment just didn''t seem to make a lot of financial sense. PLEASE don''t flame me for not getting insurance. I''m upset enough and I''m wondering if there''s anything I can do to get my ring back to normal. Diamond''s don''t just crack, do they?
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Marissa
 
Oh, and I left a message with whiteflash and haven''t heard back. I''m in panic mode, so I figured I would post here--the same place my husband and I looked to for advice when making the big purchase!
 
I am sorry that your diamond sustained damage. I don't know how it happened but it is certainly possible. Something surely happened that obviously was not apparent to you. If knocked just the right way, the diamond could crack (perhaps at an inclusion or just the right cleavage angle). At this point, I doubt WF can do anything for you, or anyone else for that matter to make it back to "normal".
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Can you post a picture of how bad it is?
 
maybe a picture and picture of the inclusion plot would help? It sounds like you might need to purchase a new one if it bothers you too much and you can afford it. This time I would recommend contacting some of the PS appraisers until you find someone who can give you a more realistic value, maybe an "internet value" or something of that sort, so that you can keep insurance on it next time.

I am sorry to hear that it happened. I remember back when my brother was talking about his ering purchase and how he was going to buy a used ring. We both agreed there was nothing to worry about, afterall, they are diamonds! they aren't going break just because they are old right! They are the hardest material on earth right!

but then I later discovered that hardness is not the same as toughness, and they certainly do break, chip, and all the other things associated with moderately tough materials...I am sorry you had to find out this hard of a way...


is it breaking the crown of the diamond? if just the pavilion maybe it is stable enough to get place in a new setting that might hide the crack better?
 
Your original appraisal sounds very fishy to me $25k for an $8500 ring and it''s only 2 years old?

Regardless, I''m so sorry you''re going through this. From what I know of WF, they''ll do everything in their power to help, or at least advise you on how to proceed. There are times when recutting is possible. While it might drasticly lower the weght of the stone, at least you''re keeping YOUR stone which you can then set into another setting (if the one you have won''t accomodate it). I would take it to an appraiser for an assessment of the damage.
 
You bought a ring for $8500 and want to insure is for $25,000, why? The replacement value will only be $8500 and you are wasting money by over insuring the ring. Why would a vendor sell you a ring for $8500 if it is worth $25,000, they won''t.
 
Date: 9/26/2007 1:04:29 PM
Author: claimsguy
You bought a ring for $8500 and want to insure is for $25,000, why? The replacement value will only be $8500 and you are wasting money by over insuring the ring. Why would a vendor sell you a ring for $8500 if it is worth $25,000, they won't.
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don't flame the poor woman for that man, totally uncalled for. And for the record, most insurance companies will only insure it for what the appraisal says, and then replace for you what you actually had. Thus, it wasn't her decision. The appraisal is what the insurance company is interested in, not what she says it is worth. Sure some appraisers give more realistic pricing than others, but that is no reason for you to put it like that when she is, with good reason, obviously very upset.
 
No pp, I don''t want to insure the ring for $25,000...that was the point. I didn''t get the insurance. I decided I would rather replace the ring than pay $250+ a month. In hindsight it may not have been the best idea, but oh well, too late now. From everything I''ve seen, rings typically appraise for at least double the cost. Why, I have no clue, I''m not in the diamond business.

Whiteflash said they couldn''t do anything. I''m starting to think the diamond was flawed. There''s just no way I could have hit the dang ring hard enough to crack it without noticing. Guess I''m screwed and I''ll be buying another diamond.
 
Huh, my ring appraised at just 1k more than what I purchased it for.
 
Date: 9/26/2007 1:10:08 PM
Author: suemann
No pp, I don't want to insure the ring for $25,000...that was the point. I didn't get the insurance. I decided I would rather replace the ring than pay $250+ a month. In hindsight it may not have been the best idea, but oh well, too late now. From everything I've seen, rings typically appraise for at least double the cost. Why, I have no clue, I'm not in the diamond business.


Whiteflash said they couldn't do anything. I'm starting to think the diamond was flawed. There's just no way I could have hit the dang ring hard enough to crack it without noticing. Guess I'm screwed and I'll be buying another diamond.
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Well, there are some like denver appraiser on here who I think would be able to offer more realistic pricing.

I don't know why so many do it either, I would guess to cover inflation, variability in diamond pricing per date and location of your replacement purchase, and maybe to make their customer a little excited when they give him/her an appraisal value? A happy customer is a good customer...

One one level it makes sense. If your insurance company had a particular policy in regards to where or how they provide you with a replacement value of equivalent value, and the insurance price you paid for was less than the price it would cost them to get you that replacement, then you would not be able to get that replacement. Thus, the appraiser may be taking that into account and trying to cover the customer's butt by overvaluing.

Not all do that though, if you communicate to them what you are interested in having done and why you want it done. Just talk to them beforehand and it should work out.

also, From what I have come to understand, it doesn't really take a HARD hit, it just takes the RIGHT hit.

but I still say put up a picture of it and a picture of your inclusion plot, if only to give a warning to anybody with similar inclusions, as it might be worth taking a look at to see if it may or may not have to do with already present inclusions.
 
I am sorry about your diamond, that is a shame. I vaguely remember another PS member posting that she cracked her diamond on a shopping cart...I think that if it is hit just so, in the right spot, it can be done. Again, I am sorry...I hope that you and DH can come to some sort of conclusion that works for you.
 
Date: 9/26/2007 1:10:08 PM
Author: suemann
Whiteflash said they couldn''t do anything. I''m starting to think the diamond was flawed. There''s just no way I could have hit the dang ring hard enough to crack it without noticing. Guess I''m screwed and I''ll be buying another diamond.
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I''m not sure what you mean by the diamond is flawed. It doesn''t take a hard hit to damage the diamond. A slight knock at the right angle (and perhaps at the right spot if it is a natural inclusion) could well just do it. It is quite misleading to think that diamonds are near indestructable because of their hardness.
 
Suemann,

I’m sorry to hear of your loss.

$250/month is a ridiculous premium for a $25k policy and, as has been mentioned above, $25k is a ridiculous appraisal for a $8500 diamond. Although diamonds are very hard, they are a bit brittle and it is possible to chip them with just the right impact. A forensic appraisal may give you some clues about whether the diamonds was defective but, frankly, I doubt it given the 2 years of continuous wear with no trouble.

With a proper appraisal, your insurance should cost something on the order of $100-$200/year as a rider attached to the typical homeowners policy unless there’s some hugely mitigating circumstance that caused them to ratchet your rates.

It may be possible to recut or repair the damaged stone so you won’t have lost 100% of your investment. WF may be able to help with this or if they don’t do this kind of work ask your appraiser (after you find a new appraiser).

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Jewelry Appraisals in Denver
 
Thanks everyone. I don''t have a camera at work, but I do have my GIA certification complete with the inclusion plot. It''s a VS2, and there''s a needle inclusion in the exact spot where the diamond cracked. Does that change anything?
 
Date: 9/26/2007 1:10:08 PM
Author: suemann
I''m starting to think the diamond was flawed. There''s just no way I could have hit the dang ring hard enough to crack it without noticing. Guess I''m screwed and I''ll be buying another diamond.
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I looked back at your previous threads & saw that your stone is a VS2 Princess with a medium-tk girdle. It was graded by a good lab, right? If that''s the case I do not think it "was flawed". You can tell yourself whatever you like but if you read around here & other places you''ll see that cracked stones are not uncommon & many people don''t remember doing it. The princess shape is seemingly more prone to cracking because of the double whammy of flat sides & pointed corners -- if the sides are exposed, all the more vulnerable.

For your next stone ... find a new appraiser ... one who will give a real world replacement value to turn into your insurance company. Some people like to be flattered by sky high appraisals -- so they feel like they have more than they do ... others want closer to purchase price so they can pay a fair amount.

$250 a month sounds like a LOT. Was it freestanding insu. or a rider on your home policy?? Shop around next time. Many of us have stones/rings in the same price range and are not paying NEARLY that amount. I think it''s about 10x what we pay -- but I''d have to check.

Before you shop for a new stone -- I''d also investigate getting your current stone re-cut. Re-cutting is CHEAP comparatively. Even if you ended up with lost weight -- you''d at least HAVE your original stone in wearable shape.
 
Date: 9/26/2007 1:27:20 PM
Author: suemann
It''s a VS2, and there''s a needle inclusion in the exact spot where the diamond cracked. Does that change anything?
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It might explain why the stone was vulnerable to cracking in that exact spot ... but as to responsiblility for it chipping: still unfortunately *yours*. If you''d wanted an Internally Flawless stone, you''d have had to pay for one. And if you wanted to be insured in case of loss or damange, you''d have had to pay for that as well.
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Thanks everyone. The comment that the ring was flawed was a dumb comment by an extremely upset ring owner. I guess it''s just hard to believe that someone who takes such great care of a ring could run into a problem like this less than two years after purchasing it.

My homeowner''s insurance wouldn''t cover it. They said the appraisal was too high for coverage under a rider policy.
 
When you get a new ring, look into Chubb or Jeweler''s Mutual for insurance. I have a seperate policy with State Farm for my rings and have been very happy with them as well.
 
I would talk to Bill Bray about repairing your stone or send it too on of the PS appraisers for evaluation and advise on a re-polish
If its a corner that's broke the cut cornered princess cuts are popular these days and it might be able to be cut into one.

edit: Bill's contact info: http://www.brayscore.com/contact.cfm?Contact
 
please do think about finding a different appraiser. 25K for a less than 9K ring is crazy, who would want to pay premuims on that? none of us would want $250/month. I had a policy for my old ring that had $8500 coverage and it was something like $15/month on my homeowners rider. you might need to shop homeowners policy''s while you''re at it
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...a stand alone policy like chubb and jewelers mutual are always good options to consider as well.

i''m so sorry though, it has been know to happen where gals have cracked their diamonds.
Definitely look into the possible of having it recut, maybe you can salvage some of the stone. I''m just so sorry
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I can understand your frustration, at least on a small scale. I had a pair of diamond earrings I loved that were lost, but as they cost less than $500 they were not covered under homeowner''s insurance. I do have my anniversary band insured through my homeowners on a separate rider (though it cost much less than your ring did) because I wanted peace of mind to enjoy and wear it, without the fear of being out all that money and the ring if God forbid something happened. You took a risk (a gamble), unfortunately it didn''t come out in your favor. Hopefully the next stone you get you can get a realistic appraisal so it can be insured. As far as insurance, I think this is a great forum for all kinds of information related to diamonds and gemstones, so if the insurance people say something fishy, or you are unsure of your options re insurance, you can always ask about it here as well!
 
I would ask the insurance to cover you for the cost of the ring from WF if you still have the receipts. I would argue that you just found out that your appraisal was inaccurate and flawed, and you just want the $$ you spent back. Worth a try.

My diamond appraised for... a bit more than what we purchased it for 4 years ago. My setting had appreciated too. But altogether it was due to the price increase in metals and diamonds recently. And it was no WHERE NEAR double-- I think it appraised for around 3,500 more than he paid for it(although I don''t know the exact amount of the purchase) 4 year ago . I think you got taken by the appraiser.

For your next stone I highly recommend Denverappraiser. I was concerned about sending my ring in the mail. But I''m so glad I did as it''s now safely insured with a Chubb policy that costs me about 220 a year. Your premium is just, way to high.
 
Date: 9/26/2007 5:44:52 PM
Author: Gypsy
I would ask the insurance to cover you for the cost of the ring from WF if you still have the receipts. I would argue that you just found out that your appraisal was inaccurate and flawed, and you just want the $$ you spent back. Worth a try.

My diamond appraised for... a bit more than what we purchased it for 4 years ago. My setting had appreciated too. But altogether it was due to the price increase in metals and diamonds recently. And it was no WHERE NEAR double-- I think it appraised for around 3,500 more than he paid for it(although I don''t know the exact amount of the purchase) 4 year ago . I think you got taken by the appraiser.

For your next stone I highly recommend Denverappraiser. I was concerned about sending my ring in the mail. But I''m so glad I did as it''s now safely insured with a Chubb policy that costs me about 220 a year. Your premium is just, way to high.
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Homeowners insurance has a "jewelry and furs" coverage built into iit regardless of whether you have a separate policy for your ring. However, it will not cover this sort of damage. And even if it did, the item (and aggregate) limits on jewelry and fur are quite low, which is why people get riders. I think calling and fighting with your insurance company would be fruitless.
 
So sorry to hear - your situation is unfortunate, as this is the type of thing that an insurance policy on the ring would have covered.

It seems that all you can do now is decide whether you are going to spend the $$ to get another stone or not. You can see about getting the stone polished or recut, but depending on the size and location of the crack, it might not be worth doing.

If you do choose to get another stone, definitely get it insured this time - after getting a reasonable appraisal (as suggested) - since your previous one was definitely inflated and overpriced. I''d also get a policy that does a cash out, not a replace like-and-kind. I have a Traveler''s policy on my ring, and they pay out instead of replacing. Good luck.
 
Date: 9/26/2007 3:30:20 PM
Author: mrssalvo
please do think about finding a different appraiser. 25K for a less than 9K ring is crazy, who would want to pay premuims on that? none of us would want $250/month. I had a policy for my old ring that had $8500 coverage and it was something like $15/month on my homeowners rider. you might need to shop homeowners policy's while you're at it
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...a stand alone policy like chubb and jewelers mutual are always good options to consider as well.


i'm so sorry though, it has been know to happen where gals have cracked their diamonds.

Definitely look into the possible of having it recut, maybe you can salvage some of the stone. I'm just so sorry
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Totally agreed! Unfortunately it sounds like your ring took a hit at just the right spot. Princesses are also notorious for cracking at the corners if they aren't protected well. But unfortunately, it is your fault, and the diamond isn't flawed...it just happens.

It is a common misconception that just because diamonds are very hard they are really hard to crack. But they're not! Hit it at the right angle and that baby is going down unfortunately...

And you really need to re-check the insurance thing, I know there is a bit of a difference in prices with our rings (mine was only about $4500), but I only pay $50 a YEAR to insure it. Surely yours can't be more than 60 times that to insure it?!?!?! Makes no sense... Are you sure that it wasn't $250 a YEAR? You really paid $250 a month to insure it?

I'm so sorry this is happening to you...it really sucks all around.
 
I really feel for you. I''d be sick.
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Hopefully you will get a stone to replace it that you love even more.

It can''t hurt to have a talk with your homeowners insurance carrier. After all you only need the stone replaced not the whole setting and if you have proof of what you paid just for the stone they may at least help you out partially.
 
I am so sorry. Are you sure it is an actual crack and not a piece of dirt or reflection of something trapped along the prongs? Have you tried gently cleaning it? Can you feel a crack there?
 
well, $250x24=$6000, so you almost broke even...that 6K you "saved" can get you another diamond now right () : )
 
Date: 9/27/2007 12:57:16 AM
Author: :)
I am so sorry. Are you sure it is an actual crack and not a piece of dirt or reflection of something trapped along the prongs? Have you tried gently cleaning it? Can you feel a crack there?
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This is indeed a possibility, you could take it to an expert ASAP for advice. So sorry about this
emrose.gif
 

I appreciate the kind words and helpful suggestions. Just a bit of an update from my end. I went to the local jewelry store where my diamond was set (large local chain) to view the crack in the microscope. Perhaps the most frustrating moment was when the jeweler said "no problem, we will send this off and have it replaced immediately. This is exactly what our warranty is for." That was before she realized I purchased the stone elsewhere (at whiteflash) and just had it set there. She assured me that any large, refutable jewelry company would likely have the same policy. I told her I wasn''t sure, my husband dealt with whiteflash and decided to go with them after speaking with them at length about their diamonds vs. local jewelry stores.


I spoke with my husband last night, and he informed me that he was told about whiteflash''s "fantastic lifetime warranty" when he purchased my stone. He decided to purchase from whiteflash as opposed to the large local chain where we first looked and eventual had the stone set. The warranty from whiteflash was one of the deciding factors as the local store offered a lifetime stone guarantee.


So after speaking with my husband last night, we again called whiteflash and explained that we just wanted to take advantage of the lifetime warranty for the stone. That''s when I was told that loose stones are not offered the same warranty, unless they are kept in their loose state. Meaning anyone who buys a stone from whiteflash and has it set locally (like almost all of my friends to whom I previously recommended whiteflash have), the stone is not warrantied. They knew we found a setting locally that we liked, they knew we were having it set locally from the minute we began dealing with them, yet they still proudly promoted their "lifetime warranty" when comparing their company to the national mall chains. He since called whiteflash back and is waiting to hear back from the higher ups. I have since read on this board that the whiteflash warranty only offers protection for manufacturing defects; again, this is something that wasn’t mentioned. That being said, the least they can do is look at it and see if it was a problem on their end or on mine.


I realize this happens, but the policy is misleading, or at least he was misled by the sales representatives, and that''s why he''s frustrating.


For anyone interested, my setting is a cathedral set diamond with prong set diamonds on the sides.


I felt that the stone was protected well by the setting. In fact, the setting isn''t damaged or scratched at all. Seems like if I hit it hard that would have happened. Like others said, it must have been a small hit in just the right spot.


I think the hardest part about this is not knowing I have to get another ring. I don''t care if I pay for it, insurance pays for it, I am given another stone by my grandma (who has already offered), etc. I just want the ring that I was proposed to with less than 2 years ago. My mother still has her stone in tact 40 years later, my grandparents 60 years later. It''s sad to think I did everything I could to take care of it and preserve it and this still happened.


Again, thanks for listening and helping out.

 
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