How to Return a Diamond for a Refund Safely

[Laurenw]

I purchased a diamond ring in St. Maarten while on a cruise. To make a long story short, the diamond did not appraise out . Although the EGL rating indicated a "G" color grading, a GIA certified appraiser appraised the color as a "K". Fortunately, the diamond ring was guaranteed by the cruise line''''s shopping service. At first, the merchant wanted to send me another diamond as a replacement. However, my appraiser told me that the likelihood was that any EGL certified diamond would likely be appraised at least 2 color grades below the EGL rating. Thus, in his opinion, an EGL "G" would appraise as an "I" at best. In my case, it appraised 4 color grades lower. Of course, the salesperson in St. Maartenn said it was a great stone and would easily appaise back in the states as a "G". After many weeks and much discussion with the shopping service, the jeweler agreed to refund my money for the ring.

The question now is how to return the ring and get my money back. I''''m afraid the jeweler may say that the diamond I send to him is not the diamond I bought. Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can safely make this exchange. Thanks for your suggestions.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I have no idea how to advise you, other than to be SURE it is sent insured with a confirmation for when they receive it. Definitely do NOT consider an exchange. 100% of the stories we hear on here about jewelry purchases in the islands are a very bad deal. You can do MUCH better by coming on PS to learn about diamonds and buying in the US.

 

[angeline]

I think the safest way is for you to send the diamond to an independent appraiser that you and the jeweler agree on. He confirms it is the diamond in question and then sends it on to the jeweler.

A little complicated but hopefully fool-proof against any accusations.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

The problem with that is that she already took it to an appraiser who said it did not match what the cert said! So I don''t think that idea will work in this case.

 

[denverappraiser]

The appraiser said he/she didn’t agree with what the lab report said, not that it wasn’t the same stone. These are very different things. If the company has agreed to take it back for a refund you’re doing well and they are standing by their promise. This is a pretty good sign that they’re being fairly reasonable. Using an independent appraiser as an escrow type service works if you’ve got one in town who will do it but not all will agree to offer this sort of service because of the liabilities and, in some cases regulations involved.

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

 

[elmo]

Neil, are you saying that the appraiser could potentially handle the return logistics as well? I hadn''t thought about that but it''s a great idea.

If that doesn''t work, it sounds like the cruise line''s "shopping service" has been working on your behalf. Since they''ve helped negotiate a return with the seller, I wonder if they have a standard procedure for shipping and insurance. The advice that applies to US returns may be different for an international shipment.

 

[WorkingHardforSmallRewards]

I would talk to them about the necessary procedures, and whatever happens make sure it is insured. If the only way for it to be insured during transit is for them to email you a prepaid label with insurance, then get them to do it,as it can be done.

When i returned my diamond I actually video taped the whole process...probably a total waste of time, and I mention it here more for humor but anyway... insured and mailed back should work, there are plenty of suckers ready to buy some misgraded diamonds...

 

[Beacon]

I would photograph it, wrap it with great care, send it back insured and hope for the best. If you paid with a credit card you may also have protection through the card company should things go further wrong.

Smart you are to get an appraisal on it! At least you caught the trouble early on. Good luck and I hope they graciously refund you.

 

[denverappraiser]

Part of my shop procedure involves making a video log of every package arriving, being opened and inspected and the reverse when things are shipped out. In part this is to provide good evidence for my own insurance carrier if I ever have a problem and in part it’s just a matter of due diligence just in case there’s ever a fight over what was or was not in a package. Most other appraisers and jewelers aren’t quite as compulsive as I am but they will have some sort of procedure in place to protect themselves in the case of shipping disputes and some are probably far more extreme.

Every appraiser I know has had trouble with cruise port jewelers inflating the grades on things. It’s a huge problem and a major industry. Most of these are operating outside of the US jurisdiction and most have fine print that makes it incredibly difficult to comply with their return policies. For example they often require that the appraiser be a certified gemologist who does not sell diamonds. It sounds reasonable enough until you figure out that ‘certified gemologist’ is a trademark of AGS and you must be a current member to use that title (among other things). The only ones who do appraisals and who don’t sell diamonds are the ICGA’s so we’re down to only 13 eligible appraisers in the whole country! For people who don’t happen to live in the right cities, this is a huge inconvenience and they just give up. Often there’s only 10-30 days to do it, which also sounds moderately reasonable but people forget that often the first 7 days or so are spent onboard the ship so they can actually run out the clock before they even get home from the cruise much less unpack and arrange for a visit with an appraiser.

If the seller here has agreed to accept a return and issue a cash refund, Laurenw is ahead of about 95% of the other Caribbean shoppers who get shot down before this point. This sounds like a reasonable store that’s trying to honor their policies and perhaps who inadvertently sold a misgraded stone. By all means take them up on it.

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