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I'm paranoid but is there a chance my diamond was switched?

Paranoid3100

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jul 28, 2013
Messages
4
About a month ago I was with a friend At a chain diamond store Where she was showing me her future wedding band. The saleswoman asked if We would like our rings cleaned it and we said yes. She told me that since my ring was not from not store she wanted to check to make sure it was not loose before she put it through the machine. She was gone a few minutes and I saw her vaguely through a window. When she came back she let me know that my prongs had some damage and offered to show them to me through the microscope. I looked and saw the damage. She then asked if I had gotten it appraised what the value was and if the damage had been noted. She cleaned my ring and my friend and I went along our way. My friend mentioned that she had heard of people switching diamonds and that sometimes the prongs are damaged. I've been feeling slightly paranoid ever sense. I have a D color VS1 diamond if that helps at all. Thanks
 
Re: I'm paranoid but is there a chance my diamond was switch

It can happen but it is highly unlikely, especially since you were standing in the shop and she offered to show you your own stone under a scope. Did your stone originally come with a certificate or a possible numbered inscription on the girdle?
 
Re: I'm paranoid but is there a chance my diamond was switch

I did have it appraised as soon as I got it. If I go to a em appraiser do I just ask them the check to make sure it's the same stone?
 
Re: I'm paranoid but is there a chance my diamond was switch

If you are super worried, then yes take the original certificate, valuation or whatever it is. Keep in mind some valuers are less strict than others so you could actually get the same weight but a different diamond colour or clarity for the same stone, depending upon who did it originally. Does it look different in colour? Sparkle differently, look like a different size - what is it about it that makes you think it could be a different diamond?
 
Re: I'm paranoid but is there a chance my diamond was switch

I think it is extremely unlikely for that to happen in any reputable store.
I don't know the size of your stone, but the likelihood of the store having a loose CZ at just the right size, ready to be popped into your ring while you wait in the showroom, seems in itself to be small.
 
Re: I'm paranoid but is there a chance my diamond was switch

I feel like it sparkles differently now; however I'd only had it for about a month when I cleaned it so I am still learning my ring. I also feel like the facets are different if that's possible.


Here's a picture if that helps

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Re: I'm paranoid but is there a chance my diamond was switch

I second the notion that it's extremely unlikely and your story doesn't have the slightest hint of a problem but matching a stone to a lab report (assuming you have one) is usually pretty easy an any case. Any competent gemologist can do it, usually while you wait and while you watch. Matching to an appraisal is sometimes a little harder and it depends on the quality of the appraisal but usually that's pretty easy as well. People worry about this way way more than it actually happens.

Go see a pro. While you're there, have them show you under the microscope what it is that makes it a VS1. Normally that'll be a distinctive feature that YOU can see with a magnifier. This will be what to look for next time if you get worried again.

It's pretty common to have a different 'look' by the way. Clean diamonds look different from dirty diamonds. The progress is slow as it gets dirty and you don't tend to notice it but the cleaning is immediate and the difference is obvious.
 
Re: I'm paranoid but is there a chance my diamond was switch

Your picture is not in focus but it appears to be a very pretty ring. I have read where studies have been done and very seldom does a jeweler switch out a diamond.

I agree with Arkieb. Diamonds come in different sizes, different colors, different clarities. It takes a while to take a diamond out of the setting, find another diamond close to the same diameter, color, clarity, etc., pop it back in the prongs and have it sit correctly and straight. It does not sound like they had that much time. It would not, however, take much time to bend or mess up a prong with a tool but this would be highly unethical and I'm not saying they did this. It is completely possible you received the diamond with the prong having a bit of damage, or if you accidently hit it on something or if it possibly snagged on something. You might consider purchasing an inexpensive loupe so that you can become familiar with your ring, prongs, diamond, it's color, and its facet pattern, etc. :))
 
Re: I'm paranoid but is there a chance my diamond was switch

Very improbable.
 
Re: I'm paranoid but is there a chance my diamond was switch

I agree with the others: possible, but highly unlikely that they would have a replacement stone (or CZ, etc.) of the same size just waiting there to be reset. If you are truly concerned, however, take it to an expert and put your mind at ease.
 
Re: I'm paranoid but is there a chance my diamond was switch

I agree it probably sparkles in a different way because before it was dirty, built up grime etc dulls the brilliance and general fire of a stone and after it was cleaned it should have looked more brilliant, got its fire back again and the facets should have become crisper which I think explains what you are seeing.
 
Re: I'm paranoid but is there a chance my diamond was switch

The poor shop lady was trying to offer you great service!
but instead she just made you worry. :nono:
 
Re: I'm paranoid but is there a chance my diamond was switch

It seems odd that you only had the ring for a month and you had damaged prongs. It is not unlikely that certain jewelers ask to clean your ring only to find something wrong so they can add a repair charge. I see all the time where a client will say another jeweler told them their stone was loose or a prong messed up when nothing ia actually wrong with the ring at all.
 
Re: I'm paranoid but is there a chance my diamond was switch

The ring was actually a family ring he inherited from his great grandmother so the ring is not brand new.
 
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