Intricate platinum ring re-sizing

[colbydog]

I recently purchased a ring from a reputable online vendor. I should have done a better job getting the size, but I didn''''t. Familiar story, I guess. Well, needless to say, the ring needs to be sized from a 7 down to a 5. It is platinum and has some engraving and small side stones. The online jeweler says they could resize it no problem. Two reputable local jewelers (who sell the same castings) said they would do it, do the best job they could, but they have concerns and pointed them out to me. I''''d like to order another exact ring and stone in the correct size pay for it, and return the incorrect size one. The online vendor has a 30 day return policy, but they are leaning towards not doing this, but just resizing. They assure me all will be well. This may be true, but it''''s my money, my fiance, and I''''m just not comfortable doing this. The online vendor has been great to deal with, but this is a once in a lifetime thing (I hope), should it not be the exact way I want it? I really, really don''''t want this ring cut up and resized. I just can''''t see it being right. But I am not in the industry... I''''m just concerned if it is not right - no matter how small that chance is - I''''ve got to deal with that, and a return outside the 30 days, etc, etc, etc. Granted, a return now becomes the vendor''''s problem. But that''''s their policy and a cost of doing business.

 

[Islandia]

I may be misinformed, but I was under the impression that they usually stock these rings in a standard size (i.e. 6) and then resize it when you make the purchase. So if they resized it once to a 7 I don''t see how it would be any different resizing your current one to a 5 rather than a "new" one that was resized from 6 to 5. I''m assuming this isn''t a custom setting since you said several jewelers offer the exact same thing.

 

[Michael_E]

colbydog,
Sizing a platinum ring involves very high heat and if done properly, the finished ring will be just as good as if it had been ordered in that final size. Soldering in platinum is more like welding than soldering and you should not be able to see any seam nor will the ring be weaker at the sized spot. If it were me, I would allow the initial supplier to size it to the required size and not worry about it at all.

 

[denverappraiser]

Date: 5/20/2005 2:06:27 PM
Author: Michael_E
colbydog,
Sizing a platinum ring involves very high heat and if done properly, the finished ring will be just as good as if it had been ordered in that final size. Soldering in platinum is more like welding than soldering and you should not be able to see any seam nor will the ring be weaker at the sized spot. If it were me, I would allow the initial supplier to size it to the required size and not worry about it at all.

I agree, up to a point. If the sellers return policy is 30 days for any reason, and you are within your 30 days then you have a vaild return. It shouldn''t matter exactly what your complaint is or whether they are able to do an excellent and undetectable job of sizing. If you insist, they should approve the return.

Islandia is also correct that with many designs the mounting will be sized for almost every customer as a regular part of the manufacturing process.

If the ring was the correct size, would you be otherwise satisfied? If so, I agree with Michael that you should give the jeweler the opportunity to resize it. The end result will be the same as if they give you a new mounting and then size that one. Make sure that the return period extends beyond when the finished ring will be presented to you and you have the opportunity to inspect it.

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ISA NAJA
Independent Appraisals in Denver