Need Help Fast!!

[MrsBaynard]

I have an Art Deco engagement ring and yesterday I discovered the center stone is fake. It''s set in platinum with side diamonds which are real. The seller has agreed to give a refund however, we were married on Sunday Oct. 4th using just my engagement ring as I have not found a band I like yet. I don''t know what to do?

I want to keep the ring and replace the center with an OEC. I estimate the setting to be worth $900 and my husband paid $2300 for the ring. The glass center stone is about .75 and I''m not sure $1400 would cover the cost of a replacement stone.

I did some price comparisons online and I can''t figure out what constitutes a good bargain but it looks like $1400 will not cover it. I notice with OEC''s clarity is very important and color not so much. Any suggestions?

I need to make a decision by tonight. Should I keep and replace the center with what''s left or return for a full refund?

Thank you.

 

[D&T]

I would request a full refund, I wouldn''t trust the seller at this point. Take lots of pictures of it, and you can have it replicated later.

 

[Todd Gray]

If you like the design of the ring and it is truly vintage and not a reproduction of an Art Deco design, I would be tempted to keep the ring given the sentimental value. You might consider working with an independent Gemologist / Appraiser to represent your interests the obtaining of a replacement diamond to ensure that you get what you are promised. There is a list of appraisers available via the Resources link at the top of this page.

While the seller obviously made an error, to their credit they appear to be trying to work it out. Realize that once the ring has left their possession that the burden of proof rests with you as the consumer to prove that they sold you a ring with a fake center stone and that you did not replace the center stone with a simulant... So a disreputable jeweler might well have responded with the "it was real when you left the store" defense and it would be a case of he said / she said. Note that I''m not defending the incident, merely trying to point out that you might actually be working with a jeweler with a basis of ethics who merely made an error in judgement and/or did not check out a vintage piece closely enough? It''s difficult to say without knowing (a lot) more about the situation.

 

[MrsBaynard]

I don''t know what to make of it either. It makes sense to bring the ring back get the money and choose another. But it''s now my wedding band.

The setting is Art Deco, plat stamped with an inscription dated 9/2/1931. The side diamonds and center stone were tested with an electronic diamond tester. Sides passed, center failed. I was surprised when they gave in so easily. I think it was a mistake on their part but..........it''s not like I would have got a phone call, Hey lady you paid too much for that ring come back!

 

[tyty333]

Date: 10/7/2009 1:06:47 PM
Author:MrsBaynard
I have an Art Deco engagement ring and yesterday I discovered the center stone is fake. It's set in platinum with side diamonds which are real. The seller has agreed to give a refund however, we were married on Sunday Oct. 4th using just my engagement ring as I have not found a band I like yet. I don't know what to do?

I want to keep the ring and replace the center with an OEC. I estimate the setting to be worth $900 and my husband paid $2300 for the ring. The glass center stone is about .75 and I'm not sure $1400 would cover the cost of a replacement stone.

I did some price comparisons online and I can't figure out what constitutes a good bargain but it looks like $1400 will not cover it. I notice with OEC's clarity is very important and color not so much. Any suggestions?

I need to make a decision by tonight. Should I keep and replace the center with what's left or return for a full refund?

Thank you.

But how much did the seller say he wanted for just the setting? I would find out that information first. Or
decide you are going to offer him less. Do you have a picture of the ring that you could post? That might
help us out some.

 

[MrsBaynard]

True, I don''t know how much they want for the setting, but I do know it should not cost more than that. I have been trying to post pics with no luck.

 

[haagen_dazs]

how does an electronic diamond tester work?
could someone enlighten me please?

 

[MrsBaynard]

I didn''t know they existed until yesterday. Do an internet search "electronic diamond tester" or "diamond tester". It looks like a big pen. They touch it to the stone and it measures "something??" and determines if the diamond is real or not. Some measure heat in the stone others are calibrated for moissonite and simulated stones. There''s a light that goes up and down a labled scale. And there''s one that simply says "diamond" and if the light comes on it''s real. I don''t know how accurate they are but I had it done three times at 2 seperate stores and all I got was no, no, no.

 

[D&T]

Date: 10/7/2009 1:50:41 PM
Author: MrsBaynard
I don''t know what to make of it either. It makes sense to bring the ring back get the money and choose another. But it''s now my wedding band.

The setting is Art Deco, plat stamped with an inscription dated 9/2/1931. The side diamonds and center stone were tested with an electronic diamond tester. Sides passed, center failed. I was surprised when they gave in so easily. I think it was a mistake on their part but..........it''s not like I would have got a phone call, Hey lady you paid too much for that ring come back!

eactly- thats why I''m so hesitant to even keep the setting...it seems like hey.. if she doesn''t know what does it matter attitude?

anyways, therefore just me personally I would return, but if you are inlove with it well sounds like you would keep it still?

 

[MrsBaynard]

Sorry for the long delay in answering but I have a happy ending. We took the ring back last night and I was prepared to let it go. The salesman apologized profusely. There was a lack of communication between him and the owner. The ring had been sitting in a safe for a long time. The salesman found it and put it in the jewelry case. I came in that same day and bought it. The salesman never tested the center diamond. He assumed it was real because it was in the safe. He never asked the owner if it should be put out for sale. So the owner gave us a full refund and my husband asked how much for the setting. He gave us the platinum setting with diamonds for $150.00. So we received a refund for $2150.

Given the sentimental value and the fact that the side diamonds are real I can''t argue. I''m glad it worked out and I will be extra careful next time.

 

[ms.halo]

VERY happy ending to your story! Sounds like you got a great deal on the setting!

 

[D&T]

Date: 10/8/2009 9:52:47 AM
Author: MrsBaynard
Sorry for the long delay in answering but I have a happy ending. We took the ring back last night and I was prepared to let it go. The salesman apologized profusely. There was a lack of communication between him and the owner. The ring had been sitting in a safe for a long time. The salesman found it and put it in the jewelry case. I came in that same day and bought it. The salesman never tested the center diamond. He assumed it was real because it was in the safe. He never asked the owner if it should be put out for sale. So the owner gave us a full refund and my husband asked how much for the setting. He gave us the platinum setting with diamonds for $150.00. So we received a refund for $2150.

Given the sentimental value and the fact that the side diamonds are real I can''t argue. I''m glad it worked out and I will be extra careful next time.

glad it worked out!