Old Mine Cut question/problem

[Weezie]

Hi -

I''m new to this forum and I need your help. I took my grandmother''s engagement ring to a reputable jeweler in the Boston area to be re-set as a bezel set pendant. The diamond is an "old mine cut", or at least that''s how the jeweler described it. It apparently had a few chips on the sides (which I could not see, but I''m a novice at this).

While re-setting it, something happened and the chips extended into teh pavillion. That''s how the jeweler described the problem. It''s a sentimental stone for me, and the jeweler is offering to have it re-cut, but that of course will make the stone smaller. They did not disclose to me beforehand that this was a possibility.

My question is what should I do? Should I allow them to recut it? Should I tell them they need to replace it? How do I estimate/find out how much they have damaged the stone?

I''m furious and heartbroken all at the same time.

Weezie

 

[internallyflawless]

Tough situation for you and the jeweler - I am sure it wasn''t their intention to have it happen - either way, I think they''re on the right track - recutting is a great option.

In my experience - you''ll loose between 10-30% (usually closer to 10%) of the diamond weight. Again depending on the inclusions you should be able to yeild an ideal cut diamond - an excellent light performing stone.

Recutting could cost in the range from $200-$500 - maybe the jeweler can offer some kind of break on the recutting for the mishap......

good luck

 

[Richard Sherwood]

If you had insurance on the stone, it should cover the cost of recutting, as well as the loss in value due to the smaller carat weight.

 

[pyramid]

Just a consumer here but I have heard some people who own OEC diamonds with chips say that they just accept the stone like that as apparently it is something that happens with these cuts due to their very thin/knife edge girdles. Did the jeweller say the stone had to be recut, as you are going to wear it in a pendant it would not receive the abuse a ring would.

However Richard Sherwood and others on this board are the experts so I would go with their advice. I believe that Oldminer who is an appraiser on this board is very knowledgeable about oldmine cut and older style cut diamonds maybe he could answer your question also.

 

[Weezie]

Thank you for all your advice so far.

I haven''t seen it yet since it has been damaged, but the jeweler told me they either need to replace the stone or re-cut it. Either option will be at the jewler''s expense (or I will file a claim against them) since they damaged the stone and they did not advise me beforehand that this was a possibility. When a jeweler takes possession of a stone, they have a responsibility to not damage/ruin it. This jewelery failed that responsibility.

 

[solange]

Date: 6/29/2005 10:50:49 PM
Author: Richard Sherwood
If you had insurance on the stone, it should cover the cost of recutting, as well as the loss in value due to the smaller carat weight.

I just called the agent who handles all our insurance. I was told that my insurance would not cover damage to a stone while it was being worked on or reset. She said that would be up to the jeweler''s insurance company. On another post. jewelers, including Wink, said they are unable to get insurance of this kind.

She checked the policies of Liberty Mutual and Firemans and neither would cover the cost of recutting or loss in size in this situation. Perhaps she is mistaken but she checked and seemed very certain about this.

 

[IrishEyes]

This is a tough situation weezie

It looks like recutting is the best option. When they inspected the stone before working on it, were you there in the store? Did they come back out and tell you about the chips that were there before the work was done? Or did they tell you all this after the fact? Jewelers are supposed to thoroughly inspect pieces with a scope or loupe before working on items and while you are in their presence. Then you are supposed to sign a paper that discloses the jewelers findings, and your signature means that you understand what is wrong with the stone and that if anything happens to it in the jeweler''s possession, they are not held accountable. Did any of this happen?

I definitely think recutting is the way to go, as this is a sentimental piece to you and you don''t want to lose it. It is a very unfortunate situation, I agree....

 

[mrssalvo]

HI Weezie,
I don''t know if your still checking in but there is a current thread discussing this very topic going on now.
A bunch of people have chimed in including Jewelers so it might give you a little more insight into your situation.

Here''s the link

 

[Weezie]

I''m still checking in! Thank you for the link to the other discussion. I''ll go check it out.

I left the stone with the store -- they told me this would take a few weeks to do. They processed my request without telling me any of the risks or disclosing what if anything was wrong with the stone. Before I left teh store, the clerk who helped me choose a style (he did not process the request at the cash register) came up to me and said that I was smart to have it put in a bezel setting since there were a few chips on teh outside and the bezel setting would help protect teh stone. I told him that what he said made me feel better since this was my grandmother''s stone and I was concerned about it being okay. I didn''t know I would have to protect the stone against the jewelers too!

 

[mrssalvo]

oh, I know how disappointed you feel. i have an Old European Cut stone and it managed to get 2 chips on the girdle. Unfortuately, it''s very common in old stones. I hope you will find a workable solution.