Find your diamond
Find your jewelry
shape
carat
color
clarity

Store Lost my Diamond!

Status
Not open for further replies. Please create a new topic or request for this thread to be opened.
B

Brando

Rough_Rock
Joined
Sep 7, 2005
Messages
44
I''m so angry!!

This is the diamond I bought from Whiteflash a few weeks ago
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/how-does-this-princess-look.33542/=

GIA Cert
G
VS1
1.06 Caret
1.01 LxW
Depth was something like 71
Table was about 67 (Don''t remember exact numbers at the moment)
Very good
Very Good
Medium Girdle
Crown height was 13% I believe

I specifically asked the whiteflash folks to help me pick one that was very brilliant and shined well. And was happy with my diamond. I took it to a jewer in LA and designed a setting and asked them to set it. Well they called me this morning and said they lost the diamond!
29.gif


This is the diamond they are offering in return.
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/how-does-this-princess-look.33542/=
She gave me the depth and table % and the depth is like 71 with the table slightly smaller I''m too angry to remember the exact figures. I explained that I specifically bought a diamond that was very brilliant and sparkled well and she of course said hers was as good as or better than the one I brought in.

The one they are offering is bigger 1.12 vs 1.06, slightly better color F vs G. Same Clarity VS1, GIA certed as well, same VG symmetry and VG polish as the one I brought in. She said if they didn''t find my diamond she would put this "better" diamond in the setting as replacement. I said to go ahead as long as I could bring it back and work something else out if I didn''t like it.

I''m just stunned, frustrated, and ANGRY! It seems like a good deal but I''m unsure what to do here. I plan on getting it appraised as soon as I receive the ring so I can find out if I am getting at least the same monitary value but the real part that angers me is how much research and searching I spent finding my diamond that is now gone. UGH!!! I''m just mad as hell and I don''t know what I can do about it. They lost it and are trying to offer me something better, it''s not the same but how do I know if the light return or brilliance is as good or equal to the one I had? Man this is not a good day!
 
OMG!!! I would be livid!
29.gif
How does one lose a diamond? Not kool.
38.gif
I would tell them you get to pick the replacement as you choose the orignal and it is not your fault that they lost it. You poor thing, that is just awful. Perhaps RockDoc could help? Or maybe John?
 
That''s absolutely horrible!! I''m so sorry.

Do you have the certificate from Whiteflash? Maybe take that to the appraisers and have him/her compare that to the new one they are offering.

I''ll keep my fingers crossed that your diamond will show up. Where could it have gone??!?!?!
 
WOW! That is every jeweler''s worst nightmare. We take very strong precautions to make sure that never happens, but it can and rarely, does.

While I have great empathy for the mortification the jeweler is suffering right now, I have more for you. Do not be pushed in to letting them set anything until you have given your approval. I applaud them for trying to move you up a grade and a little on the size, but since you bought the stone based on cut be sure that the cut is equal to what they lost. It is entirely their responibility to make good on this, not yours to accept what they offer.

If they are unable to offer what you are willing to accept then show them the reciept from WhiteFlash and either have them get a comparable stone from Whiteflash or write you a check in the full amount that you paid. It sounds as if they are going the extra mile to make good, so try to take a deep breath and go in prepared to play nice, be firm, but fair.

Wink
 
OMG that is just terrible. Yes I''m sure it is very rare, but that doesn''t make you feel any better. How the heck do they just loose a diamond???? Oh geez, I am so very sorry, that sucks!!!!!!!
29.gif
 
What are the chances that it is truly lost (as in when nobody was looking a freak gust of wind from an open window pushed your diamond onto the floor only to get stuck in the tread on the sole of somebody's shoe, then when he was walking home and stepping off the curb it worked loose and fell into a drainage grate during the rain and it is now washed out to sea).

vs.

"fell" into an employee's pocket, as in employee theft?

50/50?
75/25?
90/10?

Or would you say there is zero percent chance it was stolen?

I hate to think a jewler would hire a person like that, but humans are human.
I imagine they run background checks.
But really now . . . how can a professional jeweler LOSE a diamond?

Is there a chance there is intentional diamond swapping going on and they hope you do not send it out to get appraised?
Of when you do they might accuse YOU or the appraiser of doing the swapping?

How could you prove you didn't swap it?

This business depends on trust.
You trusted them.
They blew it.
I would absolutely insist on a cash settlement of at least what you paid Whiteflash after they screwed up in this way.
Period!
 
Brando I am soooo sorry this happened to you. I can''t imagine how you must be feeling especially after spending so much time and effort into finding "the one". I just hope somehow this wrong is able to be righted
38.gif
 
Date: 10/1/2005 3:35:55 PM
Author: kenny
What are the chances that it is truly lost (as in when nobody was looking a freak gust of wind from an open window pushed your diamond onto the floor only to get stuck in the tread on the sole of somebody''s shoe, then when he was walking home and stepping off the curb it worked loose and fell into a drainage grate during the rain and it is now washed out to sea).

vs.

''fell'' into an employee''s pocket, as in employee theft?

50/50?
80/20?
90/10?

Or would you say there is zero percent change it was stolen?

I hate to think a jewler would hire a person like that, but humans are human.
I imagine they run background checks.
But really now . . . how can a professional jeweler LOSE a diamond?

Is there a chance there is intentional diamond swapping going on and they hope you do not send it out to get appraised?
Of when you do they might accuse YOU or the appraiser of doing the swapping?
I would absolutely insist on a cash settlement of at least what you paid Whiteflash after they screwed up in this way.
Period!
Click to expand...
It seems unlikely that a jeweler would risk their company''s reputation for a single stone. And it seems unlikely that any one would risk jail for a single stone rather then several. Plus most stores have well hidden cameras some that even new employees are not aware of. I would be very sad if that was what happened but it does strike me as unlikely. JMO I am sure some of the professionals will chime in here on the likelyhood of it having been stolen.
I would say it was more likely misplaced, they are after all quite small things.
 
Hi

This is so bad!
38.gif
No matter what you decide - keeping their stone or having them pay you out an amount - get everything in writing! keep a "log" of dates you have spoken to them and to whom you have spoken and request a written confirmation of what they say during the conversation.

Maya
 
I am so sorry to hear about your missing diamond. How horrible! I think Wink said it best. Don''t let them bully you into taking a susitute diamond that you don''t love as much as the first one.
 
Brando, do you realize you didn't post the correct link to the replacement diamond they offered?
You posted your original stone twice.

Whiteflash lists two 1.12ct, F VS1 princesses, but has no scanned certifictes on either stone, no Sarin reports, no photos, no IS photos.
I think this means it is not in their vault.
Nothing wrong with that but the diamond belongs to and is being sold by someone else.
WF, Bluenile and many others have access to sell many stones that aren't theirs.
Sort of a scratch my back and I'll scratch yours thing.
Your LA jeweler can buy it directly from whomever has it without going through WF (at wholesale price BTW), though they may be trying to give you the impresion they are getting it from whiteflash (at retail price) since you seem to have a link form WF.

This would save them quite a bundle.
I'd insist on the full refund of what you paid WF.
This is *their* mistake.
 
Brandon,

I am so sorry to hear that this happened with your jeweler. I just sent you the original Ideal-Scope, Photo, Sarin and GIA report scan via email for this diamond. I have to run out for an engagement this evening, but will be available tomorrow.

Please let me know if we can be of assistance.
 
Sorry I pasted the wrong link up there. This is the link to the diamond they have that they are offering in return. Unfortunately there''s not much info here.

http://rondels.gemspot.com/cgi-bin/rondels/14630827.html

I want to believe they are being on the up and up, I have driven to LA twice and spoken with these folks over the last couple months and they seemed very trustworthy and honest. It''s called Rondels jewelry and it''s in the International Jewelry Center of the diamond district in LA. Everyone in this building seems reputable and I checked their BBB record before buying from them and all appeared well. So I''m taking what they say at face value.

She was very honest and up front about it, she said this has never happend before and they feel horrible about it but that the diamond was just missplaced and they hope to find it this weekend. If not, they offered the above diamond in return. After posting my first time I called her back and said I would need an independant appraisal of the ring or stone before I could accept it.

I''m a reasonable man, I understand things happen. I doubt anyone would risk their reputation for a 1 carat stone but I''m not going into this stupid. Thank you all for your advice, Wink, thanks for your tips in particular, you''re right it is their duty to make it up to me, not mine to accept what they give. I will pick the person to perform the appraisal from the list of recommended appraisars on this site and make sure they send it there. Is it important to get it appraised before being set?

Honestly I think they are trying to make good on their mistake and I may even get a bump up in diamond size and color because of it, but I''m not taking chances. Cut is the toughest part for me to judge, It''s very square but without being able to look at it I just can''t tell.
 
Hi,

I just read your post, and how awful.

Please have your NEW diamond apprasised (by someone YOU select) before accepting it. Have the jeweler send the stone to the appraiser BEFORE you sign anything or accept it officially.

I just had a replacement done (for totally different purpose). Anyway - they offered me a "little larger". ..and upgrades on Clarity and Color - but the stones that they had in stock DID NOT EVEN COME CLOSE to what my original stone was. I held my ground and got the quality (CUT) that I wanted. I used the IS scopes, SARIN and Brilliancescope results to make sure it matched.

This is an awful situation, but please take the time and stick to your guns when a replacement is involved. It TRUELY may be worth to them .. what your original stone was.. Remember.. these are TWO differnent markets. Your money may go farther with WhiteFlash - than it does in a local store. They may be doing the best by you that they can - and that is honerable - but not your problem.

You should get the same quality that you came in with. Not just a better "clarity" or color.

So, Take your time. Use an apprasier hopefully that has a lightscope, brilliancescope and other equipment so that you can evaluate apples to apples with your new stone.

I''m so sorry. I would be LIVID if I were you.. take care,
 
I am unable to see the depth or really any info except the measurements. Could you see the GIA info?
 
XXXX (Aw - don't worry to much - mistakes happen - WF will make it right.
Seems like they are trying to do well by you.)XXXX

Scintillating...


Oops Edit* I'm not sure I understand.
You bought from WF, shipped to Rondells for Setting.
Then Rondell's LOST the stone? EEK!
I don't think I'd trust Rondell's to replace your stone!
I'd ask them to make you whole, reimburse you!

Sheesh! If it was WF I would have suggested that you give them (WF) a chance to make it right - but what Rondell has done is just ridiculous!

If you do have this diamond from Rondell'ss set, the independent appraisal (with all the Reports/Info) should be on their dime - and even then it should be your choice whether or not to keep the stone.

Get the stone appraised before it is set! They cannot perform certain tests on set stones!!!!!
 
You need to bring the appraisal to them and get completely reimbursed. NO excuse. NO replacement by them. JUST financially reimbursed.
 
I got the diamond sent by WF then drove to LA and discussed having a set made and the stone set at Rondels. It was after that when the stone was lost.

I hope they find my stone over the weekend so I don't even have to worry about any of this but I will be talking with them Monday morning.

Can anyone recommend a good appraiser in the LA area? I'm going to have them appraise the stone before setting. Gemsecure looks to be the closest place to LA listed on this site and they have ideal and firescope images so that I could compare them to what WF took of my original. I will not accept a diamond that doesn't have an equally good cut. If they can't meet my expectations, I'll be getting a check from them.

I have very little info on the diamond they are offering now except what I've already posted about. I did find where I wrote the table and depth, Depth 71.6%, table 71%.
 
Brando,

If you bought a branded stone from WF, the jeweler should replace your stone with a comparable or identical brand. ‘Comparable’, by the way, means that you agree that it’s an acceptable substitute.
For example, most WF purchases come with a trade-up policy at the purchase price that lasts forever and will serve as a credit against another purchase at the then current WF prices. There are other brands with similar or even better programs and many people consider these offers when they are buying their stone. You may or may not consider this valuable but if you do, and the stone is sourced from someone other than WF, you will be losing this feature and they should be offering an alternative program that you count as acceptable. I, of course, understand that a dealer would be galled at the whole idea of buying from a competitive dealer but, in this case, that really may be the best way to resolve this. Fortunately for them, WF doesn't charge a big premium for their name. Imagine if you had bought your stone from eightstar
6.gif


If the lost stone turns up within 30 days of the purchase, they can even return it to WF for a full refund or they can just sell it in the store if it suits their product mix.

Incidentally, this may be a covered loss under the jewelers insurance policy if they have one. They should talk with their insurance agent.

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ISA NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver
 
RE: Is it important to get it appraised before being set?
=========================
Yes!

Wink
 

Oh Brando, I''m so sorry!!


I sure hope the diamond turns up over the weekend so you don''t have to keep worrying about all this.


But if it doesn''t, I wouldn''t accept a diamond from them. As it was mentioned above, I would want all the "features" of a WF diamond, because, you did in fact pay for them!


Good luck and keep us updated.

 
I hope they find your diamond. I can''t believe it isn''t there somewhere unless is fell on the floor and it ended up in the vacuum bag or somehow fell into the waste basket and at this point is irretrievable.

This is a very bad situation -- you are not the average customer who is going to be appeased by a larger stone with a slightly better clarity and color when the cut is only average. I personally would not feel right about it unless they either replaced it with another diamond of equal quality with all the accompanying reports that the lost diamond came with or reimbursed me, and preferably the latter. Otherwise you are in the position of having to take what they have to offer when you might not be satisfied with it.

I would be horrified if this happened to me, but the jeweler does have insurance and should be able to reimburse you with no problem. Thankfully this is not a family heirloom diamond.
 
Picking a suitable and equal replacement........


It is my opinion that doing this will be a bit difficult. WHY because even if you find a stone (particularly with fancy shapes) with the exact same proportions, it may not perform equally.

WF does send their stones to a gemologist to examine them, so conferring with that appraiser, and the WF staff (I know Bob there is an excellent gemologist) I believe is essential, since they saw the diamond that you had, and can match up the closest diamond that would equal the light return performance of the one you had.

If you had your stone reviewed by an independent appraiser who performed more reporting and testing, that may be essential as well.

I''d rely on the selection of your replacement with people who actually saw the diamond you had, so it could be replaced as closely and exactly as possible.

WF''s Sarin data should have every facet angle data that will help in getting the stone that you''ll like as much as the first.
Hopefully they will locate the diamond.

Was the diamond inscribed or gemprinted? If it was that can certainly be a tremendous help if they say they found it, and you need to ascertain if it really is the one you left them.

Hope this helps

Rockdoc
 
Rocdoc and the other experts make some fine points.

The only solution is to have them give you every cent you paid Whiteflash for this stone. I''d take my business elsewhere. Maybe Whiteflash can make the setting you are looking for.
 
Date: 10/2/2005 1:22:14 PM
Author: Jelly
Rocdoc and the other experts make some fine points.

The only solution is to have them give you every cent you paid Whiteflash for this stone. I'd take my business elsewhere. Maybe Whiteflash can make the setting you are looking for.
Click to expand...

Not trying to be troublesome here, but returning every cent may not make brado whole ( put in the identical, exact position he was in a moment before the loss).

One must consider if the pricing on the stone actually increased from the time WF sold the stone until now.

Also Brando spent a considerable amount of time in picking the "ultimate" princess for him, researching as from his post it seems he was extremely selective in picking out that stone. That has to be worth something as well.

Further, if Brando paid an independent appraiser for addition information, that has to be taken into consideration as well, including any subsequent expense he paid for Gemprinting/ B Scope test etc. if they were done, plus any shipping expenses he incurred, as well as any future costs in getting these services done again.

Hope Brando placed insurance properly on the stone. If he did, then his insurance company will reimburse him properly and subrogate against the jeweler on his behalf, thus making the stress and emoitional strain of this much more easy to deal with. I sincerely hope that Brando got a valued at/stated value policy, as those extra costs would be covered in his claim, where as in a replacement type policy those additional value issues probably wouldn't be considered or reimbursed.

Rockdoc
 
Another worm for the can:

Is he entitled to the price he paid WF, or the value printed on the appraisal that came with the stone, which is always much higher?
 
Date: 10/2/2005 1:40:46 PM
Author: kenny
Another worm for the can:

Is he entitled to the price he paid WF, or the value printed on the appraisal that came with the stone, which is always much higher?
Click to expand...

Kenny...

That''s a good question. But answering it has to involve some very serious analysis by a professional.

He might be entitled to the higher value, if the higher value has some supportable reason for being valid.

If it the purchase price isn''t disclosed, and a complete narrative explanation as to the salient details of WHY the higher value is valid, then probably the higher value wouldn''t be the basis for consideration.

This is a part of the appraisal report that is really vitally imperative to have when such an issue arises.

Rockdoc
 
Question:

DID YOU SEE THE POLICE REPORT?


I assume that you must file a police report for a lost stone? Especially if the store was claiming (on insurance..) if was lost.

If they haven't called the police yet? Should you?

Just curious???
 
Kenny,

A competent appraisal will state the intended use of the appraisal and will disallow any other usage. These aren’t just weasel words to help the appraiser avoid responsibility. It’s done this way because the different situations can lead to important differences in the value conclusions and changing the intended use is an important change in the situation.

It’s extremely likely that the intended use of the appraisal was for securing insurance coverage. This is not the situation currently being discussed. The value conclusion in the appraisal probably doesn’t apply.


Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ISA NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver
 
Status
Not open for further replies. Please create a new topic or request for this thread to be opened.
GET 3 FREE HCA RESULTS JOIN THE FORUM. ASK FOR HELP
Jewelry Blog
PriceScope-Concierge-Ad
Find prime cuts.
Top