VERY upset, just cracked my diamond in my RHR

[Phoenix]

Date: 2/7/2008 11:02:21 AM
Author: MustangGal
I''m sorry! I did the same thing with my e-ring last year, and the diamond cracked half way accross. I put it in a half bezel pendant and feel much better about wearing it there. (no insurance on the ring, stupid me

)

If Chubb lets you keep the diamond, maybe have it reset into a pendant and get a colored stone for the center, you should be able to do both projects for the money the center would be worth, and get to be able to wear the diamond without worrying and still have the ring.

Thank you, MustangGal.

I am so sorry to hear about yr e-ring and abt your not having insurance too. It''s only because I used to work for an insurance company, well that and the fact that I am quite conservative in nature, that I got insurance (but obviously not conservative enough, cos I didn''t up the insurance limit!

). One just doesn''t normally think about insurance until something has happened to them. It''s perfectly natural, IMO.

If Chubb gives me the full replacement value, I''ll have to surrender the damaged diamond to them. It''s in their policy. It''s only if they give me the difference betwen that and the revised lower amount, that I''ll get to keep the stone. I''m very unsure about what to do - assuming Chubb gives me both options (which they might not; it''s entirely within their discretion, the policy clearly states this). On the one hand, it has loads of sentimental values, on the other hand I am reluctant to wear it because of the bad luck thing (stupid superstitious me, yes

). Another thing to consider is that it is part of a pair of studs, not the centre stone. And they''re old-cut diamonds (that''s what my gemologist told me when he appraised them initially and also the girdle is not even faceted, a feature which I think (?not sure) is associated with antique diamonds). So to find another one to match exactly my undamaged stone, colour, clarity and especially cut-wise, is going to be darn near impossible. I am really not sure what course of action I''d take. I guess it''d really depend on what Chubb says. I will wait to hear from them first before trying to decide what to do.

Btw, did the bezelling not make the crack worse? I am assuming it mustn''t have, otherwise you wouldn''t had it done. I am thinking that the bezel might deliver more impact onto the crack? Or is it half-bezelled because the bezel part (the half bezel) does not cover the crack? Pls share, as it''d help me in my resetting decision if I do keep the stone. Thank you.

 

[Phoenix]

Date: 2/7/2008 11:15:00 AM
Author: autumnlala
I''m so sorry to hear about this!

However, your story has convinced me that I need to get my e-ring set in a bezel, not prongs, since I am VERY CLUMSY and knock my hands around all the time. (I had been debating between the two). Maybe wouldn''t knock my left hand around as much as my right one, but still.

Hope the insurance works out ok for you, what a miserable experience

Yes, if you''re as clumsy as I am - which I doubt, noone is as clumsy as I am - I''d definitely get it bezelled or halo''ed. In fact, I am considering getting my e-ring halo''ed too. It also has a feather on the girdle, very very small but you can see it with a loupe if you look hard enough - being of VS2 clarity. Imagine knocking a 3ct and crack it? Imagine the fight I''d go through wtih Chubb to try and get them to replace it? Insurance is there for peace of mind but at the end of the day, you''d still have to fight for what you want (I know, I used to work for an insurance company and believe me they don''t pay $$$$$ without a fight).

Well, at least I''d get something for it this time but what I am most upset about is the sentiment attached to it.

It is indeed a miserable experience. I could hardly sleep a wink last night.

My moto is: "if you have a feather on the girdle and you''re prone to clumsiness, get yr diamond insured and protect it - with a bezel or a halo", something i definitely should have done!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Lien, I know I have seen new diamonds without faceted girdles. Not that it would really matter as I am sure no one would notice either way. I am sure you could find a match for your ring. I wouldn''t worry about that.

I will tell you that my mother''s original diamond cracked or shattered, and they told her not to attempt to reset it or the pressure could make the diamond break.

 

[Phoenix]

Date: 2/7/2008 11:49:01 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
Lien, I know I have seen new diamonds without faceted girdles. Not that it would really matter as I am sure no one would notice either way. I am sure you could find a match for your ring. I wouldn't worry about that.

I will tell you that my mother's original diamond cracked or shattered, and they told her not to attempt to reset it or the pressure could make the diamond break.

Thank you, DS, for both of your posts and yr wise kind words of advice.

I am still not sure yet what to do. I'm spending my holiday agonising about what Chubb will do and more to the point about what I really want to do and should do, as opposed to resting and recharging myself before I go back to work!

. It really sucks!

I'm trying to take a picture of the cracked diamond and post it on PS to see what you gals and guys think about re-setting it. My husband thinks I'm exaggerating a bit abt the size and severity of the crack. Neither one of us is an expert though, I'll have to defer to you guys and also see what my gemologists and jewellers say about resetting it.

My point about the diamond not having a faceted girdle is that it's an indication that it's an antique diamond (I think my mom bought it from an antique shop in London - Grays on Bond Street). It'd be very very hard, though not impossible I'd imagine, to find a close match to it, esp, from the cut point of view. The two studs are - were rather - an almost indentical match.

Yes, I do share yr view about making it worse if the crack is very very bad. I think it's really bad but not sure what the experts would say.

On the money issued, I am still kicking myself abt not upping the insurance (I know, I am repeating myself. Pls forgive me, I am distressed). Actually, the ring is only insured for USD7k (the 10k was in Singapore dollars). The centre stone is about H-I colour, IF-VVS and is of 0.9ct. The two side stones were of F-G colour, SI, 1.2-1.3twct. They're not certified but I am sure the whole ring is worth more than USD7k. I also doubt if Chubb would replace the whole ring.

 

[Deelight]

I''m so sorry to hear about that, I would be spitting chips. I would personally be thinking that the second hit cracked it and not the one on CNY that way no bad luck.

I hope Chubb comes through for you in the way you want thankfully you had some insurance.

 

[Phoenix]

Date: 2/7/2008 12:04:20 PM
Author: Gypsy
Lien I''m so sorry. ((HUGS)). No advice, just sympathy.

ETA: Happy Chinese New Year.

Thank you, Gypsy. (((HUGS BACK)).

How''s yr mother by the way? and how are you?

 

[Phoenix]

Date: 2/7/2008 12:22:59 PM
Author: coatimundi
Oh--so sorry!

Hugs to you!--Such a sentimental piece.
Sending lots of sympathy your way...

Thank you, Coatimundi.

I really appreciate kind words and sympathy.

 

[Phoenix]

Date: 2/7/2008 1:11:20 PM
Author: Beacon
I am so sorry to hear this! At least you have insurance and you can get your ring put back in shape.

As for bad luck - is there anything you can do to reverse the ''curse''. I know those superstitions sound dumb, but I have many friends who live by them and I can understand that you might feel uncomfortable with this omen on New Year. Hopefully your luck will not be bad.

I empathize with how bad you must feel about the cracked stone and how regretful. I would be so upset too.

Only thing to do is focus on getting it replaced and move on!

Best to you.

Beacon,

Thank you for yr sympapthy and kind words.

I''m not sure how to reverse the curse. I think possibly I''d just have to get rid of the stone somehow. This would mean that Chubb would have to take it, cos I don''t know if anyone else would want to buy a cracked diamond. But then how do I find a replacement for that?

. What a dilemma!

I really hope i can get this sorted out soon.

 

[chirp]

Oh, I''m so sorry. I can understand how you feel because similar thingS happened to me too. I cracked an old heirloom diamond ring after so many safe years and an anniversary topaz the second day I was presented. I am harsh with my hands, arms, legs, and usually end up with bruises.
now,
1- you are not cursed. you are a human being, things happen. do not have bad thoughts think positive so that it ends well. just try.
2- you can put that diamond into a pendant or earring where it would be safe and you''ll have another piece of jewelry
3- at least you have insurance. what if you had none? don''T be sorry for not having it upped but try to make the best out of it.

 

[Phoenix]

Date: 2/7/2008 10:58:37 PM
Author: Sparkalicious
My goodness, Phoenix ... How horribly disappointing for you! I''m sorry that this happened. I know that I would be devastated as well ...

Given what you have shared about superstitions, would they apply if you were able to get this diamond recut/repolished and made into something else? Don''t know if this is feasible, however, this way you wouldn''t technically have a ''cracked'' diamond. It would be kind of like a brand new smaller diamond or maybe even two and you could maybe, as others have mentioned, make it into a pendant or at least part of a pendant ... maybe three stone pendant or something? ... then you could buy a brand new diamond/s to be the biggest stone on the pendant?

Just a thought.

Glad you have insurance ... and by sharing your story, I think maybe you''ve done some good and made a case for some who may not see the virtue in insurance.

Good luck!

Thank you, Sparkalicious.

Yes, it is devastating...am still very upset.

Not sure what I''ll do yet, I''ll also go see a gemologist and a couple of jewellers,, in addition to speaking to Chubb, to see waht''s my best course of actions, purely from a feasbilitly point of view. The emotional side is another thing altogether [sigh].

That was also main intention too (though admittedly, my main motivation in this thread is to whinge a little - oh ok a lot!

- since I know how nice and sympathetic PSer''s are). You should definitely have insurance esp for something that''s not in yr contents insurance or something above the contents limit. Also, make sure you take yr ring off (esp. if you''re wearing it on the same hand that you use most of the time. In my case, my RH gets a lot of beating since I''m right-handed) when you''re sitting at a table and you have a habit of hitting your hand against the edge of the table, like I have many many times.

 

[Phoenix]

Date: 2/7/2008 11:10:42 PM
Author: snlee
Awww Phoenix, I am so sorry to hear! That is awful! It''s good you had it insured and I hope you can replace it soon.

Happy New Year and I wish you lots of luck and happiness!

Thank you, Snlee.

Thank you so much for yr kind wishes.

Lots of luck and happiness to you too in the NY too, not sure if you celebrate it, but it never hurts to wish someone a happy NY, right?

 

[Phoenix]

Date: 2/7/2008 11:11:41 PM
Author: SanDiegoLady
OH NO!!!!!!!!!!!! Saddd!!

I''m sorry honey.

Thank you, SDL, for yr kind words.

 

[Phoenix]

Date: 2/8/2008 3:04:49 AM
Author: chirp
Oh, I'm so sorry. I can understand how you feel because similar thingS happened to me too. I cracked an old heirloom diamond ring after so many safe years and an anniversary topaz the second day I was presented. I am harsh with my hands, arms, legs, and usually end up with bruises.
now,
1- you are not cursed. you are a human being, things happen. do not have bad thoughts think positive so that it ends well. just try.
2- you can put that diamond into a pendant or earring where it would be safe and you'll have another piece of jewelry
3- at least you have insurance. what if you had none? don'T be sorry for not having it upped but try to make the best out of it.

Awww, Chirp, thank you for your wonderful positive words.

You're right, I should be positive and focus on the positive things as opposed to dwell on the negatives. There's really nothing I can do about what's already happened. I need to deal with it, put it down to an unfortunate accident, find out what's the best course of action to take and move on.

 

[snlee]

Date: 2/8/2008 5:38:03 AM
Author: Phoenix

Date: 2/7/2008 11:10:42 PM
Author: snlee
Awww Phoenix, I am so sorry to hear! That is awful! It''s good you had it insured and I hope you can replace it soon.

Happy New Year and I wish you lots of luck and happiness!

Thank you, Snlee.

Thank you so much for yr kind wishes.

Lots of luck and happiness to you too in the NY too, not sure if you celebrate it, but it never hurts to wish someone a happy NY, right?

Thanks Phoenix!

I celebrate Chinese New Year.

 

[Gypsy]

Date: 2/8/2008 12:10:51 AM
Author: Phoenix

Date: 2/7/2008 12:04:20 PM
Author: Gypsy
Lien I''m so sorry. ((HUGS)). No advice, just sympathy.

ETA: Happy Chinese New Year.

Thank you, Gypsy. (((HUGS BACK)).

How''s yr mother by the way? and how are you?

Thank you for asking Lien! I''m doing well! My mother is going in for a third surgery in mid March, which will hopefully be successful and complication free. She''s okay but not great right now, a bit depressed, in pain and disabled, but working through it. She''s very strong. I''m hopefully she''ll be whole again in a year or so, if this surgery goes well.

How are things with you otherwise?

 

[Diamond*Dana]

I am so sorry about your diamond, especially with the sentiment behind it. I had a scare with my three stone last night...I had just finished dressing after my shower and I went to put my ring back on when I dropped it on the hard ceramic floor! Thankfully it did not drop into the toilet

, but the center stone is now loose enough that it spins in the setting

. I scanned the diamonds with my loupe for what seemd like forever, and I did not see anything...but I am so sorry about your ring. I will send you a cyber hug, too!