Would appreciate input re a already purchased diamond situation

[victorianblue]

I have a situation in which I was sold a diamond reported on paperwork as a EGL certified 2.22 carat VS1 color H "radiant" shape--The diamond was not even close.

There is a frustrating & lengthy story behind this fiasco purchase. I have ended up with a 2.18 carat VS2(at best) color K-L "radiant" shape diamond with no cert. Obviously, the value will be different. But I am looking for a member who may be able to provide some insight and information as to what I can do to resolve my lemon of the non fancy variety diamond delema.

As I mentioned at the begining, it is quite a lenghtly story. I will need assistance with someone who has patience.

 

[valeria101]

Wecome to PS

You must have noticed that the threads starting with complaints are among the longest! So... plenty of patience is already in place.

What first comes to mind in the case of a "lemmon" would be - get it appraised! It is not certain wether a certificate will help you case or not: you have already bought an uncertified diamond, even if not in the best of circumstances. It would definitely help to have a professional opinion on what can be done out of what you would consider (and this is not very clear from your post, as far as I understand it, of course).

Regardless, an appraisal could establish whether at least the price you paid is more or less right, whether the stone could be improved by recutting (if you would consider) and how could it be disposed of, if this is what you wish.

If you are still having the (uneasy) option to take the piece back, it would still be good to have an independent confirmation of what exactly the object in your posesion is and is worth.

I hope this makes a little sense

Please feel free to provide as much detai as possible

There is plenty og know-how on this forum to work with, for better or worse

 

[Giangi]

Yikes!

Did someone sell you a diamond with a fake cert or a stone not matching the cert it came with?

Anyway, it sounds like a gross negligence. I suppose you cannot return it, can you?

 

[Rhino]

Sorry to hear of your situation VB. If I were you I'd check the list of appraisers here (https://www.pricescope.com/appr_list.asp) or let your fingers do the walkin and find an appraiser to either confirm or deny your deal. Bottom line is if you're not happy with your purchase/product you should always have the option to return (as long as you didn't wait too long to resolve this).

 

[victorianblue]

Thank you so much for the responses.


The diamond did receive a evaluation from a second jeweler/appraiser who weighed the diamond and conveyed their evaluation with the added suggestion to have the diamond sent to GIA for a Independant certified evaluation report. The jeweler that did the evaluation made sure that the stone never left my sight/packed & shipped the diamond to GIA--I am responsible for the $500 report understandibly.
The estimated time of return is June 12th. There is no doubt that the report will show that the diamond is of lesser quality than stated. In the meantime, I was hoping to get some feedback as to how I could handle dealing with the seller and returning this diamond.

This whole mess began a few years back when my husband purchased my wedding ring from a chain jewelry store. It was a 1.26 carat diamond(uncertified) set in whited gold. The ring was too large & was to be resized. Within a few days of receiving/wearing my ring, we noticed that the ring was very yellow. I was offered the suggestion that I should have the ring "Rhodium flashed" (sp?) or return it for another ring.
My husband & I discussed the ring. While it was nice, I was not totally happy with the style. So, we opted to return the ring. However, there was a catch--I had "upgrade" If I chose to return the ring. We discussed the situation and decided to up the quality(price).
Enter ring #2---
My selection was limited but I found setting that I was very pleased with. The only certified diamonds that they had at that juncture were "Leo" diamonds. I chose a .96 carat SI color G. This jewelry store offered that I could
"trial" this wedding set and if not happy, return it with no problems---

So, off I went with the ring number 2 only to have the white gold turn yellow. I took the ring in and I was told that I must be doing something wrong to make my rings turn yellow. After sternly advising them that I do not do housework or use chemicals while wearing my wedding ring, the reluctenly sent it off to be "Rhodium Flashed". Additionally the "squared off" the shank per my request.
When the ring return several weeks later, it appeared that there were areas on the ring that were not flashed. The diamond was now mounted at a goofy slant & the ring was now sporting a line crack on the bottom of the shank which had be ground paper thin.
The ring was back and forth to the craftsman for repairs
at least 5 times. Each time, there was no improvement. I thought I experienced enough negative happenings with this ring and after what I thought was some serious debating, the jewelry store offered to replace the ring--BUT again I would have to upgrade and spend more money. This is where I fell off the turnip truck folks.

Enter ring # 3 situation: The jewelry store offered me a selection of diamonds from a dealer they were working with-this dealer was not from this area. I made my appointment & went to look at the diamonds. Low & behold, I found a beauty! It was a 2.00 carat "Radiant" shape VS1 color F-it was stunning--and so was the price tag. But I opted to just go for it.

The setting I wanted was not in the store. So, I made a appointment for pick up-which was 6 weeks away. Upon my arrival, I was informed that the diamond had not made it to the store yet but was being "Fedex'ed and would arrive the next day.

I arrived the next day only to be told that unfortunately the diamond dealer had sold my diamond by mistake. However they had a diamond a little over two carats SI color J. Obviously, I was unhappy about the event and I conveyed my dissapointment--why in the heck would I want to buy a a new diamond ring and pay more for lesser a lesser quality stone?
Anyway, my ring #2 was gone to unknown pastures and I was left not ring and the jewelry store had $12,000 of my money from ring #2.

A few days later, the jewelery store called reportedly with great news. The diamond dealer had located another diamond-this one being a certified 2.22 carat VS1 color H. I rushed down to the store. While the cut was very good, I noticed some issues. To me the stone looked yellow and I thought I had seen some little bubble type flaws without looking under their loop. I have attached a copy of sticker that came with the diamond--this was supposed to may me feel better?

I conveyed my concerns and was told I was incorrect and that the diamond was as stated. They further offered that the spots I was seeing was just left over cleaning specks and the "warm cast" was due to their lighting--this was their last offer and they chose their words to make it seem that I had no choice but to buy. Interestingly enough, the manager was brought out when I requested the certification-which no one could produce. I then asked that the diamond be sent to GIA--they declined and reintereated the stone was certified.

Out the door I went with my yellow diamond ring--oh might I mention that the setting they placed it in was sported numerous dents and dings inside and does not have a marking of what the metal is.

This is where the second opinion has come in which was described at the begining of my post.

As I mentioned, I am cofident that the GIA report will concur with second jewelers opinion--weight 2.18 VS2 at best & color K/L.

Anyone have any experience with dealing with jewelry chain store antics? Aren't precious metals used in jewelry supposed to have a ID as to what it is? Is it allowable for jewelers to stretch the truth about a diamonds specifications? Am I felony stupid or what?

Help

 

[victorianblue]

Here is a picture of the stone. Unfortunately, I do no have a digital--I appologise for the poor quality photo.
I don't know if you can tell from the photo-but the stone has a very destinct yellow cast/color to it.

This diamond was purchased on the 6th of this month. The problem I am dealing with is that the jewelery store is firm on their opinion of diamond, insist that I do not have the expertise to counter their professional decisions-as they have put it, they are the experts

.

All purchases/upgrades were defective including the repeated attempt to correct the defects.
The issues were always addressed in a expediant manner & well within their guarantee limits which states" If for any reason you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, we will gladly accept your return or exchange for 90 from the date of purchase.

 

[strmrdr]

find a good independat appraiser and a good lawyer have the appraisal done on the diamond and start the lawyer writing nasty letters.

 

[victorianblue]

Hi There--

this is a update to my original messages regarding a "lemon" diamond purchase that was less than positive.

The purchased radiant shaped diamond sold with a sticker listing of VS1 Color H 2.22 carat weight. The seller maintained that it was certified but could not provide the info nor whom did the report/cert.

Anyway, I have received the GIA report back on this less than asthetic diamond -the report is as follows:

Shape & Cutting Style: Cut-cornered Retangular Modified Brilliant
Measurments 6.25 X6.87 X 4.86
Proportions
Depth 70.7%
Table 71%
Girdle Medium to very thick
Culet None
Polish Good
Symmentry Good
Clarity Grade VS2
Color Grade J
Fluorescentce None
Comments None

Anyhoooooo, any input as to the quality and difference as to what I now have? Would certainly appreciate your thoughts

 

[fire&ice]

What did the weight come back as?

I could be wrong; but, I believe that the jeweler is given a grace of two color grades. So, this is just under the wire. Tough situation. I hope he makes it right on his own.

Good luck.

 

[victorianblue]

The GIA cert weight is 2.22.

I took the initiative and responded to the jewelers with cert & diamond in hand. Due the prior negative issues I experienced with this particular jeweley chain, I felt that it was best to be professional but very direct. I am hoping that that this will play out in a positive manner.
I am interested (& confused )about what was said about the jeweler having a "two color" grace. This to me would mean that if this was a accepted practice, it would serve no purpose for the consumer to even worry about the quality of a diamond, not educate themselves & just shell out the funds based on the jewelers tells them? This is how I got myself into trouble in the first place

Which brings me to another point of thought--If a jeweler can have grace in his or her description of color of a diamond, do they also have grace with respect to the other important attributes of a diamonds quality? Better yet, why then would a grading system even be in place if it made no difference? Am I way off track?

 

[Richard Sherwood]

If the seller sold the diamond as a 2.22 H VS1, and the most recognized laboratory in the world graded it as a J VS2, then the vendor, in my opinion, should either:

1) Cheerfully and apologetically refund your money of you're not happy with the stone.

2) Cheerfully and apologetically refund the difference in value between a 2.22 H VS1 and a 2.22 J VS2 (if you're happy with the stone and would like to keep it).

3) Cheerfully and apologetically refund the difference in value with a credit good towards the purchase of other merchandise which they own (if you're happy with the stone and would like to keep it).

 

[Richard Sherwood]

You know, upon consideration, there is a possible fourth aspect to this.

I've found it fairly common for jewelers to sell diamonds based on grades which have been supplied to them by their suppliers.

No matter what grade is stated, usually the vendor pays the correct price for what the stone actually is, and sells it for the correct price to his customer.

It could be that the price you paid is a fair one for a J VS2, and that a true H VS1 would have been impossible to sell for the price at which you purchased (I don't know if you stated how much you paid, as I didn't take the time to read all the posts).

If that's the case, you might consider cutting the vendor some slack and going easy on him. He might not have been knowledgeable enough to realize the stone was over-graded (most jewelers are not gemologists), and probably made his usual profit on the diamond, selling it to you for a fair price for the grade it actually is.

Did that make sense? In other words, you might not have gotten "ripped", but paid exactly what the diamond is worth. The vendor is not guilty of malice, but just guilty of being naieve and unintentionally misrepresenting the quality grade.

 

[kkeen15]

The dimension numbers from your original "sticker" are also way off from the GIA cert- one number is off by two millimeters! Is that for real??? Does that also count as part of the jeweler's misrepresentation?

 

[victorianblue]

Thank you for bringing it to my attention regarding my errored entry for the dimensions.
The correct measurments are
8.25x 6.87.4.86

 

[victorianblue]

Thanks so much for your insight & input-it is truly appreciated.

As a advocate of mediation, I did approach the delicate subject with the the seller & manager with two options
I felt were appropriate to the situation.

They have promised to work diligently to locate a certified Radiant diamond to my specifications with no more hassles and no more additional funds. I hope within a short time, to have positive news

 

[Richard Sherwood]

Ahhh, option #5. Why didn't I think of that?

Sounds like you've got things well in hand.

 

[victorianblue]

Again,

My sincerst thanks for your information & input

As I mentioned in my previous post, I HOPE the retail chain follows through as promised. Due to this particular chains history, at least with my situation, my comfort level with their ability to follow through is not rock solid.

It could be that they will require a little extra nudging-so do not be surprised If I call upon your services & expertise in the near future. All this drama for for a diamond purchase-who would of ever imagined

 

[victorianblue]

Hello,

I have received a response back from the chain jewelers and it is not positive. They will only replace the diamond under the following cercumstances:
I upgrade the last ring as I was originally was going to do, pay a additonal $8,000 for the diamond and disregard the $550 I paid GIA to proove my point.

I was trying to be fair in not disclosing the name of the chain with my post. However, I am hoping that someone out there in Pricescopeland might be aware of past unfair practices this jewelry store may of done to other customers.
Anyone aware of complaints such as this with Kay Jewelers aka Sterling Jewlers?
Are there any guidlines or regulations with the Federal Trade Commision covering misrepresentation? Or is there a organization that I can file a complaint with?
I am trying like heck to avoid the attorney route

 

[Richard Sherwood]

I would move my way up the management chain first. Start with the District Manager, and then move up to the Regional Manager if you don't get results. Kays/Sterlings is a multi-level national chain, and you are currently bogged down in the "cover my ass" politics of the first level.

Let them know you're prepared to file a complaint with the Jeweler's Vigilance Committee (NYC), and the Better Business Bureau. In addition, you're prepared to contact the local newspaper & TV consumer's advocate groups. In Sarasota we've got a TV News Show called "8 On Your Side", which delights in exposing these kind of situations.

Jewelers hate negative publicity. Put a spotlight on the situation and you'll likely see results. Be polite but firm, and persistent.

 

[ganort]

Hiya, sorry for all your issues with Kay, I have been working with them to try to locate some blue fancy (irradiated) sidestones for awhile.. process is slow and sometimes a pain!~... anyway.. while carousing the web I found this link that gives you something to lean on. I think this is the important part:

The GIA diamond color grading system, based on these teachings, was, and still is, the implied “standard” used in the United States and most of the world, and in effect has been codified in 16CFR§23, “Guides for the Jewelry, Precious Metals, and Pewter Industries”. 16CFR§ 23.1 Deception (general), states:
“It is unfair or deceptive to misrepresent the type, kind, grade, quality, quantity, metallic content, size, weight, cut, color, character, treatment, substance, durability, serviceability, origin, price, value, preparation, production, manufacture, distribution, or any other material aspect of an industry product.”

good luck

-=brian=-