broken engagement ring

kinghigh

Quick run down ,bought loved one engagement ring marquise in center and 2 princess on either sides last Jan 2011 in reputable chain store as don't buy diamonds on a regular basis figured best to go there and they'd know best.

Ring was too big had to order new one which we received in march,
In August partner noticed the center stone was lose so brought it back to have claw tightened thinking she caught it some how, when in the shop assistant pointed out that the claw was fine but the stone at the claw was chipped and that's why it was lose, agreed to send it off for assessment which we were told could take 10-12 weeks as the manufacturer is in Asia.

This was in sept it was end of November by the time they got back to us saying the stone had been WHACKED or given a good smack and nothing could be done but replace the stone for 1,500, we were both shocked as it was only 5 months old and we were both under the impression that diamonds are virtually indestructible and fiance cant remember hurting or hitting her hand.they returned stone and ring separately so it can't be worn and they refused to set it back in because the broken stone could shatter?
I got onto the general manager and after a bit of haggling got it down to 900 then 600 which I still think is a bit steep.

Has anyone else heard or been through this as its put a sour taste in our mouths and we are supposed to be getting married this year and its another drain financially and emotionally,,been 12 months since we got engaged and fiance has had her ring only 5 of those months, any advise on what to do as I really don't think I should have to pay AGAIN when I paid so much in the first place and ring only few months old.

maceocc2

Doesn't really sound to plausible to be honest. You would need a fair whack to break a diamond. You'd probably break your finger first.

I'd get a second opinion on it if I where you. My father is a Diamond setter, has been for the past 40 years I can give you his contact details if you want, I'm sure he'd be glad to give his advise on it.

Oryx

It is possible to damage a ring without really noticing. Not saying you did but it is plausible. And diamonds are not indestructible. If you hit a diamond in the right direction you can split it along its 'grain' if you like, its how they often make them smaller in the first place, called cleaving. You can easily knock shards off, they are hard, but they are crystals and can be broken.

In cases like this Im always interested in the setting. Does it protect the stones or do they sit up high away from the band?

kinghigh

http://www.fields.ie/Portals/3//stock/image/01-31-106.jpg

not quiet this but our one would have two small diamonds either side on main diamond

Oryx

I cant see from that picture, are there claws at the sides of that stone? If not I can see first off why it would have come loose, that kind of stone can sometimes rock out of a poor setting, or if it got damaged at one end, it would easily become loose.

This is a tricky one. Did the setting damage the stone, was there an existing flaw that got worse, or did you damage it? Its very hard to say.

kinghigh

no it sits up off the setting and there is only 2 claws one at either point!!
We have heard it is possible for them to get damaged,my concern now is did we pay over the odds for a stone that was damaged to begin with or not the standard we were told?

have also heard from talking to other people(which I know is unreliable) they knew someone that something similar happened and the shop repaired or replaced free!!!not that we are expecting that but we had to fight to get it down from 1500(price from supplier not including vat) to 600 and who knows what kind of stone they'll put back in it could take total value of ring down,,really need to know what your buying unfortunately neither of us do when it comes to diamonds and can't help think we're being hoodwinked.

ring should be ready to collect on Thursday.
Do we still have a right to ask for our money back if not happy with repairs?I will get a second opinion on the new stone and the old one which I have.