topic Re: Is it possible that a jeweler would switch a diamond? in Community Chat

Is it possible that a jeweler would switch a diamond?

petepetey — Thu, 22 Jun 2017 17:38:37 GMT

I had my diamond repaired last week at a local jewelry store (big city). It's a lovely 1 carat stone, had it for over 25 years.

I have a loop and have viewed that stone for years and years, I know what it looks like.

When I brought it home I took a look and I thought it had scratches on it. I went back

to the store and he said it wasn't possible to scratch a diamond. After a very long conversation with him he did take it out and weigh the stone to prove it was the same....but if you were really going to switch stones he could have done that before the change. There are inclusions on the top that were not there before.

Many times he said 'I did not switch your stone', and I would say those are your words not mine, I'm not suggesting that.

So, what is the process now?

I do plan on going to get an appraisal at the place I bought it. I have paperwork saying the 4 c's. I do not have a map of the stone face though or numbers on engraved on that stone.

Re: Is it possible that a jeweler would switch a diamond?

noodleann — Thu, 22 Jun 2017 17:42:49 GMT

@petepetey wrote:
I had my diamond repaired last week at a local jewelry store (big city). It's a lovely 1 carat stone, had it for over 25 years.

I have a loop and have viewed that stone for years and years, I know what it looks like.

When I brought it home I took a look and I thought it had scratches on it. I went back
to the store and he said it wasn't possible to scratch a diamond. After a very long conversation with him he did take it out and weigh the stone to prove it was the same....but if you were really going to switch stones he could have done that before the change. There are inclusions on the top that were not there before.

Many times he said 'I did not switch your stone', and I would say those are your words not mine, I'm not suggesting that.

So, what is the process now?

I do plan on going to get an appraisal at the place I bought it. I have paperwork saying the 4 c's. I do not have a map of the stone face though or numbers on engraved on that stone.

If there were numbers engraved on the stone and they're part of the record held by the people who sold it to you, have them look at the stone you now have in the ring. If there are no numbers, it's not the same stone. Inclusions also don't appear and disappear as if by magic. I don't know what your next steps are, but I'd certainly look at the BBB record for this jeweler, just to see if there are similar complaints.

Re: Is it possible that a jeweler would switch a diamond?

noodleann — Thu, 22 Jun 2017 17:44:03 GMT

P.S. You might want to ask the moderators to move this thread into the Jewelry forum.

Re: Is it possible that a jeweler would switch a diamond?

SahmIam — Thu, 22 Jun 2017 17:44:58 GMT

Yes but the burden of proof is yours and it's a tough one to prove.

I will not leave a ring with a jeweler; I will not allow a ring to leave my sight in any way.

I have my reasons.

Re: Is it possible that a jeweler would switch a diamond?

Trinity11 — Thu, 22 Jun 2017 17:48:27 GMT

@petepetey wrote:
I had my diamond repaired last week at a local jewelry store (big city). It's a lovely 1 carat stone, had it for over 25 years.

I have a loop and have viewed that stone for years and years, I know what it looks like.

When I brought it home I took a look and I thought it had scratches on it. I went back
to the store and he said it wasn't possible to scratch a diamond. After a very long conversation with him he did take it out and weigh the stone to prove it was the same....but if you were really going to switch stones he could have done that before the change. There are inclusions on the top that were not there before.

Many times he said 'I did not switch your stone', and I would say those are your words not mine, I'm not suggesting that.

So, what is the process now?

I do plan on going to get an appraisal at the place I bought it. I have paperwork saying the 4 c's. I do not have a map of the stone face though or numbers on engraved on that stone.

Diamonds can not only scratch but an unskilled jeweler can even chip a stone. If the surface of the diamond is flawed where an inclusion is through the table, it can increase in size if sized.

Do you have a GIA cert on your diamond?

Re: Is it possible that a jeweler would switch a diamond?

pennstatediva — Thu, 22 Jun 2017 17:49:17 GMT

I, also, would NEVER leave a diamond with any jeweler. Sorry about what you suspect happened and hope you can resolve your issue.

Re: Is it possible that a jeweler would switch a diamond?

CelticCrafter — Thu, 22 Jun 2017 17:53:13 GMT

Years ago I had to have the prongs on my engagement ring rebuilt and I made the jeweler remove the stone and give it to me until the repairs were made.

Re: Is it possible that a jeweler would switch a diamond?

petepetey — Thu, 22 Jun 2017 17:53:23 GMT

I have the original paperwork saying the size, color is H and naming the vvs, inclusions etc.

I regret leaving the ring, no doubt. This place has been in business for 40 years so

you'd think someone else would of had problems. It's not on the BBB.

I'm leaning towards scratches on the stone???

I"m going tomorrow to have the original jewelery store appraise it.

Re: Is it possible that a jeweler would switch a diamond?

Noel7 — Thu, 22 Jun 2017 17:55:12 GMT

My mother had a beautiful stone years ago that she always wanted set into a ring. She finally did it but by that time she was elderly and not well.

She took it to a repuatble jewler and chose a 14K setting. About a year later, the gold was obviously wearing off. The guy conned her and by that time had moved his business elsewhere.

Yes, there are cons in the business. Your diamond should be registered, take it to where you bought it. I hope he didn't damage your ring in any way.

GOOD LUCK!

Re: Is it possible that a jeweler would switch a diamond?

Trinity11 — Thu, 22 Jun 2017 17:57:49 GMT

@petepetey wrote:
I have the original paperwork saying the size, color is H and naming the vvs, inclusions etc.

I regret leaving the ring, no doubt. This place has been in business for 40 years so
you'd think someone else would of had problems. It's not on the BBB.

I'm leaning towards scratches on the stone???

I"m going tomorrow to have the original jewelery store appraise it.

If the clarity is VVS, then he scratched the diamond. He will probably claim you gave it to him in that condition. You can report him to the Better Business Bureau but it is difficult to prove liability. Leave him a rating on Yelp...he may try to rectify the situation if he gets a bad review.

Re: Is it possible that a jeweler would switch a diamond?

chickenbutt — Thu, 22 Jun 2017 18:04:15 GMT

Ouch! Bad lesson to have to learn.

Of course the answer is - yes, it's been done many times. Even on a smaller stone like that somebody will do it. It's a shame you were not able to scrutinize it before even leaving the shop.

As has been stated, the burden of proof is yours so hopefully you have some proof as to the diamond they took.

Sorry.

Re: Is it possible that a jeweler would switch a diamond?

Bri36 — Thu, 22 Jun 2017 18:07:31 GMT

I'm so sorry that happened to you. He either damaged your stone or switched stones. Either way, it's not the same. Even if you can prove it's not your stone or he damaged your stone, what recourse will you have?

Even if the ring was insured, that stone had sentimental value that can't be replaced.

What a terrible thing...

Re: Is it possible that a jeweler would switch a diamond?

151949 — Thu, 22 Jun 2017 18:11:08 GMT

My engagement ring is a 1/2 carat mine cut that was my MIL and before her - her MIL's. I had to get it reset once when I broke the setting off.We picked out a new setting and the jeweler did all the work right in front of us. As a matter of fact the jeweler removed the stone from the old settingb and handed it back to me to hold while he soldered the new set for the stone into the new ring. He also took side diamonds from DH's mother's ring and set them into the shoulders of my new ring - all work done right where we could watch him.

Re: Is it possible that a jeweler would switch a diamond?

Justice4all — Thu, 22 Jun 2017 18:15:38 GMT

@Bri36

I'm truly sorry, but the moral is, STAY WITH YOUR STONE. I hope you get this resolved.

Re: Is it possible that a jeweler would switch a diamond?

muttmom — Thu, 22 Jun 2017 18:24:53 GMT

@petepetey wrote:
I have the original paperwork saying the size, color is H and naming the vvs, inclusions etc.

I regret leaving the ring, no doubt. This place has been in business for 40 years so
you'd think someone else would of had problems. It's not on the BBB.

I'm leaning towards scratches on the stone???

I"m going tomorrow to have the original jewelery store appraise it.

I know it's too late now, but why didn't you go to the original jewelry store for the repair?

Re: Is it possible that a jeweler would switch a diamond?

151949 — Thu, 22 Jun 2017 18:28:30 GMT

I've never heard of a diamond being scratched. Take it to another jeweler and ask them to insure it is , in fact , a diamond. If it isn't I'd sue the pants off that jeweler.

Re: Is it possible that a jeweler would switch a diamond?

SilleeMee — Thu, 22 Jun 2017 18:46:30 GMT

Sorry about your experience with the ring. I personally would not have taken my ring to someone I did not know. If I had to do that then I would not have let the ring leave my sight. I have a personal friend who is also a goldsmith and he is the person I trust with my stones. I can leave him my jewelry in confidence knowing I will get it back without any problems. I feel fortunate to have such a friend.

Re: Is it possible that a jeweler would switch a diamond?

Mothertrucker — Thu, 22 Jun 2017 18:54:53 GMT

My niece had it happen..at a veryreputable place by our families jeweler...He finally admitted it,but said he sent it "out" and THEY must have switched it...

Re: Is it possible that a jeweler would switch a diamond?

adamlambert — Thu, 22 Jun 2017 18:59:14 GMT

I have no doubt a jeweler would do that, sad to say. I have a $40k diamond ring I bought at Costco and need to have it sized but it's not leaving my sight. I use one of those plastic ring sizer things until I can find one. I'm sorry thus happened to you. It's not back with the Waltons, people are jerks.

Re: Is it possible that a jeweler would switch a diamond?

sgraham30 — Thu, 22 Jun 2017 19:53:18 GMT

I have 2 rings that my mom left me that need to be sized down from a size 8 to a size 6.5 or 7, depending on which hand I wear the ring on. I'm not confident leaving the rings with any jewelers for sizing because of the stories I've head about gemstones being swapped out or the ring being damaged during the sizing process. The rings have enormous sentimental value to me & are irreplaceable.