Re: Is it possible that a jeweler would switch a d... - Page 5

NickNack · ‎03-10-2010

I inherited a very fine diamond ring set in platinum that had to be resized. I had it appraised and had a map (think that's the term?) of it. I had to have it sized two sizes down, and took it to a trusted jeweler. I was upset that they had to send it away to be sized, but he assured me he had never had a problem. I was glad that I had the appraisal, but all was fine.

The Bluebird Carries The Sky On His Back"
-Henry David Thoreau

HappyDaze · ‎06-13-2012

@Tinkrbl44 wrote:
@kivah wrote:
If possible, u never leave a diamond with a jeweler. Always let them do the work at the counter - and stand there and watch. Yes - they do it all the time. You need to take it to another jeweler to get it appraised. Hope u have pics of it. I've seen these shows on Judge Judy. Good Luck

@kivah @petepetey

I agree .... you WATCH the work being done, or go somewhere else where this is done.

OP .... If the stone was switched, your recourse is possibly Small Claims Court ..... or what about your Homeowners Insurance?

Homeowners usually does not cover rings and jewlery unless you get the added insurance that actually covers jewlery.

blackhole99 · ‎08-22-2013

@itiswhatitis wrote:
A one carat of H in color and VVS in Clarity ain't cheap @blackhole99

@itiswhatitisI'm not saying it's cheap, I'm saying it's hard to imagine a good jeweler with a good reputation would risk all that for a few thousand dollars.

SahmIam · ‎04-16-2010

@blackhole99 and those who wonder why a jeweler would risk this....

Because unless it's a rare stone (say, Elizabeth Taylor rare and unique), it's very easy to swap a stone. The vast majority do NOT have their stone marked or mapped.The vast majority of women don't have a 1 carat stone either. So, swapping out a 1/3 or 1/4 or 1/2 carat for a junk stone or worse, a fake, is easy and profitable. You would be surprised at how common it is as well.

The burden of proof belongs to the owner of the stone. Just because you may be the first person to say something means NOTHING other than you're the first to NOTICE the stone was switched. This isn't anything new either; been going on for decades. In the end, your goal is to find a small, long established jeweler who does everything IN house. Do NOT use a chain, do NOT send your stone out; have it removed. If the jeweler can't do it, find one that CAN.

As for a claim....$5000 and below is small claims court. Beyond that, it's a felon. If the stone is worth a great deal, you should have it insured on its own. You can file a claim but your insurance company may stipulate you file charges against the jeweler for theft in order to prove your claim (check your policy). You can also bring charges against the jeweler but make sure you can prove it beyond a doubt.

bonnielu · ‎03-11-2010

Many years ago my mother left her ring to be cleaned in a jewelry store in Burlington Vt. She was visiting family and friends. She picked up the ring and brought it back home with her. A few weeks later my daughter saw the right on her finger and looked at it carefully. My daughter was a gemologist and she found the stone to be a CZ, changed out. My father would never have given my mother anything but a diamond and it was certified that way. No way to prove it... but that is what happened.

My mother had other incidents with her jewelry after that. Traveling she was robbed and knocked over on a beach in Brazil.

And to add to this fun. My engagement ring was stolen in my own house.

You can imagine. I have no precious stones. I have no desire to have another episode of theft.

itiswhatitis · ‎05-27-2016

@blackhole99 wrote:
@itiswhatitis wrote:
A one carat of H in color and VVS in Clarity ain't cheap @blackhole99
@itiswhatitisI'm not saying it's cheap, I'm saying it's hard to imagine a good jeweler with a good reputation would risk all that for a few thousand dollars.

@blackhole99 ok, now you say a few thousand dollars. A few thousand dollars would be a one carat ring that is pave set. A single 1 carat stone is very much likely more than a few thousand dollars. Especially the clarity and depending on the cut.

You'd be surprised at what people would do.

*Call Tyrone*

itiswhatitis · ‎05-27-2016

@SahmIam wrote:
@blackhole99 and those who wonder why a jeweler would risk this....

Because unless it's a rare stone (say, Elizabeth Taylor rare and unique), it's very easy to swap a stone. The vast majority do NOT have their stone marked or mapped.The vast majority of women don't have a 1 carat stone either. So, swapping out a 1/3 or 1/4 or 1/2 carat for a junk stone or worse, a fake, is easy and profitable. You would be surprised at how common it is as well.

The burden of proof belongs to the owner of the stone. Just because you may be the first person to say something means NOTHING other than you're the first to NOTICE the stone was switched. This isn't anything new either; been going on for decades. In the end, your goal is to find a small, long established jeweler who does everything IN house. Do NOT use a chain, do NOT send your stone out; have it removed. If the jeweler can't do it, find one that CAN.

As for a claim....$5000 and below is small claims court. Beyond that, it's a felon. If the stone is worth a great deal, you should have it insured on its own. You can file a claim but your insurance company may stipulate you file charges against the jeweler for theft in order to prove your claim (check your policy). You can also bring charges against the jeweler but make sure you can prove it beyond a doubt.

Yepper!

*Call Tyrone*

SahmIam · ‎04-16-2010

Reading over my last post, I forgot to answer the #1 question as to "Why?"

Easy... GREED.

blackhole99 · ‎08-22-2013

@itiswhatitisok what ever you say.

chihuahuamom · ‎06-25-2015

This is something that I have wondered about. My mother left me her wedding rings, and they are too small. I would like to have them either sized up or changed, but I have always been worried that the stone could be stolen. You say you can sit and watch the jeweler as he/she works, but seems like that would take a long time. The only stores I have visited have rooms in the back where you can't see. What would you do? Have the stone taken out and let the jeweler do his/her work, then put the stone back in? Sorry-I have no experience with this type of thing.

Also, if you want to put the stone in a new ring, do they have pictures of rings for you to see?