QuestionI recently purchase an engagement ring from Ben Moss Jewelers. The ring was 2 months old when i took it in to get appraised to be insured. The Appraiser would not give me an appraisal he said the ring has small pits on the claws that hold the diamond and these will break and you will lose the diamond. I took the ring back as it was covered and got a new one. I had the new one home for not even a day and the diamond fell out. Didnt even make it to the appraiser. I went back again and purchased a new one with a bigger stone and larger claws holding the diamond. The appraiser said this one has the pin holes on the band, claws and is really rough under the diamond.which was very visible under light and magnification but not to the naked eye. Should i be concerned with all of these pits and pin holes in the ring. The value of the ring was 7000.00 and the company is a large jewelery chain. I dont know what to do anymore. Second opinion from another appraiser? The one im dealing with now has been doing this for 30 years. Please HELP.
AnswerDean,
You do have reason for concern.
First of all, did Ben Moss not give you a complete appraisal with the purchase of your ring? Most reputable jewelers provide the appraisal paperwork with the piece when you purchase it so that you can get it insured.
If the appraiser did not feel that the piece was in good condition or felt it was defective in the manufacturing, then ethically, he did was he should do by telling you he could not appraise it in that condition.
It sounds like the store got a bad run of castings. When a piece is cast into the metal, there is a chance that the metal can become over-heated or can cool too quickly and this can cause bubbles/pits/porosity in the casting. Casting is a sensitive process and all jewelers have run into porosity problems here and there over the years. We've gotten parts from some of our manufacturers that were pitted, as well, and had to return them for new ones. Here is a website link that shows what I mean by porosity in the metal: http://www.platinummetalsreview.com/dynamic/figure/view/49-4-174-182/F7
The problem with porosity, is not only can it be unsightly and take away from the high polish look of the piece, but it does effect the strength and integrity of the piece. Prongs will break much more easily because the metal has holes in it and is brittle.
Has the appraiser shown you what he is considering defective in the piece under magnification so you know what to look for? I assume you have the diamond? Did the diamond just fall out without any unbroken prongs or did prongs break to allow it to become loose?
I'm sure you are becoming frustrated and with good reason. I would have the appraiser show you under a loupe what he is looking at in the casting. If the diamond fell out without any broken prongs, then it was very poorly set by the jeweler. If it came out because prongs broke, then that obviously proves the point of weakness in the casting, since it hadn't even been worn yet!
I would go back to the store, be firm but polite, and require a supervisor to help you. Ask them for a loupe so you can point out the problems to them and then allow them one, last opportunity to make it right before giving you your money back. I would also ask them to throw in a free appraisal or something to make up for all of your trouble. When you get the new piece, ask them for the loupe again and take a look at it before you leave.
Keep in mind that small imperfections in the metal will be visible under magnification. There is no way to get all of the scratches out or to make it look perfect under the loupe, so don't expect that, but make sure the prongs fit tightly (without any gaps) around the diamond and that there are no signs of porosity in the casting of the ring mounting or the prongs.
Sometimes, when it rains, it pours in the jewelry business, too. They have made a series of errors, but they may be very reputable and for some reason or another, are just having bad luck getting this right for you. Give them one last chance to make it right. I hope they make you feel as if they are very sorry for your trouble and for giving you poor quality workmanship and that they make it up to you and make it right. You spent good money on your piece. You deserve a good quality and good service.
Good luck.
