Sapphire Loss from Ring After Resizing: What To Do?

Question
hi. I got a gold ring with one diamond and 2 sapphires for my 25th wedding anniversary. I have worn it for 8 years with no problems. I recently took it to the jeweler who made the ring and had it sized 1/2 size larger. Exactly one week after i picked it up one of the sapphires has fallen out. Do you think the sizing had anything to do with the loss? How can i go about telling the jeweler that that is my suspicion?

Answer
Margie, we jewelers sometimes say to ourselves, "If something is going to go wrong it will be right after we work on it."  This is not saying what we do causes problems at all since every item we send out from where I work is checked thoroughly for security of stones and everything else needing checking.  It is like a bit of "fate" and the timing is such the customer immediately relates what went wrong with the fact we worked on their item.

If a jeweler does not check stones carefully, it is possible a resized ring is sent out with a loosened gem. Generally, sizing up will not cause stones to loosen but sizing down can.  Also, a few rings we see have not been properly cleaned in a long time and when cleaned the stones are loose. The cleaning did not make the stones loose but removed the soil which was making the stones appear tight! All sorts of things happen in this business.

YOUR SITUATION
Without seeing your ring before and after the work was done, it is impossible for me to say what happened. We really do not know.

This is how I would approach the jeweler:  Do not go in the store in an accusatory manner but rather tell them the ring was sized very recently and since bringing the ring home, a stone has fallen out. Can they explain why this would happen?  See how they react.  If you feel very strongly about the situation, ask if they are responsible for replacing the lost stone(or if found, resetting it securely).

Believe me, they will know what you suspect the minute you mention the stone fell out and the work was done recently. You will not need to say that directly.

Margie, there are many reasons a stone may come out of a ring. I have no clue why this happened to your ring. I do hope you and the jeweler can resolve the situation to everyone's satisfaction.

God Bless and Peace.  Thomas.  July 6, 2008  5:45pm