Gold Ring Resizing & Appraisal: Weight Changes & Damage

Question
Hello, My spouse had a ring made for me, without knowing my ring size, and had it made a size 7. The appraisal was done at that time and the ring weighed 6.7 grams. I had to have it resized down to a size 5.5, it then weighed 6.18 grams. I recently had to have it resized up to a size 6.5 and it still weighs 6.18 grams. This was all done at the original place of purchase. This last resize is a bad job as there is a divet and you can see where it was resized, also an emerald has been chipped. It is a gold band that is (was) fairly thick all the way around with stones only on the top. How does the change in weight affect my original appraisal if I were to resell the ring? I'm quite disheartened by the bad resize job and no change in gold weight, is that normal? Thank you in advance for any advice you can give me. :-)

Answer
Hi Deborah,

A goldsmith who was worth his weight in.. well - gold, would have done a better job.  Additionally, and reputable jeweler will fix their mistakes at no charge.  

I wouldn't value down your appraisal for half a gram of gold.  The truth is gold is sold by the ounce at pure gold (24kt) and there are 31.1 grams of gold per ounce.  Let's pretend that gold was $1000.00/ounce.  That puts you at just under $33.00/gram, IF it was pure gold.  14kt gold is only 58% gold, and you are only short about a half gram, which is less than $10.00 of gold.  So as far as lowering your appraisal over the gold, no.

But, if the emerald was chipped by them during their work, I would INSIST on a replacement of the stone.  They should purchase the stone and set it at no charge.  This is not asking too much.  While you are discussing the stone with them, let them know that you are unhappy with their work regarding the sizing.  They have had enough business from you with the purchase and up and down sizing that they don't want to lose your business.  You should not be able to tell that the ring was re-sized, there should be no lines, divet, dimples or solder joints showing at all.  It should still look like it wasn't touched.  The person doing the work was either new, in a hurry or careless and you are entitled to have the work meet your standards, you did pay them to do it after all.

If the stone was chipped by you and you had it insured, you should get that stone replaced through your policy.

Lisa