QuestionWe bought a platinum engagement ring and had to have it resized from a 6 to a 5 1/2. The ring orinigally was stamped PT950. The sizing spacer is smaller now, as expected, but the stamp on the inside now says 18K. I never noticed that before. Was my ring switched? Or did they change the stamp? Your thoughts would be helpful!
AnswerElla, this is a strange one at first glance.
First, let me ask you, does the ring have any yellow gold accents? Some platinum rings have yellow gold accents on the shoulders of the ring to each side of the center. If so, the correct stamp is the PT950 18k. Both metals must be indicated on the quality stamping. If the ring does have yellow accents, then all they need to do is stamp for platinum next to the 18k mark. When platinum is of the 950 variety, meaning 95% platinum in the alloy, the stamp may legally be PT950, PT or PLAT. Any of these meet the requirements.
If the ring has no gold in any part of it, something is truly amiss. First, and this will sound strange, be certain the ring you purchased was platinum and not 18k white gold. Since you remember the platinum stamping, this question need not be asked.
Does the ring look like your original? Did the same business where the ring was purchased do the resizing work? If so, ask them what happened! They certainly should have a record of the original sale showing the ring is platinum and that is easy enough to tell by looking at the metal and the weight of it.
I cannot comment on "switching the ring", not having followed it through the entire resizing process. It would be very stupid for a business to do any "switching" of a ring, especially with one marked for gold instead of platinum.
Have the ring checked to be sure it is platinum. That is the first step. If platinum and with no gold accents, the 18k mark should be removed and the ring re-stamped with PT or one of the other acceptable marks for 950 platinum.
One possibility is that in resizing the platinum mark was removed and the jeweler simply used the incorrect stamp to remark the ring. I would lean toward that possibility long before thinking the ring was traded for on of lower value, of exact same design, etc.
I certainly hope this works out for you, easily and well. If you think of any more or need to contact again on this, please use the "follow-up" option.
Ella, wishing the best in this situation. : )
God Bless and Peace. Thomas. September 8,2007 11:57am
