Wedding Ring Nightmare

Tmcl_2

Hi,
Please could anyone offer me some advice.
Two years ago, I had my wedding ring made by what I believed to be a reputable jeweller.This summer,after persevering with some design faults, I finally gave the ring back to be altered. Whilst there, I asked the jeweller for both the diamond certificate(which he had promised me initially) and an up to date valuation as I was obviously keen to insure my ring. He explained that he would have to send my diamond off for the certificate as he no longer had it but this would be fine as he noticed my diamond was slightly loose.This, he said would be a perfect opportunity to have my diamond reset and have a good as new ring.Seeing no problem with this,I agreed and after a long wait on September 23rd, I finally received my ring back with an official looking certificate(Anchor Cert?).But due to a problem with his printer, he was unable to give me a valuation.He promised though that this would be sent to me in due course.
My problem arose last week though when my diamond fell out with no trace-and obviously no insurance. When I contacted the jeweller he realised his mistake with the valuation and agreed he would replace the diamond on the condition that I paid the excess of between two and three hundred pounds.Money that is not readily available to us.Using my certificate,I have looked at a few on line sites that value my diamond at approx £500 but I don't know how reliable they are.My problem is that the jeweller said I must have knocked my ring causing the diamond to come out.I have no memory of doing this.I struggle to accept what he said, this could possibly be the case years down the line if the diamond had loosened but surely not little over a month after it had been reset?
Am I wrong to believe that he is at fault here and should replace my diamond with no cost to us?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

tigerstriper_2

What type of setting is the diamond held in?

Whether you or the jeweller are liable depends on the setting and any damage that it has received.

Tmcl_2

It was a round diamond with an outer ring of metal holding it in place.Does that make sense? There is absolutely no damage to the ring.I can pretty much say for sure that it wasn't knocked.

StuieUK34

if you have the cert which states the 4 C's of the ring, in valuation terms, an insurer would offer to pay out on that i believe......

peachyprice

If the diamond is valued at 'only' £500 you should be able to claim that on your normal household insurance, cover for individual items is usually for things over £1-1.5k depending on your policy.

tigerstriper_2

If it's a rub over setting (which is what I think you're describing) then it is almost impossible to damage it yourself with a knock unless the setting is worn or not secure enough.

If that is the case and there is no damage to the setting then the jeweller is responsible for replacing it as he repaired it only a couple of months ago. AnchorCert certificates are made independently by the Assay office and your replacement should have it's own certificate to the same value/quality as the original.

Bear in mind that the new stone won't look exactly the same as they are assessed by humans and there is a leeway of 2 grades (up or down) when it comes to colour and clarity. Inclusions will also be different even if they are graded the same so be prepared for when you see it.

I hope that helps. Without seeing the ring, that's the best advice I can give.

Tmcl_2

Thanks guys for your advice.
Tigerstriper,after what you said,I popped into a local jeweller and she confirmed that it is a rub over setting. She also had a good look at the ring through a microscope and couldn't find any damage. She agreed with what you said about it being impossible for the diamond to just fall out and that he should be liable for replacing it. I see from your profile that you are also a jeweller so now feel a bit more confident to go back and argue my case. I don't know what I can do though if he refuses.
Many many thanks though.Your advice has been greatly appreciated.

Mupette

Tmcl wrote: »

Thanks guys for your advice.
Tigerstriper,after what you said,I popped into a local jeweller and she confirmed that it is a rub over setting. She also had a good look at the ring through a microscope and couldn't find any damage. She agreed with what you said about it being impossible for the diamond to just fall out and that he should be liable for replacing it. I see from your profile that you are also a jeweller so now feel a bit more confident to go back and argue my case. I don't know what I can do though if he refuses.
Many many thanks though.Your advice has been greatly appreciated.

you see him in court, you've had it indepenantly checked, he just thinks he can get away with shoody work

Tmcl_2

Yeah I know your right. It's just one thing after another for us just now. And no doubt court would result in yet more money we don't have. Fingers crossed he'll back down though or I'm gonna loose the will to live lol.