Mis-sold ring, allergic reaction

MagooBear

I'd just like to know what my consumer rights are, if any, in the following situation:

My partner bought my engagement ring in 2016 from a well known jewellery chain. He bought in store and it was sold to him as white gold.

I start wearing it and begin to have issues with my skin; sore, itchy etc. Eventually, 2 years later, after trying many things to get used to it but failing, I decide to look up on their website and discover that the ring is made of silver, and I am allergic.

I contact them on Twitter and they said to bring the receipt into a store and they can have the ring assessed. Of course, we no longer have the receipt as wasn't expecting to return it!

Ideally, I'd like the same design of ring in white gold, but they only have it in silver. My solution will be to get the ring re-made in exactly the same design but in white gold! Not ideal of course as it means spending more money.

I understand it's been 3 years since purchase and it was verbally mis-sold and there's no longer proof of purchase, so I'm thinking there's nothing I can do now? Does anyone know otherwise? It would be great if the jeweller would offer a refund partial or otherwise but that's probably wishful thinking! Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

pinkshoes

MagooBear wrote: »

I'd just like to know what my consumer rights are, if any, in the following situation:

My partner bought my engagement ring in 2016 from a well known jewellery chain. He bought in store and it was sold to him as white gold.

I start wearing it and begin to have issues with my skin; sore, itchy etc. Eventually, 2 years later, after trying many things to get used to it but failing, I decide to look up on their website and discover that the ring is made of silver, and I am allergic.

I contact them on Twitter and they said to bring the receipt into a store and they can have the ring assessed. Of course, we no longer have the receipt as wasn't expecting to return it!

Ideally, I'd like the same design of ring in white gold, but they only have it in silver. My solution will be to get the ring re-made in exactly the same design but in white gold! Not ideal of course as it means spending more money.

I understand it's been 3 years since purchase and it was verbally mis-sold and there's no longer proof of purchase, so I'm thinking there's nothing I can do now? Does anyone know otherwise? It would be great if the jeweller would offer a refund partial or otherwise but that's probably wishful thinking! Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Without proof of purchase there is nothing you can do.

Proof of purchase could be a bank statement showing the transaction.

Are you SURE he didn't buy you silver and tell you it was white gold?? Silver is SO much softer than white gold the difference between the two is quite obvious.

a.turner

MagooBear wrote: »

I'd just like to know what my consumer rights are, if any, in the following situation:

My partner bought my engagement ring in 2016 from a well known jewellery chain. He bought in store and it was sold to him as white gold.

I start wearing it and begin to have issues with my skin; sore, itchy etc. Eventually, 2 years later, after trying many things to get used to it but failing, I decide to look up on their website and discover that the ring is made of silver, and I am allergic.

I contact them on Twitter and they said to bring the receipt into a store and they can have the ring assessed. Of course, we no longer have the receipt as wasn't expecting to return it!

Ideally, I'd like the same design of ring in white gold, but they only have it in silver. My solution will be to get the ring re-made in exactly the same design but in white gold! Not ideal of course as it means spending more money.

I understand it's been 3 years since purchase and it was verbally mis-sold and there's no longer proof of purchase, so I'm thinking there's nothing I can do now? Does anyone know otherwise? It would be great if the jeweller would offer a refund partial or otherwise but that's probably wishful thinking! Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

How do you intend to prove your partner was told it was white gold?

Hermione_Granger

pinkshoes wrote: »

Are you SURE he didn't buy you silver and tell you it was white gold?? Silver is SO much softer than white gold the difference between the two is quite obvious.

Silver can be softer than white gold but it can also be harder. It all depends on the karat used in the jewellery.
Sterling silver is softer than 14K white gold but it is harder than 18K white gold.

unholyangel

Are you sure its actually the silver you're allergic to and not that it possibly has nickel in it? Its usually the 7.5% of other metals that can make up sterling silver that cause the allergy. Nickel can also be found in some low grade gold & white gold (again due to the mixing of metals).

What carat was he told the gold was?

ssparks2003

Do you have a copy of the advert from when it was sold to you or are you relying on a current advert to claim it was miss-sold?

molerat

What does the hallmarking in the ring show ?

bengal-stripe

MagooBear wrote: »

My partner bought my engagement ring in 2016 from a well known jewellery chain. He bought in store and it was sold to him as white gold.

I cannot believe any jeweller could sell a silver ring, claiming it was gold. There is a significant price difference between silver and gold. A simple silver ring might cost £100, while that same design in 9ct gold (the cheapest gold) would cost at least three times as much.

Just the price would be an indicator whether or not the item is gold. Another indicator is the hallmark. All jewellery in precious metal will bear a hallmark, just different ones for gold and silver. I suppose you are not accusing the jewellers of defrauding your partner. Excluding as explanation your partner, not wanting to look a cheapskate has told you porkies, leaves only that he simply has misunderstood.

Now get a magnifying glass and check for the hallmark!

donnac2558

molerat wrote: »

What does the hallmarking in the ring show ?

The hallmark will show if it is silver or gold.


Silver will say 925 I believe it will be 9 something. Or just say silver.

Gold will have an assay mark with a gold hallmark show which city it was assayed in. All gold over 1 gram must have a UK assay mark on it.

davidmcn

MagooBear wrote: »

I'd just like to know what my consumer rights are, if any, in the following situation:

My partner bought my engagement ring

If there are any consumer rights then it's your partner who has them, not you.

Nearlyold

White gold rings are generally plated with Rhodium to give that bright white colour, this plating wears off to reveal the "White Gold" underneath which will have a yellow tinge (because gold is yellow).

Silver rings are also often plated with Rhodium

Just something to bear in mind