Engagement Diamond Replaced Under Warranty - Would You Be Upset?

Here's a TOTALLY different perspective (I'm pretty sure I will be out-numbered in this opinion)...

I've been married for over 8 years, and I actually LOST the diamond on my ring about 3 years ago! It just fell off! About a year after that happened, I had my fourth pregnancy -and for some reason with that pregnancy I gained weight that I never had before, and in turn my ring size changed.

Shocking to say so- I haven't worn my ring since the diamond fell off- I thought it looked weird w/o something there, and we still haven't gotten a new diamond- nor gotten it re-sized because I really DO think that my ring size will go back to the way it was before. It just isn't on my list of priorities.

I know the way I'm dealing with it is not at all the way most others would deal with it. Let me tell you the way I see it: I NEVER EVER will understand the other countless women out there that make a big deal about the wedding ring. It took me just a few minutes to pick out the ring I wanted- I DID care how it looked, BUT that wasn't something I made a big deal about, at ALL. I saw it as a key part in our wedding itself, and the symbolism of it is nice, too, but I'm not ATTACHED to it as I am my husband, for example. We have a fantastic marriage- that keeps surprising me by a way that we are still growing closer together and falling more in love- when I thought we were very much in love from the start! But, coincidently, The closer I am with him, the less I could give a hoot about the ring. To me the ring was a great way to show ourselves that we belonged to each other in the beginning, but I'm not so concerned about it anymore. I just feel that we don't NEED the symbol anymore. I'm not saying I will never wear it anymore, but it isn't something I find necessary.
My answer in short? Don't worry about it! The diamond doesn't matter- it is SIMPLY a THING, and that is it!

Scratches? On a DIAMOND? What the hell can scratch a diamond - it's the hardest thing on earth!? Check this out with a reputable jeweler now!

I think you have every right to feel attached to the diamond you've had for 11 years. You can't change your feelings and you're not wrong for feeling them. That being said, what the ring REPRESENTS is still intact and going strong, right? Your marriage is what counts. If I were you, I'd write a letter to the company explaining how you feel and that although you're thankful for the new diamond, you misunderstood the process and feel there should be a final say in whether to replace the diamond or not, and that future clients might also like to have that choice. Personally, I never wear either my engagement or wedding rings - I'm just not comfortable wearing rings on my fingers. But my marriage is strong and solid - a metal symbol won't ever affect my actual reality. Someday your current ring will be the one you've had for 20 years and the original one will be a fond memory - and your marriage will still be strong and solid.

Yes, I would be upset. Definitely question the process (even though your original diamond is long gone by now I'm sure) and ask for a new certificate of authenticity. A diamond usually comes with a certificate that explains the cut, color, clarity...all those things that determine it's value and characteristics. If you speak up maybe the company will change it's policy regarding the replacement process--such as notifying the customer PRIOR to replacement. I have a flaw in my diamond (a small 'inclusion' is what it's called) and I actually LIKE it because it makes the diamond unique. I'd hate to have someone replace it without me fully understanding what I agreed to.

Does this change your relationship?

This isn't exactly the same situation, but perhaps comparable. 10 mos after our wedding date my husband lost his wedding band in the Colorado River while we were on vacation. I was with him when it happened so I know it's the truth. Luckily we had it insured and he received a new one at no charge to us through our insurance. Was I upset -- no. He couldn't believe how understanding I was. The reason -- it's just a piece of jewelry. You're not in love with the ring. You're in love with your husband. It's a symbol of your commitment and love for one another, but so is the replacement. Just be happy and grateful for your relationship and that you have your husband. The ring is symbolic, but just that. :)
Oh, and yes, I'd be upset with the jeweler, but I'm trying to learn in my old age not to sweat the small stuff. And other than health and my loved ones, it's all small stuff.

You can only scratch a diamond with another diamond.

Please get your new stone appraised at 2 different jewelry stores, and talk to the manager at the jewelry store you took your original ring to. It sounds odd to me.

It seems unlikely that you scratched your stone. More likely if there were any inclusions that one of them was showing stress.

Good luck

.

The diamond fell out of my ring. I don't know where. I was getting my haircut and the receptionist mentioned it. I started bawling my eyes out in the car. But it was insured, and I had the diamond replaced with one that I liked even better. I figured that I could see it as an omen, or I could just see it as a rock. I was much happier the second way ; ) So while I do totally empathize, I would try to just be happy with the ring.

I do see your point & I might feel the same way you do. You did pretty much give them consent to do this though. Have you asked if you could get your old diamond back instead of the new one, even though it's not of the same quality, it's the diamond your hubby picked out for you. If the ring has not changed at all, maybe just look at the new diamond as a "new" chapter in your marriage and how new & sparkly the new diamond is and compare it to how fantastic your hubby is and how great marriage is, the longer you've been married. :) Look at this as, lemonade, not lemons! :)

Try to let it go.
My husband bought me a wedding set that I really loved. It was dainty. My ring finger is only size 4. When we went to pick out his ring, the diamonds in his were bigger than the diamonds in mine and he decided to trade up. I loved the other ring, but man....I sure loved the new one. I was so thrilled! I couldn't stop staring at it and I was in love with it. That is the one we used for the ceremony.
Well, unfortunately, the person who sold us the ring never told us that it would ruin it to have it sized down small enough to fit me. You could literally hear the diamonds rattling around, ready to fall out any minute. They tried rebuilding it for me to no avail. That ring was in the shop more than it was on my finger and ultimately, we had to choose a completely different style that was actyally made for me.
I won't lie, I really missed the one I loved so much, but at least I could wear the other one. Never had a problem with it at all. I could wear it 24 hours a day, wash dishes, work in the yard, never had to worry about the diamonds falling out.
I totally understand the sentimentality, but in the scheme of things, it's just a diamond. It it was scratched or faulty, the replacement doesn't mean the replacement of your love or your marriage.
My mother in law had to go to the hospital and they had to cut her ring off. She didn't like it, but she'd been married 40+ years at that point. She had it soldered back together and kept it in her jewelry box. It was still special to her even though she couldn't wear it.
There is so much to be said for sentimental value, but I think you'll be okay with this. I really do.

Best wishes.

I feel your pain. It really is a sentimental thing. I would be thankful that they had the warranty. Imagine not having that or losing the diamond all together. About 8 weeks ago, the center diamond of my ring came out. I looked down at it one day while standing in my kitchen and it was gone!!! We searched high and low, and we have never found it. I took it to a jeweler and was told that the setting it was in was not meant for the cushion cut diamond I had. (needed 5 ot 6 prong setting instead of the 4 prong). Needless to say, I've been crushed every since. We didn't have insurance, and to replace the stone would be $1800. We don't have that sitting around. We are going to have to save for a very long time.

YES very upset. I will be judged here but so be it.

I wore a simple gold band only for 2+ years. When I got my diamond, I was surprised and I am extremely protective. I do not remove it for any reason, even during an appraisel I am there watching the gemologist. I am insured as well.

I think you agreed to something you may not have understood fully OR some jeweler played you. I would most certainly get a new appraisel and make sure the "replacement" is of the same or greater value as the one you originally received. See if you can get the original back. I konw my diamond's and watch are coded.

My ring was given to me as a surprise, we did not shop together, etc. However, it is a very rare cut and 3+ carats so I am extremely protective when it comes to the jewelers. I do the same for the earring studs which are over 1 carat each.

Sentimental value, of course........financial gain for someone looking to scam...possible. I am to the extreme with my ring, earrings and watch on being picky as to who touches it and why. Yes, insurance is there but it can't replace the original piece.

Yes, I would be a little sad. Allow yourself to grieve your loss because that is what it is. then do your best to enjoy the new ring.

wow, even though this has been "resolved", i guess, I would like to chip in my two cents. I got married at age 21, and only have a small band with a bunch of tiny diamonds arranged in a heart, it was about .08 carats (my choice). Maybe someday we will get a big fancy diamond set, but for the past few years, i haven't even been wearing it. I'm not self-aware enough, and scratch myself with the ring somehow, and am always washing my hands, so I just leave it off.

I'd say, for those of you who love your diamonds, just be glad you had your warranty. If you never want to have it replaced, why get the warranty? would you feel the same if you had lost it? Wouldn't you feel pretty glad you got a warranty with it? You shouldn't have bothered having it sent in if you didn't want it to be replaced. I think it's pretty much common sense that it would be replaced if they did deem it as a qualifying event, otherwise, why send it in the first place? You agreeing to have it inspected to see if it's covered basically means "yes, it's damaged. yes, please see if it's covered."

But i'm glad that you have a happy-enough ending.

Hi, L.:

Is this a control issue?

Just want to know. D.

I thought that diamonds didn't scratch? Isn't that what makes them diamonds?

I don't think it's strange to feel a sentimental attachment to the diamond you originally got, but more -in this situation -I would go to another reputable jeweler and have it appraised immediately! This doesn't sound exactly on the up and up to me. Diamonds don't scratch very easily! Make sure you have a real diamond that is the same rating as your original! Sorry the original is gone.

I figure the ring is only a symbol of the love that you have. In fact, if the diamond that you had was scratched then it was worth less than the one you have now. I wouldn't be too worked up over this...your hubby still gave you the ring, you are still married; that's what really matters!

I am sentamental, so yes I would be upset. My husband and I chose a saphire instead of a diamond, about 6 months after our wedding I noticed a flaw that was not there before...two lines/scratches across the face when you tilt it just right...I thought that it made it even more special beacuse it looked like an 11, my favorite number and personal sign (long story). We were also married on 11/11/01. My husband lost his wedding band this past Christmas eve (in the hidden santa toy trash we think), he is very upset because it was the one we said our vows over, just a simple band but it had sentamental value to us. I would tell them how you feel, it may not get your diamond back but maybe it will change their policy on how they handle situations like this in the future.

OMG I would be so mad!! On many levels. And now I don't feel so bad we got "materialistic" for once in our lives and did a fancy pants jeweler for the ring instead of a chain. (Even though now I never wear the ring due to leaving it in a Starbucks bathroom on a cross country drive and having to drive two states back to it the next day thanking my stars the employees found it and held it. Now it's just in a drawer-probably to be cashed in one day at the jeweler whose stones 'supposedly never depreciate' for some college dough for the kids-a precious "object")

ANYWAY. Your first one shouldn't have scratched. It may not have been a diamond. You may have agreed to a replacement in some small print. Tacky, horrible, you were treated like you bought a blender at Sears.

ALL THAT SAID. I still think your ring is awesome in that you love it, YOU WEAR IT, you chose it together, it's beautiful, it symbolizes your wonderful relationship. Have the new stone appraised. If it's un-flawed and real, you're better off. You still have the setting an all the love around it. After flipping out, I'd be happier for the fresh new stone.