If you're taking your Diamond in for cleaning and inspection, then half the battle is done.
Void this!
Preventive medicine will normally catch anything wrong with your prongs or mounting and keep your Diamonds from falling out of the setting in the first place. Which is good, because if you MISS one of their "Inspection Dates" You'll VOID the Guarantee!
WHAT?
Yep, you miss just one date and BAM your Diamond is no longer Guaranteed!
Now that doesn't sound like a lifetime eh? Chances are, sooner or later, you will miss at least one of those inspections. I mean with your busy life, running here and there, things happen. Look at how many times you have to reschedule a Dr. visit or the Dentist. It's bound to happen at some time. WHAM Sucker!
Labor and Setting Fees
Here's another big kicker... the Jeweler may replace that Diamond that came out of the mounting, but you know what? You're gonna still pay for the Labor & Setting fees. OUCH! Doesn't sound FREE to me! I thought Free was Free? You'd have to purchase another plan (most call it an E.S.P. Extended Service Plan) to cover those "other" costs. And even then, worn out channels or new heads, even normal wear and tear through daily use isn't covered. Be careful and really consider if those extra Guarantees are worth it.
The funny thing about those Diamond Guarantees is this... Jewelers say it's FREE, but it's not! It's actually built right into the price of the ring from the very beginning. Whether you actually use the Guarantee or not, you're paying for it! Normally if you check around and compare apples to apples, you'll find that Diamonds sold WITH a FREE GUARANTEE are usually more expensive than ones that are not! Interesting tidbit, but it's true.
Insurance
This is what I always ask people, "Are you going to get the ring insured?" And the answer, of course, is YES! Simple enough. You'd be a fool not to. Everyone still insures their ring, just in case it gets lost or stolen, so why do you really need a Diamond Guarantee?
Good question! Diamond replacement plans won't cover your Diamond if your ring is stolen. So what good is it? Insuring your Diamond is a must. Plus most insurances WILL cover the cost of labor and setting also.So if you lose your Insured Diamond, Break your Diamond or Chip it, it's covered. Quick and painless. No hassel, no mess! No need for crazy timed inspection dates!
So to me, Diamond Guarantees SOUND GOOD, but in the long run, insurance is the only true Guarantee. My advice, get the lower priced Diamond without the Guarantee and just get it covered well with your Insurance or home owners. Then you'll have real peace of mind, and that's the best guarantee!
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