So the Jeweler broke your stone and wants to pick out a new stone? Listen up...
Don't let the Jeweler make that Decision! Tell the Jeweler that you want to be involved in choosing a new stone. (It's your stone after all!) Allow the Jeweler to give you choices so you can inspect them. Look at all the Stones available for replacing yours. If you're not happy with the selection. Have them get more in. It's your stone, you have a right to inspect replacements and be satisfied with your decision, just like you did the initial purchase! In the end, hopefully, you'll get a comparable looking stone. Don't ever leave this in their hands. You may end up with a crappy stone. (Unless you just don't care!)
This process, of course, will lengthen the time your Repair takes. (It could take them Weeks to find good replacement Stones!) But do you really have a choice? Nope! Sit back and wait. It'll be worth it in the long run.
Yes, I know it's sad that they broke your stone. It's also a sad fact that you could be mad at the Jeweler for the rest of your life. But get over it! It's not the Jeweler's fault. The Jeweler isn't in the shop taking an axe to your Ring! Trust me, no one likes being in this position. Jewelers don't like accidentally chipping stones. It looks bad on the Jeweler, it ticks off the customers, and it costs the Stores money! It's a no-win situation!
Hopefully you're dealing with a Jeweler that fessed up about breaking your stone. Be happy if this is your Jeweler.
It's the Jewelers that don't tell you, that are the problem! Jewelry Stores that let you walk out the door with a broken stone and don't tell you, are scum! Shame on them! If this happened to you, you're screwed! You'll never be able to really prove that the Jeweler was the one that chipped your stone. This is why I always advise customers to inspect their Jewelry very carefully and loupe their Rings BEFORE they leave the store!
Inspect your Merchandise under 10x Magnification. (Like a Jeweler's Loupe!) Look for Cracks and Chips and Breaks. Trust me, it won't bother Jewelers any if you ask for a Loupe! (Unless they broke your stone of course! Then they may squirm a little!) Jewelers are actually used to clients scoping and inspecting their Rings and Jewelry upon delivery. Look at all your Gemstones and Diamonds well. Make sure the Jeweler isn't pulling a fast one on you. (It can also help you determine if they switched your Diamonds!) (Read: Jewelers Diamond Switching!)
Sometimes Jewelers will tell you before you get any work done, that your Gemstones are at risk. Sometimes your Stone may already be chipped or broken around it's edge, just through normal wear and tear. (You may not even know it!) Exerting pressure or force on a stone that's already chipped, will usually cause it to break in half!
Old Gemstones, Softer Gemstones, or Worn Gemstones, (Like Gems that have rounded off facets!) are Questionable Gems to Jewelers! Jewelers will let you know the dangers involved in repairing or working on such stones. Many Jewelers will even make you sign a statement saying you understand the risks involved, and you accept any responsibility for the stones accidentally chipping or breaking.
Truth is, that's just about all Jewelers can do. Warn you of the possibilities! If you still want to proceed with the repair, and the stone breaks, the cost of replacing that stone would fall on your own shoulders, not the Jewelers!
Antique Jewelry is often one type of Jewelry that would have fragile stones and mountings, and cause red flags to go up with Jewelers. The Jewelers are only saying, better safe than sorry!
No matter what, there are no guarantees in life. It doesn't matter if your rings are Brand New or really old, you just don't know what the future holds.
Gemstones are beautiful, yet very fragile all at the same time. Just like people are, just like nature is. We can all be chipped or broken! You just have to deal with it!
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