THE JEWELER CHIPPED YOUR STONE?

Lets face it, things happen.

Jewelers break stones.

Jewelers are human just like everyone else. Jewelers can break stones and diamonds during repairs.

But why does this happen?

What can you do about it?

Good question. Let’s go…

Understand; all gems can break!

Every gemstone on the face of the earth can break. And yes, even diamonds can chip or break (read: Can diamonds break?) No gemstone is safe or shatter-proof.

You’d be shocked to find out how easily some gemstones can be broken. It really doesn’t take much pressure or force to chip those delicate gems.

True, diamonds are much more durable, but diamonds have a breaking point just like everything in life does. With the right angle, the right amount of force… CRACK!

There’s a massive chunk taken out of your diamond.

When jewelers work on jewelry, they use steel tools and a lot of manual force. Steel pliers bend prongs and sometimes crack stones.

Jewelers can’t help it, they have to apply force to the edges of the stones. They push down on the channel walls, which pushes down on stones. Every movement the jeweler makes directly involves pressure on the metal, diamonds, and stones.

Everything about jewelry involves some parts of the ring or mounting holding down those stones. Whether it’s basket heads, prongs, channels, tension settings, beads or wires, metal is always being bent over, pushed over, pried across or wrapped around those gems.

So stones are vulnerable.

Anytime during this repair process, your gems and diamonds are open and defenseless. A little too much pressure, a little too much push, a little slip of the tool is all it takes to chip, break, fracture, crack or shatter your beautiful gems and gorgeous diamonds.

And there’s nothing you can do to stop it. Jewelers try to be careful when they’re dealing with gems, but it happens to even the best of jewelers.

Look how easy your teeth break…

You just never know how a stone will really react to force and pressure. It’s like when you’re chewing a piece of gum and you break a tooth. “You broke a tooth chewing gum?” Yes! You just never know when it will happen. Stones can give just as easily. If it breaks, it breaks.

So there you go…

The stone is broken. Now what?

Hopefully the jeweler noticed it and was nice enough to call you and let you know the bad news (it’s crappy when you go in to pick up your repair and find out then… that sucks!)

There’s good news and bad to all of this. The good news is, it happened while in the jeweler’s possession. Yah! The bad news is, you may not ever like the new stone you get. Boo!

Obligation:

You see, jewelers are normally obligated and insured to replace stones that they happen to chip or break during repairs. (large diamonds may involve an insurance claim).

Most jewelers will then pick out a new stone for you. Most will do a decent job of this and try to match the exact size, quality, and color of your stone…

But you don’t always have to settle. In other words, you don’t have to let the jeweler make that decision.

It is your stone afterall.

So tell the jeweler that you want to be involved in choosing a new stone.

Allow the jeweler to give you choices so you can inspect them and make up your mind.

“I want to see them!”

Look at all of the stones available for replacing yours. If you’re not happy with the selection, have them get more.

It’s your valuables they broke, you have a right to inspect replacements and be satisfied with the outcome. Just like you did with your initial purchase. In the end, you have to wear it. So hopefully you’ll get a comparable looking stone.

This will take longer…

The process, of course, will lengthen the time of your repair (it could take weeks to find good replacement). So sit back, relax, 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 didn’t take an axe to your ring… They didn’t destroy it purposefully. It’s life. No one likes being on either side of this equation. But sadly, when jewelers do accidentally chip stones, it looks bad on them. Plus it ticks off the customer. But in the end, the jeweler is the one to pay.

It’s a no-win situation for anyone.

Hopefully you’re dealing with a jeweler that fesses up about breaking your stone. Be happy if this is your jeweler.

It’s the jewelers that don’t tell you, that’s a real problem.

Jewelry stores that let you walk out the door with a broken stone and don’t admit it are scumbags. Shame on them. Because then you are really screwed. You’d never be able to prove that the jeweler was the one that chipped your stone, or that it happened on a counter at home… It’s your word against theirs.

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!

Inspect your merchandise under magnification (buy yourself a 10x jeweler’s loupe). Look for cracks and chips and breaks (and you should do this before you drop it off as well, just to note the initial condition). Trust me, it won’t bother jewelers any if you ask for a closer look. Ask them to see it under their microscope.

Jewelers have no problems with clients scoping and inspecting their rings and jewelry upon drop off and delivery. So 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 diamond. Read: Jewelers diamond switching).

You’re at risk:

Sometimes jewelers will tell you before you get any work done, that your gemstones are at risk. Sometimes your stones may already be chipped or broken around the edge 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 even more (often in half).

Questionable gems:

Old gemstones, softer gemstones, or worn gemstones (with rounded off facets) are questionable gems to work on. 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 that you accept any responsibility for the stones accidentally chipping or breaking.

And the truth is, that’s all jewelers can really do about it. 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.

Antiques? Same thing!

Antique jewelry is often one type of jewelry that would have fragile stones and mountings, and cause red flags to go up with all jewelers. Having some kind of disclosure is just being safe.

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 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.

Cheers! :)