My fiancé gave me an engagement ring which needed to be resized. We brought it back to the store, and they said it would take a few days. On a Friday afternoon, the owner called me and asked how late would I be able to stop by, and I told him I would just pick it up late Saturday afternoon. I had the ring only a few days, and it started to tarnish. In one week, it was absolutely black – it looked like it was set in black nickel, even the prongs. I took the ring to a reputable jeweler, and she said she had never seen anything quite like it. There are chunks of bonding agent actually stuck in the gaps underneath the diamonds. The main diamond is very loose and can be turned with my fingers – you don’t even need tweezers, and there is still a rough spot in one of the baguettes. The jeweler said he had to remake the ring because the original size was so off, yet when I had it for the first week, it didn’t tarnish. I just want to take it back and go somewhere else. What is your take on this whole situation?

D. Fenley

Hi D,

It is a little difficult to answer your question at the moment because I need to get a little bit more information to properly help you.

Where do you live? It would be easier if you lived in Hawaii and brought the ring to us to inspect. If not there are some questions that you can help me with. Possibly send us a picture of the ring.

Could you tell me what kind of metal is used to make the ring?
Why was the ring remade instead of resizing? Was the original size far off from your ring size?
Did the jeweler explain why “bonding agent” used?

If the jeweler that did the resize is the one that sold you the ring you should not have a problem returning the ring.

Your answers will help me to better understand your exact situation.

Russell Oshita, the diammonddude
The Diamond Specialists Inc
Diamonds Hawaii

Hi, Russell. I appreciate the prompt response. Nick had purchased the ring from Charleston Gold & Diamond. They had resized the ring three times. When we got it back the last time, it tarnished within a few days. You could also hear that the diamond was so loose in the head that I could turn it with my fingertips and you could see it move at least 1/8”. The store rep claimed that they had ‘a bad batch of rhodium.’ I took the ring to another jeweler for examination, and she told me that they, too, have had that experience, but that it happens immediately. There were lumps of bonding gold stuck in the ring underneath the diamond, the ring isn’t even symmetrical to the naked eye, and there is a chip out of one of the baguettes that you can feel with your fingertip. I believe the ring is made of 14k gold with a .93 ct VS1 H diamond. I think they charged him around $6700. The original size of the ring was a 4.0, then he told them a 5.0. I took it in for resizing, which they claim they did. I asked them for cleats inside the band, as I have broken that finger and the knuckle is larger; this prevents the diamond from sliding around to the back. The jeweler insisted that I didn’t need it, and I don’t remember the new size – I think it’s a 6.5 and still doesn’t fit properly.

We took the ring back and just asked for our money back. It’s very, very poor quality in workmanship, not even apprentice work. They agreed to swap out the diamond for a new one (I don’t particularly care for solitaires) and refund him the cost of his ring. I will send you a photo of the ring. Let me know what you think.

We will be taking the new loose diamond to Paula Harrison in Mt. Pleasant, SC – she is a very good friend of mine and a jeweler with the highest reputation. Let me know what you think of the ring…

I appreciate your help,
Best regards,
D. Fenley
PS: Pictures to follow separately.

Hi D.

I am glad you were able to resolve your problem and you did not have to keep the ring. I am still very interested in seeing the pictures of the ring.

Russell Oshita, the diamonddude
The Diamond Specialists Inc.
Diamonds Hawaii