Post # 1
Member
504 posts
Busy bee
I am so sad :(((
I updated a post just last thursday about an heirloom ring I had resetted with an amber colored diamond. I am in LOVE with it. It is perfect, exactly how I wanted. The vintage look, the color of the stone… I like everything about it. Last night I was admiring it (again) and, up close, I saw a crack… There is a line starting from the edge of the stone going towards the center, about 1/3 of the way. I can also feel it with the tip of my finger and it is sharp. It could cut the flesh for sure.
Saying that I am desappointed is an understatement… Where does this come from? Is it even possible? I don’t know if the stone is the problem (it is a flawed diamond bought on ebay, so I knew it was not perfect (because it had inclusions) but the pictures and video of it did not show that crack, and I did not saw it either when I looked at it when I got it in the mail) or if the jeweller might have brake it while setting it too tight (it is in a bezel).
What should I do next? I will contact the ebay seller of the stone to see if he can do something about it and then contact the jeweller to ask her if she noticed it during the process of resetting the stone. Either way though I will have to replace it 🙁 That is what is making me the saddest. Since I love the way it looks now, I can’t imagine it with another stone.
I will not go again with a stone from that seller, so what to chose next? I want that same look so I do you have any suggestions from some kind of warm colored loose gemstone I should get (and where)? I was thinking maybe a warm or fancy colored moissanite.
Here are pictures of the ring but my iPhone’s camera can’t zoom enough to show the crack. I’ll try with my DSLR and will post another picture if it works.
Post # 2
Member
662 posts
Busy bee
Cracking and chipping are risks of highly included stones. Also, if the girdle of the gem is thin, the stone is also at risk for being chipped or cracked. It is a lovely look and I can see why you like it so much.
Unfortunately, it is really not the seller’s fault if you received the stone in good condition (which it seems that you did). You may check with a jeweler to see if the stone was improperly set, causing it to crack.
When you replace the stone, be sure to evaluate the thickness of the girdle and the relative location of the inclusions so you can select a stone that is more durable.
Post # 3
Member
979 posts
Busy bee
Oh hunny I bet you are just sick about that! That stone is gorgeous. So if the jeweler didnt notice this (which I’m assuming not since he didnt mention it) then it happened after. Which means the seller had no part in it. Is there a chance the jeweler cracked it>Have you had a chance to insure it yet?
I have an unenahnced moissanite and I LOVE the warmth in it. They sell used in diamond bisto and sometimes loupetroop. Let us know what the jeweler says!
Post # 4
Member
756 posts
Busy bee
I second LoveBugBee: go back and look at the listing on E-bay just to make sure but if the stone was fine with you got it I would think it was something with the jeweler/or how included or weak the stone was. The jeweler may have even set the stone fine and the force of the setting made the crack happen SO sorry
Post # 5
Member
2934 posts
Sugar bee
labossanova: I have to say, I would not contact the ebay seller who sold you the stone. It is not his or her responsiblity at all that this happened. I’d talk to the jeweler and ask for advice on what kind of stone to replace it with. Sorry it happened! It’s still super pretty.
Post # 6
Member
504 posts
Busy bee
Thanks for you advice!
I think you are all right to say it is not the seller’s fault… I think it is a bad luck 🙁
I will contact the jeweller tomorrow.
I am wondering, can it be worst than it is now? If I just keep the ring and the stone as is, will it crack more over time? My SO thinks it still looks super great, we can only see the crack from very close and with certain lighting/reflection condition. If it stayed like this, he says I should just keep it that way.
I was thinking about changing it because I don’t like the idea of having a cracked stone… I want to keep this ring for ever (it was my grand mother’s wedding ring, I inherited it when she died a year ago) and pass it on to future generations. That’s why I was thinking of changing the stone right away for another warm gem. An unenhanced moissanite within the gold bezel could give that same warmth, I thought. Moissanite was not my first choice (that’s why I bought that amber diamond) because I don’t want a clear stone. I want to keep the “clear stone” look exclusively for the diamond e-ring I will be wearing eventually.
Post # 7
Member
504 posts
Busy bee
So I called the jeweller.
She said that she saw, while setting it, that the stone was highly included and she is pretty sure it’s the reason why the tension in the bezel setting cracked it.
She asked me to come by later today so we can discuss alternatives for a similar – but more durable look.
When I looked at my stone today I saw that the crack progressed 🙁 hopefully there is an alternative…
Post # 8
Member
411 posts
Helper bee
Oh, I’m sorry, this sucks. Hopefully you aren’t out too much and they can find something else that will do. It’s really a beautiful setting. I know that JTV has some cognac moissanites- I’ve never seen one irl but it might be something to look into? Here’s an example : http://www.jtv.com/moissanite-fire-tm-moissanite-luisant-cognac-tm-1.85ct-dew–14k-rg-over-sterling-silver-ring/1475243.html
Post # 9
Member
3361 posts
Sugar bee
labossanova: I’m so sorry. Hopefully she can help you out. You have to keep us posted what the jeweler says or does. Good luck when you go today.
Post # 10
Member
1531 posts
Bumble bee
I’m sorry this has happened to you. It could have been the jeweller cracked the stone while setting it. It could also be a result of accidently hitting your stone while wearing it. It is surprisingly easy to crack a diamond if the trauma occurs in an area where a feather is located – (a feather is a general term for any type of fissure within a diamond).
I doubt the jeweller will claim responsibilty at this point, but it is certainly worth a try.
Post # 11
Member
504 posts
Busy bee
Ok so I went to see my jeweller. She was sorry it happened and told me it is something to be feared with included stones. It was the best kind of setting for it but, unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to protect it.
Since the crack has progressed (and she told me after looking at it through the microscope that it was chipped also!) she recommended to change it right away.
She thought about alternatives and she suggested a burnt/smoked topaz. She says it is very sparkly and durable but affordable (20-30$!). I asked about citrine, she said it could be too yellow, while morganite is more on the pink/peachy side.
I told her about moissanite (and the warm hues they can have) and she ways she doesn’t know the gem a lot. It is very uncommon here in Canada. She could not get the stone for me, I would have to find it online and then bring it to her so she can reset it.
As for the price of resetting a new stone, she says if the stone is the same size as the current one she will do it free of charge. If the setting as to be altered to accomodate a different size stone she will do it at minimal cost (around 40$).
She is very nice…she is trying to make things right and it means a lot to me. My SO asked her if she makes custom ering (she does) and maybe it is why we have a great service so far lol! Anyways, if we go custom we will surely go with her (if this ring turns out to be good in the end).
All that being said, which stone should I get? What about that topaz? or Moissanite?
Post # 12
Member
662 posts
Busy bee
Awesome that the jeweler was so helpful! I’d go with the smokey topaz. It’s pretty and super economical. I think the Moissy is going to be a bit pricey, and so far as I know, all of the colored options are coated in color tinted film, which I don’t think is very durable (although the stone itself is).
ETA: So I was wrong about all colored Moissy being coated—it turns out that many are heat treated to achieve coloration. It’s CZ that is often coated for color.
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This reply was modified 4 years, 6 months ago by LoveBugBee.
Post # 13
Member
504 posts
Busy bee
LoveBugBee: thanks for the precision! but where can i find a moissanite the color of my cracked champagne/amber diamond?
Post # 14
Member
662 posts
Busy bee
Try looking on jtv.com for “cognac moissanite”, and you’ll see what the color looks like. Another bee mentioned that jtv will sell loose stones that aren’t listed on their website–but you have to call and get past their customer service to speak with someone familiar with their stock. I think moissaniteco only sells peach/pink/yellow/green colors.
Post # 15
Member
504 posts
Busy bee
Thanks!
And what about a “regular” unenhanced moissanite? My jeweller said that within the gold bezel the “already warm-ish” gem would blend well.
