Cleaning/Switching? Is it possible?
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AndyRosse
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First of all, just think for a moment about what is involved in switching a diamond. The diamond has to be removed from your setting, another diamond found that is quite similar in size, etc. to yours, and then it must be reset in the diamond with enough precision and workmanship to make it look like nothing ever happened. Do you think that can occur in three minutes???
Second of all, you should be able to identify your diamond, either with your naked eye (visible inclusions) or with a loupe (inclusions or lasered inscription on girdle). If you can''t, before you hand over your diamond ring, ask the jeweler to make a plot of the inclusions and show them to you, so in the future you will know what your diamond''s characteristics are and how to locate them. If the jeweler who refuses to do this, then find another one who is willing to make you feel secure. Of course, remember that even thinking that a jeweler would do such a horrible thing is insulting to a reputable jeweler, so this is a fine line to walk.
Third, realize that switching diamonds is a risky thing...do you think your jeweler is willing to risk everything and jail time just to switch your diamond?
Second of all, you should be able to identify your diamond, either with your naked eye (visible inclusions) or with a loupe (inclusions or lasered inscription on girdle). If you can''t, before you hand over your diamond ring, ask the jeweler to make a plot of the inclusions and show them to you, so in the future you will know what your diamond''s characteristics are and how to locate them. If the jeweler who refuses to do this, then find another one who is willing to make you feel secure. Of course, remember that even thinking that a jeweler would do such a horrible thing is insulting to a reputable jeweler, so this is a fine line to walk.
Third, realize that switching diamonds is a risky thing...do you think your jeweler is willing to risk everything and jail time just to switch your diamond?
Excellent points, Rascal. My fiance freaks everytime I get my ring cleaned (the most recent being this past Saturday). He''s always convinced they are switching my diamond. And I don''t even get my ring cleaned at a mall store (not that there is anything wrong with them!). This is a locally owned store with an excellent reputation! Silly boy.
Mara
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It always cracks me up when people think that jewelers want to switch their diamonds. If you took it to a reputable place, why would they want to switch your diamond? Don't they sell other diamonds there? Surely all the other diamonds they have in their inventory are just as nice if not nicer? I mean sure anything is possible. But from a realistic standpoint unless you are taking it to some corner jewelry mart where a 1c is $999, then a jewelry store would not put their reputation at risk to switch out your diamond with theirs.
Plus I think it would take longer than 3 minutes to clean AND switch the diamond. But YES, you should familiarize yourself with your diamond so that you don't have to ask this question ever again. Find an inclusion in it or the inscription on the girdle and put yourself at ease.
codex57
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Cleaning can take seconds. It just won''t be a very good job. My wife''s family is friends with another family that owns a jewelry store. I like to play with the cleaning machine and I can clean my wife''s ring in 20 seconds or less. Won''t be thorough, but will look clean. Run it for a few seconds under that vibrating thingy and then a quick 1-2 second blast under the steam machine.
However, to swap a diamond without leaving noticeable scratches on the prongs and stuff will take much longer than 3 minutes. That''s assuming the jeweler has an almost identical looking diamond on hand to swap. However, even if they had one almost identical looking, why the hell would they want to swap it? Going to any respectable jeweler means it''s just not worth the risk to swap a diamond. They get so little gain out of it that it''s nowhere near worth the risk.
However, to swap a diamond without leaving noticeable scratches on the prongs and stuff will take much longer than 3 minutes. That''s assuming the jeweler has an almost identical looking diamond on hand to swap. However, even if they had one almost identical looking, why the hell would they want to swap it? Going to any respectable jeweler means it''s just not worth the risk to swap a diamond. They get so little gain out of it that it''s nowhere near worth the risk.
I had a diamond ring given to me by my mother and when I got my engagement ring, I stopped wearing the ring my mum gave me. Because I stopped wearing it, I decided to have the diamond reset into earrings (jeweller found a diamond that matched as close as possible for the other earring).
Sure, he took the diamond out of the ring in less than a minute but the damage caused to the gold would not have been able to have be repaired in less than 3 minutes.
Think about how long it took to make the ring. If it takes the jeweller that long to make it, I don''t think they''ll be able to switch the diamond that quickly. The prongs aren''t made of plasticine and they won''t be able to just open and close them willy nilly on the spot.
Sure, he took the diamond out of the ring in less than a minute but the damage caused to the gold would not have been able to have be repaired in less than 3 minutes.
Think about how long it took to make the ring. If it takes the jeweller that long to make it, I don''t think they''ll be able to switch the diamond that quickly. The prongs aren''t made of plasticine and they won''t be able to just open and close them willy nilly on the spot.
TheDoctor
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AndyRosse
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Hee hee, I had to respond to this post...it reminds me of an interview I had at a very upscale jeweler outside of Chicago last year for a sales associate position. After the owner interviewed me, she took me back downstairs to the showroom and offered me a ring cleaning. I agreed, and the lady who cleaned them was gone for a few minutes more than normal. During that time, the owner/interviewer asked me who designed my watch (it was a total $40 knockoff of something similar to a Michele, with a purple croc band and a little bling around the bezel), she ws totally sizing me up the whole time. When the woman finally brought my rings back, I realized she was quite possibly back there examining the quality of my diamond! You may be shaking your head right now, saying, "come on, I doubt it," but it was kind of a location situation. During the interview the owner actually had me stand up so she could look at "my figure." Just a little on the old fashioned/unprofessional side, to say the least. Needless to say, I didn''t get the job, although I had 9 years of retail experience plus fine jewelry selling experience on my resume. She did inform me that most of her sales associates had gemology degrees, and that this was not their "second job." Ah well...always good to stay fresh at interviewing, I guess!
I would agree with the above posts, what does the jeweler really have to gain from switching your diamond, unless they are a disreputable establishment?
I would agree with the above posts, what does the jeweler really have to gain from switching your diamond, unless they are a disreputable establishment?
I think the jeweler should be more nervous about this scenario than the customer! It''s probably more likely that a dishonest and/or paranoid person would accuse the jeweler of switching the stone, than it actually happening in that short amount of time!! I know there are some jewelers who will only work on items they''ve sold for that very reason......
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