Help! Platinum e-ring cracked after 9 months!

[soupcxan]

Last year I bought my wife an engagement ring from Blue Nile, the platinum trellis setting. 9 months later, she noticed that the band is cracked at the 6 o'clock position. The ring was sized by BN (size 6.5) and we have not had anything done to it. What do we do? Is this a common problem? Should I try to get BN to fix it or take it to a local jewler? I posted a picture of the crack. My wife works in an office (e.g. she's not banging her hand into things often) and can't imagine how this would've happened. Appreciate any help you can provide.

 

[Circe]

That doesn''t look like a crack to me ... it looks like a weakened solder line (which happens sometimes - your wife wouldn''t have had to have done anything particularly strenuous or unusual). It will be easy to fix, regardless of whether you choose to ship it to BN, or take it to a local jeweler.

 

[rogeshoe57]

I''ve read a bunch of posts of people having problems with BN''s platinums from cracking like yours to allergic reactions. Must be something with the quality of their platinum.

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 4/17/2008 9:35:11 PM
Author: Circe
That doesn''t look like a crack to me ... it looks like a weakened solder line (which happens sometimes - your wife wouldn''t have had to have done anything particularly strenuous or unusual). It will be easy to fix, regardless of whether you choose to ship it to BN, or take it to a local jeweler.

yep its a solder joint from when it was resized that let go.

 

[motownmama]

AFTER 13 YEARS OF MARRIAGE I HAD THE SAME THING HAPPEN WHEN I PICKED UP A BUCKET OF GOLF BALLS AT THE RANGE (DIDN''T NOTICE UNTIL i WAS DRIVING HOME). IT WAS SPLICED PERFECTLY THROUGH AND I FIGURED THAT WAS WHERE IT HAD BEEN ORIGINALLY SIZED. MY LOCAL JEWELER FIXED IT IN 2 DAYS AND I HAVEN''T HAD A MINUTE OF TROUBLE SINCE (1 YR LATER).

 

[Diamond*Dana]

Yes, you should definitely speak with them about repairs, and I agree that it is from the resize. Even though it has been 9 months, that should not have happened for no reason. Hopefully they will do the right thing and repair it at their cost. Good luck!

 

[Love in Bloom]

I'm sorry that hapened to your girlfriend's ring Soupcxan! That happened to my old e-ring setting

.

After BN did that to my ring, I would be hesitant to send it away and have them try to repair it...I would take the ring to someone who has experience working with platinum. Make sure the jeweler (not the sales associates or store people) knows the ring is platinum so he/she can be sure to use the correct solder for platinum and heat the joint to the correct temperature. If you want extra insurance the ring will be seamless down the road, I would suggest going to a jewelry store with an experienced laser welder on site. There is one at my local B&M and their repair was accurate and superfast.

 

[soupcxan]

I spoke with BN today and they said they stand behind their product and I could mail it back to them to repair. However I'm a little leery of mailing it (plus it's expensive given the insurance). I took it to a local jeweler that someone I know has dealt with before and they quoted $70 to fix it. Is that a ripoff? Can anyone recommend a good jewelry repair shop in the Dallas / Ft. Worth area (preferrably on the Dallas side)? I did a search but most of the places on the forum were jewelry sales shops, not necessarily skilled at repair.

 

[denverappraiser]

That’s a bit higher than I would expect it to cost in most of the stores around here (I’m in Denver) but if it’s a jeweler you’re inclined to trust, this doesn’t seem entirely unreasonable. I’m sure they have local competitors who will do it for less if you shop them but do bear in mind that the cheapest craftsmen are rarely the best and visa versa. Try to find someone who will repair it with a laser and it reduces the chances it'll happen again.

Check with Google, Yellow Pages and perhaps the list of 'net friendly' local jewelers listed under 'resources' at the top of the page. Even though this is an easy repair, bear in mind that having another jeweler work on it may void your remaining warranty with the seller (assuming you have one).

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver

 

[Muss]

I don''t know what your warrenty status is with BN, but having it worked on locally will probably negate it.

Also, if you are going to look at spending $70 to have it done locally, it won''t cost you anymore to ship it...assuming you trust BN at this point.

my 2 cents...

 

[Ice Princess Cristy]

Regarding the shipping... I sent my ring via UPS and it was $65 to send from AZ to CA including to insure it, was there in 2 days. My jeweler sends it back priority mail insured and it takes about 2-3 days. I looked in priority mail to ship it, would have saved only about $5, but I felt more secure with UPS and you can track each movement it makes.... which gave me peace of mind. I have shipped my ring out 2 different times now and it was always fine.
IMHO I would send it back to BN so that you keep the warrenty in good standing with the ring and don''t negate it. Also I know of too many people who found local jewelers in phone book and had botched jobs with soldering or rodium plating. That''s why I stay with my jeweler in another state. If you can get a reputable recomendation, definatley start a relationship with them!

Good Luck!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I see no particular purpose in a warranty that is going to cost you money every time you have to ship the ring. Just spend the money on the repairs locally and you won''t be without the ring as long, hopefully! If you have a loose stone and that kind of thing, it would be nuts to send it back to Blue Nile. I can see if it was a pave Leon Mege ring, but not a plain platinum ring. You surely can get it repaired just as well locally.