to expect an engagement ring from Tiffany to last a lifetime?

[StillMarried]

We got engaged 16 years ago and DH went to Tiffany and bought an amazing ring for me. Two sapphires and a diamond. Suffice to say it was not an inexpensive purchase.

Fast forward 15 years three DC and a very busy life later, one of the sapphires fell out. I took it back to the shop to get them to repair it for me.

They claim that I will need a new stone and that it will cost nearly half the initial cost of the ring to repair it.

AIBU to expect them to put in the stone that my DH has already paid for?

AIBU to expect a ring from Tiffany to last 15 years??

did you have it checked regularly by a jeweller for damage to the claws? If so YANBU, if not YABU

yanbu! WHat a crock of shit! Did they say WHY you "need a new stone"?

Is it insured?

You have my sympathies. I don't understand why you need a new stone? I know the horse as bolted but if you're on the register they clean and check over your ring and other Tiffany's jewelry each year for free. I do think their claws are a bit dodgy though, am off to see them tomorrow because a stone has fallen out of one of my necklaces and I have only had it 4 years.

They said the setting had deteriorated with wear and the whole ring needed resetting and they needed to source new stones.

I hadn't had it checked but didn't think I needed to? It's not a watch that needs servicing...

My granny's ring lasted for 56 years with no repairs and probably cost 2 and 6 back in the day.

Just goes to show expensive doesn't equal good quality

I would write in to the head office and tell them that they need to remember ho they are and to mend your ring immediately. It's hardly H Samuel ffs!

Sounds a bit suspect to me. Surely precious stones are supposed to be virtually indestructible? I could maybe understand a new setting might be needed, but a new stone...

I would take it to an independent jeweller to see what they say too.

You could take it to an independent jewellers to see if they can repair it.
The ruby in my ring fell out (not tiffanys), I went to a couple of independents, one said that my ring would have to be melted and remade at a cost of £250 the other found me a new stone and rebuilt the claws for £40

You do need to have the settings checked more regularly than every 15 years. I think you took a risk that a stone would fall out if you didn't, especially if it has been worn every day for that long.

I don't think yabu to expect the stone you already have to be used for a repair. I would take it to an independent jeweller and get an opinion from them as to whether it can be repaired with the same stone.

I'd go to a good independent local jeweller to get the ring re-set using your stones. I did this recently with an eternity ring where one of the settings had broken. Mind you it's a 1950s one so probably 60 years old.

Bruce Willis has never seen the ocean

Sorry x post with Binky

{makes note to have ring checked}

I can't understand why they'd need to source new stones? Try and get an answer to that from them. It sounds very odd.

I don't understand the new stone but if you wear it constantly it needs servicing every couple of years whether it is Tiffany or not. I list a stone from mine after 10 years constant wear and got the what did you expect routine from the jeweller, they did reset the original stone though.

repair should be covered on your house insurance (assuming it's on their as a named item if valuable?)

Deep, Marielle

i thought that you had lost the stone from your OP. If you still have the stone, unless it is a really soft metal (like 22ct gold), that is very unreasonable! they are probably used to people chucking money at them at their slightest say so.

household insurance and specialist jewellery insurance policies require settings etc on big items to be checked annually. Last time I had my eternity ring checked, eight of the stones were loose and needed resetting - the jeweller said that if you go to the gym and lift weights with rings on or do a lot of driving, it can losen them. Generally happens with soft metals like gold rather than platinum. So YABU to expect that an expensive piece of kit doesn't need to be looked after occasionally, however I suspect Tiffany are taking teh p*ss royally by suggesting you need a new stone. what's wrong with the old one? what price have they offered you for the old stone? if they are remaking the setting, then they can remake it around the old one (was it cracked or similar? can you live with major inclusions if so?). You could go to Hatton Garden adn get a jeweller to remake the setting however you want it, but it won't be a Tiffany ring -depends whether you care about having a branded piece of bling. A significant part of the original cost will have been teh little blue box, as will the cost of the repair / new stone

I'd check your insurance. I know my policy says I need to get the claws checked every 4 years as even an strong wearing metals like platinum wear down and the stone can fall out...

Don't understand. The ring is two sapphires and one diamond. Why does only one sapphire need replacing - surely it's both or neither? Ditch Tiffany and get a proper jeweller to sort the problem.

My engagement ring has a sapphire and it seems OK to me after 20+ years. OTOH I have a old, second-hand ring containing a sapphire and that is looking worn.

My understanding (not just from Tiffany's) is that jewelry needs regular servicing, just like watches. I can understand the setting detoriating but the solution ie needing a new stone is what sounds odd! In these recesssionary times, I always wonder whether people are looking for an extra commission so would I ask them why it can't be reset. (As that would be far cheaper!)

marielle

no useful comments but watching the advice with interest as a tiny little diamond has fallen out of my engagement ring recently. At the moment it looks like a missing tooth.

Interesting thread.
I haven't got an engagement ring (yet!) but I would consider it to be a dress ring and not to be worn when doing dirty/rough jobs. A plain gold band would be different of course.
It seems others think differently.