If you've ever had stones fall out of your e-ring or wedding band

DH's family jeweler handmade my engagement ring and wedding band. I adore them both and this jeweler has never steered his family wrong in over 30 years. Fast forward to last winter, one of the diamonds fell out of my wedding band (it's an eternity band with diamonds all around). We have no idea how or when it happened, the stone was lost, and I had only been wearing it for about a year and a half so it was really upsetting that it happened. This jeweler was so apologetic. He replaced the diamond (with the same quality stone) at no cost to us, and also checked all the other stones to make sure none of them were loose. These are not large stones by the way...I would guess they are about 1/8 carat.

About 4 months ago this jeweler retired and sold his store to a new owner. This new owner (and her entire family) are well known jewelers in our area. They own another very well known store and have been in the business for a very long time, so they too are reputable as far as we know.

Fast forward to now...another diamond falls out of the same wedding band. It's been 6 months since the first diamond fell out, so not a very long time in between incidents. Again, stone was lost and we have no idea when or how this happened. So, we return to the jewelry store, which is now under this new ownership. We explain that the past owner hand made my ring, diamond fell out 6 months ago and was replaced, and now a second diamond has fallen out. She replaces the diamond for us, but charges us full price for it. Part of me "gets it" because this is her business now and she needs to make money, but part of me is irked because this is obviously the 2nd time in a very short amount of time that a stone has come out. DH thinks she shouldn't have charged us for it at all. I'm not really sure...I dont know what the norm is. The old Jeweler didnt charge us, but he was very close to DH's family (he even made me a beautiful necklace to wear on the wedding day as a gift - didnt charge us. it was his gift to us for being such longtime customers). This new owner has no allegiance to us.

For those of you who have lost stones in your rings, does your jeweler usually charge you to replace them? Especially if it's a situation like this where it's happened twice in a short span of time?

Message edited 8/25/2016 1:14:22 PM.

Re: If you've ever had stones fall out of your e-ring or wedding band

I haven't but a good friend of mine had diamonds falling out of her e-ring every few months. Jeweler kept replacing them for free for about two years and then started charging.. LOL.

In this case, I think they're right to charge you. You haven't given them any business and they don't know that if you will only be back just to replace the diamonds for free or if you'll become a good consistent customer.

Re: If you've ever had stones fall out of your e-ring or wedding band

I would expect to be charged to replace the diamond esp. if its a new owner. I would assume any warranty I may have had was gone once the new owners came in.


my rings were bought at a chain jeweler they have lifetime guarantee on their diamonds so as long as I go every 6 months to have them checked. they will replace any lost diamond. the diamond would be free but I think if they have to replace a prong if you didn't buy the warranty you would have to pay for that work (not 100% sure because we purchased the warranty so everything is always covered)

If you've ever had stones fall out of your e-ring or wedding band

Annoying but I'd expect to be charged. That's the one negative to eternity bands.

If you've ever had stones fall out of your e-ring or wedding band

I would expect to be charged. I would not expect the new owners to honor any ties DH had to the previous owners and how they ran the business.

Message edited 8/25/2016 1:56:32 PM.

Re: If you've ever had stones fall out of your e-ring or wedding band

Re: If you've ever had stones fall out of your e-ring or wedding band

Re: If you've ever had stones fall out of your e-ring or wedding band

Re: If you've ever had stones fall out of your e-ring or wedding band

I've lost 2 (one I really lost, one I found on the floor)!and he replaced them no charge. It's been a long time now but if one fell out I would expect to pay for it.

Re: If you've ever had stones fall out of your e-ring or wedding band

Thank you all for the responses! Okay, I had a feeling it might be more of the norm to have to pay to replace them. It really wasn't much money so it's not that big of a deal, but my DH was annoyed

If you've ever had stones fall out of your e-ring or wedding band

I had my ering 9 years wedding band 7. Blue Nile STILL replaces the stone for free when I loose them. I lost 3 from my ering last year and they replaced them no questions asked. They did mentioned we should have the ring cleaned, checked and tightened by them once a year which we will be doing.

Message edited 8/26/2016 8:51:12 AM.

Re: If you've ever had stones fall out of your e-ring or wedding band

The jeweler was right to charge you.

It sounds to me that the first Jewler did not do a good job in securing the stones. He might be awesome and honest. But he didn't do a good job in securing the stones.

They were right to change you. It was not their mistake or bad craftsmanship. One would HOPE they at least might give you a discount. But I feel they were right to charge you.

If you've ever had stones fall out of your e-ring or wedding band

I do think she was right to charge you, I think it would be a good idea going forward to have the stone checked and and the prongs tightened. Once yearly

If you've ever had stones fall out of your e-ring or wedding band

I would expect her to charge especially if she had nothing to do with making the ring. It does stink though. Just an FYI to those who bring their rings back to the jeweler every so often for cleanings and tightening, always make sure you stay with your ring and watch them. And if they won't allow you too, bring your ring back to get appraised. My first e-ring was brought for a cleaning at a chain jewler where it was purchased and about 2 days later I lost a side stone that was set in the ring. We brought it back to replace the stone and then we brought it back to get appraised and the appraiser would not accept it because they switched one of the main certified diamonds for a lesser quality diamond. We had to fight to get our money back (it took months) and then had to find a new e-ring and wedding band 2 months before we got married. It was a nightmare. So please stay with your rings!