Piece of jewellery repair

[CraigMST]

Now I don't want to go into the whole story due to their being plenty of sexual inuendos and this being in the lounge it would just turn into a joke fest
I've taken a piece of jewellery into a high street jewellery chain for repair. I have an insurance policy for the item from the shop so the item has been sent away for repair not once, but twice and it hasn't been repaired to a satisfactory condition and they have agreed that it is the best condition that they can get it to.
Considering I am going to have this piece of jewellery for the rest of my life I am in my rights to ask for a replacement aren't I? They have had chance to fix the item twice and haven't successfuly done so, I believe this has also led to damage of the structure of the piece.
Anybody else ever been in this situation?

[Shaw Tarse]

What was the "item"?
Possibly better asking the question in a more appropriate forum?

[CraigMST]

Shaw Tarse said:

What was the "item"?
Possibly better asking the question in a more appropriate forum?

Engagement ring.
If the Watch forum is more appropriate and the mods believe so then I would appreciate it if it was moved to there. Thanks

[ecain63]

As a jewellery repairer / goldsmith i really can sympathise with you. We see so many brand new items coming through the door that 5 years ago would have been considered scrap. Its just a sign of the times. Signet group and other large chain gangs are looking for maximum profit in a difficult climate and that normally means scrimping on materials and making items as lightwieght and as near the the lower level of tolerance as possible. As a result, we as repairers are finding it harder and harder to repair what should be easy to fix, brand new items. Gold from these outlets is really poor quality at the moment, especially white gold. Often its pourous, brittle and an odd colour of white (under the rhodium plating) which indicates a poor quality white metal in the mix. Shoulders of rings and inners of bangles are getting more and more hollow / thin which means that settings flex easily, resulting in stones popping out all over the place and settings cracking. When they are this thin and weak they are impossible to fix without strengthening work, which is pointless as the cost outwieghs the value of the item.

My advice: Get a refund from your highstreet shop and visit a reputable 'real jeweller / goldsmith' with an on-site workshop. You might pay a little more for the item but its real value will show through immediately. pm me if you want some advice.

Eddie