Caribbean Princess, Sept 2006: I attend a shopping seminar where Diamonds International is highly recommended. The sales rep,Christie assures customers if we have ANY problem with merchants, Princess Cruises will 100% fix it.
St. Thomas: I buy a $31,500.00 yellow diamond ring, which I traded in my engagement ring for PLUS paid $16,500.00 additionally. Reina Infante of D.I. assured me I had everything I needed for insurance purposes in the US. Once home, my ins company insists on having a plot (standard in stones over 25K). Surprise, surprise! It was never included.
I call D.I.;(we were supposed to deal with their NY office)repeatedly, leaving messages- no answer for at least a week! My husband emails & finally gets a response. "Sure,send the ring back so we can plot it. So sorry!"
We mail the ring.
2 wks later; I demand service and am told, "We WILL NOT remove the stone from the setting because it may injure the ring." I said that's ok- I wanted a new setting anyway. She REFUSED!
I demand my $ and trade-in back but was told I didn't meet the 30 warranty even though I I had but no one CB until after it expired! I am livid! D.I.'s lies were the catalyst for my purchase and their negligence is reason enough for a refund!
D.I. is guilty of: (1) Misrepresenting the certs + value of a stone (2) Neglecting to say the diamond can't come out of it's cup setting, (such BS!) (3) Not including a plot but saying they had (4) Not returning calls + delay tactics (5) Refusing to plot their own stone! (6) Lying, stealing, fraud and not honoring their contract!
All they offer to do is replace the ring, which I had no interest in. I am beside myself knowing the diamond I paid as much as a car for is fake! I tried to make the best of it, and even liked the 1st replacement stone's stats.
Typically, it was used as bait (becoming unavailable) in attempt to switch my interest to the 2nd substitute ring. Not happening! #2 was inferior in all aspects, so I reject it. Then, Reina praises a slightly smaller stone, w/ superior clarity and "increased value".
Gabriel, the manager confirmed this! Both neglected to tell me what a gross excuse for fancy yellow it is; a worthless(L grade) Vaseline color with extreme blue fluorescence. These characteristics, (combined with the small size and very thick girdle) make this diamond less than HALF of the original price!
A jeweler appraised the 3rd stone, saying the replacement was worth only $15K, (the credit I got for just for my trade-in!)Also, he said," ALL diamonds can be removed- regardless of the type of setting. You've been robbed."
The last thing I want is for these crooks to be further compensated for criminal activity. I already lost my trade in worth $15K. They refuse to refund me OR offer a reasonable replacement; have zero integrity and do despicable business. D.I. had several opportunities to fix their mistakes.
Instead they added insult to injury and continued to try to steal as much as possible! RUN, do not walk away from Diamonds International! Princess Cruises has not done a thing to help.
Erika
Pompano Bch, Florida
U.S.A.