Poor engagement ring purchase experience
**Disappointing experience with a bespoke engagement ring**
My fiancé commissioned a bespoke engagement ring for our proposal in July. Unfortunately, what should have been a wonderful experience has turned into months of frustration and disappointment.
Despite having my finger measured in store before the proposal, the ring was extremely tight and uncomfortable from the beginning. We later discovered that the original purchase documentation specified a size J½, approximately two sizes smaller than the size I ultimately needed.
My fiancé does not recall receiving a CAD drawing of the original design for approval before the ring was manufactured, nor has he been able to locate any communication showing that one was presented to him for review and approval.
The ring subsequently required two further resizing visits in an attempt to address the fit and constant swivelling caused by the heavy setting. Despite this, it continued to rotate and feel top-heavy. After so much resizing, I am now also concerned about whether the gold band has become thinner at its base and how this might affect its long-term durability.
The original platinum setting had six prominent claws around the centre oval diamond. I raised concerns about both their appearance and discomfort and specifically asked whether the diamond could be reset, as I was worried that simply reducing the claws would leave the setting looking uneven.
Rather than resetting the diamond, the jeweller chiselled down the top and bottom claws. Only after this alteration was I encouraged to "see how you go" and try wearing the ring for a while.
Unfortunately, this left the claw arrangement looking uneven, with the top and bottom edges of the diamond exposed and creating a noticeable ledge that catches on clothing and other materials during normal wear. This was precisely the outcome I had been concerned about.
The ring also rubs against my neighbouring fingers, feels excessively heavy and uncomfortable after a relatively short period, and repeatedly leaves black marks on my finger.
After months of trying to resolve these issues, we consulted another jeweller, who questioned the amount of platinum used in the setting and advised that they would not have recommended such a substantial six-claw arrangement for these diamonds, particularly given the weight, proportions and aesthetics.
Although the original jeweller attempted alterations and eventually offered a redesigned setting, we were asked to pay a further $2,100 for the reset, with the jeweller also retaining the gold and platinum from the original ring. We were disappointed by the suggestion that we had chosen to change the structure of the ring, when our requests were primarily about addressing the original comfort and wearability problems.
We have now decided to pay another jeweller to create a new setting using the original diamonds.
The diamonds themselves are beautiful, but I have never been able to comfortably wear my engagement ring for extended periods. What should have been a special reminder of our engagement has instead become an ongoing source of discomfort, expense and frustration.
For a bespoke engagement ring of this significance, we expected a much better design, approval process, workmanship and overall experience.
