Columbian Emeralds International, Combine International, Dutyfree.com, CEI, Steven Crane, Sarah Restrepo, Angela Jaramillo Dutyfree ripoff, defrauded, stole, switched, ripped off, fraud, switched diamond to a lesser quality and size, dishonest diamond jewelers, dishonest international jeweler, dishonest emerald jeweler U.S. Virgin Islands, Florida, Troy Michigan, Internet Nevis, St. Kitts, Flordia, Nationwide

Columbian Emeralds International staff lied to us about our Diamond Engagement Ring purchase. When we received the ring, it was not the diamond we selected in the store and the diamond was cracked. We immediately had it appraised (by an Independent Appraiser) and it appraised for much less than expected. We contacted the store and received a run around. Contacted Customer Services and was told that we were not the only ones that had encountered this problem. We were asked to return it to Customer Services for resolution.

Reluctantly, we returned it to Customer Services (Sarah Restrepo) and several weeks later, we received a stone that was much smaller, of much worse quality, inclusion in the center of the stone and cracked. This issue has been going on for more than two years and Columbian Emeralds International has told us that they have no intentions of resolving this issue to our satisfaction. We attempted on several occassions to speak to and communicate with Mr. Steven Crane, owner of Columbian Emeralds International to no avail. Mr. Crane recently had to answer to the courts and is now taking the position that although the store said Columbian Emeralds International, it was not one of his stores--he claims that it was a Combine International store using Columbian Emeralds International's name. We are posting this in hopes of helping other innocent consumers. You are referred to Columbian Emeralds International while on cruise ships as a reputable place to make a jewelry purchase--it is not. We are ripped off, defrauded and mad in Maryland. We are currently in court fighting this issue.

William
Upper Marlboro, Maryland
U.S.A.