Duty Free.com, Columbian Emeralds International, CEI, Jewels Sold us a cracked diamond; switched the diamond for a much smaller also cracked diamond; severed their ties with the Columbian Emerald's International located in St. Thomas which has been renamed to Jewels but refused to give a stone that was not cracked; Sarah Restrepo and Angela Jaramillo mislead us and the owner Mr. Cranes refuses to return our calls or email; buyer/tourist needs to beware. Caribbean Islands

646259.

We are not yet married, thanks to Columbian Emeralds and all the hassles we endured with our engagement ring purchases.  For the record, there was no problem with our first purchase (the 2 carat diamond).  However, on a trip years later, we stoped in to Columbian Emeralds International to look at earrings.  On our way out of the store, we passed the diamonds and a sales clerk asked us to just take a look.  We did not have a lot of time because we were on our way on a sightseeing tour.  The sales person made us an offer that we could not refuse, so we thought,  until we returned to Maryland to get an appraisal and discovered that the diamond was cracked to the surface.  For weeks, Columbian Emeralds International refused to acknowledge this possiblity or consider an exchange--they kept telling us that it was not cracked to the surface.  Reluctantly, they agreed to look at it and I (against the wishes of my fiance) sent it to them for review.  He was dealing with his fathers death and had asked me to wait until that was over before trying to resolve the issues.  But, I was trusting of Columbian Emeralds International and agreed to send the stone to them for review.  Well, it was at this point that they switched the stone to one of a much  lot lesser quality and refused to acknowledge the switch.  On a scale from 1-10, we had about a 5 (with the crack) and they switched it to a 1.  We were so frustrated with this situation that we decided to change our wedding date until we could get the situation resolved.  We did not think it was a good idea to get married with issues surrounding the ring and unfortunately, we were stuck with the horrible ring until 2008 when we went back on a cruise and upgraded to a better stone.  It was not Columbian Emeralds International that helped with the upgrade, it was Diamonds International.  Therefore, I maintain that buyers should beware of purchases made at Columbian Emeralds International--Diamonds International is a much more reputable company.  At the time of this issue, I did in fact contact the cruise line after there was no resolution with Columbian Emeralds International.  I also, had to go to Court in Maryland with Columbian Emeralds and was still not able to get them to satisfactorily resolve this issue.  Our wedding is planned for 2011. 

These clients wanted something for nothing.

They (husband and wife) bought a 2ct diamond. The diamond has a visible inclusion in the center. They came back a year after the purchase and wanted a refund. The receipt they signed says no refunds after 3 months. It is clearly visible on the back of the receipt they signed. They were even told to read the terms on the back of the receipt. They could have contacted the cruise lines or the company prior. What made this a little difficult also was that the company changed owners and names.

They also omitted several details about their unwillingness to be helped after their warranty period expired.

On their return visit an upgrade in the quality of the diamond was offered at a price in which would have been at cost (so the company would make no profit but just to win over the customer) but they demanded the higher quality diamond without paying the additional difference in price. Since the clarity of the diamond was low she got an exceptionally low price and without paying any taxes on the diamond. The difference in price was a few thousand dollars more. They were also offered a replacement diamond that would require an even less amount but they refused sticking to their demands to get something for nothing.

It does not surprise me that no one will take their calls.

The best course of action is to contact Columbian emeralds and try to get an upgrade in the diamond quality. Now is a good time since the price of diamonds have come down.

The diamond could also be "fracture filled" at a very low cost from a diamond manufacturer. The client can search the meaning of the term and search for diamond manufacturers.

I think that this web site should verify complaints before publishing them.

Regards.