Diamonds International
Reviews and Complaints

I just returned from a visit with a certified gemologist who looked at the ring I bought in Nassau from Diamond Internationals. I had a bad feeling and was correct that I spent twice the retail price for my so called great discount on the tax and duty free ring. What is so maddening is the sell job that the Carnival special shopper gives and makes a person think they are getting a great deal. They are the ones getting a great deal as they get a kickback from advertising Diamonds International. I am so angry that I did not do my homework before and got caught up in the so called recommended great deal. Shame on you, Carnival (particularly Peter the shopping guide)! If they do this what else do they do that is not in their passenger's best interests? I am really disturbed by this level of dishonesty. What an expensive lesson to learn. Carnival should NOT be pushing this as a "safe" place to shop.

I you have a problem with Daimonds International I would suggest that you contact the people at JVC at www.jvclegal.org They can help you get some resolution to your problems with this company. I have worked with them and the $100 fee is excellent value for everything they can do for you. Peter

Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC), is the sole legal compliance expert in the jewelry industry; established 1917 to educate and protect all levels of the jewelry industry against liability, litigation and to stop negative publicity. JVC is considered the industry’s leading authority on legal compliance and is a champion of safeguarding the industry’s integrity.

Consumer Complaints
Most jewelry buying experiences are pleasant ones and lead to a long-lasting relationship between the buyer and the seller. However, from time to time, there are questions or problems that might arise.

Should difficulties arise after the sale is completed, your first step should be to talk with the seller. If that proves fruitless and you feel outside intervention is necessary, you may contact the JVC for assistance.

STEPS TO SUBMIT A COMPLAINT

1. All complaints MUST be submitted in writing and mailed or faxed (if less than five pages) to the JVC.

2. You MUST enclose copies of documentation to support your claim (i.e. advertising, sales receipts, initial order forms, take in sheets, correspondence, etc.) Send copies only!

3. There is a filing fee of $100, a one time fee to offset administrative costs (i.e. postage, telephoning, faxing). Again, using JVC's services is much less costly than hiring an attorney. (Please make your check or money order payable to the JVC.)

4. The person filing the complaint is kept apprised as new developments occur.

Should the above information
not answer your questions,
please contact Jo-Ann Sperano,
Paralegal/Mediator, JVC,
[protected]@jvclegal.org

Tel: [protected]
Fax: [protected]

25 West 45th Street, Suite 1406
New York, NY 10036

Wish I had found this info before purchasing from DI on cruise. Bought several items--all apprased at half what I purchased for. Is this fraud or what? Extremely hard for me to believe cruise lines continue to promote this company. Don't make same costly mistake I did--do not buy at DI!

I also lost a diamond out of my $3500.00 ring in 8 days. And other diamonds were loose and about to come out too. Contacted Diamonds International and they wanted to repair it or give me a store credit. I only wanted to return the ring and get my money back.

First thing I did was to take the ring to 3 different jewerly repairmen/appraisals to find out why diamonds would be falling out of a $3500.00 ring in 8 days. I got documents from them in writing that it is a design defect and if the ring is repaired with a new diamond, the diamonds will continue to fall out in days, because the prongs were not sufficient to hold diamonds.

I then contacted my credit card company to dispute the chage. it took months with the dispute going back and forth with them and with Diamonds International. At first they agreed with Diamonds International that I could only get a "store credit" or "repair." I was not going to take a store credit and I wanted my refund and nothing else would do for me.

But the real secret is on the back of the sales slip that says "N0 REFUNDS FOR BUYERS REMORSE." It does not say "NO REFUNDS."

My credit card company at first did not actually read every word and just took Diamonds International statement that they did not give refunds. But I insisted that the sales slip says "No refunds for buyers remorse" meaning I just changed my mind. It does not say "No Refunds."

I got my refund!

I am a very unhappy customer of diamond international. I bought a watch from the store in st. Marteen when I was on a cruise. I was told that the watch was a new watch and all hyped with the cruise and the little time you get to shop, I purchased the watch. On my return I examined the watch and found it to be used watch. The strap was dirty at the back and had turned a different color. The engraving at the back was dirty showing that someone had worn the watch for a long time. Upon contacting the new york office of diamond international I was told that they would get back to me. I waited for 3-4 days and contacted them again and was told that the watch could not be returned and they could not do anything further. We contacted the store in st. Marteen and spoke to the salesperson who sold the watch and was told that he would get back to me. After another 3 days I contacted the store again and they said that they would change the strap and clean it to make it look like new. I paid $11900 for a new gold watch, not one that someone has to clean to make it look like new. This company is scamming and cheating people. Please do not buy from them.

Beware of diamonds international. I bought a ring in grand caymans because of hype by royal caribbean cruises. As soon as I got home one diamond fell out. Sent it for repair and got ring back. Next thing I know the diamond is gone again. This time I send it back and pay $50 for the repair and the ring comes back exactly as I had sent it, no repair done. Then I contact them to tell them the ring wasn't repaired and several days later the contact emails me and says he doesn't know what the problem is because the ring was repaired. I inform him it wasn't and finally he believes me and gives me instructions to send back. I send back and ask for reimbursement of cost of insuring and resending it for second time. He agrees to this if I send the amount. Then I finally get ring back and no reimbursement. Fighting since august and its now november and he now wants a copy of the receipt, not just the total cost as asked for before. I have now sent the receipt copy and threatened to call my solicitor for breach of guarantee if not rectified today. He then had the audacity to tell me I misunderstood him and somehow this is all my fault. Never again!

Bought a half-carat diamond solitaire and two diamond guard rings on grand cayman in december 2009. Was mighty unhappy to learn a few months later that the solitaire was worth half of what I paid (which was a 50% discount from the store's marked price!) even worse, a few months ago, diamonds started falling out of the guard rings. Do not listen to the hype on royal caribbean — avoid this ripoff retailer at all costs.

I am also one of those unhappy customers of di in the grand caymens. My husband and I sailed on the jewel of the sea in nov 2010 for our 25th anniversary. Our last stop was the grand caymens and all we heard about on the ship was the wonderful prices and quality jewelry from di. We made sure we made this our first stop before an excursion. I picked out a beautiful setting for my engagement ring and my husband purchased a 2 1/2 ct tanzanite oval stone to have mounted in my original setting. Also I had my 1 ct each earring studs remounted in white gold. We trusted them with our jewelry and everything looked beautiful... Until I realized that the shape of my band was changing. 6 months later my ring cracked completely and after taking it to a reputable jeweler was told how poor the quality of work was done. They had sized this ring over three sizes without adding any gold and my tanzanite was set in too small of a setting toehold the stone. The prongs barely hold the stone and now this work on both rings will cost $1000.00 before I can wear the ring.

We cruised on carnival elation on 3/17-3/23/07 to the bahamas. We attended the shopping presentation onboard with the elation's super shopper mark. Mark touted diamond international as one of only two diamond merchants in nassau that could be trusted. We were shopping for a.50 carat loose diamond. We selected a round cut diamond price around $1700, but they would give us a deal on it for $1375. Per the salesperson and the appraisal we received from di it was valued at $1730, is.51 carat white diamond that was g color and i1 clarity. When we returned to the states we had the diamond re-appraised. I assure you that this appraiser had no interest in purchasing our diamond or selling us another diamond. He is an independent appraiser, not a jeweler, who does appraisals in several of the jewelry stores in our area. We have used him before and he was right on the money with our previous loose diamond appraisal. He neither tried to purchase our diamond or steer us to a jeweler to trade it in or sell it. My problem is not the newly appraised value of $1800, it is that that the.51 round cut, g color, i1 clarity diamond was now appraised as.48 carat, k color and i1 clarity. Not even close. My dispute is that the diamond was misrepresented. It is not what I purchased. We are in dispute with di through pti, which is about useless because they appear to be working for diamonds international. They only offer to take my diamond back and give store credit (I can trust them to not 'lose' my diamond to give me what I am paying for?). Di is trying to wear us down so we'll just give up and accept their store-credit offer. They don't know i'm in for the long-haul. Will I sail with carnival again? I don't know. Will I ever purchase anything of value overseas again? No! Diamonds international? Absolutley not and I will tell everyone I know! Read all of the theads, they are exactly what we are going through now. Buyer beware!

We cruised on carnival elation on 3/17-3/23/07 to the bahamas. We attended the shopping presentation onboard with the elation's super shopper mark. Mark touted diamond international as one of only two diamond merchants in nassau that could be trusted. We were shopping for a.50 carat loose diamond. We selected a round cut diamond price around $1700, but they would give us a deal on it for $1375. Per the salesperson and the appraisal we received from di it was valued at $1730, is.51 carat white diamond that was g color and i1 clarity. When we returned to the states we had the diamond re-appraised. I assure you that this appraiser had no interest in purchasing our diamond or selling us another diamond. He is an independent appraiser, not a jeweler, who does appraisals in several of the jewelry stores in our area. We have used him before and he was right on the money with our previous loose diamond appraisal. He neither tried to purchase our diamond or steer us to a jeweler to trade it in or sell it. My problem is not the newly appraised value of $1800, it is that that the.51 round cut, g color, i1 clarity diamond was now appraised as.48 carat, k color and i1 clarity. Not even close. My dispute is that the diamond was misrepresented. It is not what I purchased. We are in dispute with di through pti, which is about useless because they appear to be working for diamonds international. They only offer to take my diamond back and give store credit (I can trust them to not 'lose' my diamond to give me what I am paying for?). Di is trying to wear us down so we'll just give up and accept their store-credit offer. They don't know i'm in for the long-haul. Will I sail with carnival again? I don't know. Will I ever purchase anything of value overseas again? No! Diamonds international? Absolutley not and I will tell everyone I know! Read all of the threads, they are exactly what we are going through now. Buyer beware!

Called the customer service department of diamonds international regarding the stone in a diamond and tanzanite ring my 22 year daughter bought herself in the d.I. Store in naussau.

I contacted the customer service to get help with the stone moving both up and down and back and forth in the setting.

I was first told that this is not an everyday ring, and that my daughter must be very hard on jewelery. They made that statement without verifying how often the ring was worn.

They then went on to say that they could repair the ring at my expense of shipping, repair and duty to return it to the u.S. For repairs. We live in canada.

When I pointed out that duty should not be an issue, since this was a repair, not a purchase, he then when on to state quoting the bill of sale stating 30 days only.

I felt that they have a list of lines, they never actually would give me the bottom line of how to go about and have this repaired.

I did tell him that I was giving the company the benefit of the doubt having read on several websites the lack of customer service available to diamond international customer, he stated that they are a world wide company and only have 1% dissatifaction with merchandise. To me that is 1.1% to much dissatisfaction.

My daughter loves her ring, but be wary of what you buy, cause once you leave the store, there is obviously no support!

Take this warning seriously. Do not purchase anything from diamonds international. Gemstones consistantly are misrepresented as to value. Cruise lines hype them consistantly... Do not believe anything the shopping consultant says.

On january 25, 2011 my husband purchased a diamond necklace from diamonds international in costa maya, mexico store number 723. He was told and given an appraisal form which confirms what he was told by the sales lady. He was purchasing one diamond necklace set in 14 karat white gold, the cut was round brilliant, carat was 0.95, color g, clarity s.2, valued at $2, 370.00 us dollars. When we arrived home after vacation I took it in to our local jewler who is a trained jewler and gemologist (g.I. A.) for him to complete an apprasial. His appraisal was the follow: diamond pendant is 4 prong basket style with attached v bail. Pendant is suspended on 18" link chain (1.2gr). Diamond measures 4.82 x (depth) 3.04mm. And has large feather across edge of table. Qualities cut round brilliant #3, color g-h clarity i1 and carat weight.44 carat. Value excluding any taxes $985.00 for the pendant and $275.00 for the chain, total $1, 260.00. This appraisal was performed on january 28, 2011, I attempted to contact diamonds international and all I was able to do was leave a message. No one contacted me back. I called on january 29th, 2011 and they were closed, I called on jan 31, 2011 and they were closed. Finally on febuary 2, 2011 I was able to speak to a paulina, she confirmed via the phone that I had purchased a.95 carat diamond necklace because that is what the appraisal form from diamonds international stated. I told her no, this was fraud and false advertising and I wanted a full refund. She said she would have to contact a manager and get back to me.in the mean time she needed an appraisal in writing with a business card from my jewler. On feb 12, 2011 I faxed and mailed the appraisal form to paulina and while I waited for the appraisal to be completed I also contacted our credit card company (gm card).in the beginning they were all willing to help, but once I sent them the appraisal form, they didn't like the wording on it. They wanted all the paragraphs placed in their wording. Why didn't they tell me that in the first place. I called diamonds international daily wanting to know what was going on, never got through to anyone, I left numerous messages and sent a complaint letter. Finally I received a phone call in late feb from paulina and she said I needed to mail back the necklace, I had to pay to mail it back and she told me to make sure I placed insurance on it. I asked to be reimbursed for shipping and insurance and she said yes she would. I mailed back the necklace the very next day. I waited four days and called, didn't get through to paulina, I left a message, she called back and said she hadn't received it yet, but the mail went through a couple different departments before it came to her. What I found was interesting, the company claims to have their headquarters in new york, new york. I mailed the necklace to new york. Paulina claimed to be in costa maya and just the call center was in new york, what a joke! It's march now and paulina said she needed to send the necklace to the costa maya store where it was purchased to ensure that yes I returned the necklace I had purchased, this process took the entire month. I called and emailed daily as the credit card company was on my case to pay my $2, 370.00 bill from january. I thought credit card companies were suppose to assist in situations such as this but they do not. Time to find a new credit card company. Finally on march 29th 2011 I received an email stating my full refund had gone through, it was in spanish so I am not fully sure if it did go through, the credit card company has not seen it yet. I asked paulina for an approval code to give the credit card company and she wasn't able to do that. So I am still waiting for a refund. Please do not purchase anything from this company they are out to screw people over and screw them over good.

February 23, 2011
Micky arison
Carnival cruise corporation
3655 nw 87th avenue
Miami florida 33178
U.S. A.
Phone: [protected]
Dear micky arison:
My first cruise was back in 2005 from california to mexico, I loved your cruise and enjoyed myself so much that I purchased a cruise for my brother as a wedding gift shortly after. My most recent cruise was with my fiancé from baltimore to the bahamas, it was great and we totally had a good time. However I made a poor decision by trusting the recommendations of the personal shopper on the cruise and purchased an engagement ring from diamonds international. My fiancé and I attended the “shopping seminar” and was told over and over again that diamonds international is a reputable place. As you are probably aware there are many places in nassau bahamas to purchase jewelry but I went on the personal shopper recommendation because it was backed by carnival cruise lines which I guess after reading the reviews online is not the case. The “shopping seminar” is nothing but lies after lies. I am not a jeweler and not in the diamond field. I admit I am rather uneducated when it comes to the topic. This is why I went with the personal shopper’s recommendation. Mr. Arison I have learned more about diamonds in the past three days than i’ve learned in my whole life. I am not going to proclaim that I am one of your best customers but I will say that every chance I get when my finances allow I try to hit your cruise line and always suggest them to friends. While my fiancé and I were on this cruise we were already discussing returning with her 8 year old son over winter break. After some short time “googling, ” I have learned that my story is not unique at all.
My story

“to whom it may concern:

I traveled on one of your cruise lines carnival pride from baltimore md to the bahamas and purchased an engagement ring from diamonds international because it was highly recommended by your personal shopper on the cruise. Well to put it simply it’s been a horror story.
I am getting nothing but the run around. After reading reviews I can’t believe you guys continue to back this firm as a reputable place to purchase jewelry. Google diamonds international and you will see horror stories of people just like myself. How could you allow your guests to be scammed like this. We entrusted you for a safe and enjoyable cruise

There are stories after stories of people just like myself that have been scammed and/or mislead by these so call “personal shoppers” and diamonds international. I am sure you have been made aware of them but will include them in the letter just in case of some slim chance it was over looked. As I stated in my letter to guest services what was supposed to be an exciting time for my fiancé and I has been nothing but a horror story.

As of now my fiancé will not even entertain the thought of walking on one of your ships again. This was her first cruise and to say the least left an extremely bitter taste in her mouth. That’s putting it nicely.
So with all sarcasm
‘thank you carnival cruise lines”

Thank you for ruining a once in the lifetime moment for me. No matter what the outcome, from this moment on, our engagement will no longer be remembered for the romance of me getting a ring for her in the caribbean. It will be remembered by the nightmare we had to go through with diamond international.
As the tv commercial goes “I should have went to jared” they have a 30 day no questions asked return policy.

Sincerely,
Charles boroughs

Diamonds international and holland america cruise lines are in collusion holland america steer cruisers to this store and proposse to offer a "store guarantee" if you buy from these "selected stores". If there is a reaproblem hal does nothing. You will most likely have left the port where the store is located when you discover a problem, and then you have to rely on their ny service center, who will make it nearly impossible to remedy any complaints. We were taken for over $21, 000.00 in both puerto vallarta and cabo san lucas while on a zaandam cruise. The shipboard rep promised to call her boss and remedy the problem, no reply at all. Call the ny office and all we have received so far is a claim number! My advice, avoid both diamonds international and tanzanite international which are apparently the same company and pay a commision to hal for all purchases made by cruisers.

I went on a carnival cruise in sept 2010, my husband purchased a 24 stone diamond ring paid 5000.00. Two months and 2 days later I looked down and a
Diamond was missing. I called diamond international and they said we only had a 30 day warranty. I was haeart broke. I ask if I could buy an extended warranty and they said we don't sell one. This is a crock. Carnival shouldn't promote company's that don't stand behind there product. This is a lot money to spend and then two months later have to do repairs. If any one knows of a company that I can buy insurance on my ring that will cover repairs incase another diamond falls out.

Do not purchase anything from diamonds international! A big time scam! A simple search on bluenile.com will show you that you overpaid by a ton at diamonds international.

I'm in the middle of my "return" process and it is a nightmare! I have lost a ton of money and time and am getting nowhere!

Please, please, please do not make the same mistake that I did! Buy at your local jeweler or bluenile.com.

I visited the diamonds international store in nassau, bahamas on august 2, 2010. I had been told about the crown of light diamond that was sold at this store. My husband and I traded my diamond wedding band toward the purchase of a new ring. The manager of the store valued my ring at $1600. The crown of light ring that I picked out was valued at $5400. I put the difference on my visa card to be paid when we returned from our cruise. The carnival cruise line shopper was there with us and approved of our purchase.

I returned to my hometown and had my ring appraised so that I could have it insured. The appraiser said the ring's value is $2800. He said that the weight of the ring and the color and clarity of the center stone are not what is printed in the store's appraisal.

When we took this trip we had no plans to purchase a new ring. We got caught up in the romance and excitement of our trip and made a really stupid purchase. We normally educate ourselves about almost everything we purchase and we weigh and measure the pros and cons before we purchase any big ticket items. I feel like the professionals at di know that tourists are caught up in the moment and they prey on us like vermin. I hope that I will be able to talk with them and resolve this issue. However, i've spent the evening reading all of these other complaints and i'm thinking that nothing will come of this. I just hope that someone who is headed to an island destination on a cruise line will read this post ahead of time and will be made aware of the retail dangers that await them in their ports of call. Buyer beware and steer clear of diamonds international!

My husband and I were on a norwegian cruise to the mexican riveria. While in puerto vallerata, we purchased a loose tanzanite. Then my husband felt we should have it set in a ring. He picked out a 18k wg mounting with 2 side trillions about.30 each. I looked at the stones in the shop with a loupe and found the stones to be nice quality, about g-h color, si2 clarity. Though not a certified gemologist, I have some jewelry sales knowledge. The cruise representative had the ring mounted and brought it back to the ship. I was a bit concerned with the mounting as the prongs holding the tanzanite were not even, very rough and not tight on the stone and one was bent. I showed it to him the cruise representative and he said it was fine. I then went to the on-board jewelry store and asked to see a loupe to examine my ring. They were hesitant but did. I found the bottom of the mounting to be severly cracked and 2 drill marks in the support ring of the 4 prong mounting that was caused obviously when mounting the stone. Then I looked at the diamonds, in the mounting one did not look right. Sure enough, these are not the same stones I had examined in the store. These are about i1 and i2. Though only having a 10x loupe was not able to tell, but appeared to me that the stones might even be laser drilled to enhance the stones. It is a technique to make poorer quality stones appear better by laser drilling the inclusions. I looked at in the store and the porosity of the gold is not as good as the ring I inspected in the store. I spoke with the representative and the cruise line and was told that I obviously was mistaken. Was told I could return to di upon my return and "negotiate with them". I called placed a claim and was sent a return contract which states you will "not notify your cc company to place a complaint and the return of the item was for inspection only as they would decide... To quote the customer service rep.."see what I had done to ring to damage the mounting." I an not sending the ring back to di new york office. The tanzanite is a very nice stone and a good value on the purchase; the mounting is what is in question. I have contacted our state attonery general and ny's ag to file complaints. I was told by di that they will not accept repair from another jeweler and as for the mounting are currently denying that it was switched. So buyer beware.