COMPLAINT #1

My family and I decided to go to Mark Writer's shopping presentation as a buyers beware show. Mark Writer stated in his show that Daimonds International is the most reputable company in the Bahamas. He stated 100% guarantee of the price and the value of the stone.

When I came back to the states I decided to go get the stone looked at by a local jeweler to see what kind of setting would be the best and exentuate it the best. The jeweler and I started talking about the price and he told me I paid to much money for the stone.

I decided to have a full appraisal on the tanzanite before I had it set. I also contacted a representative at Diamonds International for their requirements. Diamonds International told me that I had to have an appraisal through a person that does not sell or have any part of gems stones, diamonds, or jewelry.

The appraiser stated to me that the cut was fair and the appraised amount was $500 less of what I paid for the tanzanite I purchased. I have been in contact with Diamonds International and the only thing they could recommend to me is a $400 store credit or to send my stone back and receive a full store credit.

I do not wish to have a store credit. I would like my money back. Diamonds International is a full ripoff company.

Patricia
Taylor, Michigan
U.S.A.

COMPLAINT #2

My boyfriend and I were getting engaged so we decided to go to Diamonds International in St. Thomas after Carnival Cruise Lines highly recommended them. We spoke with Andrew Tachauer, the Supper Shopper on the Carnival Valor. He informed us that we had nothing to worry about when shopping at Diamonds International. He stated that Diamonds International is Carnival's '#1 recommendation for diamonds.' Mr. Tachauer told us that we were guaranteed to get the best price there and that if anything went wrong we would be helped by Carnival or by just contacting Diamonds International directly. After being on Carnival several times, we trusted Carnival's and Mr. Tachauer's recommendation and purchased an engagement ring with the matching band that came with it at the Diamonds International in St. Thomas.

The ring was damaged during the sizing. I spotted that the diamond was chipped when we got back on board and took it to the port shopping desk. Mr. Tachauer recommended that I go to the Diamonds International in St. Maarten, the next port, where we would be arriving the next day. We worked directly with the store's manager, Anil. They 'upgraded' the ring to the same style but said it was a better color, which it ended up being a worse one, and charged us an additional $495 which I agreed to thinking I was getting better rings.

Upon arriving home in New York I had an appraisal performed by a certified gemologist whose sole purpose is to give gem appraisals in a laboratory. It turns out that Diamonds International totally misrepresented the rings' values and attributes. The independent appraiser said that the set was worth at most $1,900. Diamonds International's appraisal was for $3,495 and they said that the diamonds were all SI2. The independent appraiser deemed the diamonds to all be I2 to I3 and they contained numerous holes in them.

The independent appraiser informed me that the only valid piece of information by Diamonds International was that the ring was 14 karat gold and that I was scammed. Diamonds International will only offer a store credit or to replace only the side stones in my ring. The main diamond on top of the engagement ring is an I3...the worst you can get.

We even went to their headquarters in New York City and all we saw was a tiny window at the end of a hallway. That's their headquarters. They wanted nothing to do with us. Carnival refered us to the company that handles all of their shopping recommendations, PPI. As a frequent customer of Carnival, I trusted their recommendation and trusted that if anything went wrong I would be helped. Carnival and PPI wanted nothing to do with us and could care less. Please avoid Diamonds International!

Susan
Valley Stream, New York
U.S.A.