Foolishly I decided to make a major purchase at Diamonds International. It was our 10 year anniversary and we were on a Carnival Mexican Rivera cruise. We looked around in Cabo San Lucas and found nothing that we liked so continued on shopping.
Once we arrived in Puerto Vallarta the sales person at DI pulled out a couple diamonds for me to see. Of course they really weren't what I was looking for and the selection was pitiful since the diamonds were "still in Alaska" We were shown an EGL (USA) certificate for a stone which had many aspects of the stone listed, Color, clarity, florescence, table measurements, girdle, culet, symmetry, the whole 9 yards. Since we hadn't looked at diamonds in a few years we weren't polished on all the in's and out's. We talked to Jose and Nate (Nate is the manager) and they explained all these aspects to us. I mentioned a few times that the "Crown of Light" cut didn't seem like what I was looking for and Nate dismissed that as being OK, because it can be taken back, traded, or whatever we needed to do if I didn't love it later.
We took the diamond to an AGS, GIA graduate appraiser and the diamond didn't match their appraisal. The color was right, and that was about it. The clarity was 1 grade off, florescence strong, girdle was very thick, which means they didn't care about light preservation, but more carat preservation, and even so far as plain measurements were way off. I decided with all these differences I would not have purchased the stone, especially at the amount I paid, who would? I mean they sold me a Ferrari and I got a lawnmower engine under the hood. It looks ok, but underneath the flaws are so much they would greatly affect the price and my willingness to purchase all together.
DI offered to exchange it. I found a diamond through their website assistant which is nearly 1/3 less carat with the same color and clarity as I purchased and the cost was quoted at $3k more. I can select that or I have to wait to go to a store again, all their stores are thousands of miles away, to make a new purchase. I have no interest in doing this all over again with the same company. I don't trust them now. They lied to me prior to purchase and have been unwilling to work with me regarding a refund.
This is a case of material misrepresentation which is illegal, EVEN IN MEXICO!
I am posting this everywhere because I wan't to save other people. The cruise lines dismiss themselves and PPI, the promotional agency who employs the on board shopper, does nothing for you. I wish I had more money, I would blow this open and expose the whole thing, but for now, if I save one person, even if it's just one, from buying at Diamonds International and getting jacked, it will make me feel better. I wish I had read this forum before I left for my trip.
I am currently working with the BBB in NY, Attorney Genereal of NY, AG of South Dakota, PPI (who is worthless), PROFECO in Mexico, my credit card company, US consulate in Mexico, and lastly an attorney in NY and one in Jalisco Mexico. Yes this purchase was very large, essentially 2 years salary for me. Just keep in mind Carnival Cruise Lines won't help you, even though they make it look as if they are endorsing this store, they aren't. They make profit on your purchases, which is why they hire a worthless 3rd party to promote the store, and then they wash their hands of any wrongdoing. Please please please, don't buy from DI unless you want to end up like me. This is the first of many posts I will be making regarding my experience with DI. These are the facts.
Buyer beware!
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