What does a jewelry warranty usually cover, and what does it exclude?

ZKZ Editorial TeamMain answer · Product & gemmology desk

A jewelry warranty usually covers defects in materials or workmanship for a set period. It usually does not cover loss, theft, accidental damage or normal wear, and plating and prongs are often treated as wear items. Read the written terms before you buy, because the headline "1-year warranty" says very little by itself.

What the rules require

Fact Under the FTC's rule on pre-sale availability of written warranty terms, the seller of a consumer product that costs more than $15 and has a written warranty must make the warranty text readily available for the buyer to read before buying (16 CFR 702.3). Online sellers can do this by displaying it near the product or providing it on request before sale.

Uncertain That rule is about making the terms available, not about what a warranty must cover. What is covered, for how long and in which country is set by the warranty itself and by local consumer law.

What a warranty usually covers

• Faulty casting, soldering or finishing.
• Stones that fall out because of a setting fault, if reported within the period.
• A clasp or mechanism that fails in normal use.

What is usually excluded

Our advice These are common exclusions, but you must read the actual wording:

• Loss, theft and accidental damage.
• Normal wear, such as scratches, tarnish and plating wear.
• Damage from chemicals, chlorine, heat or sports.
• Repairs by someone other than the seller or an approved jeweller.
• Resizing, engraving and custom pieces.
• Damage from not following care instructions.

Questions to ask

1. How long does it last, and when does it start: purchase or delivery?
2. What exactly is covered, and what is excluded?
3. Do I need to send the ring at my cost, and who pays the return shipping?
4. Is a check-up needed to keep the warranty valid?
5. Is the warranty transferable?
6. How do I make a claim, and how long does a repair take?
7. Does it cover plating, and for how long?

What a warranty is not

Our advice A warranty is not insurance. If you want protection against loss, theft or accidental damage, you need a jewelry insurance policy or a home policy that covers it, and each has its own conditions.

It depends Whether a warranty is good depends on the terms and on how the seller behaves when you make a claim. Ask how many claims the seller handles, and what they typically do.

Related reading: Return Policy — 925 Silver Jewelry Orders · Caring for 925 Sterling Silver Jewelry with Lab Grown Diamond Settings

Sources

• 16 CFR 702.3, FTC rule on pre-sale availability of written warranty terms
• Jewelers Mutual, What to do if you need a ring repair

Fact = stated by the cited source. Our advice = editorial recommendation. Uncertain / it depends = limits of what can be said in general.