I took my grandmother’s emerald ring to a local jeweler for resizing. When I went to pick it up, the jeweler looked pale. “The stone shattered when we applied heat,” he admitted. He offered me $500 store credit. The ring was appraised at $8,000. My insurance denied the claim because of the “Workmanship” exclusion.
Key Takeaways
- The “Workmanship” Exclusion: Almost all personal property policies exclude damage caused by “repairing, restoring, or retouching.” If you hand the ring to a jeweler and they break it, your insurance does not pay.
- Bailee’s Coverage: The jeweler is the “Bailee” (holding your property). Their business insurance (Jeweler’s Block Policy) covers damage to customers’ goods. You must file a claim against them.
- The Waiver: Check the receipt you signed when you dropped it off. It likely says, “Not responsible for damage to stones,” especially for emeralds/opals (fragile stones).
- Negligence: If they were negligent (applied heat to an emerald, which is a known no-no), you can sue them regardless of the waiver.
The “Why” (The Trap)
The trap is “Voluntary Performance Risk.”
You hired a professional. The insurance company does not insure the competence of the people you hire.
That is a business dispute between you and the jeweler.
Your policy covers accidents (theft, fire). It does not cover a botched repair job.
The Investigation (My Analysis of Liability)
I asked jewelers and adjusters about “The Shattered Stone.”
Jeweler’s Block Policy
- The Reality: Reputable jewelers have insurance for this. They should file a claim and pay you the appraised value.
- The Dodge: Shady jewelers will try to buy you off with store credit to avoid hiking their premiums. Do not accept it.
Your Personal Insurance (JM/Lavalier)
- The Loophole: Some specialized policies do cover damage during repair, but they will subrogate (sue) the jeweler to get the money back. You have to check your specific “Exclusions” page for “Workmanship.”
Small Claims Court
- The Last Resort: If the jeweler refuses to pay and has no insurance, you have to sue them.
[IMAGE: Close-up photo of a fractured emerald stone sitting in a gold setting]
Comparison Table
| Damage Source | Your Insurance | Jeweler’s Insurance |
| Jeweler Drops It | Covered (Accident) | Covered |
| Jeweler Cracks Stone (Work) | Denied (Workmanship) | Covered (Bailee) |
| Shop Robbery | Covered | Covered |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Demand Their Insurance Info: “I need to file a claim against your shop’s insurance.”
- Do Not Take the Ring Back: If you leave the store with the broken ring, you accept the condition. Leave it there as evidence until settled.
- Check the “Intake Form”: Did they note existing fractures? If not, they accepted it in “good condition.”
- Get an Independent Assessment: Take photos. Ask another jeweler if applying heat to that stone was gross negligence. (For emeralds, it usually is).
FAQ
Are emeralds harder to insure?
Yes. They are brittle and often filled with oil. Insurers hate them.
What if the jeweler says it was “Internal Tension”?
They are trying to blame the stone (“Inherent Vice”). You need proof it was their tool/heat that caused it.
Does this apply to cleaning?
Yes. If they steam clean a stone and it explodes, it’s workmanship damage.