Warranty

At Ralph Jacobs Jewellers, we are committed to delivering the highest quality craftsmanship in every piece of jewellery we create. To back this commitment, we offer a Lifetime Manufacturing Warranty that covers defects in materials and workmanship, ensuring your jewellery remains a cherished possession for years to come. This warranty is in accordance with the South African Consumer Protection Act (CPA).

Our Lifetime Manufacturing Warranty covers specific manufacturing defects that impact the structural integrity, safety, or durability of your jewellery. Below are examples of what is covered:

Manufacturing Defects

• Significant Porosity: Large voids or clusters of pores in the metal that weaken the jewellery and may lead to cracks or breaks.
• Improperly Set Stones: Loose stones caused by inadequate securing during manufacturing.
• Prong Settings: Prong settings that are improperly crafted, such as prongs that break or bend immediately after purchase.
• Structural Flaws: Weak solder joints or separations where different parts of the jewellery were joined, indicating poor craftsmanship.
• Under Karat: The warranty covers instances where the metal purity does not meet the stated karat weight (e.g., gold sold as 18k but testing below 75% purity).

Certain issues are not covered by our warranty due to their nature being outside of manufacturing defects. These include:

Inherent or Natural Characteristics of Metals

• Discoloration: Discoloration and tarnishing of metals due to exposure to air, moisture, and chemicals and changes in metal colour (such as rhodium plating wearing off).
• Metal Softness: Scratches, dents, bending, and minor porosity due to the softness or inherent properties of the metal.

Inherent Characteristics of Design or Style

• Delicate Designs: Damage from delicate designs prone to snagging, bending, or wearing down of fine details.
• Movement in Settings: Any movement in gemstone settings designed to allow flexibility.

Custom Requests:

Any damage resulting from custom requests that deviates from our recommended guidelines, such as;

• Adjustments to the width, depth, structural integrity, or inclusion of delicate or protruding elements.

Normal Wear and Tear

• Bent or Out-of-Shape Rings: Rings that become bent or misshapen due to improper sizing, daily wear, or accidental damage.
• Prong Wear: Prongs that wear down, bend or broken prongs that result from normal wear, impacts, or accidental damage, leading to loose or loss stones.
• Tarnishing and Discoloration: Discoloration of metals due to exposure to moisture, chemicals, or air.
• Scratches and Dents: Any surface scratches and dents due to everyday use.
• Broken Chains or Clasps: Chains or clasps that break due to pulling, snagging, or improper storage.

Improper Care or Accidental Damage

• Damage resulting from improper handling, exposure to chemicals, accidents, or other external factors.

Unauthorized Repairs

• Any repairs or modifications performed by a jeweller other than Ralph Jacobs will void this warranty.

Loss

• Whether partial or full, of the jewellery item or any gemstones it contains. This includes, but is not limited to, the loss of the entire item, center stone/s, or accent stone/s due to accidental loss, theft, or any other circumstance leading to the loss of the jewellery or its components.

Consumers in South Africa are entitled to statutory rights under the Consumer Protection Act, which provides a six-month warranty from the date of purchase. During this period, consumers can return products found to be defective for a repair, replacement, or refund. The Ralph Jacobs Lifetime Manufacturing Warranty extends beyond this period and covers defects in materials and workmanship for the lifetime of the product.

We recommend that you have your jewellery inspected and maintained regularly. Prongs, settings, and clasps can wear down over time, and regular inspections can help prevent loss or damage.

This warranty does not cover damage or loss resulting from unforeseen events such as natural disasters, theft, or accidents beyond the control of Ralph Jacobs Jewellers.

Please inspect your jewellery immediately upon receipt. If you find any defects or issues, please report them to Ralph Jacobs Jewellers within 7 days to ensure proper coverage under this warranty.

After the six-month CPA statutory warranty period, Ralph Jacobs reserves the right to determine whether a defective item will be repaired, replaced, or exchanged under our Lifetime Manufacturing Warranty. Refunds will only be considered within the first six months.

The examples of covered and excluded defects provided in this warranty are illustrative and not exhaustive. Each claim or issue will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the specific circumstances and merits of the situation. Ralph Jacobs Jewellers reserves the right to make the final determination on whether a defect or issue falls under the terms of this warranty.

Ralph Jacobs reserves the right to modify or update these policies at any time without prior notice. However, any significant changes that materially affect your rights or obligations will be communicated to you through appropriate channels. We recommend reviewing our policies periodically to stay informed of any updates.