Hmmm. Was a CC used to pay? If so you have grounds to protest the sale as fraud and recoup the losses. Good luck.

I'd say beware of all them, and not only in Cozumel.

I also was a victim of New Concept Jewelers. Donateo, the store manager showed me several diamonds and I purchased one, with an obvious inclusion, SI2. He took it to his jeweler to have it set in my wedding ring. He made us wait in the heat and then he brought back the ring. When we got home to Idaho, I had it tested and it was a FAKE! I removed it from the setting and there was NO INCLUSION. So he traded stones when he went to the jewelers. This was obviously not the stone I had purchased. Never buy ANYTHING from NEW CONCEPTS in Cozumel, Mexico. They are liars and cheats!!!

Lois, I am so sorry to hear your story. I know that several people who live on the island of Cozumel are trying to have this stopped. Do file a complaint with the island PROFECO office. Following is the proceedure and contact information.

The Consumer Protection Agency in Cozumel is called PROFECO.

The contact for filing a complaint is Ariadne Santin in Cozumel. Her email address is (asantinprofeco@yahoo.com).

If you have a dispute with any stores in Cozumel, you need the following information when making contact with PROFECO;

1. Copy/Scan of your sales receipt.

2. Short description of what the problem/issue is. Include, date, sales person's name, relevant information (stick to the facts, short and quick, when you receive a reply, you can expand with more details)

3. Documentation of APPRAISAL from a recognized store in your home country will be the ONLY acceptable documentation to support your case.

You most likely will pay for this, but include the cost of the appraisal in your demand for reimbursement.

Do NOT send back the merchandise to the store that is in dispute.

You will be instructed by Ms. Santin as to how this will be managed.

Send your email request for assistance and attach to the email your documentation (asantinprofeco@yahoo.com).

If you paid by credit card, please document all of this with them as well ASAP.

It may take months to resolve your issue, but stick with it. Even if you do not get a refund, the store should be closed down.

Good Luck.

It never fails to amazes me that people are making large purchases while travelling, not knowing the reputation of the shops that they are dealing with.

If the deal is too good to be true, it probably is. If a half decent diamond ring is selling for $1500 at home and someone is selling it for $500 or less, I would ask question.

Yes, the labor, the rent, the duty, the cost of doing busienss is cheaper, but the actual cost of the diamond and the gold is not. I may believe $1000 but anything less than 2/3, I will have serious doubt. You get what you pay for.

In terms of complaining to PROFECO, unless you have a certificate from the seller claiming the items are "genuine", you have bought an expensive piece of costume jewelry.

"unless you have a certificate from the seller claiming the items are genuine"

Eschew, Have you had first hand experience with PROFECO in Cozumel? If yes, what did you buy and from whom? How was your complaint handled by PROFECO? I do know people who have received refunds through them. Perhaps you should try again.

Beware of Four (4) CES International on Avenida Rafael E Malgar. They are frauds. Purchased ring that was suppose to be tanzanite. Turned out to be cubic zirconia. Also charged more than $100. above the agreed price to my credit card.

I too was recently scammed at New Concepts. Do you have an address for them.