Ok,I have read through your post a couple of times and it seems 'not fit for the purpose in which it was bought' this is from UK Trading Standards,so in effect they are selling faulty goods that are not meeting a specific purpose and not fullfulling the expectations of the customer. From what you've said,I take it that the ring has always gone back to them,so you have'nt compromised a 'warranty' angle they could throw at you.Which leaves you in a fantastically strong position!!!! They were obliged to fully check the ring and stone settings after re-sizing and tighten them up,as a company they are pretty stupid if the goldsmith did'nt do that.The length of the waiting times you have had to endure are just so far beyond appalling I am sat here shaking with anger at your predicament! From working in the trade for reputable jewellers,if this by some remote chance happened the first two times you would have waited 3 days,maximum,it would have gone through our workshops as an urgent priority,no question.THE third time we would have been sitting you and your partner down and discussing a completely new setting and shank(band) or if you preferred an entirely new ring,we would have bent over backwards and beyond to resolve this.We would then look at the ring with a veiw of pulling all stock of it and returning it to the supplier for a full refund and they pay any postage costs on top as well!!
I cannot belive the disgusting manner in which you have been treated,it shows how bothered they are by their subsequent treatment of you,and from reading other ladies posts it is just hearwrenching you have all been treated in this way over what should be counted as one of the most special moments in your life.
As for letting go the ring that your were proposed to with,do it,its not like you are changing your partner,you and him have gone through this together,and would you really want to wear a ring that you may always veiw as a bad omen,be constantly be checking to see if its ok? Get rid and start afresh with one you can both relax over and enjoy,and don't let this ring take away the original love that your partner proposed to you with. My darling,you have a wonderful partner who went to all that time and trouble,just for you,because he loves you and is saying he want's you forever,thats whats important.
Here's a couple of things I feel you should do,get in touch with your Trading Standards office,tell them everything,they will be totally on your side,thats their job and those people who choose to go into that career are usually very passionate about protecting the public,and will be keen to know whats gone on,even say to Zales that if the matter isn't resolved promtly you will let them intervene,as they really want to get involved to examine their trading practices!!!
Next if they start to get difficult,which by this point,if they are not complete idiots won't arise,tell them that you are going to put your story to the papers,and as its a big chain across the country it will have LOTS of public interest!!! And furthemore tell them you will post on a worldwide forum exactly how you have been treated from start to finish and metion how many WORLWIDE members there are that look at this site!!!
Arm yourself with the facts on the law from your TS office,get your partner completely up to speed with all the facts you discuss with them,go in on potentially their busiest day as a united front,tell them everything you want and how serious you are in a calm voice if they start being difficult raise your voice mentioning shoddy goods,the most terrible service you have ever come across,take your mum and dad,and his too and let Zales know how many people have been upset by this and any customers who are in there too!!!
If you still have the ring that is,if not hopefully someone else will get something out of this post.
And I would finally like to add how deeply sorry I am that this has happened
to you,its a horrible situation by no fault of your own you have both been dragged into and had to endure the very worst experience you both could have had over something as wonderful as getting engaged,my heart goes out to both of you.XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX