Hello,
I recently got engaged and was surprised by both the proposal and the ring. I'm thrilled to be engaged, but I'm having some issues with the ring and I don't know what my options are, or what my next step is. I apologize for the length of this post but I don't know where to start and time is running out.
In terms of the ring itself, I'll include pictures below. In my opinion it's too tall, has weird upstanding prongs, and a strange "table" of pave diamonds on top. The table and height make it difficult for me to wear comfortably. Aside from that, it's not exactly my style. I am really only interested in antique jewelry to the point of not liking reproductions. I'm not a huge fan of pave, no matter how well done. I had also been thinking about a colored stone ring. In the long term, I would like an antique Edwardian or Victorian ring.
I went to the store to see if I could exchange it. It's a local community jewelry store, not a chain. The first answer was no. There's no return policy at this store, and nothing I'd like to exchange it with. I haven't talked to the manager yet, just a very distant SA. I think that there is an exchange policy on the receipt, but the ring has been sized. This was an upsetting interaction, and I'd rather not go back until I'm sure what i want to do, but the deadline is almost here to exchange, if it's possible.
I'm trying to figure out what to do with the ring. Ideally, I would return it and put that budget toward an antique find, even a very modest one. Since I don't think that's possible, I was thinking about getting someone to chop the table off, and putting colored gemstone set in the head, on the cheapest possible budget (since it doesn't make sense to invest much money into the ring).
I also had asked the original jeweler if they could do that, and the SA told me they could but I wouldn't be able to choose the stone. I inquired with several people in the Chicago jewelry district about it, one said he could do the work for about 50 bucks (labor) plus the gemstone. I'm picky, though, and I wanted to be able to choose the actual colored gemstone. I was thinking of going and trying to find a stone myself at Intergem, and maybe even seeing if someone could do the work for me there. This would also give me a chance to scope out antique rings. Because of the table, though, I don't know the exact measurements needed (the outside measurement of the head is about 4.8 mm square).
My other idea was to exchange the ring for the equivalent in a plain gold band (there isn't even any band there I'd like) and eventually sell or trade that for scrap?
If I could argue the store into a return I would, but I am not sure that I can. I know the manager is supposed to be nice, but they do have a clear policy.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I would be happy with a temporary inexpensive antique for now but am also trying not to lose the money spent on this ring, not to mention my fiance's feelings. He's okay with me making changes, and upgrading eventually, and would be okay with me exchanging it altogether. He doesn't want to lose the money on the original ring, if possible.
On a positive note, I do think that the ring has a good shape and size on my finger, I like it's presence and delicacy. I am wondering (though it's hard to picture it) if it could look very nice with a colored stone.
I recently got engaged and was surprised by both the proposal and the ring. I'm thrilled to be engaged, but I'm having some issues with the ring and I don't know what my options are, or what my next step is. I apologize for the length of this post but I don't know where to start and time is running out.
In terms of the ring itself, I'll include pictures below. In my opinion it's too tall, has weird upstanding prongs, and a strange "table" of pave diamonds on top. The table and height make it difficult for me to wear comfortably. Aside from that, it's not exactly my style. I am really only interested in antique jewelry to the point of not liking reproductions. I'm not a huge fan of pave, no matter how well done. I had also been thinking about a colored stone ring. In the long term, I would like an antique Edwardian or Victorian ring.
I went to the store to see if I could exchange it. It's a local community jewelry store, not a chain. The first answer was no. There's no return policy at this store, and nothing I'd like to exchange it with. I haven't talked to the manager yet, just a very distant SA. I think that there is an exchange policy on the receipt, but the ring has been sized. This was an upsetting interaction, and I'd rather not go back until I'm sure what i want to do, but the deadline is almost here to exchange, if it's possible.
I'm trying to figure out what to do with the ring. Ideally, I would return it and put that budget toward an antique find, even a very modest one. Since I don't think that's possible, I was thinking about getting someone to chop the table off, and putting colored gemstone set in the head, on the cheapest possible budget (since it doesn't make sense to invest much money into the ring).
I also had asked the original jeweler if they could do that, and the SA told me they could but I wouldn't be able to choose the stone. I inquired with several people in the Chicago jewelry district about it, one said he could do the work for about 50 bucks (labor) plus the gemstone. I'm picky, though, and I wanted to be able to choose the actual colored gemstone. I was thinking of going and trying to find a stone myself at Intergem, and maybe even seeing if someone could do the work for me there. This would also give me a chance to scope out antique rings. Because of the table, though, I don't know the exact measurements needed (the outside measurement of the head is about 4.8 mm square).
My other idea was to exchange the ring for the equivalent in a plain gold band (there isn't even any band there I'd like) and eventually sell or trade that for scrap?
If I could argue the store into a return I would, but I am not sure that I can. I know the manager is supposed to be nice, but they do have a clear policy.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I would be happy with a temporary inexpensive antique for now but am also trying not to lose the money spent on this ring, not to mention my fiance's feelings. He's okay with me making changes, and upgrading eventually, and would be okay with me exchanging it altogether. He doesn't want to lose the money on the original ring, if possible.
On a positive note, I do think that the ring has a good shape and size on my finger, I like it's presence and delicacy. I am wondering (though it's hard to picture it) if it could look very nice with a colored stone.
It's a good thing I didn't have a budget!
They have so much incredible stuff. Is the ruby ring in the pic one of theirs? You're right that it doesn't look engagementy, but love that design!
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