Hi Guys,
I have to write this post with a heavy heart mainly for the kind of experience I have had with a jeweller and secondly how this whole dilemma has been an example of my inexperience and lack of backbone.
My store is similar to Diamondhoarder's thread but I may still have a way out.
In short, darling fiance bought me a beautiful diamond previously mentioned. The setting I liked was this one: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3LNAImsxtoRenFucGRJTHc3R0k/view?usp=sharing
This setting is $1146 CDN eventhough it's a simple solitaire band. The cost is high because the basket which holds the diamond is made of platinum amongst other reasons such as workmanship etc.
We thought we would just get the band replicated in 14kt white gold. Most jewellers quoted us $300 for this setting. I went ahead with one and made the mistake of paying him full upfront eventhough I read his store has a no refund policy, exchange only. He even asked if I would pay a $100 now and the rest later. I dont know why I was dumb enough to say sure I will pay in full eventhough my gut said, just pay the $100 and let him finish the job. My dad has only told me this all my life!! Anyways, Went to pick up the ring and it looks like this:
Aerial view: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3LNAImsxtoRTUlvNGlZeWx3QWM/view?usp=sharing
Gave this basket design on his own and the diamond is losely hanging in there.
Close up: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3LNAImsxtoRQlpvVlRxMzZQQ2c/view?usp=sharing
On my finger: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B3LNAImsxtoRa2F6RFVtTEVJMG8
As you can see, this ring does not have that tapering\bowlike look that I wanted. This jeweler refused to acknowledge that I showed him a picture of what I wanted (?!), asked another to confirm that it was infact tapered and not straight as it looks on my finger and told me I was being too picky. I was stunned. I walked out of there without saying anything to him because I just wanted him to fix it which he says he will try.
I am now concerned:
1) let's say we accept what he makes, he is NOT the setter, what if the setter has an issue with this setting?
2) I really dont like the ring or this guy, I don't want to have to look at my wedding ring and be reminded of this awful story each time
3) Fiance says we should just buy the original ring because he's had enough and he's on a timeline. The ring has to fly with him within 3 weeks so we are short on time.
4) If I dont like the ring, what else would I exchange it for at this shoddy shop .. ugh.
5) Over $1k worth it for that setting?
Please give me your thoughts guys. I have to go see the ring on Wednesday and I don't trust this guy one bit but I dont want my fiance to be out of pocket for something that I probably could have gotten done for cheaper if I went to a better jeweller ..
Thanks ..
I have to write this post with a heavy heart mainly for the kind of experience I have had with a jeweller and secondly how this whole dilemma has been an example of my inexperience and lack of backbone.
My store is similar to Diamondhoarder's thread but I may still have a way out.
In short, darling fiance bought me a beautiful diamond previously mentioned. The setting I liked was this one: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3LNAImsxtoRenFucGRJTHc3R0k/view?usp=sharing
This setting is $1146 CDN eventhough it's a simple solitaire band. The cost is high because the basket which holds the diamond is made of platinum amongst other reasons such as workmanship etc.
We thought we would just get the band replicated in 14kt white gold. Most jewellers quoted us $300 for this setting. I went ahead with one and made the mistake of paying him full upfront eventhough I read his store has a no refund policy, exchange only. He even asked if I would pay a $100 now and the rest later. I dont know why I was dumb enough to say sure I will pay in full eventhough my gut said, just pay the $100 and let him finish the job. My dad has only told me this all my life!! Anyways, Went to pick up the ring and it looks like this:
Aerial view: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3LNAImsxtoRTUlvNGlZeWx3QWM/view?usp=sharing
Gave this basket design on his own and the diamond is losely hanging in there.
Close up: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3LNAImsxtoRQlpvVlRxMzZQQ2c/view?usp=sharing
On my finger: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B3LNAImsxtoRa2F6RFVtTEVJMG8
As you can see, this ring does not have that tapering\bowlike look that I wanted. This jeweler refused to acknowledge that I showed him a picture of what I wanted (?!), asked another to confirm that it was infact tapered and not straight as it looks on my finger and told me I was being too picky. I was stunned. I walked out of there without saying anything to him because I just wanted him to fix it which he says he will try.
I am now concerned:
1) let's say we accept what he makes, he is NOT the setter, what if the setter has an issue with this setting?
2) I really dont like the ring or this guy, I don't want to have to look at my wedding ring and be reminded of this awful story each time
3) Fiance says we should just buy the original ring because he's had enough and he's on a timeline. The ring has to fly with him within 3 weeks so we are short on time.
4) If I dont like the ring, what else would I exchange it for at this shoddy shop .. ugh.
5) Over $1k worth it for that setting?
Please give me your thoughts guys. I have to go see the ring on Wednesday and I don't trust this guy one bit but I dont want my fiance to be out of pocket for something that I probably could have gotten done for cheaper if I went to a better jeweller ..
Thanks ..