FlowerGirl111
Rough_Rock
- Joined
- Feb 13, 2009
- Messages
- 8
I have a ring, it has alternating small diamonds and sapphires in a channel setting in white gold. I''ve had the ring for 6 years. For at least half the time I''ve owned it the sapphires have looked scratched.. basically when I look at it now, the flat faceted surface on the top of the sapphires are abraded. Not like you can see individual scratches for the most part - just abraded and dull. The diamonds (of course, being harder) look fine and so does the gold.
I showed it to a jeweler recently who said they shouldn''t do that and I should take it back to the store where I bought it. We did, and after some difficulties with them sat down to talk to the manager. (This is national chain). I think basically, they don''t believe me that I didn''t do anything to cause this. They say the wear is highly unusual, especially that the metal looks fine but the sapphires look so worn. I wear the ring daily. I have not had anyone clean the ring. When I clean it, I just use gentle soap, warm water, soft brush, soft cloth. If I''m doing something where I think the ring would get gunky or damaged, I take the ring off or wear gloves. I should mention, my engagement ring, which I''ve had for 17 years and wear daily, has a sapphire on either side of the diamond, and the facets of those are still as smooth as ever. Granted the setting is different, but my point is - if it were something with the way I clean it or some chemical I use (though I don''t use any strong chemicals for housecleaning) the other ring would show even worse wear.
The jewelry store where I bought it has (reluctantly perhaps) said they could send the ring away, have the tops of the sapphires ground and polished. However they feel that this would probably happen to the stones again (apparently I am very hard on them?) and of course are trying to talk me into trading up for something with all diamonds, which would mean spending more money with them. It is a compelling suggestion in that I don''t want to have this keep happening, but this ring was for my 10th wedding anniversary and has sentimental value. Plus, I love sapphires. And for various reasons I''d rather take my business elsewhere, to a local non-chain jeweler.
So my questions are:
1. Does this even make sense that the sapphires would be in this condition? I understand that diamonds are 4x harder than sapphires, but that sapphires are still among the hardest stones out there and should be durable enough to wear everyday in a ring. Am I wrong in this, though? Is this normal wear?
2. Does it make sense to have someone grind and polish the sapphires - I''m concerned that they would not fit properly in the channel. The ring does need some adjustment/work - several of the diamonds are a bit loose, and it probably needs replating. But I am apprehensive about the idea of doing something to the sapphires that would cause them to not fit properly in the channel.
I spoke to a local gemologist (has a graduate degree from the GIA) on the phone, and he thought this sounds odd and the suggestion to grind/polish the sapphires to be concerning. I am going to have him take a look at the ring sometime this week.
So I''m looking for any insight, and suggestions about what to do from here.
Thanks!
I showed it to a jeweler recently who said they shouldn''t do that and I should take it back to the store where I bought it. We did, and after some difficulties with them sat down to talk to the manager. (This is national chain). I think basically, they don''t believe me that I didn''t do anything to cause this. They say the wear is highly unusual, especially that the metal looks fine but the sapphires look so worn. I wear the ring daily. I have not had anyone clean the ring. When I clean it, I just use gentle soap, warm water, soft brush, soft cloth. If I''m doing something where I think the ring would get gunky or damaged, I take the ring off or wear gloves. I should mention, my engagement ring, which I''ve had for 17 years and wear daily, has a sapphire on either side of the diamond, and the facets of those are still as smooth as ever. Granted the setting is different, but my point is - if it were something with the way I clean it or some chemical I use (though I don''t use any strong chemicals for housecleaning) the other ring would show even worse wear.
The jewelry store where I bought it has (reluctantly perhaps) said they could send the ring away, have the tops of the sapphires ground and polished. However they feel that this would probably happen to the stones again (apparently I am very hard on them?) and of course are trying to talk me into trading up for something with all diamonds, which would mean spending more money with them. It is a compelling suggestion in that I don''t want to have this keep happening, but this ring was for my 10th wedding anniversary and has sentimental value. Plus, I love sapphires. And for various reasons I''d rather take my business elsewhere, to a local non-chain jeweler.
So my questions are:
1. Does this even make sense that the sapphires would be in this condition? I understand that diamonds are 4x harder than sapphires, but that sapphires are still among the hardest stones out there and should be durable enough to wear everyday in a ring. Am I wrong in this, though? Is this normal wear?
2. Does it make sense to have someone grind and polish the sapphires - I''m concerned that they would not fit properly in the channel. The ring does need some adjustment/work - several of the diamonds are a bit loose, and it probably needs replating. But I am apprehensive about the idea of doing something to the sapphires that would cause them to not fit properly in the channel.
I spoke to a local gemologist (has a graduate degree from the GIA) on the phone, and he thought this sounds odd and the suggestion to grind/polish the sapphires to be concerning. I am going to have him take a look at the ring sometime this week.
So I''m looking for any insight, and suggestions about what to do from here.
Thanks!