Followup: by Ruby return and my new Sapphire!

[vasamacil]

The background threads:

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/help-me-choose-a-stone.32737/

and

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-ruby-from-ajsgems-com.33055/

First the refund:
Happy to say I recieved the refund the same day AJSGems recieved my returned Ruby.
Sad to say I will NOT be doing business with them at any time in the future, as I had mentioned I planned to in my previous post. Below is the e-mail I recieved from AJSGems alerting me of the refund:



Dear Lelyn,

I just got the 1.08ct Ruby back...........and have sent you a refund.....
By chance I saw your Chat below.........
Let me say that we do our best with pictures.........And as for lighting I think the lighting that
you''ll find in most jewelry stores .........will surly be set up to show there stones shall we say in the best light possible.
I just checked the picture of the 1.08 ct Ruby here and on our monitor it looks real close (to me)........
I would also like to mention that almost All Burma has to be adjusted for color as it will fluoresces orange
when we take our pictures...........
So what seems easy to you, is really a rather difficult process, that is the taking pictures of gemstones, (jewelry is much easier )..........
I would also like to add that this stone is most definitely a Ruby...........I would be happy to send it to any recognized lab in the world that you like and if it is not certed as a ruby I will pay for the cert and send you the stone for free....
Of course if it is certed as A Ruby then I think you should pay for the cert and maybe apologies on line because what you don''t realizes is that, other read what you put on line and even if your wrong they belive what you say so let''s be fair and find out.
Vincent Pardieu, Bangkok based gemologist.
The man who answered your posting as is a fine gemologist who runs a Gem Lab here in Bangkok .
I have sent him a copy of this Email and would be happy to have him look at this stone........
I hope you take this in the right sprit..........I''m not angry at you but your lack of knowledge and quickness
to criticize is hurtful to us in the trade who try and make a living and be fair and honest at the same time.

Thank you very much,
Arnold
www.ajsgems.com






Note that I feel fine posting this email online as Mr. Arnold felt it fine to foward this to another board member.


I feel I was fair in my description and critque in the linked discussion, even praising the stone in aspects other than color:

"First, the stone quality is very nice, great DEPTH of color, great brilliance/shine, completely clean."


I also praised AJSGems in the same thread:

"Also -
I wanted to note that Ajsgems ALREADY replied to my request for a return, literally hours after I sent them an e-mail. I will still possibly purchase (not so color dependant/important/expensive) stones from them again, as so far their promptness in shipping, and now handling returns, has been superb. "


So I have to ask - what? Why would I pay to have a stone I returned be certified? So I can appoligize for not expecting the color of their picture to be so misleading? For saying I think the stone color is a much a Sapphire as Ruby? I note for example on this page:
http://atggems.homestead.com/files/Gemstone_Pics_Sapphires-Rubies.htm

A very purple/pink stone is noted as: "1.25ct Deep Reddish Pink Sq Cushion - More Ruby than Sapphire!" Alerting the customer that the stone is very close/could be considered a Ruby or Sapphire.

That said, of course the stone could be sold as a Ruby, it was. But I stand by my statement that the stone is much more purple than I would consider desirable in a Ruby. I never claimed to be an expert, so of course my post(s) can only be taken as my opinion.

I seems to me that if color is as hard to convey as Mr. Arnold says, then any Company in this business should be un-surprised when a customer is dissapointed in the color of thier stone, and says so in a forum post, Instead of saying ''prove it''. Maybe AJSGems should have cert''ed their rubies before, or perhaps list hue, tone, saturation, etc as other sites (concavegems.com, and others).

To close this portion of a long

post:

I will not be purchasing from AJSGems again, but only due to the last email I recieved from them. Their stone quality seems to be very good, their prices are good, they respond quickly to correspondence, and their return policy is good. Others can use this and the other threads to determine for themselves what to do.


Now the good part!

My new sapphire from thenaturalsapphirecompany.com

Buying experience:
1. Ordered Saturday Labor-Day Weekend (no mail on Monday)
2. Recieved stone Wednesday morning.
3. Did not charge me until 2 weeks later, after return window had closed, and only after speaking to me
on the phone to insure I was keeping the stone.

Stone description:
Outstanding!
Completely eye-clean, and clean to the largest magnification I have: ~3x.
Great saturation and depth of color.
Great color, deep but light enough to not dim percieved ''sparkle'' (below picture show stone darker than is)
Nice and deep stone, 4mm deep to 5.6 mm wide.
Unheated!
Note about heat treatement:
I actually didn''t care that much about this to begin with, but the more I though about it, the more unheated appealed to me. I''ll definatly still buy heated gems, but will also be willing to pay more for un-heated in the future.

And of course the most important part, she loved it!
For those interested, it will be set in a custom ring by
krikawa
It will be ~2 months for the ring to be made, I will post pictures when it arrives.

-Lelyn

 

[widget]

Vasamacil:

First of all, heartiest congratulations for finding a gemstone that you love! It looks lovely!

Regarding the issues around AJS...it saddened me reading it. Obviously you were not pleased with the stone they sent you, but your refund was prompt.

I must say I do understand why they would be upset by your post entitled: "My ''ruby'' from AJSgems" (Your ''quotes'' around the word ''ruby''). It sounds pretty damning to me, and probably to anyone casually scanning these boards. Hence their offer to have the stone certified as genuine...

While I''m not sure the email they sent you was such a good idea, I do understand their sensitivity....these internet businesses are very protective of their good reputations, and any threat to that must be upsetting.

Regarding the ruby in question...while it obviously looked "purple" to you, I don''t think there was that big a difference between the pictures you took of it and the one posted on the AJS website.

An object lesson for all of us, I guess: we should "talk" to the vendor, either on the phone or by email, before making an important colored gemstone purchase.

widget

 

[Michael_E]

vasamacil,
Arnold is absolutely correct in that taking good pictures of gems is extremely difficult and that trying to make a very color sensitive client happy can be even more difficult. I''m not quite sure why you would view it as a problem of any sort when the definition of "Ruby" is broad enough to easily encompass this stone.

For you to call into question this stone as being a ruby and then imply that AJS gems had somehow not been forthright about it in their description is a bit misleading on your part. How many different lighting environments did you look at it in ? How much did the color change in sunlight, as compared to flourescent light and then compared to halogen lighting ? If you don''t care for the color why not just send it back without public comment ? Why post Arnolds letter on this forum ? I think that his letter is very nice and quite correct in that just because you don''t think that his stone looked like what a ruby "should" look like, you should not call that decription false, as there are many others, with more experience than yourself, who would call it a ruby.

In the colored stone business it is often very hard to describe color, particularly of something that has no strict definition such as, Ruby, Padaparadscha sapphire or Imperial topaz. Anyone buying these types of stones needs to take all the pictures and descriptions with a grain of salt and just pass on the stone and send it back without public comment if they are not satisfied. Those public comments can affect a quality business in a negative manner, which is quite unfair to someone who is not really in a position to defend themselves.

 

[colormyworld]

Would I be to invasive if I asked what the asking price is on the ruby.

 

[glitterata]

I ordered from AJS and was very happy with the interaction I had with them and with the stones I received. I felt the pictures gave a quite accurate impression of what I actually got, considering the difficulties photographing gemstones and the issues of displaying the pictures on a computer monitor. I wouldn''t hesitate to order from them again.

 

[vasamacil]

All-

Thanks for the input.

Widget -

I agree the quotes around ''Ruby'' are the most inflamatory/biasing part of my original post.

Michael E. -

"Why post Arnolds letter on this forum ?"

I was perfectly happy to keep this between myself and ASJGems. If fact, if you read my original post, you will see I even went so far as to say that I would probably do business with them again. However, AJS quoted this forum in the emial to me as evidence of my unfair representation of them/the situation. They also felt the need to send a copy of the email to a member of this board, a person I do not know.

If the main complaint of AJSGems is that my comments about them on these boards can be biasing to readers, what better way than to show both sides by posting their email? The point of this post wasn''t to try and get responses of ''yeah, you were right!'' but to tell the forum the results of my purchase, which was directly asked for in the other thread. Isn''t it better for both parties to tell the whole story, then only one side? It seems to have worked favorably for AJSgems, as you tend to agree with them. THAT was my purpose, to give the forum all the info, as a followup to my previous post(s).

If Mr. Arnold had not brought these forums into the discussion, in 2 manners, my followup post would have probably been along the following:
"See previous post for my issue with the stone, AJSGems has been very responsive and helpful with the refund, I will probably purchase a (not so color dependent) stone from them again."

One last note:

you say : "...send it back without public comment if they are not satisfied"

Are not these forums here to describe to others our experiences be they good, bad, or somewhere in-between with gemstones, and the purchase of gemstones?

Athough you may think my comments were inflamatory, in NO instance did I lie or misrepresent my dealing with AJSGems. I described the problem I had, and described the positive deallings I had with them.



colormyworld -

~$1400 US. Not much I know, but alot when you are 1 year out of University, and saving for a house.

-Lelyn

 

[colormyworld]

Thanks for the reply. In my mind rubies are way over priced. The thing that bugs me most about them is unless you get the very best(big bucks)(1400$) they always change to purple color in sunlight. Rubies always look better in icandecent light . That is why for me red spinel is my stone of choice. Doug

 

[vasamacil]

colormyworld -

My favorites are garnets actually, and I do like spinels, but for an e-ring it''s easier to go traditional.
That way, when people ask her about the stones she doesn''t have to go into a long explaination about diamond price control, rarity vs. price, high quality ''semi-precious'' vs. crap precious stones, etc.

-Lelyn

 

[MJO]

To all,

I have said it before and I will say it again. I have bought quite a few stones from AJS. The last time He was in New Jersey I met with him and bought about $25.000 (3stones) from him. I Before this I had purchased about $10,000 worth of stones from him. He has always been a stand up guy and stood behind his stones. I have emailed and called him on some stones and he has been very honest with me. One stone I bought from him for $15,000 I turned around and had a freind retail it for $25,000 in 2 months. His prices on top stones are very good. Classic Mogok Rubies are slightly purple and not completely red. I wear a 6ct star Burma Ruby ring that is classified by AGL as Classic Mogok that is very much a purple shade to me. I have nothing to say but good things about Arnold and Rung at AJS.

 

[Sagebrush]

All,

I think Widget and MJO''s posts are exactly correct. Some stones just photograph better than others and monitors are calibrated personally. If a dealer sends you a stone with a moneyback guarantee its a bit over the top to then criticize that dealer for misrepresenting the stone, I mean, please! AJS handled the matter very professionally. Good service, prompt refund!

I would never purchase a gem from a photo, without a 100% right of refusal, period. About all the image is good for is to give you an idea, gets you perhaps 80% of the way, tells you what to reject.

 

[elmo]

Sure, I agree that you don't commit to something based on a photograph. But I also think that at least an attempt at representative photos are a required part of the on-line purchase process, just like a solid return policy.

When I asked AJS for additional photos of something, they refused saying that I could return the item if I didn't like it. Similar to Lelyn's experience. I asked more than once, same response from both folks. I didn't have a good feeling about the interaction; also for me there's too much hassle sending stuff between here and Asia for items of value without a strong indication that I'll want to keep something. It might have been a different story if they were based in NJ

.

I guess the service and detailed info from Pricescope regulars and folks like Arnstein has me spoiled. Some points that Lelyn makes both positive and negative sound familiar. My own conclusion at the time was that although I wouldn't mind buying lower cost items from AJS, for items of significance I expected better service, and would rather pay more to work with someone like Richard Wise or Walter Arnstein.

 

[MJO]

Hello Elmo,

Just a thought, I don''t know for sure about AJS, but some online stores don''t have the stones in their possession at all times. If they own them, some are out on consignment in brick and mortar stores (for additional exposure) so they can''t send you another picture since they don''t have they in front of them. Also, some stores don''t own all the stones on their sight but advertise them for others that don''t have a website (just a brick and mortar store). They take a picture and then give back the items so they don''t have them in front of them. I don''t know if this is the case with AJS but with some stones it could be. Just think of the value of all the stones on their sight and think how much he would have to advance payment for them. It could be millions. If you had that much would you be working .

There is nothing wrong with this practice as long as they are accurate in there description and their return policy is sincere. I know AJS''s is. Even if you don''t like the stone when you receive it. Was the description accurate? If it was then there is know intent to deceive. Buying a stone of lower price ussually means lower quality on a reputable dealers sight.

 

[MJO]

Richard,

I agree with you 100% on the fact that a picture only tells you what to reject. Even then I have seen some stones that look awefull in the picture but something sparked my interest. I then received the stone and found it to be wonderfull. This is ussually only the case with new sellers on ebay . The ones that have been around awhile know how to take good pictures of poor stones.

 

[Sagebrush]

To insure quality just about all my images are done by a professional gem photographer. Still, a gem is a dynamic thing and a photo is not. As I said in my previous post I don't buy from images. Mainly, I use them to eliminate stones from consideration.

I post a photo that is as representative as it can be. Often, there is only so much even a specialist photographer can do. Some gems are more photogenic than others. So, if someone asks me for another photo, I usually both can't and won't.

 

[MJO]

Hello Richard,

I know your stones are true to picture. I am saying most Thai Dealers and some others on ebay take the picture to show the gem the best they can. An oval stone with a picture with the stone tilted is always trying to obscure the fact that the stone is windowed. A dark stone is flooded with light to make it appear brighter so look for the darkest spot in the stone and that is the tone of the actual stone. What I''m saying is don''t expect to get a Ferrari for the price of a KIA.

 

[valeria101]

This is a hard one...

IMO, there is no right and wrong in the story aside some expectations set on the wrong side. Of course, one can say that setting expectations right is everything!

AJS certainly does not put a whole book on their website explaining what should be expected from them. Some do. The pictures alone and scant descriptions at AJS are not a great place to start shopping online even though the shop is very welcoming in all the right ways, IMO.

Of course, the return policy is a substantial right thing they had to and did well, according to the three or four returns documented here. But then, perhaps no one (AJS included) with actually making use of that return policy. Also, perhaps spelling it out clearly that there is an ''inspection phase'' of such purchases and return are to be expected may make it more palatable. This sounds like one of those trivia things that do need to be reminded. Some sellers do that and it is not unusual for local shops to allow buyers to ''see the stones in your own light'' - if that makes a difference, than shipment from Thailand based on some very approximate photograph each party judged against a completely different background, surely qualifies. After all, the vast majority of merchandise can be described and is understood allot better than precious stones.

I am not sure if this is a real problem or not, but it seems that without an inordinate amount of careful presentation, buying online is better suited either to very versed guys (like MJO - obviously there was allot less room for error for him dealing with AJS than for most) or very fine pieces (as Richard holds). If it even worth trying to breach this knot, is yet another Q - perhaps not, after all.

Perhaps the only returns AJS has come from pricescopers! ... I woud not be too surprised. Hope they would consider posting here.

 

[Richard M.]

Date: 9/21/2005 10:55:02 AM
Author: elmo
Sure, I agree that you don't commit to something based on a photograph. But I also think that at least an attempt at representative photos are a required part of the on-line purchase process, just like a solid return policy...When I asked AJS for additional photos of something, they refused saying that I could return the item if I didn't like it.

On-line gem sellers work very hard at creating "representative photos" of their merchandise. Richard Wise has made the excellent point that settings on monitors vary and that some gems take to imaging much better than others. Most on-line gem dealers have entire sections of their websites devoted to how they make their images, with caveats like those above about monitors, etc.

Also, gem photography is difficult and time-consuming. I think most dealers would willingly send additional images if they had them but in most cases getting them would involve another costly photo session. With all the variables it makes very good sense to tell a client to simply return a stone if it doesn't suit. Gem purchases are ultimately very personal decisions.

It's really quite simple. If there are reservations about doing business overseas or on the basis of an on-line image, don't do it. If you do, and receive a stone you don't like for whatever reason, simply return it. That's the best on-line sellers can offer and it seems to me it's much better for a consumer to inspect a gem in the privacy of their own home at the risk of a small amount of postage. The consumer can choose many different kinds of lighting, contrast the gem with any metal, check it for inclusions, etc., with no pushy salesman or pressure to buy. Answers to questions are usually as close as your keyboard. There's no reason to be upset if a stone doesn't meet expectations for some reason.

Richard M.

 

[partgypsy]

I have purchased 4 stones from AJS gems, been very satisfied with 3 of them (round pink sapphire, oval rhodolite garnet, greenish aquamarine), and so so satisfied with one. The forth was a color change garnet that is a pretty blue green outside, but turns too dark indoors. I probably would have returned it but it wasn''t very expensive.
I think their prices are good and definitely would purchase from them again, especially for fun pieces.
If I were interested in a more expensive piece of theirs I would probably call them first to ask them questions (a picture only tells you so much) such as whether it has a window, hows its brilliance, its color description, basically what are the positive and negatives about piece before purchasing. You are always taking a chance, but they do accept returns.

On the other hand I''ve tried a couple times to buy an emerald off the web and so far have been unsuccessful (returned them).
Maybe I''m picky, maybe it is too hard to see what some stones look like from a picture. From that experience if I''m ever in the market for an emerald I would buy "in person"

 

[movie zombie]

consumer ramblings:

its simple. you get what you pay for. as long as i have a 100% refund, it doesn''t hurt to look. and thanks MJO for the tips re how photos are made to look better than they are. and the info re purple tones in rubies under certain lighting is very helpful.

i''m not out to knock AJS but, again, you get what you pay for. i''m sure they carry some good stones but i''m not sure one can expect to get a world class in the top 5% stone....but i would guess they can get one if asked to do so! when i was shopping for my spess, i looked at their website and there was nothing that compared in quality to the spess i got from richard wise. i had to pay for that quality though! top stones carry a top price....as they should.

also, why would i ask for more pictures if i get a 100% refund if i return the stone? no picture is going to adequately portray how much a stone is going to appeal to me or not. i''d have it sent to review and return it if i wasn''t pleased. i''d then give AJS the feedback as to what i didn''t like about the stone and ask them to send me another based on my comments.

so, it sounds to me like AJS handled things fairly and i would recommend them to someone that wants a good stone for a good price...and with the admonition to be very very educated about the particular stone being purchased and be realistic about what to expect for the $$$ being spent.

peace, movie zombie

 

[elmo]

I agree with what everyone's saying here. The main issue was that for me at least the information and photos on the AJS site are often insufficient for me to make a reject decision on something of significance; plus I have a lower tolerance for risk with an international transaction, i.e. for someone here in the states I'm more likely to have a look at something at my expense. If you want to see excellent examples of photos that I consider sufficient, have a look at Wise's and Arnetein's web sites, and compare those with the photos on the AJS site. Remember also I said I'd still consider doing business with AJS (after this post I'm not sure it works both ways?

).

Excellent point that several folks are making about expectations. Can't expect too much from a carat size ruby in the $1K range I think.

 

[MJO]

Hello Ana,

I think what Arnold was trying to say to Lelyn is that his reputation and therefore his livelyhood is at stake here. Others that see the title "ruby'' from AJS in quotes that impies the stone is not a ruby damages his reputation, expecially if someone were to just read the title and not follow up on it might not buy from them. What he was trying to say to Lelyn is that even though she may not think the item is a ruby it is classified as a ruby by reputable labs. He didn''t tell here to buy a cert and if it was a ruby then she should pay for it. He also said if it wasn''t a ruby he would give it to her FREE and pay for the cert. This was to say he is willing to stand behind what he claims but if she was wrong she should stand behind what she says and implies in this forum.

Also saying "I would buy again but not a color dependent or important stone" leaves some with the impression they are only good for cheap stones. I just want to say that is incorrect. I have bought many thousands of dollar stones from Arnold. My first one was a $2,500 green/blue tourmaline a few years ago that he had listed on ebay. It''s a wonderfull Almost Loop Clean 10+ct that I love. I have purchased $4,000 spinels and $15,000 tsavorites from Arnold. Some in person when he came to New Jersey and some online. I always talk to him first by email or phone. On one of the stones he looked closely at it and told me he should have it repolished and would tell me how it was when it came back. I have asked him about some spinels on his site and he told me exaclty what was good and what was not with them. I take his word on his stones and he has never let me down.

I am not a professional gem buyer or appraiser but have learned alot from people like Arnold and from people on this forum. Also from reading every online artical on every gemstone I could find. I have also learned alot from Richard Wise''s book. I don''t think anyone needs to be gem savy dealing with reputable online firms. As long as they live up to their return policy there is no problem since you should only buy what YOU LIKE.

 

[Cave Keeper]

Thank you, Vasamacil, for providing us with your interesting feedback.

Whatever your differences with the seller, I''m glad to know AJS did refund the purchase money and fulfilled their commitment to their refund policy.

Yes, some sellers do respond with more words, while on the other hand, some buyers, like me, would prefer to say as little as possible (especially any hint of criticism) to avoid rubbing salt into any "perceived" "wound/s". I''d rather walk off with as little damage to both sides'' feelings quietly; after a certain cooling-off period, who knows, I may buy something again from the same seller.

But then, that''s only my style. Different people in our World will have different styles, as that depends on what they feel is the best way to deal with matters.

BTW, I''ve yet to buy anything from AJS, but who knows, one of these days, when he stocks an untreated one carat fancy traffic light-stopping red diamond, and when I do happen to find a tall and purty gal friend from Texas good enough to be a Rockette and who deserves the best, ...

 

[maxspinel]

I''ve following this thread and that seems like the comments reflect that of two groups: the dealers and the consumers.

In the view point of a consumer, he wants to get what the dealer has advertised for, the exactly color of the ruby on the monitor. He or she is not an expert in the field; therefore, the difficulty of show casing the right color, color various in different lighting, or $1400 can''t buy much, really don''t mean a lot to him. That is why he relies on the correct representation of the stone by a reputable dealer. If a stone changes color, then it should be photographed in different lights. I do believe the standard for grading a colored stone is under natural, not incandescent lights so showing the best of that stone if it is incandescent will not be a correct represenation. When the product fails to meet a consumer''s expectation, he has the right to express his dissatisfaction without being called lack of knowledge or quick to criticize. Furthermore, the primary purpose of this forum for the consumers is not just limited to praising each another for getting the right stone or padding one other on the back for a job well done, but to really share one''s experience (good or bad) so others can learn from it. There isn''t a reason why he should refrain from voicing his opinion.

On the other hand, in the view point of AJS and many other dealers, they feel that they or their friends are being treated unfairly since they are reputable, the price is fair and they never have any intention to deceive. I tend to agree from the pictures that even the stone is a little purplish or magenta, it is a ruby not a purple sapphire. The primary hue for that ruby is red, not purple and I personally like the color. In fact, it does not seem to be a bad buy for $1400. I feel that AJS must be an excellent on line dealer to receive so many positive feedback and support. They carry a full refund policy so the consumers can inspect the piece at their leisure and if they are not happy, just return it. I wouldn''t hesitate to buy from them, knowing that they''ll promptly return my money if for some reasons that I don''t like the stone.

As for the differences of opinion between a consumer and a dealer, remember the old saying " the customer is always right" and any supplier who said otherwise will run the risk of losing out in the business.

 

[pricescope]

Date: 9/20/2005 9:06:34 PM
Author: Michael_E

... Anyone buying these types of stones needs to take all the pictures and descriptions with a grain of salt and just pass on the stone and send it back without public comment if they are not satisfied. Those public comments can affect a quality business in a negative manner, which is quite unfair to someone who is not really in a position to defend themselves.

Michael_E, I''m afraid, it is not appropriate for you to tell consumers what they can or cannot post here.

This is an open consumers'' forum to share their experience. Vasamacil posted his personal experience in a factual and civil manner. Vendors are welcome to answer andtell their side of the story.

 

[Michael_E]

Lelyn and Pricescope,
I apologize if my previous note was considered a bit too harsh or an attempt to tell anyone what to post. The bulk of my note was more an attempt to convey how difficult it is to convey color and other traits of colored gems to a client and have them be satisfied with what they receive. Pictures and verbal descriptions just plain don''t work well...any buyer of a colored stone absolutely needs to see the stone prior to making a decision on that purchase. Because of this it is also necessary that the buyer NOT rely on a picture or a description as nebulous as the term "Ruby", since it will form a picture in their mind that may not even come close to matching the reality of the stone that they receive.

I did not write this note in an attempt to be critical of you Lelyn, or to tell you what you should or should not write about, but to point out to anyone reading this, that since it is so difficult to convey an accurate description of color, that you or they should either accept or reject the stone that is offered, but not be too critical of the description offered to you by the seller.

Any vendor will attempt to make their stones sound as attractive as possible and will avoid making too overly critical a judgement regarding say, different shades of red or pink or green. Even if you ask them, they may see it very differently than you do and some things that may matter to you may not matter at all to them. My main point here is that it is fine to be as critical as you would care to be about the stone that you are buying, but that even a slight or implied criticism or a vendor should only come because of poor business practices or flagrant misrepresentation of the qualities of a stone.

Once again, I apologize if you felt that I was being critical of you or trying to contain your views as I was NOT trying to do this at all.

 

[Cave Keeper]

I agree with Michael E about how to interprete his posting. I was quite amazed to see him being hauled up for voicing what was his constructive opinion (and well-intentioned advice).

But it''s great to know consumer feedback is most welcome in PS.

 

[strmrdr]

Knowing Micheal for a long time I knew how to take his posting but can see how it can be taken other ways.

When something can be taken different ways the consumers side will be the light its judged against at PS in almost all cases.

I can see both sides in this and imho AJSGems did all they could do in this situation and I wouldn''t hesitate to buy from them.

The problem is that Ruby means very different things to different people and they are almost impossible to photograph accuratly because they never look the same color twice.
Im picky about ruby color and Id expect there to be a possiblity of a return on any that I bought unseen.
I would therefore take this into account when deciding where to buy it.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

The sapphire is beautiful. I cannot wait to see the finished project!

 

[politely]

This is an unfortunate situation, but I can understand the seller''s concerns. The buyer seems to have posted on the internet questioning the authenticity of the stone and the pictures on the seller''s site before giving the seller a chance to make things right. All I can say is that I think we should all be careful in making accusations, even ones that are not explicit.

As far as pictures on the internet vs. personal viewing, I can say from my experience that they are not the same. Even TNSC''s pictures do not accurately reflect the personal viewing. And the light clearly makes a difference. I''ve also spent about 30-60 minutes trying to take a picture of a piece I had. I took about 20 pictures - they don''t look like the same gem from picture to picture. And I have some pictures taken by an appraiser - they don''t look anything at all like my pictures.

As far as a seller making their product look good... well, that''s only to be expected. It''s a poor seller who doesn''t. I think to the extent a seller has delivered something a consumer doesn''t want, given the current limitations of computers & technology, the seller should be judged on their follow through and response - assuming of course, that there''s no deliberate misrepresentation (but generally speaking a seller who does that isn''t likely to have such good follow through).

BTW, it''s also probably worth pointing out that sometimes it''s hard to tell color even in person

-P