Gem horror stories

[ma re]

Do you have any to share? Stones falling off, breaking, chipping, scratching...? Call me crazy, but I''m curious

 

[Linda W]

Yes, I have one and it is my own stupid fault

I was putting one of my beautiful Padparadscha Sapphire pendants on OVER the bathroom sink (of all places) and I dropped it. It hit the sink and chipped the small corner of the sapphire.

I was so upset.

No one can see it when it is around my neck, but I know it is there. That will teach me to never do that again.

Linda

 

[cushioncutnut]

OH I am so sorry that happened Linda!!!

I went to a gem and jewelry show and bought a pretty tanzanite (knowing how soft that they are...

and had it set into a ring. ( I have a ring fetish) Because I got my new sparkly, I just had to wear it to work the next day. I was reaching into a file cabinet and the ring caught onto a lip in the cabinet and I sheered the top of the stone off.. I was bummed.....but at least I didn''t pay too much for the stone. Tanzanites are so gorgeous but very brittle. I will never wear a tanzanite as a ring again. Tough lesson learned...

 

[Linda W]

OMG CC, that is terrible!!!!!!!!! I know they are such soft stones.

I have a gorgeous tanzanite ring that I hardly ever wear. We bought the stone in Mexico, in 2004. It is the beautiful deep color with the red flashes. DH and I had it set here. The jeweler scraped the top of it and refused to do anything about it. We raised holey heck with him. He then shipped it out and had it fixed. It is now beautiful.

I only wear it out to dinner and guard my hand. I never should have bought it because I am afraid to wear it, for fear of ruining it.

DH also bought me a pair of tanzanite earrings in Mexico and I wear those, but no worries there. They aren''t as deep colored as my ring.


Linda

 

[geckodani]

Date: 8/13/2008 2:08:14 PM
Author: Linda W
OMG CC, that is terrible!!!!!!!!! I know they are such soft stones.

I have a gorgeous tanzanite ring that I hardly ever wear. We bought the stone in Mexico, in 2004. It is the beautiful deep color with the red flashes. DH and I had it set here. The jeweler scraped the top of it and refused to do anything about it. We raised holey heck with him. He then shipped it out and had it fixed. It is now beautiful.

I only wear it out to dinner and guard my hand. I never should have bought it because I am afraid to wear it, for fear of ruining it.

DH also bought me a pair of tanzanite earrings in Mexico and I wear those, but no worries there. They aren''t as deep colored as my ring.


Linda

Besides, if you smash your head hard enough to hurt them, you''ll have bigger problems....

 

[Linda W]

Date: 8/13/2008 2:18:45 PM
Author: geckodani

Date: 8/13/2008 2:08:14 PM

Author: Linda W

OMG CC, that is terrible!!!!!!!!! I know they are such soft stones.


I have a gorgeous tanzanite ring that I hardly ever wear. We bought the stone in Mexico, in 2004. It is the beautiful deep color with the red flashes. DH and I had it set here. The jeweler scraped the top of it and refused to do anything about it. We raised holey heck with him. He then shipped it out and had it fixed. It is now beautiful.


I only wear it out to dinner and guard my hand. I never should have bought it because I am afraid to wear it, for fear of ruining it.


DH also bought me a pair of tanzanite earrings in Mexico and I wear those, but no worries there. They aren''t as deep colored as my ring.




Linda

Besides, if you smash your head hard enough to hurt them, you''ll have bigger problems....

ha ha ha ha ha. Yea, I imagine so, ha ha ha ha ha

 

[parrot tulips]

Date: 8/13/2008 12:33:56 PM
Author:ma re
Do you have any to share? Stones falling off, breaking, chipping, scratching...? Call me crazy, but I''m curious

As a matter of fact, I''ve a mini "horror story" going on right now. I have a yellow sapphire that just got finished being set into a ring last night. I got a call from the jeweler this morning - the color has completely disappeared! They said it looks like a white sapphire now instead of yellow. I had no idea such a thing could happen! I thought it was untreated, but I can''t remember for certain. I''ve sent the sapphire place an e-mail. We''ll see how everything pans out. Luckily it wasn''t a huge emotional purchase, like an e-ring, so while I''m a little bummed, it certainly isnt'' the end of the world. And who knows, I may love it as is! It just won''t be yellow.

 

[Linda W]

ACK

OMG PT, that is terrible. I am so sorry.


Linda

 

[parrot tulips]

Date: 8/13/2008 2:59:43 PM
Author: Linda W
ACK

OMG PT, that is terrible. I am so sorry.


Linda

Well, I guess you learn something new every day! The sapphire place responded immediately and it certainly sounds hopeful. They said this sometimes happens when too much heat is applied to yellow sapphires, but all is not lost. With exposure to uv light (black light, or sunlight), the color should return (one of the more mysterious properties of yellow sapphires). They are standing behind their product and are doing everything they can to be helpful. Yay for good customer service! They were great when everything was going smoothly, and now that I hit a little "bump," long after the initial purchase, they''re still being great.

 

[Elmorton]

I took a blue topaz to a jeweler (first loose stone I purchased and set) and not only did he break the stone while setting it, but he replaced the stone without asking me - however, he replaced a concave cut with a traditional cut, so as you can imagine, I had a pretty shocked response when I went to pick up the pendant. Needless to say it was a bit of a mess, but the jeweler did do right by me in the end. Otherwise, pretty good luck

 

[geckodani]

Date: 8/13/2008 3:15:31 PM
Author: parrot tulips

Date: 8/13/2008 2:59:43 PM
Author: Linda W
ACK

OMG PT, that is terrible. I am so sorry.


Linda

Well, I guess you learn something new every day! The sapphire place responded immediately and it certainly sounds hopeful. They said this sometimes happens when too much heat is applied to yellow sapphires, but all is not lost. With exposure to uv light (black light, or sunlight), the color should return (one of the more mysterious properties of yellow sapphires). They are standing behind their product and are doing everything they can to be helpful. Yay for good customer service! They were great when everything was going smoothly, and now that I hit a little ''bump,'' long after the initial purchase, they''re still being great.

Wow - how odd/interesting. I''m glad they got back to you about it though!

 

[Linda W]

I was told by Steven Bliss of the Natural Sapphire Company that unheated stones, do indeed tend to fade over time.

He said to put them in direct sunlight and the color comes back. I wear mine out in the sun and the color does look deeper.


Elmorton, I remember your story and I am glad it turned out well.

Linda

 

[princesss]

Date: 8/13/2008 3:17:24 PM
Author: Elmorton
I took a blue topaz to a jeweler (first loose stone I purchased and set) and not only did he break the stone while setting it, but he replaced the stone without asking me - however, he replaced a concave cut with a traditional cut, so as you can imagine, I had a pretty shocked response when I went to pick up the pendant. Needless to say it was a bit of a mess, but the jeweler did do right by me in the end. Otherwise, pretty good luck

What, was he expecting you not to notice???

 

[MustangGal]

I chipped the top off an apatite in my gem collection by closing the lid of the gem jar too hard (squished it against an amethyst).

I wear gemstone rings almost everyday, and somehow I''ve actually cracked my diamond, but all my gems are fine!

 

[cushioncutnut]

Date: 8/13/2008 3:15:31 PM
Author: parrot tulips

Date: 8/13/2008 2:59:43 PM
Author: Linda W
ACK

OMG PT, that is terrible. I am so sorry.


Linda

Well, I guess you learn something new every day! The sapphire place responded immediately and it certainly sounds hopeful. They said this sometimes happens when too much heat is applied to yellow sapphires, but all is not lost. With exposure to uv light (black light, or sunlight), the color should return (one of the more mysterious properties of yellow sapphires). They are standing behind their product and are doing everything they can to be helpful. Yay for good customer service! They were great when everything was going smoothly, and now that I hit a little ''bump,'' long after the initial purchase, they''re still being great.

I will keep that in mind if ever I buy a yellow sapphire. I hope you post a pic of it when it is finished. it will be interesting to see. I wonder how long you would have to keep it under sunlight/ or uvlight??? It is the opposite for a kunzite though... There is so much to learn about gemstones!!! My head is swimming!

 

[Linda W]

CC, not very long. I usually leave mine on the windowsill for the day, the color pops right back. This is only, if I haven''t worn a piece for a long time. The color is stabilized, I just do it for a touch of color.


Linda

 

[cushioncutnut]

Date: 8/13/2008 4:03:17 PM
Author: Linda W
CC, not very long. I usually leave mine on the windowsill for the day, the color pops right back. This is only, if I haven''t worn a piece for a long time. The color is stabilized, I just do it for a touch of color.


Linda

I have to admit.. .that is really nifty. It is like a gemstone mood ring!!! LOL! I almost want to go any buy a yellow sapphire just to test it out!!

 

[LD]

Oh dear not sure where to start without boring you all!

I''ve got a 1.5ct (enhanced) blue heart shaped diamond. During setting the jeweller chipped the edge! Luckily, the setting actually hides it but ..........

The worse incident that''s happened to me was I bought a Paraiba Tourmaline 1.9ct trilliant cut already set into a white gold pendant. I didn''t particularly like the pendant and decided to have a ring made instead. On the recommendation of a "friend" and I use that term loosely(!) I sent the pendant and my design ideas to a jeweller 200 miles away. Without wanting to send you to sleep, it took 6 months to eventually get the "creation" and there really is no other word for it, back! This is the masterpiece (not) that came back!

I didn''t know whether to laugh or cry when I opened the package. Needless to say, I''ve had it re-set by a professional jeweller and the end result is much better but curiously I think this is an unlucky stone because each time I wear it something bad happens. I think this was one gemstone that wasn''t supposed to be mine!

 

[LostSapphire]

Date: 8/13/2008 7:52:17 PM
Author: LovingDiamonds
Oh dear not sure where to start without boring you all!

I''ve got a 1.5ct (enhanced) blue heart shaped diamond. During setting the jeweller chipped the edge! Luckily, the setting actually hides it but ..........

The worse incident that''s happened to me was I bought a Paraiba Tourmaline 1.9ct trilliant cut already set into a white gold pendant. I didn''t particularly like the pendant and decided to have a ring made instead. On the recommendation of a ''friend'' and I use that term loosely(!) I sent the pendant and my design ideas to a jeweller 200 miles away. Without wanting to send you to sleep, it took 6 months to eventually get the ''creation'' and there really is no other word for it, back! This is the masterpiece (not) that came back!

I didn''t know whether to laugh or cry when I opened the package. Needless to say, I''ve had it re-set by a professional jeweller and the end result is much better but curiously I think this is an unlucky stone because each time I wear it something bad happens. I think this was one gemstone that wasn''t supposed to be mine!

Do you have an *after* picture??

LS

 

[ma re]

I''m guessing you''re all taking about center stones, therefore bigger ones - I heard newbies are best off starting with something small, since those are harder to damage. Any truth to that?

 

[cushioncutnut]

Date: 8/13/2008 8:28:49 PM
Author: LostSapphire

Date: 8/13/2008 7:52:17 PM
Author: LovingDiamonds
Oh dear not sure where to start without boring you all!

I''ve got a 1.5ct (enhanced) blue heart shaped diamond. During setting the jeweller chipped the edge! Luckily, the setting actually hides it but ..........

The worse incident that''s happened to me was I bought a Paraiba Tourmaline 1.9ct trilliant cut already set into a white gold pendant. I didn''t particularly like the pendant and decided to have a ring made instead. On the recommendation of a ''friend'' and I use that term loosely(!) I sent the pendant and my design ideas to a jeweller 200 miles away. Without wanting to send you to sleep, it took 6 months to eventually get the ''creation'' and there really is no other word for it, back! This is the masterpiece (not) that came back!

I didn''t know whether to laugh or cry when I opened the package. Needless to say, I''ve had it re-set by a professional jeweller and the end result is much better but curiously I think this is an unlucky stone because each time I wear it something bad happens. I think this was one gemstone that wasn''t supposed to be mine!

Do you have an *after* picture??

LS

That is what I was thinking! We need to see an after picture!

 

[Lady_Disdain]

Date: 8/13/2008 7:52:17 PM
Author: LovingDiamonds
Oh dear not sure where to start without boring you all!

I''ve got a 1.5ct (enhanced) blue heart shaped diamond. During setting the jeweller chipped the edge! Luckily, the setting actually hides it but ..........

The worse incident that''s happened to me was I bought a Paraiba Tourmaline 1.9ct trilliant cut already set into a white gold pendant. I didn''t particularly like the pendant and decided to have a ring made instead. On the recommendation of a ''friend'' and I use that term loosely(!) I sent the pendant and my design ideas to a jeweller 200 miles away. Without wanting to send you to sleep, it took 6 months to eventually get the ''creation'' and there really is no other word for it, back! This is the masterpiece (not) that came back!

I didn''t know whether to laugh or cry when I opened the package. Needless to say, I''ve had it re-set by a professional jeweller and the end result is much better but curiously I think this is an unlucky stone because each time I wear it something bad happens. I think this was one gemstone that wasn''t supposed to be mine!

That ring wears some serious shoulder pads!

 

[LD]

Didn''t think of including an "after" picture! In all honesty I had fallen out of love with the gemstone by the time it was re-set so I just opted for something very simple.

 

[Linda W]

LD, that is a beautiful ring. Love the color of the stone.

 

[Clio]

I have a pretty little ring with two green tourmalines and a tanzanite. They''re fairly well protected by the setting, and the tanzanite is fine, but somehow I managed to whack a chunk out of one of the tourmalines.

 

[Cleo]

Date: 8/14/2008 6:48:50 PM
Author: LovingDiamonds
Didn''t think of including an ''after'' picture! In all honesty I had fallen out of love with the gemstone by the time it was re-set so I just opted for something very simple.

Ohhhh, that is sooo pretty!!! Please don''t be out of love with it - it''s not the poor little gemstone''s fault - it''s beautiful!

I just love it in that yellow gold.

I hope you wear it.. if not, I will - I love it!

x x x

 

[Upgradable]

Date: 8/13/2008 3:15:31 PM
Author: parrot tulips

Date: 8/13/2008 2:59:43 PM
Author: Linda W
ACK

OMG PT, that is terrible. I am so sorry.


Linda

Well, I guess you learn something new every day! The sapphire place responded immediately and it certainly sounds hopeful. They said this sometimes happens when too much heat is applied to yellow sapphires, but all is not lost. With exposure to uv light (black light, or sunlight), the color should return (one of the more mysterious properties of yellow sapphires). They are standing behind their product and are doing everything they can to be helpful. Yay for good customer service! They were great when everything was going smoothly, and now that I hit a little ''bump,'' long after the initial purchase, they''re still being great.

Parrot tulips, whatever happened with your ring? Did you keep it? Has the color returned? Inquiring minds want to know!

 

[T L]

I have a deep green Muzo Columbian emerald around 3 carats that I decided to have set. Well I opted for platinum, and after a while the stone got a huge chip and crack on the side. The gemologist appraiser that I went to stated it was from setting it in platinum because emeralds are brittle and full of internal cracks. That was a real bummer. You can't see the crack looking at the table, but it is noticable looking at it from the side.

I also managed to chip the heck out of an indicolite tourmaline I have, and I'm very careful.

My mother is especially hard on jewelry and no one in their right mind should give her any rings!! She not only cracked a baguette in her wedding ring, but her diamond has two humongous chips in it. Now if you can do that to diamonds, OMG!!

Tanzanite is really soft and there are tons of horror stories about it being worn in rings. It should probably be only worn in pendants and earrings, and rings only on special occassions. I saw a picture of a tanzanite that was so damaged, it looked like a cabachon, when it really started out in life as a faceted stone. It looked like my mom owned that stone (LOL!!).

 

[Harriet]

I used a diamond holder on my red spinel and nicked a crown facet.