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HELP!!!Jeweler Screwed Up Custom E-Ring

C

CraigJ1980

Rough_Rock
Joined
Oct 6, 2014
Messages
13
Hello,

Long story short if that's possible I am planning to take my girlfriend away later this week to the Rocky Mountains to propose. The engagement ring came in Saturday and was told by the sales lad how beautiful it was once it arrived, so of course I went down to the store and it was brought out. Right away I noticed problems... it looked like the shape was not symmetrical in profile view where the shoulder meet the bottom of the prongs, there was seams inside the shank where they pieced the ring together as this was required based on the design... the blue sapphire bezels on both side of the ring below the center stone are too light colored.... I wanted vivid blue sapphire, but to me it looks too pale.... Also the sapphire edges are covered by the bottom of the prongs as they come up which is what was discussed and shown in pictures no edges are covered. ALSO looking at the ring from the side(profile view) you can see material "hanging" down inside the shank.... the sapphires are supposed to look almost like they are "Floating" on the side of the ring as shown to them and explained.... To top it all off... there are 4 edges of course... 2 on each side.... they each have micro pave diamonds from the bottom to the top of the prongs There are supposed to be 11... so one side has two sets of 11... the other is two sets of 10!!!!!!!!!!!! Are you kidding me!!!??? I am so depressed about this I want to throw up. I was assured through the whole process I woud love the ring it would be just like the pictures... and then all this crap! I have contacted another jeweler that is in the same mall and explained this as I am considering having the ring re-made by them.... I have a feeling the other jeweler will try to "Fix the probLem"s" without re-making the ring and to me this is unacceptable. I need advice as to what I should do.... I should explain the jeweler I dealt with is not the one that made the ring as this was outsourced in another part of Canada. They are amazing, but the company that made this ring horrible. Also, I left the ring in the store's safe until tomorrow when I will pick it up and have it appraised, otherwise I would post pictures of this issues. I have looked forward to going away and proposing for the past two months and now at the 11th hour... I get something I didnt request. Should I let them re-do the ring? Or see what the other jeweler says that I told my story to and have it re-made AFTER I propose? I really cant delay this proposal any longer, but DO want the ring to be perfect when i do.. She would understand I think if I told her I need it to be fixed after I propose... but didn't plan on it happening like this. Sorry for all the typos etc... Im stressed and angry about this situation. ADVICE NEED!
 
Given that this ring is based on a Claude Thibaudeau ring, is there any reason you can't just buy the original? That design is complicated and I wouldn't trust any jeweler to do it - I'd want to have seen proof that they have done similar designs before committing to work with them.
 
Valid questions... to be honest They said they could do it and knew to make this ring in mutlipple casts, not one which from feedback I had on here said they had a clue about what they were doing. A Claude Thibaudeau setting alone for this style is probably like 12-15k along as opposed to the 6k through the jeweler... So price is one of the reasons... now if I just get a Claude I am spending another 12-15k on top of the 21k Ive spent already and cant justify that unless I got an entire refund and to keep the ring... which I doubt will happen. At the end of the day I am just torn between proposing with that ring and having it remade by another jeweler or the same... or delaying the proposal for another month or so and just taking it to a reputable local jeweler that's makes jewelery in house and has for 32 years and having it re-made after getting commitment they can fix the ring by remaking it exactly like the model I showed the other jeweler. Also how much from the original price would it cost to remake a ring like this given that the materials are already supplied not including a little more platinum?
 
Sorry you are unhappy with the ring! Custom designs are risky on the outcome. If possible, I would suggest getting your money back. I highly doubt they will be able to remake the ring to your satisfaction given everything you said is wrong with it. You could buy an inexpensive solitaire to propose with so you can go through with your plans..then start over on the setting after that. I am sure the engagement is more important to your girlfriend!!
 
Sorry I just saw your recent reply. I am sure if push comes to shove you can get your money back. Either way, I still think you could propose with a different ring so you have more time to work things out.
 
I had a look at the ring you like is this something your g/f has picked? The stone sits up really high in the air which might look cute in pics, but what this means effectively is it will catch on everything it will be much much easier to chip the sides of the stone if she bumps or smacks her hands on anything at all.

If she loves this type of design most chain store jewellers cannot copy something like this effectively, unfortunately there is a reason that the setting was half the price and I think it would be very very easy to get this totally wrong rather than looking fluid and elegant.

I think you should demand a full refund from the original jeweller and start from scratch. Find someone who you can see pics or real life examples of their work before you proceed again. I sincerely doubt the average jeweller is going to be able to copy this ring... I would also be rethinking setting a stone up that high in the air unless it is something she has specifically requested because it will not be practical for every day wear.
 
Most of the price of the ring is in the labor, not the materials. The platinum would be scrap value, and perhaps someone would reuse the diamonds, though you're constraining any remake by making them use your diamonds and if part of the problems involve the diamonds not being sized precisely enough, you could be preventing a good fix. I don't know how likely that is given that I haven't seen the ring. Quite frankly, given everything wrong with the ring, including that a different number of diamonds was used on one side than the other and there were seams where it was pieced together (both of which are incredibly amateurish mistakes), I would press for a refund and find another jeweler. I would make sure that they have made similar designs before - don't just take their word for it but see examples, either in real life or in high quality photos so you can judge the finish for yourself.

See if you can get a cheap solitaire setting in the meantime so you can propose with the diamond.
 
Do not take the ring and propose with it - once you take it out of the shop, they can argue that you indeed did accept the quality of the work. If you are going to propose I second the idea of a temporary cheap solitaire setting and then let her be involved in remaking the final setting.

The shop said they could replicate that particular ring and obviously the cannot. This should be reason enough for a full refund if you do not trust they can remake it to your satisfaction.
 
Yikes. DO NOT take this with you. DO NOT. Just get a refund and walk away from this jeweler. They are not capable of creating this piece. Get the real thing. If you take it with you it's yours. Just get your stone if you have one and walk away. Have another jeweler set it in a temporary setting to propose with and be done with this place.
 
I am sorry about how the ring turned out. I also agree with the other posters to do the following:
1. Do not take the ring out of the store. Have them put it into a simple plain solitaire that you can propose in.
2. Either get a remake or a full refund. I would opt for a full refund.

I usually give a jeweller a second chance but based on the complexity of the design, most chain type benches will not be able to pull it off. This is why it is extremely critical to see the CAD and wax prior to approving to go ahead with the casting. My ring needed to be cast in many different pieces due to complexity but even so, the jeweller sent out a full wax cast for me to touch/see so that I approve it with confidence. As for accent stones, in my experience, I've always approved the stones before proceeding with the project as well.
 
Mall jewelers are almost never the place to get a ring custom made. Benches have different skill levels and I am going to say that a minority are capable of producing excellent work. The reason CT charges a lot is because their skill level is higher and reputation is higher as a result. If you show us the inspiration ring, we can suggest others who could make similar quality for a lower price. Sorry this happened but it is best to either propose with a plain setting and let her have input on the custom setting or you'll have to wait several weeks to get a new one made.
 
Chrono|1415639510|3780687 said:
I am sorry about how the ring turned out. I also agree with the other posters to do the following:
1. Do not take the ring out of the store. Have them put it into a simple plain solitaire that you can propose in.
2. Either get a remake or a full refund. I would opt for a full refund.

I usually give a jeweller a second chance but based on the complexity of the design, most chain type benches will not be able to pull it off. This is why it is extremely critical to see the CAD and wax prior to approving to go ahead with the casting. My ring needed to be cast in many different pieces due to complexity but even so, the jeweller sent out a full wax cast for me to touch/see so that I approve it with confidence. As for accent stones, in my experience, I've always approved the stones before proceeding with the project as well.
Click to expand...

agreed. if a ring is being custom made. a MUST-DO is to have the jeweler send you pictures throughout the entire process rather than only showing it to you when it's completely done. this way you can make adjustments along the way before it's too late.

my jeweler is actually re-casting my setting right now because he didnt like how it turned out and neither did i. there's no "fixing" because that'll mess up with the integrity of the metal.

let us know how it works out!
 
CraigJ1980|1415591460|3780412 said:
Valid questions... to be honest They said they could do it and knew to make this ring in mutlipple casts, not one which from feedback I had on here said they had a clue about what they were doing. A Claude Thibaudeau setting alone for this style is probably like 12-15k along as opposed to the 6k through the jeweler... So price is one of the reasons... now if I just get a Claude I am spending another 12-15k on top of the 21k Ive spent already and cant justify that unless I got an entire refund and to keep the ring... which I doubt will happen. At the end of the day I am just torn between proposing with that ring and having it remade by another jeweler or the same... or delaying the proposal for another month or so and just taking it to a reputable local jeweler that's makes jewelery in house and has for 32 years and having it re-made after getting commitment they can fix the ring by remaking it exactly like the model I showed the other jeweler. Also how much from the original price would it cost to remake a ring like this given that the materials are already supplied not including a little more platinum?
Click to expand...

also, have you contacted reputable PS jewelers and gotten a quote from them on how much the setting will cost?
if i'm spending 6k on a setting i would definitely not be using a mall jeweler.
ask around and see what they quote you. (that's if you get your money back)
 
I'm sorry to be a pain in the butt about this, but... have you noticed on the Claude Thibaudeau site, on the very front page, the international copyright notification? It says very clearly that reproduction and duplication is prohibited and against the law.

On the basis of that, if nothing else, I would suggest NOT picking up the ring you've ordered but with which you are unhappy. Start again with a different vendor, and go for something of your own design. Alternately, out of fairness to the designer, I would suggest going with the company that holds the copyright on the design.
 
Hello,

The ring is different it has diamonds up the center instead of sapphires and the bezels were sapphires not diamonds. At the end of the day I have spoken with an authorized retailer for Claude Thibaudeau and they have provided an amazing price... so it's either the Claude Thibaudeau or a Tacori he had her eye on when we started looking a long time ago. The CT is more than the Tacori, but to me is ore amazing and unique. The store is refunding all my money and even offered to let me take it and propose then return it and get a new ring made, They even offered a basic solitaire free to propose with and her to wear until my new ring is made by CT. The jewelry store I dealt with has top notch customer service.... they had a jeweler on the other side of Canada make the ring for me based on pictures I provided etc.... and as someone mentioned, this ring was multiple casts as well which told me they had a clue about rings like this... clearly not. Thanks for the input... I had to cancel everything, but at least when I do propose it will be perfect.
 
Not to be a PITA, but... does your girlfriend share your belief that this ring is "more amazing and unique"?

I'm going to be totally sexist and stereotypical here (fire away!) but I think that particular design is one that's going to appeal to men shopping for women, more than it would to the women who would be wearing the ring every day.

The design you're eyeing is definitely more subtle and elegant, but I'm still reminded of this thread:

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/5-01radiant-center-stone-should-i-upgrade.179170/
 
This was my initial thought too when I saw the pics of the ring - is this something she picked or something YOU like? Most if not ALL Tacori rings are set way lower than this ring is making them MUCH more practical for every day wear. A lot of Tacori have a vintage feel to them and you have picked something that is very modern in design.
 
Hi VRBeauty.... that ring you showed me looks stupid to be honest... having a custom made version of the ring in my hand and even on my pinky finger haha.... I can say it doesn't look ridiculous, bulky etc... it looks amazing. The ring I am referring to is MOD- PLT1975... There is a larger version.. much larger version of this which is way too bulky in myopinion. I forget the exact model... is like 8 MM wide and for larger center stones.I did show her this ring online once and she was impressed. The ring incorporates every element that she has liked in the various rings she has seen/tried on since we started looking.
 
Also the diamond will be set lower by Claude Thibaudeau... so it will be tweaked a bit... same as the ring I had made.
 
O.K if it is something she has seen and liked and it's getting set to a non what we call skyscraper height - ie it's going to be practical for every day wear then I am glad you can get the same ring for a great price.

It is a very unique setting, please come back and post pics for everyone to see when it is finished. I hope your engagement goes well and wish you both the best!!!!
 
Thanks, yes it is higher than Tacori, but it's not obnoxious at all.. She is an accountant so it's not like she needs to wear gloves everyday or anything. IF we do any activities where it might be an issue she will just take it off and leave it home or something anyway. iI would expect her to do that even with a Tacori or any ring really that is worth several thousand dollars. I have to decided in the next day or so whether to have Claude Thibaudeau make it or go with the Tacori. I will definitely post once this nightmare... I mean process is complete haha. Probably Mid- December now.
 
HI:

I am glad it worked out. Sometimes, you just have to get an/the "original".

I live in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies, hence and I hope you are able to actually travel there--presently, with all this cold and SNOW! :lol:

cheers--Sharon.
 
I don't know if it's too late to explore other artists, but Krikawa has ring styles similar to what you're looking for, and they do custom work. Here is one such ring, with several variations on the same page.
http://www.krikawa.com/jewelry/body-of-work/item-detail.aspx?id=5340
I bet they'd be able to take your vision and do it proud, but I don't know how much it would cost.
 
Hello,

I just ordered the actual Claude Thibaudeau ring with the sapphires up the center (river)... the ring looks much smaller in person in a good way and the quality is amazing.They explained how CT makes his rings pretty impressive. I can see why they are so expensive.
 
HI:

Please come back and post pictures IRL! :wavey:

cheers--Sharon
 
Hope it all works out this time!
 
canuk-gal|1415843880|3782408 said:
HI:

Please come back and post pictures IRL! :wavey:

cheers--Sharon
Click to expand...

Ditto! =)
 
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