Need opinions on e-ring setting problems!!

[SeaOats]

Okay, I posted maybe two months ago about how the channel set princess cut diamonds in my e-ring were uneven. I had my jeweler take a look, and he said he replaced the "higher" diamond with another diamond and gave some odd reasoning about how this would fix the problem. Well, when I got the ring back, the diamonds were definitely not as uneven, so I took it home. Of course, once I got home, I realized that the stones were still slighly uneven, but hell, I could live with it. I also noticed that one side of my e-ring was "slanted" on the side that had been repaired. It is qutie noticable with the naked eye. I attached an upclose picture that kind of shows what I am talking about. I showed my FI, but he was just like "it''s no big deal, don''t worry about it." And honestly, I have tried!! I really have, but it bothers me so much! Not to mention, the quality of the channel setting where the repair was done seems poor in my opinion, but maybe I''m being a bit picky there. You can kind of see it in the picture; and again, it is visible with the naked eye.

I guess I just want to know what you guys think of these little concerns and if I should just be happy with what I have. Here on PS, I think we all strive for perfection, but in the "real world" or at least my world

, my family and jeweler really think I''m crazy. Am I??

ETA: Oh I should add that I am also displeased with the finishing on the prongs. It''s hard to explain, but when I brought the ring to my local jeweler (not the one who did the setting), he said that the finishing was just rushed. He tried his best to finish the prongs, but they are still inadequate in my opinion. Again, I showed the jeweler who we bought the ring from the prongs that had been "finished" by my local jeweler, and he said they looked fine to him. Again, another case of me being told I''m crazy.

 

[Demelza]

Oh Rascal, I can relate all too well to your question: is it me or is it them? I can see what you mean about the head being slanted. That would annoy me too. No, nothing is perfect, but it sounds like you have some valid concerns. And, unfortunately, it seems less and less likely for jewelers these days to step up and say, yup, that''s not acceptable. I hope that doesn''t sound inflammatory -- it just seems to be true based on my own experience and the experiences of many here on PS. Yes, I think PSers tend to be more picky than the average consumer, but that doesn''t mean you''re wrong to notice. I think what is acceptable varies from person to person. Can you take some more pics of the other problems? Maybe that can help us better help you. Was this a custom piece? Were you ever happy with it? So sorry you''re unhappy. It just sucks to feel that way!!!!

 

[Kaleigh]

If you aren''t happy with it now, you won''t be happy with it in the future. I see what you''re talking about in the pic. I would go back to the jeweler that sold you this ring and be upfront with him and let him know that you aren''t happy with the ring. If possible take lots of pics highlighting the poor workmanship. Pics are worth a thousand words. I am soooooo sorry rascal, it sucks I''m sure. HTH, and good luck!!! Oh an no you''re not crazy in the slightest bit!!!

 

[SeaOats]

Thanks Dem, I know you can relate!! Unfortunately

Here is a close up of the repaired channel. Now I know that things obviously seem worse in close-up, blown-up pics, but believe me, I can see it easily with my naked eye, and I saw all these problems before I ever started photographing them upclose.

 

[Kaleigh]

See that''s just the kind of pic you need to take to the jeweler!!!

 

[Demelza]

Oh boy! That would drive me nuts!!! That is not acceptable at all. How long have you had this mounting?

ETA Forgetting about the repair, the channel on one side looks thicker than the channel on the other side. Is that just the pic or do you see that in person?

 

[SeaOats]

Thanks Kaleigh, I am so tempted to walk into the jewelers with my laptop

. I''m just afraid his response will be "of course you can see it when the stone is magnified to the size of an apple!" But I guess I just need to put my foot down and say, "BUT I CAN SEE WITH MY NAKED EYE EVEN WITHOUT MY FREAKING GLASSES AND IT BOTHERS ME!" Phew, I have to calm down a tad LOL.

Here is a bad pic of the prongs. This is AFTER the work done by my local goldsmith. He said it was the best he could do without doing more major work. The areas I circled are actually metal that has been smushed down onto the diamond. So imagine just a thin sheet of platinum at all the ends. It is not rounded off nicely, but instead looks like a tool was used to "push" or "smush" the tip of the prong onto the top facets of the diamond. I don''t know how else to exactly say it.

The prong in the 6 o''clock position shows up the best in this picture. That is how at least four of the prongs look in real life. Of course, this problem is not as easy to see with your naked eyes in all lighting. Oddly enough, I saw this first when I was sitting in the law library trying to study. LOL This is arguably not a big deal, but in conjunction with all my other little problems, it bothers me. Oh well.

Thanks again Alex and Lisa for reaffirming my belief that I''m not all that crazy!

 

[glaucomflecken]

You definitely need to take that back and bring that picture! from personal experience, i know how you feel (was my hand made ring SUPPOSED to be uneven? was i asking for too much? or were they short changing me perfection that they could attain? etc etc.) and I agree wholeheartedly that if it bugs you now, it will always bug you. i think too, at least in my case, being my engagement ring made me more nuts because i wanted it be "perfect" just like my proposal and my sweetie and my relationship and just because i dreamed of my e-ring for years, i had a lot of expectations for it! with my other jewelry i dont care so much, but tiny imperfections in my e-ring drove me insane!

let us know what happens!!!

 

[SeaOats]

Date: 11/11/2005 6:31:57 PM
Author: Demelza
Oh boy! That would drive me nuts!!! That is not acceptable at all. How long have you had this mounting?

ETA Forgetting about the repair, the channel on one side looks thicker than the channel on the other side. Is that just the pic or do you see that in person?

Dem, it''s all visible in person.

I''ve had the setting for over a year. The prong problem obviously has been constant from the beginning. But again, maybe I am being picky with that. But the channel was fixed about a month and a half to two months ago, and that is when I found the bad repair work on the channel and the "slanted" side of the ring. They did the channel repair free of charge because obviously they sold me the ring with uneven stones.

Actually, the channel repair is an interesting story. I went in the store about three months ago to show the jeweler the uneven stones that were bugging me. He said I could drop it off whenever I was ready and that they would fix it. They are in NY and I''m in CT, so I called ahead and spoke with the brother (two brothers own the store) who sold me the ring. He said he wouldn''t be there when I was planning to drop it off, but he would tell his brother. So I go in to drop it off and talk with the other brother. He doesn''t know anything about me (obviously his brother forgot to tell him), so I explain that I knocked one of the round stones on one side of the ring so it was a bit crocked and I acknowledge that it was obviously my fault. (Another problem that was fixed to my satisfaction and like I said, most likely my fault). But then I show him the channel stones that are uneven, and ask him how this happened? Was it my fault? He said no, it was like that when the ring was sold. And then he tells me he doesn''t know how much it is going to cost until his goldsmith looks at it. Well, if it wasn''t my fault, why am I paying for it? But of course, I just tell him to call me with a price before doing anything and walk out. As I''m driving home, I realize that I never actually told him that the ring was from his store. So my fiance calls him back (because I hate doing things like that) and tells him the setting is his and will he still charge us for that repair? And of course he says no, that he forgot the ring was from him.

Oh well, I''ll stop rambling now.

 

[Kaleigh]

rascal how long have you had this setting??? Any chance you can get your money back?? I was just thinking that perhaps if he offered to make you a brand new one if it would be any better. Like I would loose faith in him??? Just a thought. I hate shoddy workmanship, it drives me nuts.

 

[SeaOats]

I guess my other problem is exactly what do I want the jewelers to do once I show them all these problems???

I am honestly afraid that their quality of work is just not at my level at this point. But we did purchase this setting over a year ago, so I can''t just expect them to hand me over the cash.

And the other problem is my FI. He doesn''t understand how these little things bother me and just wants me to accept what I have in the condition it is now. Heck, he is the reason I didn''t go straight back to the jewelers in the first place to show them the "slanted" side. And it''s not because he doesn''t care about what I care about, it''s just that he is afraid things will be much worse if they keep messing with it. And I am too, but at the same time, I can''t live with these things anymore! Maybe if I explain it in car terms he might start to understand....

 

[SeaOats]

Date: 11/11/2005 6:51:28 PM
Author: kaleigh
rascal how long have you had this setting??? Any chance you can get your money back?? I was just thinking that perhaps if he offered to make you a brand new one if it would be any better. Like I would loose faith in him??? Just a thought. I hate shoddy workmanship, it drives me nuts.

Kaleigh, I was just thinking the same thing.

This wasn''t a custom setting, and actually that is another strange story. The other brother who co-owns the store with the brother we dealt with said he had never seen this setting, and that is why he didn''t realize we had purchased the setting and diamond from him. So who knows where this setting came from...

And to be honest, I wouldn''t want this same setting again. I think the band is too thick for my diamond''s size.

 

[Kaleigh]

Ok it''s not a custom setting that''s in your favor. Go back and tell the brother who didn''t recognize it that you are not happy with it and A) pick another setting that is to your liking or B) get your money back.

 

[Demelza]

I agree with K. It sounds like the setting has been nothing but problems for you. Fixing it doesn't seem like a good solution because I'm not sure it's fixable. Like the slant business! You've said before that you'd love a solitaire, right? I'm SO sorry you have to go through this. I too have a really difficult dealing with stuff like this. It can be very intimidating. I'd go with you if I could

And we'd face them together!

 

[SeaOats]

Date: 11/11/2005 7:02:12 PM
Author: kaleigh
Ok it''s not a custom setting that''s in your favor. Go back and tell the brother who didn''t recognize it that you are not happy with it and A) pick another setting that is to your liking or B) get your money back.

Thanks Kaleigh, that is what I am starting to think too. Argh, I am honestly cursed when it comes to rings!!!

 

[SeaOats]

Date: 11/11/2005 7:05:39 PM
Author: Demelza
I agree with K. It sounds like the setting has been nothing but problems for you. Fixing it doesn''t seem like a good solution because I''m not sure it''s fixable. Like the slant business! You''ve said before that you''d love a solitaire, right? I''m SO sorry you have to go through this. I too have a really difficult dealing with stuff like this. It can be very intimidating. I''d go with you if I could

I know Dem!

 

[Demelza]

Date: 11/11/2005 7:05:44 PM
Argh, I am honestly cursed when it comes to rings!!!

That''s exactly how I feel!!!!!

 

[Kaleigh]

Go in there with you chin up and don''t take no for an answer. Some of these guys love to say, oh I don''t see what you mean. Well the proof is in the pics and if it were me I would get my money back and amscray, as in scram!!! Trying to add a little humor here, I know this sucks big time.

 

[Demelza]

Will your FI be able to go with you?

ETA If he says, well, these are such small details, you can tell him that jewelry itself is very small and that attention to detail is what separates a fine piece of jewelry from a not so fine piece.

 

[SeaOats]

Date: 11/11/2005 7:15:23 PM
Author: Demelza

Date: 11/11/2005 7:05:44 PM
Argh, I am honestly cursed when it comes to rings!!!

That''s exactly how I feel!!!!!

LOL, between the two of us, we have had enough problems for half of PS, at least!!

I''ve mentioned it quickly in other threads, but this stone is actually my third. The first one was chipped when it was set (that jeweler, different from the current one, told me it was just a rough edge and that he could polish it and that would fix it; of course, I had it appraised and knew it was a chip). Then that jeweler set our second stone (which was about .15 larger) in the same head and stretched the prongs so much that my local jeweler was surprised I hadn''t lost the stone! At that point, I point blank told the jeweler I didn''t trust him and he returned our money.

 

[Mara]

I guess I am on crack because it's hard for me to see beyond that T that you drew in the first picture, the setting looks okay for me. The prongs look fine too in that image anyway, it's hard for me to see imperfections there. But I can see what you mean re: the channel setting unevenness and that weird dip. But the other things to me don't seem like they are that visible...when it's not 40x mag that is.

This is why I don't bother to loupe my ring or stone etc. Plus I figure I bang the crap out of it and would create more problems over time with regular wear so why bother to be picky? That's just me though!!

 

[SeaOats]

Date: 11/11/2005 7:16:27 PM
Author: kaleigh
Go in there with you chin up and don''t take no for an answer. Some of these guys love to say, oh I don''t see what you mean. Well the proof is in the pics and if it were me I would get my money back and amscray, as in scram!!! Trying to add a little humor here, I know this sucks big time.

Kaleigh, Dem, yeah my FI would go with me. And don''t worry, if I go, this time I am not settling, no matter what the jeweler or my FI says. And I''m bringing my laptop with the pics.

You guys really think that even after a year, I should still push for a refund?

 

[pebbles]

Rascal - -my original e-ring had channel set stones and it definitely did NOT look like your setting!

I hope you have a better time getting either a refund or a new setting than I had with my local jeweler. I brought back my shared prong set band because the first two 2 point stones are set lower than the rest and it really bugged me. All I got was a "that''s how it''s supposed to be" and that there is nothing wrong with it. Well, it is driving me crazy and there is nothing they can do about it. They will not refund my money or give me a store credit b/c in their words, the setting is fine and they will not take it back because I "changed my mind about it". I hate to say it, but I look at the setting totally different now, like I don''t even want it.

Hang in there! I hope your jeweler will do the right thing.

 

[SeaOats]

Date: 11/11/2005 7:25:28 PM
Author: Mara
I guess I am on crack because it''s hard for me to see beyond that T that you drew in the first picture, the setting looks okay for me. The prongs look fine too in that image anyway, it''s hard for me to see imperfections there. But I can see what you mean re: the channel setting unevenness and that weird dip. But the other things to me don''t seem like they are that visible...when it''s not 40x mag that is.

This is why I don''t bother to loupe my ring or stone etc. Plus I figure I bang the crap out of it and would create more problems over time with regular wear so why bother to be picky? That''s just me though!!

Mara, the "slant" and the channel are both noticeable to me by the naked eye and were both noticed by me without ever louping it. I agree, the prongs are arguable, although the one at the six o''clock position is noticeable with the naked eye. If the prongs were the only problem, I wouldn''t be complaining. Actually, the prongs have been like this for over a year, and after my jeweler said he couldn''t see anything, I dropped it. I only am mentioning it now because it is just another thing that eats at me in combination with bigger things with the ring.

 

[Mara]

Rascal then if it is eating at you, I totally get it. I was just telling someone else that I guess I am too accepting of things not being perfect because nothing ever is!! And I figure that I do more damage to it by wearing it anyway. hehehe.

 

[Kaleigh]

I didn''t know it has been a year, but at this point you have nothing to lose in trying to get a refund. But more than likely they will offer you another setting. JMHO. Good thing your FI will accompany you. You guys will just have to stand firm.

 

[SeaOats]

Date: 11/11/2005 7:32:09 PM
Author: pebbles
Rascal - -my original e-ring had channel set stones and it definitely did NOT look like your setting!

I hope you have a better time getting either a refund or a new setting than I had with my local jeweler. I brought back my shared prong set band because the first two 2 point stones are set lower than the rest and it really bugged me. All I got was a ''that''s how it''s supposed to be'' and that there is nothing wrong with it. Well, it is driving me crazy and there is nothing they can do about it. They will not refund my money or give me a store credit b/c in their words, the setting is fine and they will not take it back because I ''changed my mind about it''. I hate to say it, but I look at the setting totally different now, like I don''t even want it.

Hang in there! I hope your jeweler will do the right thing.

Pebbles, I remember your thread about your problem! And I''m so sorry! Are you sure the setting is supposed to be like that? I remember that you saw another setting that was exactly the same, but have you spoken with the actual manufacturer? If they would admit that it is not normal, then maybe your jeweler would have to work something out with you. Just a thought.

 

[SeaOats]

Well, I will talk with the FI tonight and see if we can drive to the jewelers tomorrow. It is worth a shot explaining what is bothering me, and they have been very nice to us so far, so hopefully we can work something out. I will let you all know what "goes down" tomorrow

.

 

[karenleah15]

I have my fingers AND toes crossed for you! Nothing is worse than having something you will wear daily and not loving it!!!

 

[pebbles]

Date: 11/11/2005 7:36:25 PM
Author: Rascal49

Date: 11/11/2005 7:32:09 PM
Author: pebbles
Rascal - -my original e-ring had channel set stones and it definitely did NOT look like your setting!

I hope you have a better time getting either a refund or a new setting than I had with my local jeweler. I brought back my shared prong set band because the first two 2 point stones are set lower than the rest and it really bugged me. All I got was a ''that''s how it''s supposed to be'' and that there is nothing wrong with it. Well, it is driving me crazy and there is nothing they can do about it. They will not refund my money or give me a store credit b/c in their words, the setting is fine and they will not take it back because I ''changed my mind about it''. I hate to say it, but I look at the setting totally different now, like I don''t even want it.

Hang in there! I hope your jeweler will do the right thing.

Pebbles, I remember your thread about your problem! And I''m so sorry! Are you sure the setting is supposed to be like that? I remember that you saw another setting that was exactly the same, but have you spoken with the actual manufacturer? If they would admit that it is not normal, then maybe your jeweler would have to work something out with you. Just a thought.

I got a "second opinion" from another jeweler that carries Gottlieb settings. He said it did look a little low, but it really is supposed to be like that because the stones share common prongs with the 13 point stones next to them. He said (actually, they both said) it''s an inherent design of the ring. Well, I wish I had seen that "inherent design" before I bought it, because I can''t stop staring at it.

I never would have bought it if I had seen it to begin with.