New Setting

[bonk]

Hi, don't know if I am in the right discussion group. I had my aunts old white gold wedding ring that years ago I had put into a gold setting. The diamonds where all beautiful, brilliant color and clear. Except for the large center stone, it has three small carbon marks. Fast forward, I brought the ring to the jeweler and asked to have it put back into my aunts old white gold setting. The diamonds look totally different, they are grey, the large center stone, I cannot see the three carbon marks, the entire stone looks dark and carbon, and all the stones all look smaller too. It is making me very nervous, is it possible that they could have been switched? I hate to think that but, I have been looking at these stones in both rings for over 50 years and I just don't feel comfortable. I do not remember them being so dull in the setting that I returned them to. Anyone have any thoughts? On top of it, the jeweler charged me $4,000 to reset the stones in the original setting? It just seems crazy to me but the times we are living in it is possible. Who knows. I haven't paid for it, I just brought copies of all my appraisals of the ring to them because I am curious on what the value is now. I am kind of regretting having it changed back to the original setting. Thoughts? Please. Thx

 

[tyty333]

How many stones were moved in total?

Do you have any pictures of the ring (before or after in any setting)?

 

[newtojewels]

Hi, don't know if I am in the right discussion group. I had my aunts old white gold wedding ring that years ago I had put into a gold setting. The diamonds where all beautiful, brilliant color and clear. Except for the large center stone, it has three small carbon marks. Fast forward, I brought the ring to the jeweler and asked to have it put back into my aunts old white gold setting. The diamonds look totally different, they are grey, the large center stone, I cannot see the three carbon marks, the entire stone looks dark and carbon, and all the stones all look smaller too. It is making me very nervous, is it possible that they could have been switched? I hate to think that but, I have been looking at these stones in both rings for over 50 years and I just don't feel comfortable. I do not remember them being so dull in the setting that I returned them to. Anyone have any thoughts? On top of it, the jeweler charged me $4,000 to reset the stones in the original setting? It just seems crazy to me but the times we are living in it is possible. Who knows. I haven't paid for it, I just brought copies of all my appraisals of the ring to them because I am curious on what the value is now. I am kind of regretting having it changed back to the original setting. Thoughts? Please. Thx

Just resetting stones into a setting should not cost anywhere close to $4k. Are you talking about US dollars? Did they do any extensive work to rebuild the setting? Do you have any photos?

 

[Mreader]

Just resetting stones into a setting should not cost anywhere close to $4k. Are you talking about US dollars? Did they do any extensive work to rebuild the setting? Do you have any photos?

Same questions! Photographs needed. And US$4000 to do that is completely insane.

 

[MissGotRocks]

Same questions! Photographs needed. And US$4000 to do that is completely insane.

1000% agree!

 

[bonk]

How many stones were moved in total?

Do you have any pictures of the ring (before or after in any setting)?

Yes, I have a picture of the ring before the transfer back to the original setting. I can send a copy of the one, but won't have a copy of the new setting yet because I haven't paid for it. I will be going back in a couple of weeks and will take a picture. Here is a copy of the setting the stones were removed from. There was a total of 9 small stones and one large center stone

 

[bonk]

1000% agree!

That's what I thought. However, the original white gold setting was pretty chewed up from when they moved it to the new setting. I am putting the stones back into the original setting, which was my aunt's ring.

 

[Dreamer_D]

This whole thing sounds wild. You could have a new hand forged setting for that price . Did they give you a quote for the work before it began?

 

[Lookinagain]

$4000 sounds crazy, but, you say the original setting was pretty chewed up. Did he actually remake it? As @Dreamer_D said, you could have a new hand forged setting made for that amount. Is this a jeweler that you have worked with in the past? The fact that the stones look significantly different is definitely a concern. Most reputable jewelers will not risk their reputations by switching out stones so that's why I'm wondering if this is a jeweler that you have worked with in the past. I'm only seeing one page of the appraisal, is there a second page?

 

[Dreamer_D]

$4000 sounds crazy, but, you say the original setting was pretty chewed up. Did he actually remake it? As @Dreamer_D said, you could have a new hand forged setting made for that amount. Is this a jeweler that you have worked with in the past? The fact that the stones look significantly different is definitely a concern. Most reputable jewelers will not risk their reputations by switching out stones so that's why I'm wondering if this is a jeweler that you have worked with in the past. I'm only seeing one page of the appraisal, is there a second page?

Also I cannot imagine a jewler doing $4k work without an estimate warning you of the cost!

 

[bonk]

This whole thing sounds wild. You could have a new hand forged setting for that price . Did they give you a quote for the work before it began?

They did, but the setting the stones were transferred to was in 1990 so I thought it was high but it’s been so long I didn’t know.

 

[bonk]

Also I cannot imagine a jewler doing $4k work without an estimate warning you of the cost!

I had them clean things for me before. I live in a very rural area this is the only jewelry store around.

 

[bonk]

Also I cannot imagine a jewler doing $4k work without an estimate warning you of the cost!

Yes there is a second page I can send that tomorrow. I am sick thinking about this. I wonder if it was just the lighting maybe.

 

[bonk]

I feel like an idiot. I'm a senior and I just wanted to put everything back into my aunts ring. This is the most important thing to me and I don't know why I even did it. They had agreed to take payments on it which still is pretty stupid of me since it will take me probably 7 or 8 months to pay off. I am going there in a couple of weeks because we have a doctor's appointment and I will look at it outside instead of in their store. I'm trying not to cry about this whole thing. I will send the second page tomorrow.

 

[Dreamer_D]

They did, but the setting the stones were transferred to was in 1990 so I thought it was high but it’s been so long I didn’t know.

To clarify: they told you before they began work that it would cost $4k and you agreed?

 

[tyty333]

Here is the picture of the ring so others dont have to download the file


Did they give you the $4000 estimate in advance?

You said you have a copy of the estimate? Can you post that?

Are you sure the price isn't more like $400?

If they did not give you that estimate in advance, I would contact other jewelry stores and ask what they would charge to do that
work. Should easily be less than $1000...more likely less than $500. If the price they are charging you is extreme, which it seems
like from our perspective, I would contact your state to see what kind of protections they have for senior citizens. Most states
don't take kindly to businesses taking advantage of senior citizens. You should ensure there is no misunderstanding on the
price before you start accusing anyone of taking advantage of a senior. Do you have anyone younger nearby who can intervene
on your behalf? It shouldn't have to be that way, but sometimes a 3rd party can help figure out what is going on.


With respect to the stones looking different...

Sometimes, when stones get a good "cleaning," they can look different from when you took them in (that, and the lighting in the
jewelry store). Did you look at the newly reset stones using a jeweler's loupe to see if you could find the carbon spots?

 

[Lookinagain]

I would contact your state to see what kind of protections they have for senior citizens. Most states
don't take kindly to businesses taking advantage of senior citizens. You should ensure there is no misunderstanding on the
price before you start accusing anyone of taking advantage of a senior. Do you have anyone younger nearby who can intervene
on your behalf? It shouldn't have to be that way, but sometimes a 3rd party can help figure out what is going on.

What @tyty333 posted is a good idea.

You can also report it to the Better Business Bureau. Also see if there are any complaints against them there.

 

[bonk]

Here is the picture of the ring so others dont have to download the file


Did they give you the $4000 estimate in advance?

You said you have a copy of the estimate? Can you post that?

Are you sure the price isn't more like $400?

If they did not give you that estimate in advance, I would contact other jewelry stores and ask what they would charge to do that
work. Should easily be less than $1000...more likely less than $500. If the price they are charging you is extreme, which it seems
like from our perspective, I would contact your state to see what kind of protections they have for senior citizens. Most states
don't take kindly to businesses taking advantage of senior citizens. You should ensure there is no misunderstanding on the
price before you start accusing anyone of taking advantage of a senior. Do you have anyone younger nearby who can intervene
on your behalf? It shouldn't have to be that way, but sometimes a 3rd party can help figure out what is going on.


With respect to the stones looking different...

Sometimes, when stones get a good "cleaning," they can look different from when you took them in (that, and the lighting in the
jewelry store). Did you look at the newly reset stones using a jeweler's loupe to see if you could find the carbon spots?

yes, I did look with their loupe and the main stone I couldn't see the spots because the whole thing was dark. I do have to go back and I will be looking again outside in the sunlight. I should have taken a picture of the ring when I was there to post on here, but I was pretty upset that none of the stones were bright and clear. I am posting the second page of the appraisal for you all to see what kind of clarity and size my stones where. My husband has to go into the city which is 3 hours one way from where we live and I am going to pay for the ring out of my savings account and bring it with me to a larger jeweler in the city and have them compare the stones from my old appraisal and the ones that are in the ring. I will be calling places today to find out who can do that. If the stones are not the same, I will have them write something up and then contact my attorney and have her send them a letter. You would also think that they would have brought out my old setting to show that the stones were removed, but instead I was told they already scrapped it.

 

[bonk]

Here is the second page of one of the appraisals I have for the ring. I am sick thinking about this. I wonder if it was just the lighting maybe. I am going to take money from my small savings and pay for the ring so I can take it and my appraisals to a store 3 hours away round trip will be 6 hours, but my husband has to go to the city to pick something up and I will have him drop me off at a jeweler to compare. That's all I can think of doing. If they are not the same, then I will call an attorney.

 

[freddyboston]

based on the Main Stone's specs <1.5ct , H/I , i2, shallow... ..it's unlikely someone no matter how sinister/evil/bad/naughty would swap it out..... i really would not worry about that.... It has much greater sentimental value to you then monetary.....

Hopefully they did a great job resetting/rebuild and cleaning it up....maybe they can do something about the knocking down the $4k a bit.... you really should have been given an estimate before they started.

 

[bonk]

based on the Main Stone's specs <1.5ct , H/I , i2, shallow... ..it's unlikely someone no matter how sinister/evil/bad/naughty would swap it out..... i really would not worry about that.... It has much greater sentimental value to you then monetary.....

Hopefully they did a great job resetting/rebuild and cleaning it up....maybe they can do something about the knocking down the $4k a bit.... you really should have been given an estimate before they started.

so what does H/I , i2, shallow. mean in terms of the quality of the stone? I don't understand if that is good or bad. Thx for your time, and yes, I am going to talk to them about the price because to be honest with you, the setting and stones look terrible. I am very unhappy with the results.

 

[freddyboston]

On it's own it would not be a highly desirable nor $ expensive stone.....
67 Table and Shallow depth (57/58%maybe) would likely be "good cut" territory
H/I color is nice but most people are also looking for Excellent Cut Proportions and FL -> VS clarity so these types these are premium priced.... Si1 can be eye clean and are discounted... Few Jewelers actually sell i2's

 

[Lookinagain]

yes, I did look with their loupe and the main stone I couldn't see the spots because the whole thing was dark. I do have to go back and I will be looking again outside in the sunlight. I should have taken a picture of the ring when I was there to post on here, but I was pretty upset that none of the stones were bright and clear. I am posting the second page of the appraisal for you all to see what kind of clarity and size my stones where. My husband has to go into the city which is 3 hours one way from where we live and I am going to pay for the ring out of my savings account and bring it with me to a larger jeweler in the city and have them compare the stones from my old appraisal and the ones that are in the ring. I will be calling places today to find out who can do that. If the stones are not the same, I will have them write something up and then contact my attorney and have her send them a letter. You would also think that they would have brought out my old setting to show that the stones were removed, but instead I was told they already scrapped it.

Was the ring actually finished? Saying it was all dark may mean they hadn't cleaned it yet?

Having someone else compare the stones in the ring to the appraisal is a good idea.

Did they at least give you a credit for the scrap gold value of the old setting? They should have returned it if you hadn't discussed not wanting it back.

 

[tyty333]

I* would not pay $4000. Once you hand that money over it's highly unlikely you will get any back. Yes, you will have your Aunt's
ring, which I know is important to you, but I would try to figure out why they are charging so much for a job that should be less
than $1000 (actually should be more like $500 IMO).

Are you comfortable telling us which city and which jewelry store?

Do you have a copy of the $4000 estimate to reset the stones? That is what I would like to see a copy of. Please post a picture
if you have it.

Are you sure they didn't tell you that the estimated value of the ring was $4000? That would make more sense.

 

[Dreamer_D]

If you did not clean the diamond regularly they would look white all the time. Clean diamonds go very dark in spot lighting like in jewlers. I also Do not think the stones were switched. It is a very uncommon thing to happen. It is more likely the stones are clean now and reacting to the lighting in the jewler so they look different.

You seem more concerned about the diamonds being switched. That is not the issue here. The issue is basically robbing you by charging $4k to reset some stones. That is what’s need to dispute.