Refurb gone really wrong - what to do?

[diamondseeker2006]

Oh, wow! Gorgeous ruby band, Circe!!!

I am hoping for the best for your ring!!!

 

[missy]

Circe, that is a stunning ruby eternity band and it looks amazing on your hand!! Keeping my fingers (and toes lol) crossed for you that the repair works out this time!

 

[Circe]

Thanks, DS, thanks, Missy! Your lips to god's ear. It really has been an interesting lesson - I just hope that now that I've learned it, we can call it a day and I can get my ring back on my finger.

 

[backwardsandinheels]

Well, that band ought to keep you distracted! Did it turn out all right yet or are you still waiting?

 

[Circe]

Your timing is truly uncanny - I was supposed to be getting it back today, and instead received a very apologetic e-mail informing me that the second attempt had gone south, too. The sales rep said a specialist would be in on Friday, and that he would custom build a new head.

I ... ai ai ai, you know? I'm glad they were honest and upfront, and I would rather it be good than quick. But I dropped my ring off on the 1st of February expecting a two or three day fix, and here it is going on a month. And that's NOW - I can't even begin to guess how long the new head will take.

This has not been the best week. I will now go and drown my sorrows in antibiotics.

ETA, and what I should have said first - thanks for thinking of me, hon, and for the lovely compliment. I swear, my manners aren't gone, they're just feverish.

 

[missy]

Circe, I'm sorry you are sick and I hope you start feeling better very soon.

I'm also sorry the ring repair is turning out to be a bit more complicated and therefore taking longer than expected. I'm sending special ring fix dust to the benchperson who is going to fix your ring and get it right!

 

[GemFever]

Aw, good luck with the further repairs Circe, and feel better soon! Antibiotics do wonders (t'fu t'fu t'fu), so hopefully the week will improve quickly for you!

 

[SB621]

First off OMG I think you have been more then patient! A whole month!!!!! If it doesn't get fixed to your specifications I would also second Adam at OWD. He did my setting for Venice and I thought the pricing was very reasonable. And more then anything Adam emailed several times to make sure I was not only happy with my overall ring but thrilled. He offered to fix anything that I didn't love about it etc. No questions asked. So if your local place continues to go south I would call Adam.

AND THAT ETERNITY IS GORGEOUS! That is pretty much my dream eternity! I'm with envy!

 

[Rosebloom]

Oh Circe, I'm so sorry about your precious ring and that you're sick. Hana, Hana (heal, heal).

And OH MY LORD THAT RUBY ETERNITY IS INCREDIBLE!!!!!!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

So sorry you are sick, Circe! Feel better soon!

All I can say is that I hope your ring turns out well in the end. But this kind of situation reinforces my current policy of "no second chances".

 

[bunnycat]

Oh no CIrce! I'm sorry this is still going on and that you are sick too! (And now I am really afraid to have anything done to my ring, but it's going to have to be!)

 

[iheartscience]

Oh geez, I'm sorry to see this latest update. Do you trust them to proceed at this point? Or would you rather send it elsewhere? I hope it gets fixed ASAP and that you feel better soon!

Also, WOW, your new ruby eternity is unbelievably gorgeous!

 

[backwardsandinheels]

Well, see what the expert can do and if it's not to your satisfaction, then I think you'll have to move on to another expert, yikes. It's got to be such a pain to go through this. I hope this jewelry superman can fix it. Just check out your ruby band when you're feeling low, and get well soon! I have a little surprise for you in a few weeks I like to call the "Circe Mash-Up". I'll let you know

 

[Circe]

Thanks, Missy - I think the medicine is *finally* kicking in. I no longer feel like I'm on death's door, anyway, which is a huge step in the right direction!

Gemfever - it worked! Your lips to god's ear.

Sarah - thank you! Given how I feel about your last two pretties, we can call this session of the Mutual Admiration Society to order! If this doesn't work, after all this time, I don't know WHAT I am going to do. Throw my hands towards the heavens and wail, I suppose ... but after I get out of the way, yep, Adam is the first call on my list.

Rosebloom, thank you, and thank you! I woke up feeling human for the first time all week. Never underestimate the power of PSrs good wishes!

DS - thanks ... and, I know, I know! If I'd just eaten the cost and given somebody else $500 or 1K or whatever, I'd HAVE MY RING BACK. At the time, I looked at the expenditure and thought ... "but that's another piece of jewelry!" (And I guess it was, since I got the ruby band.) But now, I feel like it would have been worth it, because I MISS MY PRECIOUS.

Will say, while I'm still feeling friendly towards my rep - they're doing everything they can, and being both professional and kind - my thought about their bench aren't fit for polite company. I keep falling into 1940s dialogue straight out of "The Women" - like, I'd call him a butcher, but they generally know what they're doing. Oy!

Bastet, thank you, and, oh, no, why? Did something happen to it? I must have missed it, going to go and raid your backposts for info.

Thing, thanks. I remain baffled by this, because THIS IS THEIR MAIN FUNCTION. They sell vintage pieces! They restore vintage pieces! They make reproductions of vintage pieces! And if THEY are screwing the pooch ... it might be time for a reset, which I would have been fine with down the line, and the end of this setting, which I would NOT be. And then ... I dunno. Insurance claim? Small claims court? Bottom line, hassle. BAH.

Backwards, I really appreciate your having thought of me last night - when I got the e-mail about it having gone south again, I felt so generally crappy that I just sort of stared at it for a while, shrugged, and lay down. I'm sure I would have gotten around to responding/posting sooner or later, but I'm glad it was sooner: the support (and PS get-well dust!) have done wonders. I am also DEEPLY DEEPLY intrigued by what you're got cooking, and can't wait to see. Do we have an appropriate smiley? Ah, yes - my favorite!

 

[bunnycat]

Thanks, Missy - I think the medicine is *finally* kicking in. I no longer feel like I'm on death's door, anyway, which is a huge step in the right direction!

Gemfever - it worked! Your lips to god's ear.

Sarah - thank you! Given how I feel about your last two pretties, we can call this session of the Mutual Admiration Society to order! If this doesn't work, after all this time, I don't know WHAT I am going to do. Throw my hands towards the heavens and wail, I suppose ... but after I get out of the way, yep, Adam is the first call on my list.

Rosebloom, thank you, and thank you! I woke up feeling human for the first time all week. Never underestimate the power of PSrs good wishes!

DS - thanks ... and, I know, I know! If I'd just eaten the cost and given somebody else $500 or 1K or whatever, I'd HAVE MY RING BACK. At the time, I looked at the expenditure and thought ... "but that's another piece of jewelry!" (And I guess it was, since I got the ruby band.) But now, I feel like it would have been worth it, because I MISS MY PRECIOUS.

Will say, while I'm still feeling friendly towards my rep - they're doing everything they can, and being both professional and kind - my thought about their bench aren't fit for polite company. I keep falling into 1940s dialogue straight out of "The Women" - like, I'd call him a butcher, but they generally know what they're doing. Oy!

Bastet, thank you, and, oh, no, why? Did something happen to it? I must have missed it, going to go and raid your backposts for info.

Thing, thanks. I remain baffled by this, because THIS IS THEIR MAIN FUNCTION. They sell vintage pieces! They restore vintage pieces! They make reproductions of vintage pieces! And if THEY are screwing the pooch ... it might be time for a reset, which I would have been fine with down the line, and the end of this setting, which I would NOT be. And then ... I dunno. Insurance claim? Small claims court? Bottom line, hassle. BAH.

Backwards, I really appreciate your having thought of me last night - when I got the e-mail about it having gone south again, I felt so generally crappy that I just sort of stared at it for a while, shrugged, and lay down. I'm sure I would have gotten around to responding/posting sooner or later, but I'm glad it was sooner: the support (and PS get-well dust!) have done wonders. I am also DEEPLY DEEPLY intrigued by what you're got cooking, and can't wait to see. Do we have an appropriate smiley? Ah, yes - my favorite!

Circe- Not wrong, per say, but the shaping on the prongs of my fishtail has been bugging me and so I was going to have them fiddled with to see if they could make them look how I think they should and put the stone higher. After this thread, anything more complicated than set/unset seems like a Bad Idea. It basically all boils down to the stone is not the right size for the setting (so it's set lower than I like) and no fiddling is going to fix that anyway so a reset is a must. BTW- I'm loving your old ruby rose gold eternity! (I'll post a pic in the antique thread when I have a chance to edit pics.) Hubby gave it to me as an unexpected surprise and it now resides on my pinky. You must have teeny tiny fingers!!!! Love your new one too!!!

 

[oldminer]

The setting of this ring can be replaced or repaired to a 100% right status----for enough money by a good jeweler, It is not a total loss, nor a disaster. Someone less skilled than necessary did the work and you are correct that is imperfectly done.

As regards the statement about market value. A mounting in distress, such as this, would be just about scrap value. Any dealer or consumer, would want to discount the cost of complete refurbishment which would eliminate any excess value present.

If you really like this mounting, then the cost of repairs, done correctly, is not a waste of money. What was a waste is the money you already spent on a problematic repair.

 

[dianabarbara]

Circe, I'm so sorry this happened

I hope it will be fixed very well and very soon by this specialist coming in.

Should it not work,however, I am sure you would be entitled for either a) a full repair performed by another jeweler whom you trust, or b) a full refund not of the 100 you paid for their job, but of a reasonable estimate of the setting in the condition in which you left it to them before the repair.

Hopefully, none of these things will be necessary

p.s. - really yummy rubies!!!! what a color!!!

 

[Dreamer_D]

YUURG!!

Well, small consolation, but I think this thread has education value for so many PSers. If you have a vintage mount, it is often better to leave it alone than try to fix it. Seems it can go south very easily. Second, no second chances.

I am hoping for an quick and painless resolution now.

And yummy ruby band!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

YUURG!!

Well, small consolation, but I think this thread has education value for so many PSers. If you have a vintage mount, it is often better to leave it alone than try to fix it. Seems it can go south very easily. Second, no second chances.

I am hoping for an quick and painless resolution now.

And yummy ruby band!

I would just add to this, but if you do need to fix a vintage mount, get an expert to do it because you can be certain that it takes someone who has proven that they can make fine vintage mounts to do it.

I have learned the "no second chances" from experience. If something isn't done to my satisfaction the first time, such as prongs, it doesn't go back to the person who couldn't do it right in the first place. It goes to someone I am 100% sure can do it right.

 

[Circe]

YUURG!!

Well, small consolation, but I think this thread has education value for so many PSers. If you have a vintage mount, it is often better to leave it alone than try to fix it. Seems it can go south very easily. Second, no second chances.

I am hoping for an quick and painless resolution now.

And yummy ruby band!

I would just add to this, but if you do need to fix a vintage mount, get an expert to do it because you can be certain that it takes someone who has proven that they can make fine vintage mounts to do it.

I have learned the "no second chances" from experience. If something isn't done to my satisfaction the first time, such as prongs, it doesn't go back to the person who couldn't do it right in the first place. It goes to someone I am 100% sure can do it right.

Guys, while I certainly agree with both of these points ... here's the bit that is frustrating and making me feel this might be a little ... I don't, like when people assert that what you have to do to avoid X terrible fate is Y, when the truth is, sometimes it's just crappy luck.

They ARE experts who have proven they can make fine vintage mounts. Loads of people here have had grand experiences with them. There is just apparently some kind of cloud hanging over this particular meeting of craftsman and ring. And that, inasmuch as anything else, is what is so frustrating to me.

 

[pregcurious]

I'm hoping for a happy ending for you.

 

[junebug17]

Ugh, I am just so sorry about all of this Circe. I haven't posted yet because I really didn't have anything helpful to add but I wanted to let you know I feel so badly this happened and wanted to give you a giant cyber hug. I truly hope the ring will be repaired to your satisfaction and is back on your finger soon.

eta: Your ruby eternity is gorgeous!!

 

[derbygal]

I missed this post originally; just wanted to say I hope it all works out for you with the new head. And I love your ruby band!

 

[Laila619]

Argh, how frustrating!

 

[Trasid]

I'm sorry Circe. This brings back nightmares for me. I had a 1 carat ruby ring that I had the prong sanded down on (it snagged) and the jewelry sanded and chipped the ruby as well. The problem is I never knew until about 4 years later when I got a x10 loop and saw it. My ruby is ruined and I hate the ring now.

Now I have purchased an AVR and I'm searching for the perfect engagement setting. I am SCARED TO DEATH that something is going to happen to the diamond when whoever sets it in a setting.

I feel for you!

 

[susimoo]

Circe

I am sick on your behalf. This is probably every PS'ers worst nightmare. I haven't had internet for almost 5 weeks due to a house move so I was only able to access the boards infrequently, so only just found this.

I wanted to send you some love and dust from across the oceans!!! Only you know whats is best for you!!! Good luck with getting your ring back, in a condition that is not only acceptable to you but thrills you once more!!!

Thinking of you!!!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

YUURG!!

Well, small consolation, but I think this thread has education value for so many PSers. If you have a vintage mount, it is often better to leave it alone than try to fix it. Seems it can go south very easily. Second, no second chances.

I am hoping for an quick and painless resolution now.

And yummy ruby band!

I would just add to this, but if you do need to fix a vintage mount, get an expert to do it because you can be certain that it takes someone who has proven that they can make fine vintage mounts to do it.

I have learned the "no second chances" from experience. If something isn't done to my satisfaction the first time, such as prongs, it doesn't go back to the person who couldn't do it right in the first place. It goes to someone I am 100% sure can do it right.

Guys, while I certainly agree with both of these points ... here's the bit that is frustrating and making me feel this might be a little ... I don't, like when people assert that what you have to do to avoid X terrible fate is Y, when the truth is, sometimes it's just crappy luck.

They ARE experts who have proven they can make fine vintage mounts. Loads of people here have had grand experiences with them. There is just apparently some kind of cloud hanging over this particular meeting of craftsman and ring. And that, inasmuch as anything else, is what is so frustrating to me.

Circe, please do not think I am casting any judgment towards your choices! I have had one or two things done not to my satisfaction along the way, and when the craftsmanship is not up to my expectations the first time, then I am hesitant to send it back to the same source. Your first repair was just horrible, but apparently this is a bench that has done other great work, so I guess I can see why you gave them another chance. But the second failure seems very strange. Now they are apparently getting someone else to do it. Hopefully the "someone else" can restore it perfectly. I can understand your reluctance to name them, but I think it is helpful to know who it is so others can decide if they want to use this jeweler or not.

 

[Circe]

Oh, I know, DS, and please don't think I'm projecting any of this onto YOU guys - I just sort of feel like when it comes to jewelry, we all need to take a page from Harry Potter.

No, wait, hear me out.

You're visiting a jeweler you know, happy at first glance, heading off - CONSTANT VIGILANCE! Mad-Eye Moody was a jewelry fiend. HE KNEW.

I feel like the moral of my story is DOUBLE CHECK EVERYTHING. You feel like you went to an expert? CONSTANT VIGILANCE.

You think they got it right the first time? CONSTANT VIGILANCE.

Etc.

I am going to try to give them one more chance to get things right, just because my rep HAS been awesome. If it turns out that an awesome personality and all the best intentions in the world don't get the job done ... well, then I'll disclose. I've just always felt a little icky about the suspended ax of public opinion when it comes to these things, y'know?

When it's a fair review after the fact, that's one thing. When it's a goad ... I dunno. Under certain circumstances when that's the tool at hand because the jeweler is balking, it's well merited, but if they're already doing all they can ... I figure I should let them?

I dunno. All things considered, I will take my medicine (no, literally) get some rest, and come back to respond to all the other lovely sentiments tomorrow. Thanks, guys, I appreciate each and every one.

 

[Circe]

Another day, another delay - figured I should at least respond to you guys while I play the waiting game.

Circe- Not wrong, per say, but the shaping on the prongs of my fishtail has been bugging me and so I was going to have them fiddled with to see if they could make them look how I think they should and put the stone higher. After this thread, anything more complicated than set/unset seems like a Bad Idea. It basically all boils down to the stone is not the right size for the setting (so it's set lower than I like) and no fiddling is going to fix that anyway so a reset is a must. BTW- I'm loving your old ruby rose gold eternity! (I'll post a pic in the antique thread when I have a chance to edit pics.) Hubby gave it to me as an unexpected surprise and it now resides on my pinky. You must have teeny tiny fingers!!!! Love your new one too!!!

BastetCat, it can be done, but only by a REALLY good bench. My other ring, I had refined with no problems. It's one reason why I thought building up this one prong would be no big deal!

And, yaaaaaaaaaaaaay, I missed the second half of your post until now - oh, I'm so happy about that. It lived on my pinky, too, back when it still fit! Missing it is one reason I succumbed to the new one, actually.

The setting of this ring can be replaced or repaired to a 100% right status----for enough money by a good jeweler, It is not a total loss, nor a disaster. Someone less skilled than necessary did the work and you are correct that is imperfectly done.

As regards the statement about market value. A mounting in distress, such as this, would be just about scrap value. Any dealer or consumer, would want to discount the cost of complete refurbishment which would eliminate any excess value present.

If you really like this mounting, then the cost of repairs, done correctly, is not a waste of money. What was a waste is the money you already spent on a problematic repair.

Thanks, Oldminer. At this point, it's the wasted time that's making me grind my teeth. This has now stretched out to over a month, and with no end in sight.

Circe, I'm so sorry this happened

I hope it will be fixed very well and very soon by this specialist coming in.

Should it not work,however, I am sure you would be entitled for either a) a full repair performed by another jeweler whom you trust, or b) a full refund not of the 100 you paid for their job, but of a reasonable estimate of the setting in the condition in which you left it to them before the repair.

Hopefully, none of these things will be necessary

p.s. - really yummy rubies!!!! what a color!!!

DianaBarbara, thank you. If this doesn't work - and soon, because this is getting ridiculous - I'm either going to go to OWD, or go to my custom guy and just have SOMETHING made so I can wear it again, or I don't even know.

I'm hoping for a happy ending for you.

Thanks, PG.

Ugh, I am just so sorry about all of this Circe. I haven't posted yet because I really didn't have anything helpful to add but I wanted to let you know I feel so badly this happened and wanted to give you a giant cyber hug. I truly hope the ring will be repaired to your satisfaction and is back on your finger soon.

eta: Your ruby eternity is gorgeous!!

Junebug, thank you. It IS helpful, it makes me feel less like a fool for, a) having it happen, b) letting it happen twice, and, c) caring so much about a silly little thing!

I missed this post originally; just wanted to say I hope it all works out for you with the new head. And I love your ruby band!

DG, thank you.

Argh, how frustrating!

Sing it, sister. I am tearing at my hair like a Cathy cartoon over here.

I'm sorry Circe. This brings back nightmares for me. I had a 1 carat ruby ring that I had the prong sanded down on (it snagged) and the jewelry sanded and chipped the ruby as well. The problem is I never knew until about 4 years later when I got a x10 loop and saw it. My ruby is ruined and I hate the ring now.

Now I have purchased an AVR and I'm searching for the perfect engagement setting. I am SCARED TO DEATH that something is going to happen to the diamond when whoever sets it in a setting.

I feel for you!

Trasid, that sucks! Can your ruby be repolished? It shouldn't be a thing that makes you sad to look it, not with such lovely symbolism.

That said, I can't wait to see the AVR ... lots of good jewelers here that people have experience with that they can recommend to you.

Circe

I am sick on your behalf. This is probably every PS'ers worst nightmare. I haven't had internet for almost 5 weeks due to a house move so I was only able to access the boards infrequently, so only just found this.

I wanted to send you some love and dust from across the oceans!!! Only you know whats is best for you!!! Good luck with getting your ring back, in a condition that is not only acceptable to you but thrills you once more!!!

Thinking of you!!!

Thanks, Susimoo - congratulations on your house, and thank you for your kind well-wishes!

No updates as yet, more as events warrant, as the saying goes. It's been over a month, I miss my ring, I feel like a jackass for having gotten embroiled in all this, and I just hate feeling freaking helpless with excuse after excuse and thing after thing going wrong. Now back to your regularly scheduled programming ....

 

[Hospatogi]

Hi Circe,
I'm so sorry about your ring. I just wanted to say that I admire your kind and forgiving nature. you trusted in the relationship you have with this jeweler and gave them the chance to make it right. And even though it hasn't gone the way you wanted and has taken far longer than you hoped you still opted not to publicly call them out and vent your frustration. You have been far more understanding than I would have been in your shoes. I would have been far too emotional and would have just wanted to start over with someone new. I really hope they can make the repairs to your satisfaction and that your gorgeous ring is back on your finger very soon.