Sent E-Ring to Blue Nile for Repairs/Return -- Need Advice

[marygrace]

I FedEx-ed my e-ring back to Blue Nile. I am happy with the setting style and the diamond. It's just ... one of the prongs seems to be cut too short. As a (possible) result, the diamond does not sit level. If I did not stare at it all the time, I would not have noticed it. At first I thought, Meh, if I mess with it, it'll come back worse and it's better to live with it as is. Then I thought, For the rest of my life? No, no, I can't. He paid just under $900 for the setting. It should be perfect. As of now, it is driving me nuts!

I am in their return window. But, as the ring shows signs of wear, I don't think it qualifies as a return. I would have to look into that. But Blue Nile did not set it correctly. I am (or should be) covered by their warranty.

What I want is a new setting. I do not want the old one "fixed up" because I can think of million things that could go wrong if I go down that path. I could end up with 4 messed up prongs and would have to send my ring back and forth.

I want to call Blue Nile again, but I don't know what to say. When I spoke to customer service before, I froze and didn't get my point across. I want my diamond set the way it's supposed to be set, even if they have to take a loss. They will receive my e-ring on Monday and evaluate it. This process makes me nervous. I could use any advice. Thanks!

PS The short prong is the bottom left one.

PPS My fiance feels hurt that I'm "changing" it. He really loves the ring he picked out. I had to send it back before to get it resized, and he was one confused, tearful puppy. If Blue Nile can't fix it to my satisfaction, I already have a similar setting picked out from Brian Gavin. I just hope it doesn't come to that.

I hope Blue Nile lives up to its claim of superior customer service.

 

[Amys Bling]

Re: Sent E-Ring to Blue Nile for Repairs/Return -- Need Advi

My advice is to email this exact post to them with pictures.

 

[decodelighted]

Re: Sent E-Ring to Blue Nile for Repairs/Return -- Need Advi

Hum. Well, prongs are very difficult on square stones like that. Though my stone has always been level, my prongs have never once been what I'd consider "right" in a few different tries. And I'm six years in. Of just living with it. Hopefully you'll have a different experience w/ "fixing it" and end up perfectly symmetrical!

Prongs seem much harder to perfect on square stones as your eye is drawn toward the prongs -- they're the corners of the stone -- and competing with perfect symmetry of the stone -- so any "offness" looks REALLY off! Whereas on a round stone ... the eyes are drawn toward the round outline of the stone and kinda skip over the prongs a bit -- and the round outline distracts people from truly eying the symmetry or asymmetry of the prongs AS MUCH.

 

[marcy]

Re: Sent E-Ring to Blue Nile for Repairs/Return -- Need Advi

Hopefully they can fix it to your satisfaction. I agree to email them the pictures and tell them what you see. Good luck.

 

[LD]

Re: Sent E-Ring to Blue Nile for Repairs/Return -- Need Advi

Honestly looking at your photos, the prong only needs a slight adjustment. I think, because you've been staring at your lovely ring for so long, you "see/feel" what a lot of others wouldn't. I doubt very much whether Blue Nile would change the setting. This is a minor fix and honestly doesn't warrant a change. I can feel your frustration and we tend to be very focussed on detail but I can reassure you that over time, all of your prongs will need a bit of retouching - that's life I'm afraid. The prong you're concerned about doesn't look to be affecting the integrity of the setting but it's difficult to be 100% sure from the photos.

Why don't you give Blue Nile a chance to fix the prong to your satisfaction (that may also make your fiance feel better too). If they mess it up then you've got more on your side (potentially) to have it changed.

May I ask another question? Are you satisfied with the setting (imagine the prongs were fine)? Sometimes little annoyances point to something more. Not always but I thought I'd ask.

 

[decodelighted]

Re: Sent E-Ring to Blue Nile for Repairs/Return -- Need Advi

It's funny how people perceive things differently too .... for instance, I think the OTHER lower prong looks overly bulbous. -- And the prong that the OP wants "fixed" seems the neatest. Prongs aren't really supposed to overwhelm the stone like that lower right prong seems too. (IMHO).

It just goes to show that you kinda can't please everyone. So Blue Nile might not consider it a re-make type sitch. There's nothing *flawed* about the setting. The prongs just uneven.

 

[marygrace]

Re: Sent E-Ring to Blue Nile for Repairs/Return -- Need Advi

Prongs seem much harder to perfect on square stones as your eye is drawn toward the prongs -- they're the corners of the stone -- and competing with perfect symmetry of the stone -- so any "offness" looks REALLY off! Whereas on a round stone ... the eyes are drawn toward the round outline of the stone and kinda skip over the prongs a bit -- and the round outline distracts people from truly eying the symmetry or asymmetry of the prongs AS MUCH.

I didn't think of that. Thanks for pointing it out! I will keep that in mind.

 

[marygrace]

Re: Sent E-Ring to Blue Nile for Repairs/Return -- Need Advi

Honestly looking at your photos, the prong only needs a slight adjustment. I think, because you've been staring at your lovely ring for so long, you "see/feel" what a lot of others wouldn't. I doubt very much whether Blue Nile would change the setting. This is a minor fix and honestly doesn't warrant a change. I can feel your frustration and we tend to be very focussed on detail but I can reassure you that over time, all of your prongs will need a bit of retouching - that's life I'm afraid. The prong you're concerned about doesn't look to be affecting the integrity of the setting but it's difficult to be 100% sure from the photos.

Why don't you give Blue Nile a chance to fix the prong to your satisfaction (that may also make your fiance feel better too). If they mess it up then you've got more on your side (potentially) to have it changed.

May I ask another question? Are you satisfied with the setting (imagine the prongs were fine)? Sometimes little annoyances point to something more. Not always but I thought I'd ask.

I do hope it is a minor, easy fix. If all the prongs were the same, I would be extremely happy. This is the setting I want. I just want it to be balanced.

Prongs have to be retouched? Ack! I did not know that. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[marygrace]

Re: Sent E-Ring to Blue Nile for Repairs/Return -- Need Advi

It's funny how people perceive things differently too .... for instance, I think the OTHER lower prong looks overly bulbous. -- And the prong that the OP wants "fixed" seems the neatest. Prongs aren't really supposed to overwhelm the stone like that lower right prong seems too. (IMHO).

It just goes to show that you kinda can't please everyone. So Blue Nile might not consider it a re-make type sitch. There's nothing *flawed* about the setting. The prongs just uneven.

I think if they were all bulbous or all neat, I would not have an issue. I think I am singling out the different prong and putting the blame on it. If BN makes the prongs all the same, I would be happy.

 

[Maisie]

Re: Sent E-Ring to Blue Nile for Repairs/Return -- Need Advi

I can't even see what the problem is with the prong. I'm hopeless!

 

[pregcurious]

Re: Sent E-Ring to Blue Nile for Repairs/Return -- Need Advi

I can't even see what the problem is with the prong. I'm hopeless!

The bottom left one does not bend over and extend as long onto the face of the stone as the others.

 

[Maisie]

Re: Sent E-Ring to Blue Nile for Repairs/Return -- Need Advi

I can't even see what the problem is with the prong. I'm hopeless!

The bottom left one does not bend over and extend as long onto the face of the stone as the others.

Thank you.... but I still can't see it. But thats ok, its not my ring. I think i'm just not that good at seeing faults with small details. I blame my 40 year old eyes.

 

[marygrace]

Re: Sent E-Ring to Blue Nile for Repairs/Return -- Need Advi

I called today. The rep said that the ring will go through inspection to determine if anything is wrong. I reminded him that it went through quality control twice before and passed. He said he'd make a note that the prongs are uneven. I asked that they will call me after they look at the ring to discuss what work will be done. I should have it back within 2 weeks.

I don't feel comfortable with this process. Blue Nile is reputable but it is designed for men who want no-hassle, one-click e-ring shopping. Women like me tend to be meticulous and need lots of guidance and reassurance, which I don't feel I am getting. Sure, I could return the whole thing. But that's not what I want. I want my ring.

 

[blinglover78]

Re: Sent E-Ring to Blue Nile for Repairs/Return -- Need Advi

Hi marygrace. I remember you from my thread about blue nile a couple of weeks ago. Sorry you are having to send back your ring.
Your ring is beautiful and I am fairly certain that Blue Nile will do what needs to be done so that you end up happy with the results. What specifically would you like them to do right now so that you are more comfortable with everything? Is it the time frame they gave you too long? Maybe give them another call and talk to them about what you would like?
Hope everything works out for you. Good luck.

 

[Christina...]

Re: Sent E-Ring to Blue Nile for Repairs/Return -- Need Advi

It's funny how people perceive things differently too .... for instance, I think the OTHER lower prong looks overly bulbous. -- And the prong that the OP wants "fixed" seems the neatest. Prongs aren't really supposed to overwhelm the stone like that lower right prong seems too. (IMHO).

It just goes to show that you kinda can't please everyone. So Blue Nile might not consider it a re-make type sitch. There's nothing *flawed* about the setting. The prongs just uneven.

Funny, I'm seeing exactly what your seeing too. I thought that lower right prong looked wrong as well. I've always prefered square stones to have the prongs that covered the cornors at a 90%.....sort of bezeled at the cornors if that makes sense. It seems to eliminate the bulbous prong issues, and protect the fragile corners of the diamond.

 

[marygrace]

Re: Sent E-Ring to Blue Nile for Repairs/Return -- Need Advi

It's funny how people perceive things differently too .... for instance, I think the OTHER lower prong looks overly bulbous. -- And the prong that the OP wants "fixed" seems the neatest. Prongs aren't really supposed to overwhelm the stone like that lower right prong seems too. (IMHO).

It just goes to show that you kinda can't please everyone. So Blue Nile might not consider it a re-make type sitch. There's nothing *flawed* about the setting. The prongs just uneven.

Funny, I'm seeing exactly what your seeing too. I thought that lower right prong looked wrong as well. I've always prefered square stones to have the prongs that covered the cornors at a 90%.....sort of bezeled at the cornors if that makes sense. It seems to eliminate the bulbous prong issues, and protect the fragile corners of the diamond.

Me too! I don't want to chip those corners.

 

[marygrace]

Re: Sent E-Ring to Blue Nile for Repairs/Return -- Need Advi

Hi marygrace. I remember you from my thread about blue nile a couple of weeks ago. Sorry you are having to send back your ring.
Your ring is beautiful and I am fairly certain that Blue Nile will do what needs to be done so that you end up happy with the results. What specifically would you like them to do right now so that you are more comfortable with everything? Is it the time frame they gave you too long? Maybe give them another call and talk to them about what you would like?
Hope everything works out for you. Good luck.

Thank you! I would like them to keep me updated. I get nervous when I send something away and wait in silence for it to return. I've done all I can on my end. Now I just have to be patient.

Normally the turnaround would be faster. With the holiday season over, they've been slammed with returns and adjustments. My resizing took 4 days from when I sent it off to when I got it back.

 

[marygrace]

Re: Sent E-Ring to Blue Nile for Repairs/Return -- Need Advi

UPDATE:

Blue Nile called today. The prongs were measured and they are all the same length. What makes one prong look short and stubby to me is the polish. They can reshape all the prongs so that they are all the same.

Or, I can trade out for a new setting! Very nice of them to offer.

I decided that repolishing the prongs is what I want. Everything seems to be working out. Fingers crossed.

 

[blinglover78]

Re: Sent E-Ring to Blue Nile for Repairs/Return -- Need Advi

glad things are working out well for you! hope you have your ring back soon!

 

[marygrace]

Re: Sent E-Ring to Blue Nile for Repairs/Return -- Need Advi

I got my ring back. It looks great! I asked to have all the prongs be like the short, stubby one, so no bulbousness exists.

I love it. I am so happy everything is perfect.

 

[Christina...]

Re: Sent E-Ring to Blue Nile for Repairs/Return -- Need Advi

I'm super happy that it worked out for you! Now aren't you glad you didn't decide to 'just live with it'? Congrats again!

 

[Enerchi]

Re: Sent E-Ring to Blue Nile for Repairs/Return -- Need Advi

Yeah! marygrace that's a great ending to your situation. So nice when it works out and they are able to 'see' what you see and they can correct it. Great news!

Enjoy it for many many years to come...

 

[CharmyPoo]

Re: Sent E-Ring to Blue Nile for Repairs/Return -- Need Advi

Thumbs up for BlueNile. This is a benefit of going with a big company - they don't nickle and dime you as much.

 

[marygrace]

Re: Sent E-Ring to Blue Nile for Repairs/Return -- Need Advi

Thumbs up for BlueNile. This is a benefit of going with a big company - they don't nickle and dime you as much.

Bigger companies will also absorb the cost of overnight shipping.

Thanks everyone for your support!

 

[yssie]

Re: Sent E-Ring to Blue Nile for Repairs/Return -- Need Advi

for happy endings! Can we get some post-makeover pics?