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Should I Be Worried? Idiot Diamond Setter..

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Alright. So I received everything back, and it is my diamond that I received in return.

The only problem is that the prongs look pretty damaged. Does this usually happen? I am obviously not happy with the quality of work that was done, and he just said that it is normal. This idiot even thought my mounting was white gold, when it is platinum.

The diamond looks like it is set fine, but it appears that when the prongs were pulled to set the diamond, he chipped away at the metal. I wish I could take pictures to show you all, but it doesn''t look too pretty.

Anyway, I need some advice on the next step. My whole plan was to speak to my girlfriend''s father tomorrow morning, and propose to her tomorrow night. It appears that I may need to buy a new head, and have the new head replaced and the diamond re-set, but this could obviously take a while.

Any suggestions would be helpful. I definitely wanted to do this all tomorrow, but I don''t want to give my future wife an engagement ring that has chipped/damaged prongs.
 
Can you take pictures? Perhaps if it''s as simple as dents, they could be polished out of the prongs?
 
I''m just wondering how much he''s charging you and if his efforts will reward him with anything more than a pizza?
He is an idiot.
Capital I idiot.
He will go broke offering to do this kind of service. Please leave this idiot in peace.
 
sigh......

what am i to do...
 
It does not look very good, that is for sure. I suspect that another jeweler can fix it for you. You should demand a refund from the current jeweler.
 
What a jerk! Isn''t that basic stuff?
 
Here''s my honest opinion:
You did well on the stone ( taking your statement that you bought the diamond from a trusted source)- but for some reason, the setting is somewhat of a "work in progress".
I''d look at this as a learning experience.
Another jeweler us not going to be able to make that much of a difference.
Did you select the parts?

Bottom line- give her the ring as is- but consider starting from scratch together with her, as far as the setting.
Maybe the parts might be able to be re-used- however the best shops are not going to want to do that.

If you have to scrap them for an almost total loss on the ring, I hate to say it, but you might have to , if you really want a ring that is first rate.

Can your diamond vendor offer assistance?
 
dreamer, do you think i would need to order a new head? at this point, i don''t think it could even be fixed.

i should''ve just returned my current setting, and purchased a bgd mounting, and let them set it. i''m so mad at myself.
 
David,

Thank you for your candor once again. But yes, it looks like most of the damage is done on the head and prongs, and there is a tiny chip on the band, but I'm hoping that the head could just replaced and the band be buffed. I bought the setting at a different local jeweler for $800 with tax, and I'd hate to lose all of that money..

As for giving her the ring, I don't think I could do it. I saw my parents today and didn't even want to show it to them because of how poorly I thought it was handled.

I got the engagement ring appraised, so I plan on seeing my insurance agent first thing in the morning, and getting it covered. Then, I'm going to stop by the jeweler I bought the setting from and see what they could do. Hopefully, order a new head and remount.

But yes, I'm only 24, and have been saving every single penny for an entire for this ring purchase, and it just hurts to see everything end up being like this.

It is, though, a learning experience, and I guess this is nothing compared to what marriage would be like
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Date: 3/25/2010 10:11:53 PM
Author: jlx
David,

Thank you for your candor once again. But yes, it looks like most of the damage is done on the head and prongs, and there is a tiny chip on the band, but I''m hoping that the head could just replaced and the band be buffed. I bought the setting at a different local jeweler for $800 with tax, and I''d hate to lose all of that money..

As for giving her the ring, I don''t think I could do it. I saw my parents today and didn''t even want to show it to them because of how poorly I thought it was handled.

I got the engagement ring appraised, so I plan on seeing my insurance agent first thing in the morning, and getting it covered. Then, I''m going to stop by the jeweler I bought the setting from and see what they could do. Hopefully, order a new head and remount.

But yes, I''m only 24, and have been saving every single penny for an entire for this ring purchase, and it just hurts to see everything end up being like this.

It is, though, a learning experience, and I guess this is nothing compared to what marriage would be like
2.gif
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Don''t mess around with this vendor. Call BGD and see what they can do to help. They may be able to re use the shank and put a new head on it. AndI agree about waiting until it is perfect to propose. You want to give her something both of your will be proud to show other people!
 
Thank you all for your comments.

Denise at BGD helped me throughout my whole diamond search and buying process, and she has been absolutely amazing. I sent her an email, so I guess we''ll see what can be done.

It''s amazing how out of all the jewelers I''ve spoke with and the b&m stores I''ve been to within the past year (over 30), I trust BGD the most, even though I live nowhere near TX.

You all have also been amazing. Thank you for making me feel like I''m not going through this alone.
 
Date: 3/25/2010 10:33:00 PM
Author: jlx
Thank you all for your comments.

Denise at BGD helped me throughout my whole diamond search and buying process, and she has been absolutely amazing. I sent her an email, so I guess we''ll see what can be done.

It''s amazing how out of all the jewelers I''ve spoke with and the b&m stores I''ve been to within the past year (over 30), I trust BGD the most, even though I live nowhere near TX.

You all have also been amazing. Thank you for making me feel like I''m not going through this alone.
Click to expand...
You are welcome! And you are not alone
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So many consumers have had similar missteps along the way to their perfect ring. I am sure it will all work out.
 
Maybe I can't see some details on my small screen, but it looks like all you'd need to do is have the head changed and the diamond reset. If those are marks on the top of the shank, they look like they could be polished out.
 
Here is the only advice I can offer.........

I have taken my stones to numerous jewelers for setting, all of whom were more concerned about "where" I got my diamonds from, how much I paid for them, the fact that "you dont get good service online" and "sometimes the stones dont match up to the cert numbers when you buy online".

This is because they are mad that now there is online competition that prices diamonds well. The fact that you can shop around, educate yourself on fair price........makes them angry because they can''t rip you off as easily anymore.

My last ditch effort was a family owned store that has been in business for 30 years. Not once did the owner ask me where I got the stones or why I bought them online............the ONLY thing he was concerned with was what I came to him for, and finding me the exact setting that I wanted. He is making a small amount off the labor of setting the stones....and maybe a little off the setting itself, but he discounted me a white gold trellis setting 20%. All said and done it was $600. Still.........not one word about the stones.

This is why I''ll spend extra to come back to them for the wedding bands. Some people know how to build and retain customers. Others only want to make as much off you as they can in one pop..........they don''t care if you come back. This is the difference between stores who are in business for 30 years or 3 years. Point is....find someone who only cares about getting your problem solved for a fair price.
 
I''m just totally sick of going to any b&m jewelery stores. The only places I will do business with is BGD and Tiffany (they are obviously profit-driven, but at least they are up front about it with their marked up prices).

Anyway, I ended up calling this guy today. I first took the entire ring to two appraisers, and three random jewelers in the area. Each and every one of them told me how horrible and poor of a job the idiot did, and that I should demand my money back. The appraisers/jewelers I went to obviously had no bias, as I had never went to them before.

So I called the ''idiot'' (I know I still shouldn''t be calling him an idiot, but I really hope to never see or hear from him ever again). I told him everything that I heard today from the appraisers/jewelers, and got into a huge argument with the guy, because he kept saying that he stood by his work and thought he did a great job. I kept telling him how poor his work was, and then got feisty, and told me that I should have set the diamond myself.

I demanded by money back, plus more, because he completely ruined my prongs and head, and of course he didn''t budge. I wasn''t sure of the legal implications of the entire process, and whether or not he could be held liable for the damages, so after I gave him my credit card information for a refund, he told me that I am not allowed in his store ever again (like I would ever go back).

At this point, I''m just hoping to get my refund, as I am sending my ring to BGD on Monday.

I''m just amazed that people like him actually exist.
 
If he doesn''t give you a refund you may want to persue a chargeback through your credit card.

Good luck with it all.
 
I''ve just read your whole thread.

I''m really sorry to hear what you''ve been going through. It sounds like you have a good attitude despite what you''ve had to put up with.
You did lots of research and visited many stores, what this boils down to is one simple fact, you were mislead by a jeweler who misrepresented his craftsmanship. I think you have done a great justice to your cause by getting BGD involved. I also think you are doing the right thing by waiting until the repairs are complete prior to proposing.

Good luck. I''m sure we are all going to see a happy ending come from this.

After finishing up your financial dealing with the ''idiot'' you might want to consider starting a new thread with his name and a sample of his craftsmanship...or lack there of.
It would be unfortunate for someone else to have to go through a similar experience.
 
Protest to your credit card company under the grounds that what was delivered was not ‘reasonably suitable for the purpose for which it was intended’. Back it up with the written report from your appraiser itemizing exactly what the problem is and a statement from you detailing that he refused to make it right. Include those pictures.

Then send it to BGD and have it done right.

Keep all the receipts, all of the appraisals and all records you have from the offending jeweler, especially anything about the details of how he ‘stands behind his work'.

You may or may not win this battle but the costs are nominal, the worst case is that you end up wasting some money in the form of his fees and win or lose you end up with a piece that’s done properly and that you can be proud of. Then forget about and get on with your life. If you lose with the credit card company you can always take it to court but it's a lot of brain damage and I suspect we're not talking about a lot of money here. That's up to you to decide. (Note: If you win with the CC company, HE can take it to court too although I doubt he will for the same reasons).

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver
 
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