OK I checked and got the OK to do this. Thank you so much Andrey and the rest of you too! I hope that this will be of future help to anyone who finds themselves in a similarly unfortunate situation. And I hope it further illustrates my cautionary tale of how one does not shop for a diamond.
I warn you it is quite long, a bit ranting and a little bit silly in style but true and heartfelt in content. To anyone reading this who finds themselves in the same boat know that it will pass and it is not the end of the world even if it seems like it at the time.
When I listed it I also used a ton of pictures and the independent appraisal and to interested parties sent more higher res pictures of the stone from every angle and versions with the inclusions highlighted in red and ones without it highlighted too. Here goes...
You are bidding on a huge pear cut 3 stone ring. The center stone weighs in at a sparkling 2.75 carats! And the lovely side stones
are approximately .85 ct each. The ring is 18k white gold, in an antique style. Interestingly, the stone appears to be a Rose cut
but is actually a pear cut stone mounted inverted in the ring (culet up). More on that in the story below... Also please note that
I will include the independent appraisal shown here (cost me $***, and worth every penny). Here are the details on the size, color and clarity of the diamonds:
Center Stone:
Cutting Style: Pear Shape
Measurements: 13.00 x 8.0 x 3.45 mm
Weight: 2.75 Carats by direct weight
Depth: 43.12%
Table: 58.75%
Clarity Grade: I1
Color Grade: O
2 Side stones:
Measurements: 7.5 x 5.8 x 2.3 mm
total weight: 1.70 Carats by formula estimation
General Clarity: VS2-SI1
Average Color: M-N
We are selling this ring only because it wasn''t what we were looking for- but that doesn''t mean it''s not perfect for you!
Do you like stories-interesting ones? If you''re nodding yes, then grab something warm in a mug, toasted marshmallow on a stick,
whatever you like, and pull your chair closer. Now-picture me with a flashlight under my face okay. Now prepare to be afraid,
very afraid.
My eBay Ring Saga
So I''m an artist, reasonably well known for what I do. A ton of people see and buy my art so at least I''ve got that going for me. I''m
also married to an artist ''cause we thought being starving artists together would be wicked fun. So hey I''ve got that going for
me too. We have been together since we were practically kids. Teenage love driveway proposal-silver band from a mall- you
get the picture.
She stuck with me through years of hardships, some classic artist drama, and doing the starving artist thing for real. Naturally
we got alarmingly skinny. We used to be sooo jealous when we would walk by a restaurant and see people sitting
there eating sandwiches. So smug
More artist cliches were to come. (If you can read this next part in the voice of the lifestyles of the rich and famous host it will
be much funnier). There was of course the bad dangerous neighborhood where we would run and get in the tub when we
heard gunshot sounds, constant sirens screaming 24/7, police chases with the helicopter spotlights flashing through our
apartment, and people using the loo on our doorstep daily (tres chic!).
We also enjoyed the hilarity of neighbors who would be perfectly suited for ''Cops'', ''Cheaters'', or ''Maury''. We luxuriated in our
infested residence, with our duck taped decor, hurting feet, and ragged Dickens-esque threadbare clothing. We had a collapsy
bed which also served as our dinner table and couch and chairs. We lived without all the stuff that many people think you are a
weirdo for not having. Save our computer one would have thought we took a vow of celibacy from electronics. Incidentally if
you are jonesing to move in next to a Goodwill, Salvation Army, public library, bus depot, homeless shelter and fire station, I
can recommend a place for you!
Lucky for us we have both studied or lived in other countries in third world conditions complete with no running water,
sleeping outside and bathing in the ocean- so we would compare our situation to that and realize how lucky we had it, globally
speaking. At least we could walk around our apartment and smile and say hey at least we have running water and an
indoor toilet-awesome! We worked our butts off to make a name and we got out of there and things vastly improved. We now
live somewhere a bit more savory with furniture, plentiful food, and everything.
Still after sticking with me through all that I thought that she deserved a gorgeous ring. I thought that it would be nice if
people could actually tell she was married, too. We have been together for a kabillion years but people still mistake us for being
on a first date.
We saved up for years to be able to get a nice ring. I looked and researched all over the place to find the kind of ring that she
wanted. She has very exotic and unique sensibilities. She is an artist, too; a unique woman; one who can use a chain-saw and
an alarming array of tools and sculpture techniques of every kind, and respectively teach and charm small children and animals.
You get the point-gentle but tough. She had wanted an old cut diamond partly because she is a tree-hugger (not of
the annoying militant variety) and because she liked the idea of a stone that was cut and created to be seen in candle light
rather than electric light. She liked the old pear-cut stones and found them particularly charming.
So I thought that we had found ''the one'' on ebay. The seller listed it as a 4.97 (total weight) ct Old Mine Rose Cut ring, turn of
the century, ''slight fancy color'' and VS1-VS2 clarity.
I asked many questions as one should and from their listing and answers I received it appeared to be which is just what I were
looking for. Well flash forward we get the item in the mail and can immediately see that things do not match up. In fact the
appraisal that the seller included did not match their own listing or what they had told us . I let them know this on day 1. The
feedback they eventually left for me made it sound like I sat around with the ring for a month-but I let her know in writing
on day 1 and then I got proof to back me up. I made a point to be nothing but polite and civil through this whole thing and that
was returned with what you can see on our feedback. I took the ring all over town and jeweler after jeweler told me that
this was obviously not what the seller had represented it as. I got it in to an independent appraiser and it turns out that it was
really, really grossly misrepresented. In actuality it was at best 4.5 ct (total weight), ''O'' color, and I1 clarity. This was not the
ring we were told it was in any way shape or form.
The sellers were not pleased with us and would not let us return the ring for a refund. So we tried everything. We dealt with
eBay who sent us to Paypal. This wasted so many countless hours of our time. We dealt with the bank who couldn''t do
anything because we had obviously authorized the Paypal payment (we weren''t disputing that, just wanted to see if we could get
the charges reversed as it was grossly misrepresented), our family lawyer, the better business bureau. We filed a case with
paypal which was eventually denied.
I did not want to take this to court. The sellers will absolutely not refund-but they suggested that I should resell it if we didn''t want
to keep it. I plan to do that honestly and possibly at a great financial loss, but my integrity is very important to me.
I want to keep it positive and do not want to say anything negative or unkind since I believe in karma and I don''t want any negative
karma sent my way. So Tiny Tim style peace joy blessings positive energy puppy snuggles and rainbows and butterflies to
everyone.
However I would like to mention that the inaccuracies that have been hurled at us are just that- inaccuracies. I am in fact not a
fraudulent troll from the planet eviltron out to get people or their items for free -just wanted a refund thank you very much.
PS I was not found guilty of fraud like the sellers of this item listed in their retaliatory feedback after a grueling 2 months on the
phone with Paypal. Despite the proof and independent appraisal they found in favor of the seller- under what guidelines, I was
never told. In the illustrious lyrical words of Bobby Brown I guess its their "prerogative."
I''ll take my retaliatory negative feedback as a badge of honor. Its like a stylin'' little red minus tattoo in my feedback column. Perhaps
it will appear dark, broody and mysterious on its little red motorcycle as it drives by the green with envy other feedbacks. I left
the feedback I had to in a cool, calm, factual manner and was rewarded with well, again, you can see for yourself. I knew
leaving the feedback I had to would possibly wreck what had been perfect 100 percent feedback I had worked so hard for but I f
igured I''d take one for the team.
It''s a very large ring, to be sure. Now, you too can pretend to be a socialite! Hot.
We considered just eating it (um not literally we are not going hungry anymore)keeping the ring but not only is it not at all what we
wanted or bought but it represents a sparkly migraine to us at this point. We really had wanted an older cut diamond
but this was not that- even though that''s how it was sold to us.
Neither one of us wants a ring that makes us think of
being called malicious trolls in all caps. So fun. And even though the ring wasn''t what we thought it was supposed to be, it was
independently appraised at about the same price we paid for it.
Our honesty should be evident because why else would we list the ring for what it is? It''s just not to our advantage financially? We
would have much rather planned a trip to study art in europe or had more than a gentle breeze of empty air under the
Christmas tree. I paid $6,540 for the ring (including sales tax they charged me) so I''m offering this at a substantial loss. The
independent appraisal I got, thankfully, confirms that the ring is indeed valued at $6,500. So even though it''s not what it was sold
to me as, you can be assured that you know what you are getting up front.
Post script- And to any readers who are a bit worried about us we busted our butts to get out of there are now quite happily well fed
and living in a decent part of town. Going through that stuff only made us stronger more grateful and closer and will be much
more interesting and colorful to read about in our future artists bios
than, say, ''lived in a penthouse and spoon-fed by servants'' would.
I warn you it is quite long, a bit ranting and a little bit silly in style but true and heartfelt in content. To anyone reading this who finds themselves in the same boat know that it will pass and it is not the end of the world even if it seems like it at the time.
When I listed it I also used a ton of pictures and the independent appraisal and to interested parties sent more higher res pictures of the stone from every angle and versions with the inclusions highlighted in red and ones without it highlighted too. Here goes...
You are bidding on a huge pear cut 3 stone ring. The center stone weighs in at a sparkling 2.75 carats! And the lovely side stones
are approximately .85 ct each. The ring is 18k white gold, in an antique style. Interestingly, the stone appears to be a Rose cut
but is actually a pear cut stone mounted inverted in the ring (culet up). More on that in the story below... Also please note that
I will include the independent appraisal shown here (cost me $***, and worth every penny). Here are the details on the size, color and clarity of the diamonds:
Center Stone:
Cutting Style: Pear Shape
Measurements: 13.00 x 8.0 x 3.45 mm
Weight: 2.75 Carats by direct weight
Depth: 43.12%
Table: 58.75%
Clarity Grade: I1
Color Grade: O
2 Side stones:
Measurements: 7.5 x 5.8 x 2.3 mm
total weight: 1.70 Carats by formula estimation
General Clarity: VS2-SI1
Average Color: M-N
We are selling this ring only because it wasn''t what we were looking for- but that doesn''t mean it''s not perfect for you!
Do you like stories-interesting ones? If you''re nodding yes, then grab something warm in a mug, toasted marshmallow on a stick,
whatever you like, and pull your chair closer. Now-picture me with a flashlight under my face okay. Now prepare to be afraid,
very afraid.
My eBay Ring Saga
So I''m an artist, reasonably well known for what I do. A ton of people see and buy my art so at least I''ve got that going for me. I''m
also married to an artist ''cause we thought being starving artists together would be wicked fun. So hey I''ve got that going for
me too. We have been together since we were practically kids. Teenage love driveway proposal-silver band from a mall- you
get the picture.
She stuck with me through years of hardships, some classic artist drama, and doing the starving artist thing for real. Naturally
we got alarmingly skinny. We used to be sooo jealous when we would walk by a restaurant and see people sitting
there eating sandwiches. So smug
More artist cliches were to come. (If you can read this next part in the voice of the lifestyles of the rich and famous host it will
be much funnier). There was of course the bad dangerous neighborhood where we would run and get in the tub when we
heard gunshot sounds, constant sirens screaming 24/7, police chases with the helicopter spotlights flashing through our
apartment, and people using the loo on our doorstep daily (tres chic!).
We also enjoyed the hilarity of neighbors who would be perfectly suited for ''Cops'', ''Cheaters'', or ''Maury''. We luxuriated in our
infested residence, with our duck taped decor, hurting feet, and ragged Dickens-esque threadbare clothing. We had a collapsy
bed which also served as our dinner table and couch and chairs. We lived without all the stuff that many people think you are a
weirdo for not having. Save our computer one would have thought we took a vow of celibacy from electronics. Incidentally if
you are jonesing to move in next to a Goodwill, Salvation Army, public library, bus depot, homeless shelter and fire station, I
can recommend a place for you!
Lucky for us we have both studied or lived in other countries in third world conditions complete with no running water,
sleeping outside and bathing in the ocean- so we would compare our situation to that and realize how lucky we had it, globally
speaking. At least we could walk around our apartment and smile and say hey at least we have running water and an
indoor toilet-awesome! We worked our butts off to make a name and we got out of there and things vastly improved. We now
live somewhere a bit more savory with furniture, plentiful food, and everything.
Still after sticking with me through all that I thought that she deserved a gorgeous ring. I thought that it would be nice if
people could actually tell she was married, too. We have been together for a kabillion years but people still mistake us for being
on a first date.
We saved up for years to be able to get a nice ring. I looked and researched all over the place to find the kind of ring that she
wanted. She has very exotic and unique sensibilities. She is an artist, too; a unique woman; one who can use a chain-saw and
an alarming array of tools and sculpture techniques of every kind, and respectively teach and charm small children and animals.
You get the point-gentle but tough. She had wanted an old cut diamond partly because she is a tree-hugger (not of
the annoying militant variety) and because she liked the idea of a stone that was cut and created to be seen in candle light
rather than electric light. She liked the old pear-cut stones and found them particularly charming.
So I thought that we had found ''the one'' on ebay. The seller listed it as a 4.97 (total weight) ct Old Mine Rose Cut ring, turn of
the century, ''slight fancy color'' and VS1-VS2 clarity.
I asked many questions as one should and from their listing and answers I received it appeared to be which is just what I were
looking for. Well flash forward we get the item in the mail and can immediately see that things do not match up. In fact the
appraisal that the seller included did not match their own listing or what they had told us . I let them know this on day 1. The
feedback they eventually left for me made it sound like I sat around with the ring for a month-but I let her know in writing
on day 1 and then I got proof to back me up. I made a point to be nothing but polite and civil through this whole thing and that
was returned with what you can see on our feedback. I took the ring all over town and jeweler after jeweler told me that
this was obviously not what the seller had represented it as. I got it in to an independent appraiser and it turns out that it was
really, really grossly misrepresented. In actuality it was at best 4.5 ct (total weight), ''O'' color, and I1 clarity. This was not the
ring we were told it was in any way shape or form.
The sellers were not pleased with us and would not let us return the ring for a refund. So we tried everything. We dealt with
eBay who sent us to Paypal. This wasted so many countless hours of our time. We dealt with the bank who couldn''t do
anything because we had obviously authorized the Paypal payment (we weren''t disputing that, just wanted to see if we could get
the charges reversed as it was grossly misrepresented), our family lawyer, the better business bureau. We filed a case with
paypal which was eventually denied.
I did not want to take this to court. The sellers will absolutely not refund-but they suggested that I should resell it if we didn''t want
to keep it. I plan to do that honestly and possibly at a great financial loss, but my integrity is very important to me.
I want to keep it positive and do not want to say anything negative or unkind since I believe in karma and I don''t want any negative
karma sent my way. So Tiny Tim style peace joy blessings positive energy puppy snuggles and rainbows and butterflies to
everyone.
However I would like to mention that the inaccuracies that have been hurled at us are just that- inaccuracies. I am in fact not a
fraudulent troll from the planet eviltron out to get people or their items for free -just wanted a refund thank you very much.
PS I was not found guilty of fraud like the sellers of this item listed in their retaliatory feedback after a grueling 2 months on the
phone with Paypal. Despite the proof and independent appraisal they found in favor of the seller- under what guidelines, I was
never told. In the illustrious lyrical words of Bobby Brown I guess its their "prerogative."
I''ll take my retaliatory negative feedback as a badge of honor. Its like a stylin'' little red minus tattoo in my feedback column. Perhaps
it will appear dark, broody and mysterious on its little red motorcycle as it drives by the green with envy other feedbacks. I left
the feedback I had to in a cool, calm, factual manner and was rewarded with well, again, you can see for yourself. I knew
leaving the feedback I had to would possibly wreck what had been perfect 100 percent feedback I had worked so hard for but I f
igured I''d take one for the team.
It''s a very large ring, to be sure. Now, you too can pretend to be a socialite! Hot.
We considered just eating it (um not literally we are not going hungry anymore)keeping the ring but not only is it not at all what we
wanted or bought but it represents a sparkly migraine to us at this point. We really had wanted an older cut diamond
but this was not that- even though that''s how it was sold to us.
Neither one of us wants a ring that makes us think of
being called malicious trolls in all caps. So fun. And even though the ring wasn''t what we thought it was supposed to be, it was
independently appraised at about the same price we paid for it.
Our honesty should be evident because why else would we list the ring for what it is? It''s just not to our advantage financially? We
would have much rather planned a trip to study art in europe or had more than a gentle breeze of empty air under the
Christmas tree. I paid $6,540 for the ring (including sales tax they charged me) so I''m offering this at a substantial loss. The
independent appraisal I got, thankfully, confirms that the ring is indeed valued at $6,500. So even though it''s not what it was sold
to me as, you can be assured that you know what you are getting up front.
Post script- And to any readers who are a bit worried about us we busted our butts to get out of there are now quite happily well fed
and living in a decent part of town. Going through that stuff only made us stronger more grateful and closer and will be much
more interesting and colorful to read about in our future artists bios
than, say, ''lived in a penthouse and spoon-fed by servants'' would.
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