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Worst Mistake Ever Need Advice

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So sorry to hear of your troubles and disappointment. I do think AMEX can do better. After all, if I understand the process you''ve described, it was not you who held-up the return process. However, it does seem to be their call. Unfortunately, retailers in paradise count on in-the-heat-of-the-moment lovebirds like you to sell less than perfect merchandise. This experience has cost you money and heartache, however, posting about it here may save someone else from making the same mistake.

Also, I''m sympathetic to your discomfort with keeping the piece, however, given that it may be what you are left with, how about thinking of it as part of a forever tale... much more interesting for the grandkids to hear about grandma''s "star-crossed engagement ring" and the stories of the trip, the proposal and the antics that have followed the piece, than "just another pretty ring." A reset may be all you need for now... if it is all they offer, you may want to consider taking the money and returning the faulty setting. Perhaps, thinking and planning for an upgrade for a special anniversary will give you something to plan for, and look forward to wearing, down the road. Maybe someday, if you decide not to continue wearing this as your ER, the diamond will make a lovely pendant... a family stone with a story.

In the end, remember: the ring is not what it is all about. The ring is just a SYMBOL of your love, passion and commitment to one another – feelings shared that were strong enough for you to throw caution to the wind and purchase THIS ring! Your relationship is what really counts. Try to play your disappointment down for awhile. Plan for the next one, if you like. You''ll be fine. You may even find that you don''t ever want to part with ol'' Star-Crossed.
 
Rockit.. thanks so much for your post. You sure know how to make people feel better. I sure hope I can set aside the emotional part of the deicision we''ll have to make about getting it reset or trading it in. Like you say, after time I''ll sure have a pretty good story to tell. The day we purchased the ring in Negril, Jamaica my fiance'' and I went to Rick''s Cafe and he jumped off a 35 foot cliff. LOL that place is amazing if you ever get a chance to visit.

I''m feeling better about things. It''s good to talk to people that are on the outside of things.

Thanks so much everyone!
 
If you CANT get your money back, find a setting (that fits) that you love, have your fiance get the stone reset then
have him propose again. Have him make it a surprise (somewhat) and make a new start of it. Try to forget about
what you have been through and try to enjoy your engagment!
 
tyty333... oh. oh, oh! love your idea! this board rocks! LOL
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thanks so much!
 
ooh, So sorry about your troubles. If you can change out the diamond to another setting, then put a gemstone inthe current setting, would you wear it as a RHR?
 
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Your story is already more fun and endearing than something "perfect." The diamond has become part of the fabric of your relationship. Don''t be afraid to embrace and cherish what is uniquely yours.

Besides, on a practical note, unfortunately, trading the stone won''t get you much back in terms of money. If you can''t return the entire ring, then, I''d love to see you keep the stone, as well as the romantic saga that follows it. If you continue to have some misgivings, then, plan for a FABULOUS, KILLER, DROP-DEAD GORGEOUS diamond upgrade down the road (and transition this special diamond to a pendant if you like). PSers will LOVE to help you find the diamond of your dreams when you are ready, and, you can anticipate something wonderful in the years ahead (just like your marriage).
 
I agree with Rockit, and I''ll add that dealing with all this negativity for so many months has got to be zapping your energy (energy that could better be spent preparing for your marriage and enjoying your engagement). A few posts back, you said that a gemologist/independent appraiser said that the stone is well cut. That''s great news, I think. So I''d reframe the situation like this: You got a well-cut diamond on a fabulous trip to Jamaica (a trip you will always remember). You had the diamond re-set into a new setting to protect the stone, and you show it off -- from the pictures it looks lovely.
 
I am so sorry that you have had this experience! It seems to me, though, that unless you have it in writing that the diamond is something other than what it is (a well cut H, I1) then you don''t have grounds for a refund based on misrepresentation of the diamond. Not knowing what you are buying is unfortunately not grounds for a refund when a store has a no refunds policy! And unfortunately, claiming to be unaware of a refund policy is also not grounds! This sucks, but that''s the reality of sales.

The diamond looks very nice in those photos! I think you should take others'' advice and get it reset and repropose and walk away from this. You are lucky to have a nicely cut diamond, and at that size and color and even clarity, the price is not a complete rip off! So you are doing okay!

Good luck!
 
Dani- If you can''t return the ring or get you 90% refund back, I would reset the diamond in a different setting and take that as a fresh beginning! Your FI could even repropose so that the sentiment is with the new ring. Also, keep in mind that atleast your diamond is an excellent cut one. Many people buy diamonds uneducated/impulsively and only later to find out that it''s a poor cut. Even if you overpaid (by online standards) it all comes down to, do you love the diamond? Do you love that you and your FI picked it out together on your engagement vacation? Then that''s all that matters! Start fresh with a new setting, and enjoy your ring and being engaged!
 
Date: 5/29/2009 2:09:09 PM
Author: dani2142
I don''t have any more information then what I gave on the center stone. The stone is not eye clean either you can see flaws... I''m guessing they are flaw. Like I said I know nothing about this stuff. I''ve learned a lot more after all this has taken place, but still don''t know that much LOL The flaws sorta look like white pin drops if that even makes sense.... you have to really stare to see them but they are definitely there!
Where are the flaws on the diamond? Could a prong possible cover up the inclusions?
 
Dani,

Please take the 90% refund! This problem/situation can and will most likely drag on for
a long period of time. I speak from experience and you should consider yourself lucky
to be getting 90% back. Consider this incident a "learning experience."
Don''t let anything or anyone take away from this most important event in your life!

Best wishes.

www.metrojewelryappraisers.com
 
I'd be bummed too if I were you. How is your fiance taking it? The draggy situation must be stressful BUT a shared problem and working together to find a solution can do wonderful things for your relationship too.
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The stone looks huge for the price and if it's well cut those specks may not be all that visible from normal viewing angle. If you can't bear to wearing it as a ring, I think it will make for a fabulous pendant which you may later resell for a reasonably good price. Just a thought.
 

Thanks so much everyone for your kind words and advice. We are waiting to hear back from Amex one last time and we''ll just make our decision after that. I think financially it is smartest to have it reset. I love the look of it, I just wish it wasn''t a poor quality setting and that it fit! I took a couple more pics with my camera phone. I''ve been carrying it around in my purse ready to ship back for the last month. Anyway... as far as the flaws go, you really, really have to stare to see them. Also, I wanted to mention too when I looked into the stone as well as my Mom''s jeweler she mentioned "look at all that white." My Mom mentioned before that there can be black spots in the stone but I was assuming since she said look at all that white, that is a good thing. I''m now trying to think of the positve of the diamond in case we do end up getting it reset. LOL


Oh and I''m not sure why I keep posting pictures... LOL Just bored at work...



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last one lol

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hi dani! just wanted to say good luck. i jumped off that same cliff in negril back on spring break 2006. it was a crazy time. anyhow, the ring is still pretty, and like everyone else said, you have a good story. you can always wear it until you get an upgrade if you have a problem disputing the charge. people won''t know that the specs aren''t so great by just looking at it.
 
Hi lawbug17... it''s too big to wear. It''s about a size 7, 7.25 and I need a size 6. Thanks for your response though! We are heading back to Negril to get married next February and will probably return to Rick''s :)
 
Hey everyone... just out of curiousity if we were to trade in the ring with my Mom''s jeweler and purchase one from her, what price range do you think we can expect to get with trading it in? Thanks :)
 
dani -

bluenile has some similar diamonds online. their lowest clarity grade is SI2 though (which is slightly better than I).

1.33
Good Cut RB
Color I
Clairty SI2
$4783

1.32
Very Good Cut RB
Color H
SI2
$6350

obviously i''m not a diamond expert. those are just for a loose diamond. you can play around with it by going to www.bluenile.com and checking out loose diamonds - set your searchers for about 1.30-1.35, H-I color, etc and see what you find

good luck~!
 
Just wanted to give an update.... another update! LOL The merchant changed his mind about allowing us to return the ring for a 90% refund. His next resolution was for us to send the ring to his manufacturer in California to see if they could fix the setting... well they couldn''t and so now the merchant is paying for us to get a brand new setting custom made. At first I was hesitant to send it to some random manufacturer but my Mom''s jeweler knows of them and uses them frequently so that made me feel better. Anyway, they are transferring over all of the diamonds from my old ring with the faulty setting to a new setting that is much better quality and my size! I''m supposed to receive it in 2-3 weeks. I can''t wait!!! Thanks a bunch to everyone on here. I''ll definitely be sending some friends on this board. It rocks!!! :)
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Looks like things turned out better than expected!
Good luck on this leg of the journey!!! :-)
 
glad they will remake, do come back post the updated setting.
 
Thats great dani! Please post pics when you get it back...we would love to see it.

I always love happy endings!
 
Thanks everyone :) I promise to post pics when I get it back :) :) Thanks for all the help and encouragement!
 
Congratulatons Dani!
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Your ring is beautiful! Don''t forget to post pics of the new setting when you get it
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dani - I''m glad to see you found a good outcome! Do post pics of the finished product when you can.
 
After 6 months of headaches the Jamaican ring drama is finally over :) the manufacturer did an amazing job. It looks exactly like my original ring but it''s my size and it''s way better quality. Thank you so much everyone for your support and kind words. I tried to take a couple pics of the ring but they don''t do the ring any justice. In about 6 months my fiance'' and I will be heading back to Negril to get married and we can''t wait!!!!!!!!!!!
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not the best photographer in the world...

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the happy couple :O)

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What a pretty ring - the final :) glad you are happy with how it all came out! :)
 
It''s beautiful, it looks great on your hand; I''m so glad this worked out for you! Now you can enjoy your ring and concentrate on your wedding! And you''ll have a very interesting story to tell your future children and grandchildren when they ask about your ring.
 
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