Aquamarine cabachon with dent

[BlueGlow]

I've been wanting an aquamarine cabachon ring and decided to treat myself for my birthday. I came across a ring on Etsy with a 10 by 12 mm stone set in a gold bezel with a silver band. The artisan/seller was very helpful in answering several questions including about visible but faint inclusions that were apparent in her photos. She also sized up the ring a half size. I received the ring tonight, and while overall I like the ring--the design and the look of the stone--there's an obvious flaw near the edge of the stone. I can feel the dent when I run a toothpick around the inside of the bezel. The flaw wasn't visible in the seller's photos, and she said she didn't see it herself. She guessed a fissure might have opened up when she was resizing the ring. I'm not sure what to do. I'm not sure if this kind of damage is common for this kind of gem. I know aquamarines aren't particularly expensive stones, so probably most of the cost of the ring ($260) reflects the price of the gold and labor. The flaw bugs me, but I do like the ring, and I'm not sure if I should overlook the flaw, return the ring, or what. Here are photos.

A bright-lit shot where all flaws are revealed including the dent I'm talking about at 10 o'clock:

Other shots that give more of a sense of how the ring looks in real life:

 

[digdeep]

I have a hard time believing she didn't see this - it would be a deal breaker for me, unless she provided a further discount agreeable to both of you. The original price was for the stone that was pictured and did not display the defect you now see. Sizing gems creates some risk, unless she said it's on you, then it's on her. My opinion only..............

 

[Bron357]

That looks like a fracture. If it wasn’t in the original photos then it must have happened when she resized it. I’d return it if you aren’t happy, though it depends on her return policy. Frankly, if I was the seller I wouldn’t have send it to you, it’s not like it isn’t obvious. Hope you can sort something out.
Flaws within the stone can be ok, I chose my ring specifically for its “flaws”, it’s the feature of the ring.
And if I ever get my size 7 finger back, I’ll be able to wear it. Sadly it’s not resizeable.

 

[chatoyancy]

That is a big flaw. It’s a shame because it’s a pretty ring. Can you exchange it? Does she have another aqua cab she can set for you?

She should have taken pictures after it happened and asked it you still wanted the ring. If you did, she would have applied a discount.

 

[theredspinel]

Beautiful ring. If you can ignore the flaw I'd push for a discount for the flaw and keep the ring. I love it overall.

 

[chrono]

If it is within the return period, I would return the ring.

 

[woweezowee]

Another vote for return whether the ring is within the return policy window or not. Consumer law and Etsy both protect you from having to keep a product that's different from what you bought.

That's a pretty obvious dent and I agree she should have seen it. When I work in my own jewelry or sewing or knitting I *always* know the flaws. And especially with soldering during sizing, she should be super duper aware of the stone as in an ideal world, it's safer to take out the stone than it is to solder with the stone still set. So that means she was either accidentally or willfully ignorant of the flaw, neither of which you want from an artist, especially when there are so many others who can do comparable work. Good luck with whatever course of action you decide!

 

[valeria101]

I chose my ring specifically for its “flaws”

Beautiful thing ! Story very welcome ...

 

[BlueGlow]

Thank you all for the responses. I do have about four days to decide whether to return the ring, and I'm hesitating between that and--given all your helpful feedback--asking for a partial refund. I'd welcome ideas for an appropriate amount to ask for...

It does seem hard to believe that the jeweler didn't see the flaw. If the stone was damaged during resizing, that's a pity. The ring is actually kind of loose now, so it would probably have been fine as it was before resizing. I wonder if a fissure could possibly have opened up after it was mailed--maybe with the changes in temperature of flying across country? The seller seemed very open, and I don't want to believe she knowingly didn't disclose this big nick after I asked whether the stone was "eye clean" and she pointed out smaller imperfections. I do agree that "flaws" can be beautiful--like in Bron357's ring. But this particular one is disappointing and as you all point out, not disclosed.

The "dent" is a little less obvious in indoor daylight, but still it's very much visible when I look at the ring head-on.

 

[woweezowee]

I forgot to add that your ring is beautiful. I also want an aqua cab creation!

 

[BlueGlow]

Thanks for the compliments on the ring. I do like the design very much and the stone except for the big nick on the edge! I don't think the seller has another one or another stone that she could exchange for--at least not posted on her site.

 

[missy]

The ring is lovely but I think (for me) the nick is a deal breaker. I would return it and continue the search. It's pretty but flawed in a big way. Remember a deal is a deal only if you are getting exactly what you want...I remind myself of that when I am tempted to purchase something that might not scratch my entire itch if you kwim. However if you decide you love it with the flaw well that's a different story. Good luck with your decision!

 

[T L]

The fracture could've happened from the bezeling process itself. It's pretty typical for stones to chip or fracture since bezeling can be hard on a stone. i've seen it even happen to a diamond. I would return it because it seems to bother you, and you really can't reuse the bezel setting, and even if you did, the same thing might happen to another stone.

 

[BlueGlow]

So...the advice I got here and elsewhere was almost unanimous to return the ring with the damaged stone and keep looking. To tide me over, I ordered a relatively cheap aqua cab ring on Etsy. This one was from India. Within three days of gentle wear, the stone popped out while I was walking outside! At least I didn't even really like the stone that was set in it--murky, grayish as it was. Plus, it was set at a crooked angle.

If nothing else, I think I'm done with using Etsy!

PS - sorry for misspelling "cabochon" in the title of this thread--I was just copying the spelling of the vendor from whom I purchased the first ring.

PPS - Woweezowee kindly introduced me to Barry of AC Stones and maybe I'll buy a stone and have a ring made. I'm not sure I want to deal with the process of having something set though!

 

[missy]

So...the advice I got here and elsewhere was almost unanimous to return the ring with the damaged stone and keep looking. To tide me over, I ordered a relatively cheap aqua cab ring on Etsy. This one was from India. Within three days of gentle wear, the stone popped out while I was walking outside! At least I didn't even really like the stone that was set in it--murky, grayish as it was. Plus, it was set at a crooked angle.

If nothing else, I think I'm done with using Etsy!

PS - sorry for misspelling "cabochon" in the title of this thread--I was just copying the spelling of the vendor from whom I purchased the first ring.

PPS - Woweezowee kindly introduced me to Barry of AC Stones and maybe I'll buy a stone and have a ring made. I'm not sure I want to deal with the process of having something set though!

\

Aww I'm sorry @BlueGlow.sad And yes Barry of AC Stones is a real gem from what I hear so good luck!

 

[BlueGlow]

Thanks, Missy!