Disappointed with purchase.

[Mjay]

Ok I need some advice. I purchased a gemstone at a sale price. The sales stipulations were all sales final. I asked the vendor for videos of the stone and obviously saw pictures as well. I received the stone today and I absolutely hate it. It looks nothing like the videos or pictures. Nothing. I’ve looked at it in different lights and I could cry. It was not a cheap stone and I feel sick about it. I knew and accepted the stipulations of the sale, but this literally looks nothing like the pictures. Is it worth it to have a conversation with the vendor or do I need to just accept it and let it go? It’s an awkward conversation and the vendor will probably say no but I’m so upset because of how different it looks. I feel so upset and I don’t know what to do so looking for advice.

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

Speak to the vendor. You have nothing to lose. Worst thing that happens is they will say no. You seem very upset by this so it’s definitely worth a shot to minimise your angst (if possible).

I wonder if they used a pen light. I now know the pen light trick and I’ve seen so many blue sapphires that have been improved by having a pen light shone on them.

 

[Mjay]

Speak to the vendor. You have nothing to lose. Worst thing that happens is they will say no. You seem very upset by this so it’s definitely worth a shot to minimise your angst (if possible).

I wonder if they used a pen light. I now know the pen light trick and I’ve seen so many blue sapphires that have been improved by having a pen light shone on them.

Thank you. I just sent the vendor an email. I feel like the discrepancy is so extreme that it’s justifiable. It doesn’t even look like the same stone.

 

[Avondale]

I was gonna say the same. What do you stand to lose? I'm going to assume that at this point you've lost trust in the vendor, as anyone would after such gross misrepresentation. Worst that could happen is nothing happens.

On the other hand, if you do try, and the vendor acknowledges the misrepresentation, you get out of an unpleasant situation, and the vendor regains some trust.

And here's something else. The "no returns" condition applies because there was a discount. If what you received does not reasonably resemble what you ordered, then you have a full right to complain and request a refund. Look at your local laws, too. For example, in the EU this wouldn't fly. I suppose in the US you could open a dispute with your credit card company?

 

[seaurchin]

I would not consider a "no returns" policy valid or reasonable when the stone is not as advertised. If the vendor doesn't return your money, I'd file a claim with your credit card company or PayPal, if you paid through them and otherwise let the vendor know they will receive poor reviews if they don't proceed with the refund. If possible, save the vendor photos to help your case.

 

[Mjay]

I was gonna say the same. What do you stand to lose? I'm going to assume that at this point you've lost trust in the vendor, as anyone would after such gross misrepresentation. Worst that could happen is nothing happens.

On the other hand, if you do try, and the vendor acknowledges the misrepresentation, you get out of an unpleasant situation, and the vendor regains some trust.

And here's something else. The "no returns" condition applies because there was a discount. If what you received does not reasonably resemble what you ordered, then you have a full right to complain and request a refund. Look at your local laws, too. For example, in the EU this wouldn't fly. I suppose in the US you could open a dispute with your credit card company?

Thank you. This is my fourth purchase from this vendor and I have been happy with all of my other purchases. I have never asked to return anything before so this is awkward for me. I’ve had a lot going on lately, and this was supposed to be a “pick me up” purchase so I think that is making me even more emotional about my disappointment. I am hoping that the vendor will be willing to work with me, but if not, I will post pictures of what I ordered and what I received later. At the very least, maybe I can get some recommendations on how to set it if I’m stuck with it.

 

[dk168]

I too would challenge the vendor with photos of my own side by side to the ones provided by the vendor; perhaps with a video too.

I appreciate CSs could look different in different lighting, red Garnets particularly for me.

I stopped buying red Garnets from one particular vendor as I could see brown in the ones I bought. Luckily they were my learner stones and did not cost a lot of money.

Good luck!

DK

 

[Mjay]

I too would challenge the vendor with photos of my own side by side to the ones provided by the vendor; perhaps with a video too.

I appreciate CSs could look different in different lighting, red Garnets particularly for me.

I stopped buying red Garnets from one particular vendor as I could see brown in the ones I bought. Luckily they were my learner stones and did not cost a lot of money.

Good luck!

DK

Thank you. I’ve already emailed but I should definitely send pictures as well I receive a response. I think if the vendor sees my pictures, they will be more understanding of how I’m feeling. I have noticed that a lot of the gemstones that I have purchased look different in my California lighting. I have a beautiful umba sapphire that I purchased from France. The vendors’ pictures and videos showed a lot of pink. I have never been able to get it to go pink. It’s still beautiful though and I love it. This particular stone was supposed to be purple and is entirely dark gray. There is zero purple in any lighting. It also has some windowing that was definitely not visible in the photos and videos.

 

[Mreader]

Thank you. This is my fourth purchase from this vendor and I have been happy with all of my other purchases. I have never asked to return anything before so this is awkward for me. I’ve had a lot going on lately, and this was supposed to be a “pick me up” purchase so I think that is making me even more emotional about my disappointment. I am hoping that the vendor will be willing to work with me, but if not, I will post pictures of what I ordered and what I received later. At the very least, maybe I can get some recommendations on how to set it if I’m stuck with it.

It’s good that this is your fourth purchase - I am hopeful that means the vendor will work with you because they probably would not want to lose a customer like that. Good luck to you! I have felt this way before as well and it is very upsetting.

 

[Avondale]

I’m starting to get a nagging suspicion and I’ll be extremely surprised if it ends up being correct. Surely, that would be too unlikely…

 

[LightBright]

I’m sorry about this. Please contact your credit card company to dispute the charge if you don’t resolve with the vendor.

My experience: I purchased a (claimed in title and in description to be) tourmaline ring that was “no returns” on Etsy.

It arrived and it was clearly a glass filled ruby, with extreme flourescence. After first talking to vendor who couldn’t care less, then Etsy who insultingly sided with the vendor who continued to blatantly lie and have zero sympathy that I didn’t get a pink tourmaline as written, I contacted my credit card company and they believed me and refunded the money.

SO that’s a route you could try. But try the vendor first. I’m sure they prefer happy customers.

 

[Mreader]

I’m starting to get a nagging suspicion and I’ll be extremely surprised if it ends up being correct. Surely, that would be too unlikely…

??

 

[Avondale]

??

Nuh-uh, I'm not pointing fingers when I could very well be extremely wrong.

I'm probably wrong. I'll share my theory once it's disproved.

 

[Mreader]

Nuh-uh, I'm not pointing fingers when I could very well be extremely wrong.

I'm probably wrong. I'll share my theory once it's disproved.

Oh, you’re saying you might know who the vendor is. I didn’t really understand it at all; hence the question mark.

 

[Mjay]

I’m starting to get a nagging suspicion and I’ll be extremely surprised if it ends up being correct. Surely, that would be too unlikely…

I have a feeling you are correct in your suspicions because it is indeed quite surprising.

 

[Mjay]

I’m feeling very confused at this point and wondering, could the lighting conditions have such an extreme effect on color? I saw multiple pictures and asked for extra videos of this stone but what I received is so dramatically different. I can’t even begin to get it to look like the vendor’s photos and videos and I have been trying all day. Could there be such a difference in lighting there vs here that could totally affect the color.

 

[Dreamer_D]

I live in a norther latitude and have found many of the gems I have bought look quite different from vendor pictures. No dramatic but blues and pinks always look more purple where I live. So if you are in a different latitude it could account for the difference. EDIT I just expect the difference now.

 

[Dr_Diesel]

I’m feeling very confused at this point and wondering, could the lighting conditions have such an extreme effect on color? I saw multiple pictures and asked for extra videos of this stone but what I received is so dramatically different. I can’t even begin to get it to look like the vendor’s photos and videos and I have been trying all day. Could there be such a difference in lighting there vs here that could totally affect the color.

Lighting does not affect color saturation, and I think that's the issue here. Lighting will not turn gray into purple or vice-versa. In spinel, yes. You will can more of a shift. In sapphire, no.

 

[Avondale]

I have a feeling you are correct in your suspicions because it is indeed quite surprising.

An inconspicuous way to check occurred to me.

Did you spend just a little under 2,7k?

 

[Mjay]

Vendor responded and was completely accommodating and understanding so I was definitely worked up and overreacted for nothing. Returns can be quite uncomfortable and other than an impulse JTV purchase; this is my first gemstone return. I still trust this vendor and am thankful for how kindly they handled it. I do think that lighting differences from the vendors location to mine in CA are to blame. It was a shifty spinel and will probably be my last spinel purchase. I think I’ll stick with sapphires.

 

[Dr_Diesel]

Vendor responded and was completely accommodating and understanding so I was definitely worked up and overreacted for nothing. Returns can be quite uncomfortable and other than an impulse JTV purchase; this is my first gemstone return. I still trust this vendor and am thankful for how kindly they handled it. I do think that lighting differences from the vendors location to mine in CA are to blame. It was a shifty spinel and will probably be my last spinel purchase. I think I’ll stick with sapphires.

Aaaah. Yes, this explains a lot. In my mind, somehow I thought we were talking about a sapphire. This makes a lot of sense with purple spinel. It’s a common issue. I’m glad to hear the vendor was accommodating!

 

[Mjay]

Aaaah. Yes, this explains a lot. In my mind, somehow I thought we were talking about a sapphire. This makes a lot of sense with purple spinel. It’s a common issue. I’m glad to hear the vendor was accommodating!

I had no idea spinel was so moody. Lesson learned. I’ve never hated a stone so much. I cried when I opened it. I saw zero purple only dark grey

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

I had no idea spinel was so moody. Lesson learned. I’ve never hated a stone so much. I cried when I opened it. I saw zero purple only dark grey

Ugh! Some spinels are the pits for being shifty.

I had sooo much angst about this one. It is a lovely colour most of the time but it shifts and because it shifts I always think I might as well just buy tourmaline! No more spinels for me!

Saving grace is I keep sticking it in my hair so cost per wear is dropping.

 

[Dr_Diesel]

Ugh! Some spinels are the pits for being shifty.

I had sooo much angst about this one. It is a lovely colour most of the time but it shifts and because it shifts I always think I might as well just buy tourmaline! No more spinels for me!

Saving grace is I keep sticking it in my hair so cost per wear is dropping.

I find spinel frustrating for the same reason.

With regard to tourmaline, you need to be wary with that as well. Pink tourmaline, especially the material from Afghanistan, is pretty shifty as well.

The old-stock Brazilian pink tourmaline/rubellite is more color stable, but it’s harder to find these days.

 

[dk168]

Lighting type and condition do not affect the size, shape, cut quality and finish of a CS IMHO.

The learner Garnets I mentioned all met the physical attributes as mentioned except for the colour in that I could see brown in them.

DK

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

I find spinel frustrating for the same reason.

With regard to tourmaline, you need to be wary with that as well. Pink tourmaline, especially the material from Afghanistan, is pretty shifty as well.

The old-stock Brazilian pink tourmaline/rubellite is more color stable, but it’s harder to find these days.

I find it super annoying to pay so much more for something that shifts as much as tourmaline! And it’s only 0.5 harder on Mohs. And it’s so expensive! Baffles me why people bother to buy it in blue! Sapphire all the way for blues!

Haha sorry that was a rant!

 

[dk168]

I purchased a Spinel from a well-known and liked vendor, listed and sold to me as a "Mahenge".

I am not going to lie when I say I was disappointed to find the CS I received was not as saturated and lively as the vendor's listing photos, and it was quite a substantial purchase.

However, all the physical attributes of the CS I received were the same as described in the listing, so I put it down to bad luck with the lighting as I knew Spinels can shift in different lights.

That was the last time I purchased from this vendor as I had this nagging feeling that I could not trust their photos when it comes to colours.

When buying online with CSs unseen except for photos and videos, I need to be able to trust the vendor's description of the colour. Hence I only work with two lapidary artists in the past 5 years or so, namely Jeff White and Gary Braun of Finewater Gems, and have met them both at Tucson 2023.

DK

 

[Bron357]

That’s disappointing for you.
It’s sort of like how the jewellery you buy from a shop never looks so pretty anywhere else. This is because jewellery store spend ALOT on their lighting.
So with photos and videos it’s possible that settings and light source make a big difference.
That said, some gems just don’t photograph as the eye sees it.
If your gem is purple, with less light intensity (be that geographical or camera setting) it will tone towards a murky grey.
I guess this is why it’s best to always deal with a seller who will let you return.
With this purchase, hopefully the seller will take into account your past purchases and inclination towards more purchases if he assists you by accepting a return.
You aren’t “a tyre kicker” or an unreasonable buyer, you are just disappointed with the fact that it doesn’t look as you expected in real life.
Fingers crossed.

 

[Rfisher]

If grey was what was predominant to your eye, I can see where the disappointment is, when looking for purple.
Especially if it wasn’t cheap.

Spinel is frustrating. I have empathy for vendors but don’t understand additional pictures showing that shift /desaturation/darkness isn’t included in listings especially for non cheap stones.
Because there’s someone out there (possibly) looking for a moody sultry grey that will pass it by because ‘purple’ is in the listing.


Glad it worked out for you in the end @Mjay !

 

[Mreader]

I’m so glad you were able to return!