Ed Bristol /Wildfish Gems closing down

[Rfisher]

Usually it’s considered poor form and uncouth to post an email - but I’m sure this will be ok.



Whatever feelings are there about the man /his business /his gems
Good/bad/indifferent

No one deserves theft and deceit.
Coming or going.

 

[Rfisher]

If he’s got gems of yours, or payments for something to ship, or ‘investments’ from you,

I’m truly sorry.

 

[kenny]

The wildfishgems.com's website is still up.
The homepage says, "This website is closing down after real world robbery. We cannot fill orders. No joke.".

Below is the screen capture I just took.
Since the site may vanish soon, this documentation may be helpful to someone.
FWIW it show date and time, in California time, that I captured the image.

 

[kenny]

Here's contact info from the bottom of wildfishgems.com





FWIW here's the top of the homepage of Ed Bristol's personal site, which he listed above:

 

[T L]

Name should probably be removed from vendor list sticky.

Thoughts?

 

[RRfromR]

This is terrible. So, is my understanding correct that he had items in consignment? Fingers crossed for fast insurance payments.

 

[Catmom]

How awful.

 

[Rfisher]

Insurance?
Doesn’t sound like it, or it’s majorly underwritten on his part with personal and business(es?) bankruptcy.

If one had personal insurance on their own item in Wildfish’s possession - don’t know how that works with 3rd party consignments, possibly in another country- and with possibility of your item moving between different locations, again multiple countries. IDK?

I’d also hope those with losses received an earlier personal notice of the robbery, evidence, and police investigation. It kinda doesn’t sound like it, in reading the email though?

I imagine the people who opted to invest in co-owning pricey stones for possible future gains with Mr. Bristol and others are the biggest losers in funds.

This is terrible. So, is my understanding correct that he had items in consignment? Fingers crossed for fast insurance payments.

 

[Lisa Loves Shiny]

It's a terrible situation for Ed. Sounds like the robbery was sophisticated, in that they went through the roof, bypassing the alarm system and cameras. Hopefully the police find and prosecute who did this. Incredibly sad that people who had gems on consignment may suffer the loss as well.

 

[VividRed]

Deeply saddened by this

 

[autumngems]

Sounds to me like they know who it might be.
"Since I know the new owner of our gems is getting this letter" ?

 

[elle_71125]

How awful! I can't imagine what they are going through with such a devastating blow. One selfish act by said robber and someone is left without their livelihood, without hope. My thoughts and prayers are with them and anyone else that experienced loss as a result of the theft.

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

Absolutely horrid and doubly so that it was someone he knew. Just really low.
I hope he and his clients able to recoup some losses.

 

[qubitasaurus]

That is mildly horrific. I'm shocked there was no insurance on any of the items in inventory/consigned.

 

[Grymera]

That is mildly horrific. I'm shocked there was no insurance on any of the items in inventory/consigned.

Yeah... he said it was because they're in Europe and not the US but surely there's reputable insurance options in the EU?

 

[Rfisher]

I saw he has a listing up on LT earlier this morning.

No proof - but I don’t get good vibes from it. In multiple ways.

It makes me wonder how bankruptcy laws and procedures are handled in what country he’s physically located in. Or incorporated in.

 

[vintageinjune]

Oh, that just makes one physically ill to read, doesn't it?

I cannot even begin to speculate on the insurance/lack thereof and what it means for those who had gems on consignment. What a gut punch in so many respects.

 

[Lisa Loves Shiny]

I saw he has a listing up on LT earlier this morning.

No proof - but I don’t get good vibes from it. In multiple ways.

It makes me wonder how bankruptcy laws and procedures are handled in what country he’s physically located in. Or incorporated in.

I know. I was going to inquire but any inquiry gives the receiver your email address. Then there would be the matter of payment. Maybe I'm just paranoid. Ideally he could liquidate what he has left to help recover from the theft both on his part and for those who had gems on consignment.

 

[qubitasaurus]

Yeah... he said it was because they're in Europe and not the US but surely there's reputable insurance options in the EU?

I'm a bit surprised, maybe the EU insurance is simply very expensive. I find it hard to believe that all the european jewelers have absolutely no insurance -- there's no way the ones with millions on memo from other sellers have nothing to cover loss (theyd never be allowed to hold onto the inventory).

Still I think I would have been paranoid enough to store the majority of it in a bank vault if I decided I couldn't realistically insure it. Especially the investment style items I was going to hold for a long time, no way I would have been keeping it all in my house -- if for no other reason than I would have been concerned about personal safety for my kids sake.

 

[Sunstorm]

It depends where in the EU. Where I am located, Insurance is virtually non-existent. You can imagine how difficult that makes working with gems. Some countries have really good Insurance though. We do not know the details. This is heartwrenching though.

 

[MissyBeaucoup]

I really enjoyed reading Ed’s website and learning about gemstones from his enthusiastic voice. I’m so sorry this happened to him.

 

[MizLiz]

I worked with Ed for a year on an alex ring and love his writing. This is heartbreaking. Can't stand thieves. I hope someone rats on them. Disgusting!