Frustration over ctw discrepancy - advice?

[Mreader]

So I splurged on a deco line bracelet that was advertised as 9ct. It’s 6.75 inches w 31 stones and 5.5 mm wide. I got it and thought “huh I expected a bit more “oomph”. I’ve tried on these before in 8 ct max and they looked bigger. But then again 31 stones spread across 9 ct so maybe it’s correct? Then I started measuring the stones which as we know is hard when they are set. But the largest ones are maybe 3.8 -( 4 if being generous) and the smallest close to the clasp are 2.5 - 2.8. Even if they were all 4mm which they aren’t; that’s roughly.25 ct which would be 7.75 max. They are a mix of euros and trannys so I don’t think extra depth would acct for it.

Anyway I had been emailing and texting vendor prior to purchase. Their policy is a 3.25 restock fee because of credit card charges. I was willing to take that risk. But now I don’t think I should be charged the restock fee if the item is not as described and so I wrote a message explaining my math and saying I would like to return it, but I don’t want to be charged or restock.

I waited the rest of day and didn’t hear back from them, though it was later their time. So finally, I did send them a text message and the text message wasn’t as thorough as the email; and I just said I received the bracelet but it’s not 9 carat and would like to return. In the text message I told him I sent him an email with more details.

They did text me back and said this “The weight is the diamonds is estimated as is the standard. We follow GIA standards for diamond measurement, not sure how you arrived to the conclusion that it is not approximately 9 carats.” They said that they would reach out to me on Monday, which is when they reopen.

So either they did not read the email about the math or ignored it.

The frustrating thing is that the bracelet is really gorgeous. Were it advertised as six ct and priced as such maybe I would keep it.

Anyway, I’m just venting a little bit, but I also put this in RT in case anybody thinks that my measurements are off or if there’s a different way to measure.

There was no paperwork or appraisal with the item. It was just an invoice that said nine ct line bracelet.

And by the way, I will not leave you guys hanging. I will share the vendor, but I’m gonna wait until it’s resolved. I will say that it’s not somebody that I see come up on PS.

Here’s a photo.

 

[newtojewels]

No advice here but following because that's really quite the discrepancy. I hope this is resolved reasonably for you!

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Oh it is pretty! I do not have any advice but I hope you are able to come to a reasonable compromise for both parties.

 

[maryjane04]

Oh gosh how do they follow GIA standards? It's laughable that a <3mm mrb is 0.1ct if I'm being generous. I really hope you get a good outcome and able to return it without charges. I'm shocked they didn't have an appraisal.

 

[Mreader]

No advice here but following because that's really quite the discrepancy. I hope this is resolved reasonably for you!

Yes, it is and I guess what I’m trying to ask is am I crazy? Like I’m doing my math correct right?

 

[Lookinagain]

Did you buy it directly from the vendor or through a third party seller like Ebay? Only asking because that may affect the return.

 

[lovedogs]

Those stones look relatively easy to measure, so rhe discrepancy seems unacceptable IMHO

 

[Mreader]

Did you buy it directly from the vendor or through a third party seller like Ebay? Only asking because that may affect the return.

Direct.

 

[LilAlex]

The frustrating thing is that the bracelet is really gorgeous. Were it advertised as six ct and priced as such maybe I would keep it.

Having been in this situation more than once and not reacted, I recommend returning it promptly -- even with a 3% restocking fee. In my experience, it's hard to get that stink off of it when you feel you have been taken advantage of.

In contrast, I still smile when I look at the things that I probably paid too much for but had a wonderful experience with the seller. (Not saying that overpaying is the answer; this rule does not hold for bargains -- if I struggle with a vendor but thought I ultimately "did OK," I'm fine with that, too.)

Others here have also taught me to avoid "learning to love" something that disappoints in the first few minutes. (May or may not apply to humans -- YMMV.)

 

[Rfisher]

‘add 20% for old cuts’ has been told to me before by a vendor that also noticeably overestimated via modern mm to cw on mostly large table low crown old cuts.
(Using 4mm (even tho you said it’s a stretch) on all & adding the 20% gets them to 9ct, for your bracelet so that means whomever estimated for the listing is lackadaisical, ignorant, or worse is devious)

I’d suggest requesting a phone call on Monday, and sending a photo with your measurements attached - plainly indicating the ends tapering to 2.5-2.8, while you are on the phone with them to discuss the math, and negotiate.



Hope it works out for whichever makes you happy most!

 

[lovedogs]

Having been in this situation more than once and not reacted, I recommend returning it promptly -- even with a 3% restocking fee. In my experience, it's hard to get that stink off of it when you feel you have been taken advantage of.

In contrast, I still smile when I look at the things that I probably paid too much for but had a wonderful experience with the seller. (Not saying that overpaying is the answer; this rule does not hold for bargains -- if I struggle with a vendor but thought I ultimately "did OK," I'm fine with that, too.)

Others here have also taught me to avoid "learning to love" something that disappoints in the first few minutes. (May or may not apply to humans -- YMMV.)

I've never once "learned to love" jewelery or stones. If i don't love it immediately, i won't ever. I agree 100%

 

[Mreader]

Having been in this situation more than once and not reacted, I recommend returning it promptly -- even with a 3% restocking fee. In my experience, it's hard to get that stink off of it when you feel you have been taken advantage of.

In contrast, I still smile when I look at the things that I probably paid too much for but had a wonderful experience with the seller. (Not saying that overpaying is the answer; this rule does not hold for bargains -- if I struggle with a vendor but thought I ultimately "did OK," I'm fine with that, too.)

Others here have also taught me to avoid "learning to love" something that disappoints in the first few minutes. (May or may not apply to humans -- YMMV.)

It just bothers me to pay 3% when the item was misrepresented - it’s like paying a few hundred dollars just to look at something. That would be ok if it were “I just don’t like it”. But this is different. I already requested a return. I’m fine to wait until Monday bc it’s within the time period of a return.

Edit - it’s beautiful and sparkly so it pains me, but like you said it would bother me that I have been told something that’s not correct. So it also depends on how they are on Monday I suppose.

 

[lovedogs]

It just bothers me to pay 3% when the item was misrepresented - it’s like paying a few hundred dollars just to look at something. That would be ok if it were “I just don’t like it”. But this is different. I already requested a return. I’m fine to wait until Monday bc it’s within the time period of a return.

Agreed. It doesn't seem fair to pay 3% if the issue is with the description itself vs you changing y0ur mind or not liking it IRL

 

[Mreader]

‘add 20% for old cuts’ has been told to me before by a vendor that also noticeably overestimated via modern mm to cw on mostly large table low crown old cuts.
(Using 4mm (even tho you said it’s a stretch) on all & adding the 20% gets them to 9ct, for your bracelet so that means whomever estimated for the listing is lackadaisical, ignorant, or worse is devious)

I’d suggest requesting a phone call on Monday, and sending a photo with your measurements attached - plainly indicating the ends tapering to 2.5-2.8, while you are on the phone with them to discuss the math, and negotiate.



Hope it works out for whichever makes you happy most!

Yes and these are some old euro but lots of Transitionals so there aren’t lots of stone w super high crowns.

Today I’m going to measure each stone to get a more exact idea.

 

[lala646]

I would argue strongly for them to waive the return fee. Like you said, it's not a matter of your preference, it's a discrepancy in the description. They did not sell you what was promised (even using overly generous estimates).

 

[Mreader]

Update I’m going blind over here

 

[lulu_ma]

Aargh-I’m just so affronted on your behalf!

 

[newtojewels]

Update I’m going blind over here

Nothing looking like 4mm yet!

 

[stracci2000]

It's a fabulous bracelet, but overstating the stone weight by over 1.25 ct. is very uncool.

 

[Mreader]

The largest stone I found is 4mm (and spready) and quite a few are 3.4-3.8. The smaller ones on the ends are 2.4-2.8. I did some rudimentary math and if it's was 2.6 -2.8 I just did 10 points even though with mrb it's more like .06-.08; for 3.1 15 pts; 3.3-3.4 20 points, 3.5 - 4.0 25 points. I realize that is far from scientific but if I use those numbers I get 5.20 ctw.

 

[maryjane04]

The largest stone I found is 4mm (and spready) and quite a few are 3.4-3.8. The smaller ones on the ends are 2.4-2.8. I did some rudimentary math and if it's was 2.6 -2.8 I just did 10 points even though with mrb it's more like .06-.08; for 3.1 15 pts; 3.3-3.4 20 points, 3.5 - 4.0 25 points. I realize that is far from scientific but if I use those numbers I get 5.20 ctw.

Wow so that's a real gross over representation. 5ctw vs 9ctw that they advertised! It's unacceptable really.

 

[Mreader]

Wow so that's a real gross over representation. 5ctw vs 9ctw that they advertised! It's unacceptable really.

Well my math was not the most scientific but even if I put 2 more cts on top of that it's still lower than what they said. So I knew in my gut it was not 9 just right out of the box really, but I am glad I did some measuring and calculating to verify.

 

[newtojewels]

Return return return! They won't drop the price enough to make it mind clean, at least in my opinion. I really hope they'll waive the fee because that's ridiculous.

And take a look at this perfect sanity check from Lang: https://www.langantiques.com/mid-20th-century-diamond-line-bracelet.html

 

[SparklieBug]

It's beautiful but...would you keep it if the vendor refunded you for the difference between what they charged, and a 5cttw bracelet?

 

[chere]

The largest stone I found is 4mm (and spready) and quite a few are 3.4-3.8. The smaller ones on the ends are 2.4-2.8. I did some rudimentary math and if it's was 2.6 -2.8 I just did 10 points even though with mrb it's more like .06-.08; for 3.1 15 pts; 3.3-3.4 20 points, 3.5 - 4.0 25 points. I realize that is far from scientific but if I use those numbers I get 5.20 ctw.

I had 3.6mm OECs and they were about 18.5 pts.

5.2ctw is probably generous. I would return.

 

[Mreader]

Return return return! They won't drop the price enough to make it mind clean, at least in my opinion. I really hope they'll waive the fee because that's ridiculous.

And take a look at this perfect sanity check from Lang: https://www.langantiques.com/mid-20th-century-diamond-line-bracelet.html

These are MRB though and 14 K instead of plat.

 

[Mreader]

It's beautiful but...would you keep it if the vendor refunded you for the difference between what they charged, and a 5cttw bracelet?

I am unsure of your question. As in they refunded me the difference between what would be a nine ct and a five ?

 

[newtojewels]

These are MRB though and 14 K instead of plat.

Sorry, I meant as a carat weight sanity check, not as an alternative purchase! I believe your math, but it's always helpful for me to see something similar from someone I trust. Lang is obviously trustworthy! I thought it might be helpful to you too to support what you're thinking in your caliper adventures.

 

[Mreader]

Sorry, I meant as a carat weight sanity check, not as an alternative purchase! I believe your math, but it's always helpful for me to see something similar from someone I trust. Lang is obviously trustworthy! I thought it might be helpful to you too to support what you're thinking in your caliper adventures.

Ah yes I understand now! TY!

 

[Dreamer_D]

I own two OECs that are 3.8mm and each is .21ct. If that helps!