I must have an e-ring Curse! What else could go wrong?

[Jas12]

I've posted on and off about my dramatic journey to simply put an engagement ring on my finger. Just when I thought it was ending, a new horrific chapter began to unfold, and I just had to share this one with all of you. You can let me know if i am over-reacting, or justifiably angry

Here is the Coles notes version: ( even it's looong):

Jan '05--> boy flies to USA (we are Canadian) to pick up a ring. Get engaged with a custom 'Lucida style' radiant ring..noticed that the X prongs were wobbly and uneven/wrong size --decided to redesign ring
Feb '06--> after a long wait, ring comes back wrong size, channel set pave band (not as requested) tiffany 4-prong (requested basket setting), not set in pure platinum...very very dissapointed about this
March--> think; do research on pricescope etc. notice that this particular jeweller has a BAD record and possibly diamond fraud charges. Yikes--decide to return ring
May-->finally receive full refund for original ring--start to work 'from scratch' to choose new ring. Visit a private jeweler & Michael B. retailer and LUV the quality--decide to order Michael B. band
June--> things sour with the new jeweler when we decide not to buy the new diamond from him (showed us certs for princess stones when i specified cushion cut, lied on various occasions, total, utter lack of customer service skills) Could NOT believe we were running into problems again!
July-->constant struggles with jeweler (too many things to list), make dozens of trips to another city 4 hrs away to deal with this!
August-->Buy stone from another jeweler, just need to get it set and BE DONE WITH IT!
Sept. -->bring stone to Michael B. retailer (as instructed by Michael b.) even though we did not want to work with the jeweler anymore--takes a week to set it
We again drive * hrs to deliver and pick up the ring

When we arrive to pick it up this is the craftsmanship we receive…what do you guys think?

 

[belle]

i would send the pic to michael b and ask them if it is acceptable work since they are the ones that insisted that you go this retailer.

 

[cpster]

The tops of the prongs look strange to me. Shouldn''t they look more like this? Is that what''s bothering you?

 

[Jas12]

another pic...

 

[~*Alexis*~]

the prongs look bent, they are uneven and they look like they were pounded with a rubber mallet. I would bring the ring to Michael B and then talk to them and have them do it personally, either that or take the ring someplace else and see what they would charge to fix it. I am not sure that is not even fixable without disassembling the entire ring and starting from scratch. Horrible workman ship! After bringing the ring back, i would demand a full refund. Then I would send it to whiteflash.

 

[Kaleigh]

Yikes something is funky with thise prongs, tips etc... I''d contact MB, and send them a pic as belle advised. I''m so sorry, gorgeous cushion though!!!!

 

[FireGoddess]

Oh HECK no the prong job is hideous. I'd do as belle said and call up Michael B, send the picture to them and ask if that's the kind of work they recommend. There is no way I'd accept the ring like that.

ETA: GORGEOUS cushion...

 

[february2003bride]

First, beautiful cushion!

Second, not only do the prongs look like crap (sorry) but it looks like the head is mounted crooked?

 

[Jas12]

ok, first off--thanks, you confirm that i am not seeing things.
and thanks for the cushion compliments--i love it as well

the jewelers had the audacity to take out their loupes and pretend to strain themselves looking for my complaint. It is SO obvious to the naked eye--it actually looks worse in person i(f that is possible)

I do not want to send it back to this particular jeweler for repairs (i mean, why would i trust them?) but the jeweler is making a HUGE fuss, and charging me $500 to send it to Michael B. thru him.....i may just bring it to another trusted jeweler....i am so fed up

 

[Kaleigh]

I''d contact Bill Pearlman, he sells the MB line. www.pearlmans.com I''d love to know what he has to say.

 

[Murr4168]

I''m so sorry you''re having so many issues!! Hopefully they will all be resolved soon.

Your cushion is gorgeous though! I''m thinking that may be the shape I want to go with. Do you have any more pictures of the stone or specs on it? Thanks!

 

[Oleander]

I agree about the poor craftmanship and hope you get it resolved.

I am confused, though. I thought that if one purchased a Michael B ring, then the Michael B company would be making it. Would such an expensive designer like that allow this ring to get through quality inspection? Or does the individual jeweler make the ring themselves with Michael B parts? Therein lies my confusion about the comments about asking Michael B if he approves work like this. If "he" made it, then it must have passed inspection there, right? Or is it a case of a ring slipping through the cracks somehow?

Someone set me right about this, please.

Thanks.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

What is very confusing to me is that most designers that I know of set the stones themselves...Tacori, Ritani, Vatche, etc. The local jeweler does NOT set the stone in most cases. So I''d want to know, was Michael B supposed to get your stone and custom make the setting? I wouldn''t spend thousands for a Michael B setting unless it was a custom job where they were setting the stone at Michael B. So something does not add up here.

 

[Oleander]

Date: 10/5/2006 5:41:16 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
What is very confusing to me is that most designers that I know of set the stones themselves...Tacori, Ritani, Vatche, etc. The local jeweler does NOT set the stone in most cases. So I''d want to know, was Michael B supposed to get your stone and custom make the setting? I wouldn''t spend thousands for a Michael B setting unless it was a custom job where they were setting the stone at Michael B. So something does not add up here.

This is exactly what I was thinking and questioning above. Just couldn''t articulate it well.

 

[bling*diva*]

~~At first I thought it was just me, but the prongs look crooked, and uneven... I love the diamond though!!

 

[onedrop]

After all you have been through, I am bummed FOR you. Wow. I would avoid having to go through that jeweler at all. Clearly there are issues there. I have to agree with Kaleigh who suggested contacting Bill Pearlman. And I would go further to contact Michael B, to alert them about the shoddy work of the jeweler.

I am frustrated and it''s not even my ring. To mess up the setting of a great looking cushion AND to flatten the prongs and a beautiful Michael B setting is just crazy! Good luck with remedying the situation!

 

[mrssalvo]

Date: 10/5/2006 5:41:16 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
What is very confusing to me is that most designers that I know of set the stones themselves...Tacori, Ritani, Vatche, etc. The local jeweler does NOT set the stone in most cases. So I''d want to know, was Michael B supposed to get your stone and custom make the setting? I wouldn''t spend thousands for a Michael B setting unless it was a custom job where they were setting the stone at Michael B. So something does not add up here.

I agree. I''m pretty sure Pearlmans at least would not set any stone into a designer setting. he''s says that''s usually when they get messed up and he always recommends sending the ring to the designer. I hope he chimes in.

Jas, I''m so sorry for your ordeal, it shouldn''t be this hard or tramatizing

. I would definitely email the pictures to Michael b, I don''t think they would be happy at all to have such poor workmanship associated with their name. For the money you paid for that setting it should have been delivered to you perfect. it''s unexceptable IMO. please keep us posted.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I agree with MrsS that you need to contact Michael B directly and show him the pictures. (I do not feel that it would be fair to involve someone like Bill Pearlman when he did not sell the ring. He shouldn't have to take up his time negotiating with Michael B on the repair or replacement of this ring. But if you return the ring, then Bill would be great to go through to get a new one!)

 

[onedrop]

Diamondseeker: Good point! Bill had no part in this debacle. Pearlman''s might however be an option if you return the damaged setting to the original jeweler and want to start over.

 

[Jas12]

Hi Guys

Thanks for the input. I''ll clear up some confusion...

Michael B. has NOT seen the set diamond. They made the mounting with ''open prongs'' and shipped it to canada (where i live). The reason they did not set it for me is b/c I did not buy the diamond from the Michael B. retailer (i''ll call him Mr. x ).there were many reasons why i did not want to buy a diamond from Mr. x--best not to get into it at this point! Since Mr. x is the only dealer for this setting, i had no choice but to go elsewhere and get a diamond
(NB: this was AFTER I had ordered and paid for the settings and hoped i would be getting the stone through Mr. x)

I inquired about having the cushion sent directly to MB so they could set it, but MB cannot receive a stone from anyone but an authorized dealer. MB said that they would get Mr. X to do us a ''favor'' and set the stone. Some favor! I know this is not MB''s fault, and they do not know what has happened yet--i am just trying to decide if i should contact them directly or try to resolve this somewhat amicably

 

[Kaleigh]

Date: 10/5/2006 6:33:48 PM
Author: onedrop
Diamondseeker: Good point! Bill had no part in this debacle. Pearlman''s might however be an option if you return the damaged setting to the original jeweler and want to start over.

Gosh I hope you guys didn''t think I wanted Bill involved in this debacle. I just meant he would be a great source of info, and if you want to start over do so with him.

 

[Cehrabehra]

Date: 10/5/2006 4:59:03 PM
Author: Jas12
ok, first off--thanks, you confirm that i am not seeing things.
and thanks for the cushion compliments--i love it as well

the jewelers had the audacity to take out their loupes and pretend to strain themselves looking for my complaint. It is SO obvious to the naked eye--it actually looks worse in person i(f that is possible)

I do not want to send it back to this particular jeweler for repairs (i mean, why would i trust them?) but the jeweler is making a HUGE fuss, and charging me $500 to send it to Michael B. thru him.....i may just bring it to another trusted jeweler....i am so fed up

I wouldn''t send it to michael b *through* that jeweler... I''d do the email pic thing and maybe send it to michael b directly myself if that''s what was recommended by michael b.

 

[Kay]

Date: 10/5/2006 4:59:03 PM
Author: Jas12
ok, first off--thanks, you confirm that i am not seeing things.
and thanks for the cushion compliments--i love it as well

the jewelers had the audacity to take out their loupes and pretend to strain themselves looking for my complaint. It is SO obvious to the naked eye--it actually looks worse in person i(f that is possible)

I do not want to send it back to this particular jeweler for repairs (i mean, why would i trust them?) but the jeweler is making a HUGE fuss, and charging me $500 to send it to Michael B. thru him.....i may just bring it to another trusted jeweler....i am so fed up

Jas, so sorry to hear you are going through this. Those prongs are fugly -- your jeweler has some nerve to pretend they don''t see the problem. The tips look like they''ve been smooshed with a mallet, and from the picture it looks like the prongs are not evenly spaced around the stone. That is not a fitting throne for your gorgeous cushion! On the Michael B. pic from Pearlman''s site, the prongs look pointy and graceful and like they have a slight knife edge. I''m not sure your prongs can be re-shaped to look that good again -- I would want a whole new setting.

I can''t believe your jeweler has the audacity to try to charge you an additional $500 to send the ring to the manufacturer to be fixed. (That''s some expensive shipping and handling there.

) I agree with the idea of contacting Michael B. to show them pictures of what their recommended authorized retailer did to the setting -- it is not good advertising for their product. I am not sure what credit card company you use or what the consumer protection laws are like in Canada, but I would be tempted to try to cancel the charge for the setting through your cc company if the ring is not replaced or fixed to your satisfaction.

I wonder if jeweler X screwed up the setting job to punish you for buying your diamond elsewhere?

 

[reader]

I think Michael B should be made aware of this thread...this is a lot of bad press to come up in a Google search.

 

[onedrop]

Date: 10/5/2006 7:24:43 PM
Author: Kaleigh

Date: 10/5/2006 6:33:48 PM
Author: onedrop
Diamondseeker: Good point! Bill had no part in this debacle. Pearlman''s might however be an option if you return the damaged setting to the original jeweler and want to start over.

Gosh I hope you guys didn''t think I wanted Bill involved in this debacle. I just meant he would be a great source of info, and if you want to start over do so with him.

No Kaleigh! I did not think that at all.

I was more so chiming in with you because I thought maybe Bill could help. He knows all about Michael B''s designs, policies, etc. Although maybe it would be easier if Jas decided to take her business else where.

 

[Jas12]

I totally agree with the others--i would not involve Pealmans in this--it''s already complicated enough. But if it comes to the point where i have to get a whole new setting, i will for sure keep him in mind

the $500 dollar charge is to ship thru Mr. x using Brinks security. I was also told that i would have to pay duties, customs, taxes and tariffs on the FULL cost of my ring. Not sure where Mr. x is getting this info (it may in fact be true--but i can''t understand why??) When i had to send my last ring back to the US i paid nothing when it was returned to me b/c it was already purchased. I called customs to make sure, and this is exactly what they told me: "as long as you have the proof of shipping, showing that the ring was sent ''from'' canada already in one''s possession, you will only be charged for the cost of repairs, and not the cost of the product"
so, in fact it should only cost the amount needed to ship thru fedex (about $50)! The ONLY issue i can see is that Michael B. may want receipt, GIA reports etc to prove the diamond is real or something...i am not sure.


Aside: (just a rant)...
I am trying to see what my part in all of this was..where did i go wrong? With the 1st ring, my FI and I discussed marriage and i had read a book ''how to buy a diamond'' i thought it was good info ( i was so naive then) unbeknownst to be, my FI bought from that company--many PS are familiar with the owner. My FI of course THOUGHT he was doing the right thing. When we saw the history of that company and decided to return the ring, we again THOUGHT we were doing the right thing going with a well know, repuatable company like MB. Although MB isn''t really the problem we just did not expect that his retailer would be SO bad.
i also feel attacked b/c Mr. x thinks i brought this on myself saying things like quote: "every time you come in here you cause problems" ! I can''t see how I caused any of this directly--but i am guilty of trusting everyone that comes my way and not doing enough research...

 

[zhuzhu]

Definately have Miachael B. look at it and repair it. They would not want their reputation to be ruined by poor workmanship of some incompetent dealer......

 

[mrssalvo]

Jas don''t beat yourself up. it happens a lot unfortunately. there was a gal on here recently that had a workmanship problem with Tacori and her jeweler wasn''t going to bat for her. It''s too bad and I don''t understand why they wouldn''t put the customer first. Going through an authorized MB dealer should have been enough to have provided you with a gorgeous MB ring living up to the quality we know he''s capable of. I''m not sure why your jeweler didn''t send your stone to MB and have him set it or why MB said to take it to the retailer

. I would seriously email your story and the pictures to Michael B and whomever mentioned the bad rap in a google search brings up a great point. IMO, MB needs to step up and cover the shipping as well as doing whatever necessary to provide you with an acceptable/perfect setting.

 

[kcoursolle]

I''m so sorry you are going through this! How awful. Buying a ring should be a fun experience.

To be honest, your ring doesn''t even look like a michael b because the prongs are so off. The prongs look smooshed onto the diamond and don''t come to a point. If you are paying that kind of money for a michael b, you should get perfection.

Pearlman''s has an excellent reputation as everyone has mentioned. I''d return the ring, and go with pearlmans...and get this stuff over with!!!

 

[mrssalvo]

Date: 10/5/2006 7:05:56 PM
Author: Jas12.


Michael B. has NOT seen the set diamond. They made the mounting with 'open prongs' and shipped it to canada (where i live). The reason they did not set it for me is b/c I did not buy the diamond from the Michael B. retailer


I inquired about having the cushion sent directly to MB so they could set it, but MB cannot receive a stone from anyone but an authorized dealer. MB said that they would get Mr. X to do us a 'favor' and set the stone. Some favor! I know this is not MB's fault, and they do not know what has happened yet--i am just trying to decide if i should contact them directly or try to resolve this somewhat amicably

Just rereading this thread this morning and this is confusing me a bit. There are several Pricescopers who didn't buy their stones from Michael B retailers and have sent the stones to Pearlmans or another MB retailer and they were sent them to MB to be set. I can link the threads if you want me to

also, Michael b has his own store. there is a pricescoper or two who dealt directly with MB and I know for sure one of them already had her stone, took it to MB and they made the setting for her. I can understand MB not accepting a stone from anyone but an authorized retailer but that retailer should have still sent the stone to MB and not accepted the "favor" and then mess up the setting

. I wonder if being in canada had anything to do with the "favor"?