more upset than I thought I''d be...

[Cehrabehra]

::deep sigh::

Well, last friday I gave the jeweler a list of things and asked that just ONE be done asap because it was the final step on the head, really... and I wanted the peace of mind that she understood that last bit... she said the next day... well I didn''t hear from her, and a week passed and I stopped in unannounced today to take a peek. It didn''t look like ANYTHING had been done... She keeps saying "oh it''s so close" and I''m thinking, it''s not getting any closer.

So I took my diamond under the pretense that I am going to have to ship it away for appraisal, which is true.

And now I feel so deflated I don''t even want to finish a ring of any sort (right now, sure that will change) and just forget about this for a while. I have no idea who I would have to take this over... and I haven''t fallen in love with anything else. I still love my ring design and it is SO CLOSE but if it can''t be made a priority enough to finish it, then what?

They kept talking about my bananas foster bread, almost hinting they wanted more... but I think i''ve lulled them into too much intimacy to the point I''m expendable. I''m the good customer ::patpatpat:: that can wait over there patiently while they work on the demanding aloof people.

I took some more pictures - not gonna bother sharing them cause they''re boring and really for just in case I want to approach another ring designer about replicating/finishing this design.

So as a consolation I rubbed some of the wax off on my shirt and took a few more pics of my bare rock!!! It''s been gone 6 weeks and I''d forgotten how it felt to have it with me... almost makes me want to cry to have it gone so long and back without a ring.

Back to the drawing board... oh, and if you''ve read this far... any thoughts on how to break the news to the local people? maybe make them a bunch of banana''s foster bread and a note of condolence?

Can you see the red polish through the culet? love it!!!!

 

[Ellen]

Aww, Cehra, I really am sorry.

You know, I can be a big pushover at times. I can be lulled, don''t like to make waves, etc. But you know what, when I went looking for a new ring, I told myself, THIS is where THAT ends. And it did.

You are spending a lot of money. You should get what you want, within a reasonable amount of time. You know what''s reasonable and what''s not. You know if things feel "right" or not. This is a time when the truth may hurt, but so be it. Tell them the truth, all of it. The only thing you have to decide beforehand is, if they "promise" you what you want, will you give it back?

You need to decide that, then call them. If you don''t give it back, just be calm, and wait to see what happens. Sometimes we find what we''re looking for when we least expect it. (I know, you thought that with this place).

Wishing you luck.

 

[Shay37]

Cehra, I am so sorry to hear of your disappointment. You really have two options. You can be more demanding that timelines be fulfilled and not be that quiet, undemanding customer. No. 2, you can try to find someone else you''re comfortable with to start all over again. I think I might try the more direct approach with them first. If that doesn''t work, then take it elsewhere.

shay

 

[Cehrabehra]

Date: 11/9/2006 6:56:51 PM
Author: Ellen
Aww, Cehra, I really am sorry.

You know, I can be a big pushover at times. I can be lulled, don't like to make waves, etc. But you know what, when I went looking for a new ring, I told myself, THIS is where THAT ends. And it did.

You are spending a lot of money. You should get what you want, within a reasonable amount of time. You know what's reasonable and what's not. You know if things feel 'right' or not. This is a time when the truth may hurt, but so be it. Tell them the truth, all of it. The only thing you have to decide beforehand is, if they 'promise' you what you want, will you give it back?

You need to decide that, then call them. If you don't give it back, just be calm, and wait to see what happens. Sometimes we find what we're looking for when we least expect it. (I know, you thought that with this place).

Wishing you luck.

I did but she's just not the same since she got sick

I think she's horrendously stressed out and she's dropping the ball. I don't doubt her quality but I also don't want to get her in trouble. I know I won't settle in quality - but I feel like I'm settling in everything else

I would give it back if they took it seriously, and I know if I raised a fuss they'd take it seriously. I just don't want to raise a fuss.

ETA - thanks for the luck

 

[SuzyQZ]

Oh noooooo

When I read your thread title I was afraid it would be bad news.

What IS it with them???? Why can't they get their butts in gear and work or your ring???
It's not like your job is so insiginificant, you're going to be dropping some substantial change!

Do you have to use them??? Are there any other designers/jewelers in the area you would consider? I thought one of the jeweler/designers there knew exactly what you wanted and was going to oversee the final phase. You were both on the same page. I still can't believe that they did NOTHING!!!!

What to do??? Start from scratch again

or try to get them to work on it!!

I'm so dissapointed with you. I can't believe you've been without your diamond for SIX WEEKS!!!!

Don't be so nice to them. If you decide to not go back, just shine them on

. Give them a taste of their own medicine!
((hugs))

 

[Cehrabehra]

Date: 11/9/2006 6:58:16 PM
Author: Shay37
Cehra, I am so sorry to hear of your disappointment. You really have two options. You can be more demanding that timelines be fulfilled and not be that quiet, undemanding customer. No. 2, you can try to find someone else you''re comfortable with to start all over again. I think I might try the more direct approach with them first. If that doesn''t work, then take it elsewhere.

shay

You''re absolutely correct and I feel like such a spineless jellyfish... I also just feel weary. I was so disappointed today I really just clammed up and had to get out of there.

 

[isaku5]

Date: 11/9/2006 6:58:16 PM
Author: Shay37
Cehra, I am so sorry to hear of your disappointment. You really have two options. You can be more demanding that timelines be fulfilled and not be that quiet, undemanding customer. No. 2, you can try to find someone else you''re comfortable with to start all over again. I think I might try the more direct approach with them first. If that doesn''t work, then take it elsewhere.

shay

Aw Cehra, that just sucks, plain and simple!!!! I''m so sorry and was so looking forward to seeing that beauty in its setting.

I agree with the others, the direct approach with the timeline made very clear, or take it to someone else.

I tend to be the *nice customer* who always waits without much complaint, and I know you really don''t want to upset the designer whose health is fragile, but you have been tolerant and understanding to the max. Enough!!

 

[Kaleigh]

Cehra,
Gosh I am sorry. 6 weeks IS a long time to wait, and then to not have a finished product at the end of it would really make me mad. What the heck was taking them so long?? I mean you weren''t asking for the moon here, IMHO. You''d be a saint to continue with them. What percentage of the setting was completed. I am behind in your saga. If you have lost confidence in them, then walk. If you feel they do great work, albeit slow as a turtle then make your feelings known.

Good luck!! Your stone is so gorgeous, it deserves a gorgeous home and soon!!!! Lisa

 

[FireGoddess]

Cehra, I know EXACTLY how you feel because I have EXACTLY been in your shoes. Seriously. The same excuses, the same time going by, the same unreturned phone calls. Only when I said I was coming in to get my stone and call it off did anything get done...and then the same crap started again. I regret even letting them have the second chance.

Just tell them you''ve decided not to have them do the setting. It''s taking too long and the project has sort of burned you out for now. And then run like hell and have someone competent do it. Trust me. You can shop there for premade stuff if you still feel some loyalty to them.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 11/9/2006 7:05:24 PM
Author: Cehrabehra

Date: 11/9/2006 6:58:16 PM
Author: Shay37
Cehra, I am so sorry to hear of your disappointment. You really have two options. You can be more demanding that timelines be fulfilled and not be that quiet, undemanding customer. No. 2, you can try to find someone else you''re comfortable with to start all over again. I think I might try the more direct approach with them first. If that doesn''t work, then take it elsewhere.

shay

You''re absolutely correct and I feel like such a spineless jellyfish... I also just feel weary. I was so disappointed today I really just clammed up and had to get out of there.

Cehra, THIS is what I''m talking about. If you think you can get it done by forcing the issue, then force it. I know she doesn''t feel well, but if it is going to affect her work, she shouldn''t be there. This probably sounds harsh, but dangit, you are a paying customer, you deserve as prompt of service as anyone else.

Just start thinking of what this is costing, you''ll feel your back straighten lickety split.

 

[JulieN]

How about the recipe? Sounds delish.

 

[Cehrabehra]

Date: 11/9/2006 7:43:12 PM
Author: JulieN
How about the recipe? Sounds delish.

hahahaha
tis simple - made the recipe for banana bread from the betty crocker cookbook EXCEPT used all brown sugar, added rum extract, pecans instead of walnuts, and chocolate chips I would add even more rum extract next time... I''ll prob do a full tablespoon but tastes vary so proceed with caution - hey, even use some real rum if you feel arg! frisky

 

[Cehrabehra]

Date: 11/9/2006 7:09:46 PM
Author: Kaleigh
Cehra,
Gosh I am sorry. 6 weeks IS a long time to wait, and then to not have a finished product at the end of it would really make me mad. What the heck was taking them so long?? I mean you weren''t asking for the moon here, IMHO. You''d be a saint to continue with them. What percentage of the setting was completed. I am behind in your saga. If you have lost confidence in them, then walk. If you feel they do great work, albeit slow as a turtle then make your feelings known.

Good luck!! Your stone is so gorgeous, it deserves a gorgeous home and soon!!!! Lisa

thank you - that''s sweet! I missed it!! Thanks everyone, I needed the cheering... I hate feeling so down about it.

What I have decided for now is to do *nothing* until saturday afternoon when I can talk to my dh about it. He''s in graduate school and he''s short on time to hear me out completely on this until then... though when I showed him the stone and said I had it back he said, "are we driving back up to seattle again?" haha well, maybe we will... I dunno.

I do think I''m going to collect a list of jewelers that might be able to help me with this and start weighing pros and cons... any suggestions? I would still consider greenlake, but I want to know who else would be good for this too.

I do feel like I owe them, because the ring I saw definitely inspired the shank of my ring big time and they''ve put a lot of time into it, even if it wasn''t effective time. They''ve (and *I* have) spent HOURS AND HOURS talking about this in the store... and then nothing gets done when I leave. so I feel this weird mix of guilt and disappointment. Anyway, enough of that... moving on Here''s a pic of the stone I liked (it looks like naked skin colors in this shot) with my wedding band.

sorry - it cheers me up to post pics of my stone lol!

 

[Cehrabehra]

I''m gonna have to post a couple more since I feel so down LOL I know it looks like the circulation is being cut off on my finger but doesn''t the stone look "brilliant" in this shot in a traditional BIC sort of way? LOL!

 

[SuzyQZ]

Cehrabehra:
Please more pictures of that beautiful diamond.
I want you to feel much better, really quickly, so keep those pictures coming!
We''ll just keep enjoying them and you can continue to feel better and better.
It''s a win win for everyone!

 

[Cehrabehra]

last one - blue skies peeking out - we''ve had a week of rain, today was the first time any sun was around at all... but not much!! I swear my fingers are not THAT big!!! They''re big but this ring holder thingy is a size 6 I swear!!! My wedding band is an 8.25 and fits perfect to loose depending on, yanno... anyway this ring thing they sent is ridiculously small... it fits fine unless the stone is in it lol I''m just so glad to have it home with me...

 

[SuzyQZ]

That diamond looks just PERFECT on your hand!

I''m sure you are so happy just to have your "baby" back home with you again. I was without mine for just a few days and I missed them so much. I can only imagine how you felt after 6 weeks!

Your diamond just can''t take a bad picture.... it''s magnificent! It was made for you and your hand.

Your ring will be finished and it will be perfect, I can''t wait to see the pics then!

Keep the faith!

 

[kcoursolle]

Date: 11/9/2006 9:04:42 PM
Author: Cehrabehra
last one - blue skies peeking out - we''ve had a week of rain, today was the first time any sun was around at all... but not much!! I swear my fingers are not THAT big!!! They''re big but this ring holder thingy is a size 6 I swear!!! My wedding band is an 8.25 and fits perfect to loose depending on, yanno... anyway this ring thing they sent is ridiculously small... it fits fine unless the stone is in it lol I''m just so glad to have it home with me...

LOL! It''s funny because the ring holder thingie they sent me is way too big, it fits my big toe. Yours is definitely smaller, I can tell by the proportions of your stone on your hand that your holder thingie is definitely smalller than mine. It probably depends on the stone too, since your stone is bigger, it pinches the ring holder thingie smaller.

Anyways, I''m sorry to hear you are frustrated with your ring design. I would hold out a little longer and re-evaluating things in a couple of weeks. Unfortunately, even though they are taking way too long, rushing them might make them do a sloppy job. It it goes another couple weeks without any substantial progress, then I would back out.

 

[FireGoddess]

ooooooooooooooooooooooooh chunky facets ooooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Just love that stone! I can imagine how badly you just want to wear it!

IF you are going to stick with this jeweler you need to stress an absolute FINISHED BY date. For your sanity and their safety.

 

[Cehrabehra]

Date: 11/9/2006 9:04:05 PM
Author: SuzyQZ
Cehrabehra:
Please more pictures of that beautiful diamond.
I want you to feel much better, really quickly, so keep those pictures coming!
We''ll just keep enjoying them and you can continue to feel better and better.
It''s a win win for everyone!

oh suzy - YOU make me feel better

I *just* took this one for you suzy... used a flash since it''s too dark in here and wow! it looks like the 4th of july to me!! Not bad for wearing black LOL you can see my black shirt on the ring too!! haha I don''t think I''d taken any shots with a flash before! wow are they fire inducing or what??

this is the last one though - I really hate my camera. I want one that takes nice clear shots like yours! oh the fun I could have with these big facets and a good camera!!!!!

 

[Kaleigh]

God I love your stone, almost as much as you do!!! Hehe!!!

 

[Cehrabehra]

Date: 11/9/2006 9:11:03 PM
Author: kcoursolle

Date: 11/9/2006 9:04:42 PM
Author: Cehrabehra
last one - blue skies peeking out - we''ve had a week of rain, today was the first time any sun was around at all... but not much!! I swear my fingers are not THAT big!!! They''re big but this ring holder thingy is a size 6 I swear!!! My wedding band is an 8.25 and fits perfect to loose depending on, yanno... anyway this ring thing they sent is ridiculously small... it fits fine unless the stone is in it lol I''m just so glad to have it home with me...

LOL! It''s funny because the ring holder thingie they sent me is way too big, it fits my big toe. Yours is definitely smaller, I can tell by the proportions of your stone on your hand that your holder thingie is definitely smalller than mine. It probably depends on the stone too, since your stone is bigger, it pinches the ring holder thingie smaller.

Anyways, I''m sorry to hear you are frustrated with your ring design. I would hold out a little longer and re-evaluating things in a couple of weeks. Unfortunately, even though they are taking way too long, rushing them might make them do a sloppy job. It it goes another couple weeks without any substantial progress, then I would back out.

there is NO WAY this would fit on my big toe! doesn''t even fit on my thumb!! Even when it is stoneless (which I can only put the stone on AFTER its on because no way it would get over my knuckle otherwise) I have to turn it... it''s very long and narrow... weird... anyway, I told her to just hold off. she knows I''m ordering the melee and that I''m sending the stone for an appraisal - both are true... and I told her not to work on it until it gets back. I told her that would be a week or two... and that gives me some time to see what else is out there or whether or not I want to continue and just REFUSE to give any more bread until it''s done!! lol

 

[SuzyQZ]

Cehrabehra:

My eyes say "Thank You! Thank You!"

Your diamond is spectacular.

Just looking at it makes everyone feel good!!!

 

[Cehrabehra]

Date: 11/9/2006 9:11:35 PM
Author: FireGoddess
ooooooooooooooooooooooooh chunky facets ooooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Just love that stone! I can imagine how badly you just want to wear it!

IF you are going to stick with this jeweler you need to stress an absolute FINISHED BY date. For your sanity and their safety.

you''re totally right!! I''m going to give myself a "cushion" haha of time to figure out how I want to proceed. I want the hub''s input as well and he''s in up to eyeballs for another day or two, hopefully it''s sunny tomorrow!! This puppy needs a *bath* bad!! It still is waxy a bit!!

 

[Cehrabehra]

Date: 11/9/2006 9:17:56 PM
Author: Kaleigh
God I love your stone, almost as much as you do!!! Hehe!!!

that means so much to me! I''ve had such bouts of insecurity because it isn''t a superideal round, but it really does amazing things and was a whole heck of a lot cheaper!!! It''s a chameleon for sure... Thank you thank you

 

[ff]

Hi Cehrabehra,

sorry to hear about the stress and not fun situation.

They just might be saying "she does not seem to be in a real hurry so let''s do that other ring first where the woman was rushed"... It''s not fair but often, those that push get their stuff before those that are super patient and nice.

Here''s my suggestion. Go in there, sit down with your Jeweler, and tell them that your patience is up. Give them 1 week to show you the final product and if they can''t do it in that time, you understand that they are just too busy and that you''ll have to take it somewhere else. Be nice about it but be firm about it. Tell them you hope they feel better soon and you look forward to working with them in the future when they have more time. Don''t hand them back the stone till you have an agreement in place with them so that you have the ability to just get up and walk out if things don''t go as well as hoped.

Keep it nice but make it clear that you wish to work with them but just can''t wait any longer for them to make the time. Stay calm regardless of how they act.

Hope that helps.

 

[Cehrabehra]

Date: 11/9/2006 9:21:53 PM
Author: SuzyQZ
Cehrabehra:

My eyes say ''Thank You! Thank You!''

Your diamond is spectacular.

Just looking at it makes everyone feel good!!!

you''re so sweet I''m DEFINITELY feeling better you guys!!!! I just really want this done!! not just so I can wear it! If I start feeling blue this weekend I''ll just take more pics. I''m SOOOOO happy to have it with me!!! And of course I do need to send it to the appraiser LOL But not before monday, right?

 

[Cehrabehra]

Date: 11/9/2006 9:26:53 PM
Author: ff

Hi Cehrabehra,

sorry to hear about the stress and not fun situation.

They just might be saying ''she does not seem to be in a real hurry so let''s do that other ring first where the woman was rushed''... It''s not fair but often, those that push get their stuff before those that are super patient and nice.

Here''s my suggestion. Go in there, sit down with your Jeweler, and tell them that your patience is up. Give them 1 week to show you the final product and if they can''t do it in that time, you understand that they are just too busy and that you''ll have to take it somewhere else. Be nice about it but be firm about it. Tell them you hope they feel better soon and you look forward to working with them in the future when they have more time. Don''t hand them back the stone till you have an agreement in place with them so that you have the ability to just get up and walk out if things don''t go as well as hoped.

Keep it nice but make it clear that you wish to work with them but just can''t wait any longer for them to make the time. Stay calm regardless of how they act.

Hope that helps.

You make several excellent points here - points I will consider... in a few days! I''m going to try not to think about it too much other than gathering options until then. I think an agreement in writing is a good idea.

BTW when I went in there today she couldn''t even FIND the list I''d given her ::bangs head::

It''s funny how sometimes I can be really a hardass, and others a total pushover.

 

[Scott Terence]

I am so sorry to hear things are stuck in quicksand

I kind of had that problem when I had some miscommunications with the jeweler who did my Iceberg ring. He said that it was done like 2-3 times and since he was open only during business hours I had to take off work several times only to run downtown to see an unfinished piece of work! It started to get out of control and I was getting upset, but since he hadnt asked for a downpayment, I was unable to really push the "paying customer" card. As you know I was fortunate enough to get my dream ring. So hopefully after you discuss with them your disatisfaction, you can figure something out to get the proper throne for Gemini

Cheer up, at least you have a killer stone to play with again!

 

[Dee*Jay]

Cehra, so sorry to here this isn't going as well as you had hoped. But hopefully it will all be worth the wait and you'll have the ring of your dream in the end. Hang in there as best you can!

ETA - I LOVE that shot with your nail polish peeking through the culet!