Rioux Rocks return policy

[mrs-b]

Does anyone know if Rioux Rocks allows returns? The pink spinel arrived today. On the Instagram page, it looks like this:



When I received it, it looks like this:






It's very dark, so you can't see its lovely cut. It also looks purple, not pink. I'm sure it's the same stone, and I'm sure it *can* look like it did on the Instagram post. I just can't make it look like that and, while I can get flashes of pink, it's basically purple.

Anyway, it needs to go back. Does anyone know if they have a return policy?

 

[molecule]

I'm not sure as to their return policy, but I just wanted to write a note to empathize as having had some of the same issues of vendor pictures not looking similar to what my eyes see.

 

[mrs-b]

Thanks, @molecule. It was described as a 'medium pink'. In what parallel universe is this medium pink? I know one man's medium pink is another man's purple, but...even so...

 

[2Neesers]

I haven’t purchased anything recently, but purchased a few stones from him in 2019 and he allowed returns for a full refund at that point in time. Hopefully it’s the same now!

 

[mrs-b]

Thank you, @2Neezers - very helpful!

 

[ShinyPink]

I have purchased from Josh before, and did return one stone- no questions asked, no problem!

 

[peppermintpatty]

I'm so sorry mrs-b. I haven't ever had to return any of the 3 stones I've bought from Josh. It sounds like you should be able to based on what other posters have said. It is so much darker, that's disappointing . I hope you find a new center you love. Precision Gems has a couple of lovely pink stones available at the moment. A pink sapphire and a pink spinel. Good luck with your search and again I am sorry.

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

I'm no help with your actual question @mrs-b but are you looking for a pink????

Good luck!!!! I had a really hard time trying to find a pure pink. They are all purple!!!!!

You will get there! I managed to get two in the end!

 

[mrs-b]

Hi @mellowyellowgirl -

Yes - looking for a pink. This was not only purple, it was soooo purple. Will keep trying.

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

Hi @mellowyellowgirl -

Yes - looking for a pink. This was not only purple, it was soooo purple. Will keep trying.

Towards the end of my search (because I had ended up with so many purples) I began to ask the vendors: Is there any hint of purple in any light at all? I do not want any purple!!!!!

Keep us updated!!!! I love pinks!!!!! Could happily keep buying!

 

[Slickk]

@mrs-b Wow! Now isn’t that a huge difference?! What lighting source did he use to get photograph such a stunning color? I need that light source in my life! Lol
I can see why you pulled the trigger. But, yes, quite a difference. Although it’s quite overcast here in NE US but still.
I hope you have no problems like PP have stated. Good luck finding your dream pink. It’s out there for you!

 

[Acinom]

Oww, how disappointing.
Very annoying that the vendor pic looks so different compared to the real life situation.
I am sure you will find your dreamstone.

 

[fredflintstone]

Couple of things that should be pointed out here.


1 - The vendor picture is in tweezers. That lets light do its job.

2. The buyer’s pictures are between her fingers. This is works much like a bezel set. Of course, the stone will not look as lively. It will be darker not only because the light is blocked by the fold of the fingers, but also because the skin touching the stone will also make dark areas where the skin is touching & her camera might also be blocking light.

3. If you noticed, the highlight flashes of the stone's color are the same with the second picture as the vendors. Why the rest of the difference? Because the buyer has the stone stuck way down between her fingers not allowing the stone to fully absorb and reflect the light back.

In the end, I really do not think the vendors picture is that much off. The stone in the vendors picture appears to be a strongly reddish (pink) purple, and of course it will be subdued buried in between fingers. Plus, we don’t know what light the buyers pictures were taken under. I strongly suspect the vendors picture was taken outdoors.

Of course, the OP does not like the stone, no problem. By all means return it. No one should be stuck with a stone they don't like. But I really don't think it was a bad likeness. We all have to remember stones are blown up hugely in their pictures and that does enhance the good qualities, along with the bad. Very common thing to be disapointed when the picture is so big and the stone is so small.

 

[Lisa Loves Shiny]

The spinel looks totally different and I would send it back. IMHO vendors don't do themselves any favor by just including glamour shots on their listings. I think years of buying spinels taught me to gauge how potentially dark and how saturated (grey or brown) they would be in real life. Easiest way to judge is to look at the darkest facets of the gem in the picture. Chances are that is the color and tone of the stone when you get it.

 

[Stone Hunter]

It's always a gamble if you haven't bought from that vendor before. Knowing how to adjust their photos to what you will see comes with several purchases.

Send it back and try again! Good luck in your search.

 

[Rad_Fan]

... IMHO vendors don't do themselves any favor by just including glamour shots on their listings... Easiest way to judge is to look at the darkest facets of the gem in the picture. Chances are that is the color and tone of the stone when you get it.

+1

 

[JackTrick]

Just to note, but in the future I'd recommend asking the vendor beforehand about their evaluation/return policy. It's a perfectly reasonable thing to ask about.