Tell me how much I overspent

[PieAreSquared]

Welcome to the party! Yeah it’s frustrating, but I think I’m close to getting my money back. I’ve talked to 2 higher ups so far and it sounds like they’re fighting a losing battle. I’ve been told twice now that they are unable to sell the stone because they sell “new stones” not used ones. I called BS. The stone is not owned by me, it has not been paid for or received by me. Also, they’re telling me that if I purchase a $1,000,000 diamond outright and I return it within their 30 day refund window, they just take a 1mil hit? Throw it away since in this case it’s actually pre-owned? Yeah....I don’t think so folks.

"Used"?!
I greatly admire your patience. Were it me, I would have already called my credit card company and requested a charge back. They would have asked me for all the communication (emails) from both parties and issued me a "temporary" refund. Then, they would notify the merchant to have them submit all communication and a link or other written proof of their refund policy. The credit card company would make a decision, and if it was in favor of the customer (usually) they would refund my money and charge their fees to the merchant. The end. Any savvy merchant already knows this procedure and is much better off just issuing the lousy refund so as not to pay the charge back fee on top of it. Not to mention the bad press.
The fact that the stone is still in their possession makes me feel they won't have a leg to stand on.
Just saying...

 

[kruler2113]

Will they eat the cost of the GIA report if it doesn’t come out with what you’re expecting, or Columbian origin? Will they send the stone there, or you?

Yes they will eat the cost. They will send the stone before payment is made.

 

[T L]

Yes they will eat the cost. They will send the stone before payment is made.

I hope it’s minor oil or better. Moderately treated stones are ok, but you really have to be careful with their appearance over time.

The price seems too good to be true, so I hope it’s a decent stone. The lab report will hopefully shed some light on that.

 

[T L]

This is their bbb page. A+ rating , but there are reviews and complaints listed. Not all vendors are perfect, and sometimes customers can be unreasonable, especially when there’s a great deal of money involved.

 

[kruler2113]

I hope it’s minor oil or better. Moderately treated stones are ok, but you really have to be careful with their appearance over time.

The price seems too good to be true, so I hope it’s a decent stone. The lab report will hopefully shed some light on that.

They are guaranteeing F1-F2 oil or better or I get my money back. My risk is pretty low.

 

[T L]

F2 is moderate treatment so that would explain the lower price if it came back that way. Good luck!!

 

[kruler2113]

F2 is moderate treatment so that would explain the lower price if it came back that way. Good luck!!

I’m tempted to pull the trigger. I know there’s a lot of love for the tsavorites, but something about this emerald calls out to me. Are there any objections?

 

[T L]

I’m tempted to pull the trigger. I know there’s a lot of love for the tsavorites, but something about this emerald calls out to me. Are there any objections?

Well I hope they give you an inspection period before you pay fully for it.

I suspect most people here rather have the tsavorite, but emeralds don’t photograph well, so you have to see it in person. I will say that you should see what Bruce has for $4k.

 

[lovedogs]

Well I hope they give you an inspection period before you pay fully for it.

I suspect most people here rather have the tsavorite, but emeralds don’t photograph well, so you have to see it in person. I will say that you should see what Bruce has for $4k.

Agreed.

 

[MollyMalone]

Well I hope they give you an inspection period before you pay fully for it. * * *

I'm curious to learn what vendors are amenable to such an arrangement. I wouldn't send a gemstone to anyone without first receiving full payment (unless the stone in question were so cheap that I wouldn't care about never receiving the balance due & the stone's return), so I don't expect a vendor to ship me a stone upon receiving merely partial payment.

@kruler2113 -- is JR Columbian Emeralds the vendor? (I've kinda lost track in reading through the thread) Their stated return window for purchases -- of items not "made to order," "customized jewelry," or sale merchandise -- is 14 days.
https://jrcolombianemerald.com/about
Their return-refund and layaway policies are written much more clearly than Brilliant Earth's, but in light of the fact that you've negotiated a lower price & a lab report at their expense, I'd confirm in writing that you'll have 14 days after receiving the emerald to send it back, no questions asked.

Fingers crossed for you!

 

[kruler2113]

I'm curious to learn what vendors are amenable to such an arrangement. I wouldn't send a gemstone to anyone without first receiving full payment (unless the stone in question were so cheap that I wouldn't care about never receiving the balance due & the stone's return), so I don't expect a vendor to ship me a stone upon receiving merely partial payment.

@kruler2113 -- is JR Columbian Emeralds the vendor? (I've kinda lost track in reading through the thread) Their stated return window for purchases -- of items not "made to order," "customized jewelry," or sale merchandise -- is 14 days.
https://jrcolombianemerald.com/about
Their return-refund and layaway policies are written much more clearly than Brilliant Earth's, but in light of the fact that you've negotiated a lower price & a lab report at their expense, I'd confirm in writing that you'll have 14 days after receiving the emerald to send it back, no questions asked.

Fingers crossed for you!

This is a great point. I will make sure our arrangement is very clear before making any decisions.

 

[T L]

@MollyMalone ,
I agree, but I thought the OP stated he was getting a free inspection period. I know, I thought that was too good to be true.

 

[scouty]

I personally would get the agreement in email so that you can show your cc company in case anything goes awry. The 2.51 emerald is such a beautiful color to me, even if it has a slight window, I love the elongated shape for an engagement ring! I can understand why you might prefer to go with an emerald over tsavorite. Also, how nice of you to put all this research and effort into finding your future fiance a beautiful ring!

 

[voce]

Fingers crossed for you too. I can't believe that the emerald, which you never had in your possession and which has not yet been set, is considered by them to be pre-owned. By that logic, every stone in their inventory is pre-owned. They've had that stone in their possession, which is more than could be said for you.

Hope your emerald is everything that you hoped for.

 

[chroman]

Welcome to the party! Yeah it’s frustrating, but I think I’m close to getting my money back. I’ve talked to 2 higher ups so far and it sounds like they’re fighting a losing battle. I’ve been told twice now that they are unable to sell the stone because they sell “new stones” not used ones.

If they feed you this line again... Unless they mined it themselves, the stone was already “used” when it came into their inventory from its previous owner..

 

[kruler2113]

Alright everyone, I finally broke the silence with my gf about this discussion. And......

She absolutely adores the tsavorites, particularly the step cut one. She said it brought a tear to her eye, so I guess that’s the end of this.

 

[lovedogs]

Alright everyone, I finally broke the silence with my gf about this discussion. And......

She absolutely adores the tsavorites, particularly the step cut one. She said it brought a tear to her eye, so I guess that’s the end of this.

YES YES YES YES YESSSSSS! This makes me so happy. First of all because discussing it with her is absolutely the way to go. On such an important purchase it's too hard to buy something without any input from her. And secondly, I'm selfishly excited that she loved the tsavorite because I also loved it and CANNOT WAIT TO SEE HOW YOU SET IT!

 

[kruler2113]

YES YES YES YES YESSSSSS! This makes me so happy. First of all because discussing it with her is absolutely the way to go. On such an important purchase it's too hard to buy something without any input from her. And secondly, I'm selfishly excited that she loved the tsavorite because I also loved it and CANNOT WAIT TO SEE HOW YOU SET IT!

I will be sure to post photos once it’s set! She is a bit of a minimalist, so I am thinking a simple 1.5mm or so platinum paved band with a prong setting.

 

[lovedogs]

I will be sure to post photos once it’s set! She is a bit of a minimalist, so I am thinking a simple 1.5mm or so platinum paved band with a prong setting.

Just make sure to get the setting done by a highly reputable jeweler (see if Bruce has anyone he trusts to set the stone), and make it thick enough that there isn't a risk of warping, etc. I think the general rule is 2mm as the thinnest (at least 1.8mm).

 

[icy_jade]

Yay! I’ve been quietly rooting for the gorgeous tsavs and getting her input to something that she will wear is so important (and usually overlooked).

Pls keep us posted on the setting process.

 

[kruler2113]

Just make sure to get the setting done by a highly reputable jeweler (see if Bruce has anyone he trusts to set the stone), and make it thick enough that there isn't a risk of warping, etc. I think the general rule is 2mm as the thinnest (at least 1.8mm).

There are quite a few well respected jewelers in my city that I’m going to check out. I would rather see the setting in person than have it sent somewhere.

 

[JPie]

She made an excellent choice! That step cut is gorgeous!

 

[lovedogs]

There are quite a few well respected jewelers in my city that I’m going to check out. I would rather see the setting in person than have it sent somewhere.

makes sense. good luck and let us know how it goes!

 

[MollyMalone]

Alright everyone, I finally broke the silence with my gf about this discussion. And......

She absolutely adores the tsavorites, particularly the step cut one. She said it brought a tear to her eye, so I guess that’s the end of this.

Sweet

If you've not already seen this, here's an intriguing interview with Bruce Bridges that appeared in National Jeweler magazine 2 years ago, on the 50th anniversary of his father's initial discovery:
https://www.nationaljeweler.com/blog/5699-50-years-of-tsavorite-a-q-a-with-bruce-bridges
Perhaps you'd like to click the Print icon to produce a clean copy of the articles (which includes photographs) for your wife-to-be to read; or maybe ask BB if he would print off a copy, sign it with a brief message to her, and send that along with the stone?

 

[lovedogs]

Sweet

If you've not already seen this, here's an intriguing interview with Bruce Bridges that appeared in National Jeweler magazine 2 years ago, on the 50th anniversary of his father's initial discovery:
https://www.nationaljeweler.com/blog/5699-50-years-of-tsavorite-a-q-a-with-bruce-bridges
Perhaps you'd like to click the Print icon to produce a clean copy of the articles (which includes photographs) for your wife-to-be to read; or maybe ask BB if he would print off a copy, sign it with a brief message to her, and send that along with the stone?

That's a super cute idea

 

[kruler2113]

That's a super cute idea

Agreed. I’m sure he’d have no problem doing it. He’s been fabulous to work with so far.

 

[Sungura]

@kruler2113 - the other advantage to the tsavorite is that with Bridges Tsavorite you know the complete supply chain.

Congratulations!!

 

[T L]

So are you going to stick with the step cut or are you going to look at the larger stones Bruce has?

 

[kruler2113]

So are you going to stick with the step cut or are you going to look at the larger stones Bruce has?

He just sent me some larger stones, but they weren’t nearly as striking, and if they were they were 2/3x my budget. Here’s a quote from Bruce:

“My goal was to pick the finest quality gem within your given budget, not try to maximise your budget with something less than top gem quality. If you wanted to stay within the top gem quality range and go for a larger stone, then I’m afraid your budget would have to grow considerably.”

I’m going to stick with the step cut! I also discovered that their US office is a 2 hour drive from me, so I might just go pick it up in person!

 

[Lykame]

Thoroughly enjoyed reading this thread, delighted you asked your soon-to-be fiancée's opinion and delighted with your choice, that step-cut is beyond delightful. Also can't wait to see how you set it, and also can't wait to hear that the whole saga with BE is resolved. What absolutely appalling behaviour from them, I hope you negatively review the heck out of them.