The Red Spinel Diaries

[velouriaL]

(I'm not naming names on this thread yet, I'd appreciate it you didn't respond with names either, even you figure out who it is).

So, as some of you may remember, one of my best guy friends bought a red spinel online for an e-ring for one of my best girl friends. The spinel was precision cut, 6.7mm, round, a warm (but NOT orange or brown), darker-but-DEFINITELY-not-too-dark red. He decided to get it set in a custom setting (which included small accent diamonds from his mother's ring) from a well-known designer in the city they live in.

I say the spinel *was* because the jeweler damaged it beyond repair when setting. They are making every effort to replace the stone, and being very courteous, my friend isn't yet satisfied. They found a couple of spinels: one was way too brown, the other was way too pink. They are having another brought in, but it's 6.2mm and more expensive than the original, and they are expecting him to pay half of the difference. They have also suggested that would make the original 6.7mm setting work, which seems dubious to me...

So, we're waiting to see about the 6.2mm spinel. He says that IF he likes the smaller spinel and IF they agree to pay the WHOLE difference, and IF they can truly make the 6.7mm setting work OR if they find a more suitable replacement, he'll just go with it. We're REALLY crossing our fingers that this works out. Before this happened, he was in love with the setting they made. His heart (and mine) is(are) really broken over the first spinel, and he's planning on doing his already-planned, elaborate proposal this weekend with no ring. It's just such a bummer overall.

Any thoughts or advice on how best to proceed from here would be appreciated.

In the meantime, I'm investigating other options. I assume (though he hasn't gotten a hard and fast statement) that he'll get a full refund, including for the broken spinel, if they are unable to offer an acceptable replacement.

What do you guys think of the following other options?
(I'm paranoid now of lurkers because this whole thing has been such a sad ordeal, so I'm going to be a little sneaky about identifying these other options.)
1. The etsy dealer from whom he originally bought the spinel has another red spinel for a couple hundred more. It's bigger, has a brighter color, and looks non-precision but fairly well-cut. To play it safe, she could put it in a setting that could work for under his budget. He almost went with her in the first place for the setting, but feel in love with his local designer.
2. A pinterest dealer has a red spinel in a finished ring that looks promising. Looks like a decent/good quality stock setting. He likes the look of it. Only thing is that this dealer is based in Asia and returns might be a nightmare. This ring is well under his budget and almost seems too good to be true, although I have bought from and trust the vendor. It might also be too pink.
3. Any other leads?

He said he's so glad he has me. I'm so glad I have you all!

 

[NKOTB]

Well...Most people don't tend to be as picky about cut as we are, so option #1 sounds very promising. And since the first stone was bought from said vendor, then presumably her eye can be trusted to know what your friend is looking for in terms of colour, and "bigger and brighter" = plus. This, to me, sounds like fewer unknowns that the Pinterest dealer. I can help dig around for more options, though. I guess there's no way the ring could happen by the weekend? Would it be a custom setting from the Etsy vendor? Do you have a stone holder that could maybe hold the stone, if he ordered it, like a makeshift thing he could propose with, then ship it back to have it set? Just throwing ideas around, if he wanted to have something in hand and went that way. Although no need to panic and choose something hastily, either...

 

[MollyMalone]

Since he was captivated by the custom design & it does sound special (love that it includes diamonds from his mother's ring), I'm hoping that another spinel for that setting can be found in the near future. Maybe reach out to Yvonne Raley to see if she has a suitable replacement at hand (the only red spinels showing in her Etsy shop right now are smaller ones, set as earrings, so I thought it would be OK to name her), or would be willing to look for one? (based on my recent e-mail correspondence with her, it sounds as if she, e.g., makes fairly frequent scouting missions to NYC)

 

[velouriaL]

NKOTB - were you able to discover from my clues the who/what of the possible vendors? I'd love it if people could take a look... I can give more clues!

MollyMalone - I'll add Yvonne Raley to the list... I think he will probably ask for the diamonds from his mother's stone to be removed if the jeweler can't accommodate him

I think his plan is to just propose this weekend with a joke ring.

I feel so awful... I picked out the spinel for him and suggested the jeweler. He, it goes without saying, feels even worse than I do.

 

[FrekeChild]

Ugh Velouria. That is awful. What a great stone it was too. Is there any salvaging it? I would get a refund so fast it'd make their heads spin. I'd go for option 1.

Can you give us an idea of the setting idea?

 

[velouriaL]

Freke - I know! I think he's being really patient and understanding. But, I DO NOT think it's at all fair for him to pay extra for an inferior (smaller) stone that might not fit perfectly into the custom setting. This really is a nightmare. I feel so bad for him. And yeah, I don't think there's any salvaging it.

The setting was very simple but with really nice clean lines. Sort of a really awesome execution of the basic four prong solitaire with a band that tapered out from the stone and had some accent diamonds. I think he'd be happy with a simple, quality setting that has some details like diamonds.

 

[NKOTB]

I'm going to hazard a guess, and state my opinion on both, with the assumption that both are correct (but not really knowing!). The ring is very pretty. I would ask for a head-on shot, though, to make sure about the cutting. The reason I'm not sure my guesses are correct is that the loose Etsy stone looks a little pinker in some shots than the ring (but you mention concern of the ring stone being too pink). If I at least have the ring vendor right, I'd keep in mind that sometimes the stones IRL can be darker than pictured, but I have had NO problem with returns when purchases have not met my expectations, and the workmanship on the ring I bought was excellent. The loose Etsy stone, if I have the right one, is also very pretty. I can't see dimensions, but the cutting looks decent. Now, the shape is slightly different on both. Is there a preference in terms of shape?

 

[MollyMalone]

fwiw, I was pleasantly surprised by the price of the ring in Asia & the spinel's cut seems better, the shape more pleasing to my eye than the Etsy stone... but the ring stone looks decidedly pinker on my screen (although the Etsy one looks pink-y in 1 pic, the fingers appear unnaturally pink as well) -- and it sounds as if the color of the original spinel was what really grabbed you-him?

I DO NOT think it's at all fair for him to pay extra for an inferior (smaller) stone that might not fit perfectly into the custom setting. * * *

That IS ridiculous.

 

[velouriaL]

Thank you all for the support and the opinions. Sorry I'm being such a weirdo about the potential vendor names. It would just be crushing if he decided to pull the trigger on one and it were scooped by a lurker! If you guys want to post pictures unconnect

I will definitely say the name of the local jeweler when the matter is solved, one way or the other.

NKOTB and Molly: I think you both have the vendors right. Did you see the video for the pinterest ring? It's so hard to red read, especially because, oftentimes, when things look the right red in pics, they are too dark IRL. But you don't want to go too pink. She's definitely a "red is my signature color" kind of girl. Both of these are *described as red.* One

NKOTB - Good to hear about returns on the pinterest vendor. I have bought from him but never returned. In this case, a little darker might be better? I'll have to search for the ring you bought. I am impressed with the engraving and prongs on this ring for sure! I think the round shape was the original preference, but a well-cut red in a nice size is really the goal. The dimensions of the loose etsy stone are 8.6 x7.3 mm. Is that the one you were thinking of?

Molly - I agree, I am a little shocked at the price of pinterest ring. I wondered if there was something I wasn't seeing. But it, or both, might ultimately be too pink...

 

[chrono]

Local jeweller - I would do my best to get a full refund on the damaged stone. I am very sorry. I would also have someone else create the setting for the replacement stone.

Etsy - The cut is really good and I like it. Colour-wise, it looks a bit watery in one picture but overall, not too bad. There is a lot of pink in one picture, which I would get clarification on. There is also something that might be lint OR a good sized inclusion on the pavilion in one picture. Again, I would clarify this with the vendor.

Pinterest - can't find it.

 

[velouriaL]

Thank you chrono! Poor guy is just so ready to get this over with. You know how proposing people who've never done this before are. So, the pinterest ring is in the finished jewelry section of a western guy who lives in Asia and mostly deals with loose stones...?

 

[chrono]

Ohhh.......I think I found it; didn't realize there's a finished jewellery section. Tough call with only one picture. Saturation wise, I prefer the Etsy stone. I don't think this one will be too pink, rather I am concerned that it will be darker and less saturated under local conditions and has the potential to black out. You are definitely right about the "too good to be true" price.

 

[velouriaL]

Did you see the YouTube of the ring? Thanks!

 

[chrono]

I couldn't get the link to work. Did it work for you?

ETA
The pinterest link to the video didn't work for me but when I went to the vendor's website, it works fine. I'll be back once I've looked at the video a few times.

ETA 2
Cut isn't that great; when I slowed the video (stop and go repeatedly), the tilt window is all too easily seen and fairly large, meaning that it either has a window or is cut a bit on the shallow side. Colour-wise, it is on the dark side which she doesn't mind? It looks a bit wine-like or burgundy.

Conclusion
The two spinels are so different from each other. Which "flavour" do they like best?

 

[minousbijoux]

Velourial: I am so sorry that this has happened to your friend (and you!) That is my worst nightmare, and one that keeps me from being more courageous about setting my stones.

Anyway, I agree with NKOTB and Molly and have a slight preference for the loose stone, but that said, I would be happy with either, given the workmanship of the mounted stone vendor. It is definitely easier to deal with in country returns than it would be to send the ring back though. I too am trying to be good and vague in my response.

 

[velouriaL]

I think they just want it to read as "red" to the relatively untrained eye.

Now also looking at that star ruby that was in my inbox...

 

[chrono]

I saw the star ruby too; better move on it quickly although I would have liked a side view too.

 

[velouriaL]

Thank you Minous. It's very sad. I think I'm basically in agreement with you and everyone. Do you want apple pie or cherry pie?

Chrono, thanks for the analysis of the ring. Very helpful, those Eagle eyes of your.

I think he's going to try to propose with the Ruby mineral specimen that was also in the drop. She'll like that. If he can get it and ASAP.

Sounds like he's leaning toward etsy, but probably no moves until after the proposal this weekend.

We'll probably need support dealing with the local soon enough... Then I'll start naming names if they try some sketchy tactics. I think those who don't know will be surprised and saddened.

 

[chrono]

Vel,
I did some digging and yes, I admit to being surprised at who the vendor is. I browsed their website and did not see any coloured stones; everything is either a diamond or coloured diamond, which in hindsight, would make me cautious when deciding on who to go with for a coloured stone project. Setting a coloured stone requires more care (and less pressure applied) compared to diamonds. Whatever the case may be, again, I am sorry about the damage.