Wrench in the ring plans...

[stephbolt]

So I posted a few days ago about how the ring was in the works, after FF had gotten some family diamonds, gotten them appraised, and come up with some preliminary designs.

There’s now a major problem in the process. Jeweler calls FF earlier this week and tells him that the color on the center stone is much worse than he originally thought (originally was rated a J – now they are saying it’s an M or N). The plan FF discussed with this jeweler was for a 3 stone ring with all the stones coming from his family. With the color of the center stone being what it is, the jeweler raised the concern that the color difference between the center stone and side stones is going to be very obvious.

While I’m a little disappointed that this plan isn’t going to work out any more, I’m absolutely livid about one thing – the jeweler tried to convince FF to purchase a new center stone for a ridiculous amount of money, two to three times his budget, saying, to him “well, you don’t want your fiancée to have a ring she will be embarrassed to wear around her friends.”

FF is convinced the jeweler has latched onto the fact that he is a lawyer and is trying to upsell him because of that. Regardless of what his profession is, he has a realistic budget for his financial situation and my desires in a ring, and for the jeweler to make any assumptions otherwise is terrible.

He and I are in agreement that he does not want to work with this jeweler anymore, but he has put down half already, so I’m worried he may have difficulty getting this money back. When he talked to the jeweler on Tuesday he told them not to proceed with any work, and that he would go talk to them in person on Saturday. Fingers crossed that he can get out of there with minimal trouble.

 

[fieryred33143]

Date: 1/2/2009 1:30:29 PM
Author:stephbolt

He and I are in agreement that he does not want to work with this jeweler anymore, but he has put down half already, so I’m worried he may have difficulty getting this money back. When he talked to the jeweler on Tuesday he told them not to proceed with any work, and that he would go talk to them in person on Saturday. Fingers crossed that he can get out of there with minimal trouble.

Good! And I''ll keep my fingers crossed for him that he get his money back!

 

[~*Alexis*~]

if he is a lawyer then he should be aware of "bait and switch: which is a felony.

I would just tell them that at this time we are putting the ring on hold and would like the $$ back until you decide what you would like to do.

What a lout. (the jeweler).

 

[ladypirate]

I hope he can get his money back--that just stinks!

 

[stephbolt]

Date: 1/2/2009 1:55:55 PM
Author: ~*Alexis*~


I would just tell them that at this time we are putting the ring on hold and would like the $$ back until you decide what you would like to do.

That is his plan - he''s also going to say he wants a second opinion on their original appraisal and give them the impression that he might come back in the future, hopefully that will placate them (obviously he won''t be going back though )

Thanks everyone for the good wishes - I''ll update once I find out what happens!

 

[Rhea]

I''d take the stones to an independent appraiser, one who doesn''t also sell stones or jewellery. If your guy is trying to sell you something else, I wouldn''t trust his opinion on anything.

 

[LaraOnline]

I don''t think you should be so hard on the jeweller... perhaps he was just trying to do you a favour by getting you a great centre stone, orone that matches your other family stones well. Who knows what his commission is, perhaps he makes more money on the cheaper ready made jewellery?

I went to see a bespoke jewellery maker when I became engaged.

He offered quite a reasonable quote, and then a much lower quote as well, (lower quality to match of course), he did everything to accommodate us but my husband hit the roof. I had to downscale my ambitions very considerably - and here I am, a Lady-In-Waiting-for-an-Upgrade!

So be sure your budget is realistic, you will be wearing this forever, and consider a place with an upgrade policy if you feel that the your lifestyle currently means that you may wish to change up on your ten year anni or whatever.

 

[stephbolt]

Date: 1/2/2009 8:34:32 PM
Author: LaraOnline
I don''t think you should be so hard on the jeweller... perhaps he was just trying to do you a favour by getting you a great centre stone, orone that matches your other family stones well. Who knows what his commission is, perhaps he makes more money on the cheaper ready made jewellery?

Thanks for making a point of this Lara! You''ve made me aware I''m obviously biased towards FF in this situation, especially since I''m hearing everything secondhand through him. I do think this is a reputable jeweler, but he knew the budget FF told him, and the replacement stones he suggested were way out of that budget. That by itself isn''t a huge problem, but I feel the way he was trying to coerce FF into getting a bigger stone was emotionally manipulative, saying he wouldn''t want me to be embarrassed of the ring. I''m hoping some of this gets cleared up today when he goes in.

 

[Pandora II]

As far as I can see there is only one issue here:

Whatever an appraisal may or may not say, do you see a big difference between the 3 stones in colour? If not, then there is no problem...

If the centre stone is different from the sides, that is better than one side and the centre being different from the other. Also, some people are very colour sensitive, others are not.

 

[stephbolt]

Date: 1/3/2009 6:20:32 PM
Author: Pandora II

Whatever an appraisal may or may not say, do you see a big difference between the 3 stones in colour? If not, then there is no problem...

I got to look at the stones for the first time yesterday, and I do indeed see the difference between the center stone and side stones. I think for me personally, the color is outside of the range that I want, would have been nice if these stones had worked out but oh well. We may still use the two smaller stones.

The good news is FF was able to cancel his work order and get a full refund. He said the jeweler seemed much more reasonable in person and was talking to him about stone and settings within his budget, so I''m not sure what happened with their original phone communication. Guess we''ve both learned a lesson about making sure we are 100% comfortable with the jeweler before committing financially to any work. Thanks everyone for your support and advice in this situation!

 

[Sizzle]

Date: 1/4/2009 11:06:23 AM
Author: stephbolt

Date: 1/3/2009 6:20:32 PM
Author: Pandora II

Whatever an appraisal may or may not say, do you see a big difference between the 3 stones in colour? If not, then there is no problem...

I got to look at the stones for the first time yesterday, and I do indeed see the difference between the center stone and side stones. I think for me personally, the color is outside of the range that I want, would have been nice if these stones had worked out but oh well. We may still use the two smaller stones.

The good news is FF was able to cancel his work order and get a full refund. He said the jeweler seemed much more reasonable in person and was talking to him about stone and settings within his budget, so I''m not sure what happened with their original phone communication. Guess we''ve both learned a lesson about making sure we are 100% comfortable with the jeweler before committing financially to any work. Thanks everyone for your support and advice in this situation!

I''m glad to hear everything worked out for you!