Post # 1
Member
1023 posts
Bumble bee
With all the stone swapping at Kay’s, is anyone else really paranoid to let their ring out of their sight?
We went wedding band shopping at a mom and pop store, and while we were shopping they offered to clean my ring and my heart dropped a little when they took it out of my sight–even just for a few minutes!
I have a platinum band e-ring that has seen some scratches during my engagement, and I wanted to get it buffed out before my wedding, but it makes me nervous to have a random jeweler do it! (I can’t take it to where we got the ring from, long story)
Anyone else a little paranoid or just me?
Post # 2
Member
1178 posts
Bumble bee
definitely! I cannot have mine done by the original jeweler since he’s in LA, and I am in TX but like you, I want it polished and re-dipped in white gold. I’m afraid to, though!
Post # 3
Member
2502 posts
Sugar bee
i don’t think you’re paranoid – shit happens. i have a sapphire, and while i’m not concerned a jeweler will steal it, i had one jeweler SCRATCH it when i dropped it off for repair and then tried to lie to my face and tell me that the scratch was always there and it wasn’t him. so yeah, people are untrustworthy.
Post # 4
Member
3324 posts
Sugar bee
This is why I think it’s important to have a trusted local jeweller who can do this stuff for you. I love the idea of buying online for the savings, but I’m not going to send a ring back for 2-6 weeks when I need things done! So yes. Search out a reputable, well reviewed local person who you trust to do this for you. Imagine when a prong breaks or you lose a stone (center or melee) – well worth it to have a good person in your corner.
Post # 5
Member
287 posts
Helper bee
YEP! Especially since mine is from Kay’s! LOL I always went to mall jewelers because I thought they were fine and really never thought to go to a small and local one.
Then I got on here and kind of scratching my head! Oh well! I still love my ring.
Post # 6
Member
1014 posts
Bumble bee
I wouldn’t let a chain send my ring out (even though my ring is from Kay’s!). There’s a jeweler close by I trust though. My diamond has an inclusion that I can see if I turn it the right way so I always look for it when I get it back.
Post # 7
Member
1122 posts
Bumble bee
Kays ruined my original engagement ring, and then ruined the replacement. I will never set foot in a mall store again! Mainly because most of them are owned by Kay’s now, and also because I do not trust anywhere that has to send my jewelry away to repair it. I take it to a little local jeweler now and have always been very happy with their work!
Post # 8
Member
1023 posts
Bumble bee
vee1980: I got my ring made by a diamond dealer who gave us a deal through a family friend so it’s not one of those things where I can ask her to touch up my ring. I feel you, bee!
ilovesophia: ugh, THIS! I would be devistated. I’m so sorry this happened.
scissorgirl: I know, unfortunately we just got an AMAZING deal through this diamond dealer so it was worth it. I just need to find a trustworthy jeweler.
meglynn: How would anyone would have known the craziness they’ve been pulling?!?! I know the mall stores can have great stuff, just some sketch practices behind the scenes.
ladybug55078: I do this when I get my ring back too! I know exactly where the inclusion is to look for it haha.
ChellFish22: I’m so sorry that happened, but I’m glad you found a good jeweler you can trust!
Post # 9
Member
2502 posts
Sugar bee
chigirl217bride: fwiw, i have a happy ending. had insurance on the ring, took it to another jeweler and they were able to send it to a gem cutter to have it repolished. it’s good as new now, and i didn’t pay the $1k(!) the repair cost because insurance paid out instead (and i believe the insurance company is going after the first jeweler who damaged it). but yeah, it was a hellish few weeks.
Post # 10
Member
10453 posts
Sugar Beekeeper
Nope. I got my rings from Shane Co. They do all the work in-house so it doesn’t get sent out. And they have such a fantastic reputation, I just don’t see a reason to worry.
Post # 11
Member
5148 posts
Bee Keeper
Well, there are some places I would worry about it, but I don’t go to those places.
I go to a local indepedent that has goldsmiths & platinumsmiths, gemologists, and appraisers all in store, they always examine my rings carefully under a loupe before I leave them, take photos, detailed notes, and let me examine them when I pick them up as well before I take them. I am familiar with my jewelry and stones (reports, blemishes/inclusions, and so on), and all are also insured in the event of damage during repairs and so on. I have a ring with them now, that they will probably have for just under a week, so they can resize it, appraise it, and polish it too. I feel safer with it there than when I am wearing it!
For those who have laser inscriptions, it is good practice to check the laser inscription when you get a ring back.
For any reputable place, it is absolutely not worth risking their business or reputation to swap out a stone.
Post # 12
Member
2692 posts
Sugar bee
I don’t worry about it. I check the # on my stones when I get my rings back. If it’s a particularly expensive piece, I ask them to list the GIA# on the receipt.