returning engagement ring- help?

Mark_Hewitt

I know from experience buying an engagement ring is difficult! You think a ring is a ring, but it isn't! With all the different sizes, and it wasn't like she had a nice fitting ring that I could steal without her noticing.

I eventually printed out a PDF of ring sizes and tried to size up one of her rings but the ring I eventually got was about one size too big. Thankfully we managed to get it resized.

Ernest Jones said when I was buying it "well if it doesn't fit just come back and exchange it for one that does".
A said "Well then it wouldn't be the ring I proposed with then would it?"
But they didn't seem to understand the concept!

Oh and she did say yes, whilst under the Eiffel Tower

Ladywhisper

I worked in a well know jewellery store for a time and their return policy was 30 days. If they didn't have the size you needed they'd get the nearest and have it resized for you through the company, the return period remained the same so long as it was done through the company.

Amatrix

Most stores would have accepted a returned engagement ring after a short time without too many personal questions (but you MUST give them your receipt!) but the important thing here is that you've already had it resized, and having that work done on it almost certainly means you won't be able to take it back, but there is no harm in asking as you might get the right person on a good day - just be sweet and polite and remember the nice salesperson or manager are human too! They may be more accommodating if you are thinking of upgrading to a bigger more expensive ring at that store, especially towards the end of the month or week when sales targets are looming. Don't EVER go in with an attitude and get stroppy or make any sort of threat as this will almost certainly kill off any chance you ever had of getting what you want. Crocodile tears won't work either!

Depending on the reason you are returning it and the quality of the original piece, remember that some stores such as H Samuel, Ernest Jones, have "design days" where you can tinker with your jewellery (and I would imagine a lot of independents do this anyway), so if you wanted to splash out on a nicer stone or add something they should be able to make a good job of it with a no-obligation quote/sketch of the finished product next time there's an event in your local store - a quick phone call will tell you that. It's not too expensive relatively but if you want cheap rubbish go to Asda or Argos for disposable jewellery. Don't expect to pay fifty quid and get top quality gold jewellery. If you are offended at the price in the UK go to Goa, where the quality and price are top notch but watch for (non-existent) hallmarking!

jettaboo

My daughter got engaged ion Xmas day and she had a white gold ring. After 6 weeks she noticed a dark mark on one side so she took it back to H Samuels and they told her that gold is sprayed to make it white (silver) and she was told that when she bought it. They actually never told her anything of the sort but said she could have it recoated free any time in the first 12 months. As she told them she would expect it after about 1 to 2 years but not 6 weeks.
What would you do about this?:rolleyes:

tbw

jettaboo wrote: »

My daughter got engaged ion Xmas day and she had a white gold ring. After 6 weeks she noticed a dark mark on one side so she took it back to H Samuels and they told her that gold is sprayed to make it white (silver) and she was told that when she bought it. They actually never told her anything of the sort but said she could have it recoated free any time in the first 12 months. As she told them she would expect it after about 1 to 2 years but not 6 weeks.
What would you do about this?:rolleyes:

I've never heard of this and it sounds like a very inventive excuse to me ! I have a fair bit of gold jewelry - yellow, white and reddish coloured and I've never had any colour change with any of it. I was under the impression that the colour is determined by the various other metals which are present and not caused by coatings. It sounds daft to spray a silver coating on gold to make it silver coloured - surely any sensible person would just buy a much cheaper silver item rather than pay a lot more for gold and have it sprayed with a cheaper coating.

I reckon this is a load of old codswallap!!!

Kavanne

I thought white gold was rhodium plated gold? Sounds like H Samuel are telling porkies.

lil_lady_2

tbw wrote: »

I've never heard of this and it sounds like a very inventive excuse to me ! I have a fair bit of gold jewelry - yellow, white and reddish coloured and I've never had any colour change with any of it. I was under the impression that the colour is determined by the various other metals which are present and not caused by coatings. It sounds daft to spray a silver coating on gold to make it silver coloured - surely any sensible person would just buy a much cheaper silver item rather than pay a lot more for gold and have it sprayed with a cheaper coating.

I reckon this is a load of old codswallap!!!

the sales woman just dont know what she is talking about , there is no such thing as natural white gold , its a process.... type of yellow gold mixed with another metal then it is rodium plated to give it its shine and sparkle and protection.

IdealD

I switched over to platinum as a result of premature tarnishing as well. Something in my skin tends to see the Rhodium plating turning yellow very quickly. I was getting my rings re-dipped every 3 months. It was driving me bonkers.

Some people are lucky and never have any issus with it.

May be the Rhodium plating wasn't effectively done the first time. Tell the SA that 6 weeks is too short a time to notice the Rhodium plating starting to come off. Would she KINDLY re dip it!


IdealD

WolfSong2000

white gold is actually a gold alloy (gold mixed with other metals to give it that white colour) and then it's coated with rhodium (part of the platinum family) to make it shine. Theoretically, the Rhodium coating should last for around 2 years, but this is dependent upon a number of factors. Some people find the coating wears more quickly because it reacts to their skin. It also reacts to things like perfume, which is why you should never use perfume close to/on jewelery.

I think stores should be more upfront about pointing out that there's no guarantee about how long the rhodium finish will last. If it was me, I'd avoid white gold altogether and either go for yellow gold, or even better, platinum, as it wont tarnish and is less likely to get scratched...also wont erode the same way gold does.

happywarmgun

I had no idea what ring my Mrs wanted - but did know I would get ripped off at a high street Jeweller. Was on business in the US and bought the stone over there at a MASSIVE discount to what I would have paid in the UK - bought it through a broker, only release my money after I had it appraised by a third jeweller (even though it was certified). Brought it home, proposed as a surprise with just the diamond - then took her to an independent jewellers to design the setting/ring.

If I had my time again, that is how I would do it again! I saved enough money to get a flat screen plasma (that was back when flat screen plasmas where three and a half grand!) - she got her dream ring!