Elsarings.com doesn't deliver on custom sapphire ring

Complaint: I bought myself a beautiful sapphire several years ago and finally had the money to have it set. I contacted a few different jewelers and chose one based on price and also whoever contacted me back. A few never got in touch with me.

Anyway i decided to go with Elsarings.com. They claim to really care about quality. Well when I got the finished ring not only was the sapphire bezel set when I had asked for prongs but the halo of diamonds was set really badly and cooked.

She ( Elsa herself) refused to admit she was wrong for bezel setting the stone but agreed to fix the diamonds. The diamonds were straightened out mostly and at that point I just wanted to wear my ring and so I left things at that. Now two months later the sapphire is loose! I have contacted her and she says I can send it to her and she will "look at it". I'm furious, I paid good money and deserve a good ring. I'll see what happens but am ready to call the better business bureau if i need to.

Answer: We suggest that you find another local jeweler recommended through relatives or friends and have the ring fixed. We do not suggest going back to the same location, as it seems only more damage can be done to your ring; not to mention the fact that many untrustworthy jewelers will do a "bait and switch" on unsuspecting customers, replacing your original gemstone with another less valuable one. This occurs most often with diamonds, but it has been known to happen with other gemstones as well. You can contact the Better Business Bureau and lodge a complaint, and remember, if you used a credit card, you can always dispute the charges with your credit card company!

While you're at it, why not ask for references? Any reputable company will be able to provide a business reference to prove that they're on the up and up. Always get certificates for any gems you purchase (most places do not provide certificates for diamonds under 1 Carat), and always make sure your jeweler gets his or her supply from a US Certified Sightholder such as Stuller. If they get nervous when presented with too many questions, so should you. Buying jewelry is a big investment, and you should educate yourself before making any commitments.

This will narrow things down for you. Find out where your local jeweler gets their diamonds, gemstones and other jewelry supplies from, and research them. If the people they're buying from aren't reputable, chances are, neither are they. If they won't tell you, don't buy from them, it's as simple as that. There's plenty of competition out there, and plenty of reputable places that are willing to divulge this information.

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