Michelle
oxnard,#2Author of original report
Sun, June 10, 2007
Well, i still sometimes wonder what the hell happened to my free appraisal and certificate that is supposed to come with all Daniels "signature collection" peices. Seeing as how, they gave me a peice of paper with just a physical description of the ring typed on it. And i went back a couple of times to obtain my contract and review it with the manager. But evertime i go there, the person that i need to talk to about it is "on vacation" so that didnt work out either. I took it to get appraised and it is worth 3300 wich is more than my husband bought it for 2800. So i feel better about that. But I still cant believe the customer service and lies lies lies.
Michelle
oxnard,#3Author of original report
Tue, April 03, 2007
Well, some more time has past now and this is what has happened so far. With some phone calls to the higher of the food chain i guess, i got daniels to credit us for the insurance policy that we did not sign up for. i perhaps left some details out. we did not want the policy because it expires once you pay the ring of, no matter how soon you do it. after that, no coverage. I am not kidding about the following: All of the diamonds and rubies have fallen out of the setting. One of the rubies is chipped in half. What the heck right! I went to Daniels to complain. They said that there is no way to prove what caused this to happen and that they are never to be held responsible for the damage. So how did it happen? did i smash it against the wall so many times they all fell out. maybe i hit it against the sink a couple of times while doing the dishes. but thats it. So No, I think there is something wrong with the craftsmanship. this piece is part of their "signature collection" by they way. They did say however that they would gladly repair it for some money. yah right. To the person that said i flushed out two thirds of the value, well, it added value because that is my birthstone and i always dreamed of a ruby diamond ring like this. and you know what, i still believe that i have every right to know wether they are genuine or just pieces of red glass. there is a difference to me. and if it was your wedding ring, you'd care too. as always, the customer service reps were rude to me, not making eye contact, almost snickering and eating lunch at the front counter.
Darren
Indian Trail,#4Consumer Suggestion
Sun, October 15, 2006
I typically buy at liquidation or scrap to the layman... i also do custom work in my shop and deal with stone wholesalers daily, so the dated info you are typing holds no relevance in todays market... time to update your knowledge. Unless the gentleman from europe(?), USA(?) is speaking specifically if melee stones or the worst quality ruby, the info is incorrect.
Darren
Indian Trail,#5Consumer Suggestion
Sun, October 15, 2006
A top quality ruby would never sell for ten dollars unless it was melee... if the previous poster would clarify this maybe i would'nt have a problem. Typical mark-up for color stones starts at three times but to say that premium goods "averages" around 10.00$ is inaccurate and false... and too general to be of any use to this consumer. I can recommend a few price guides to help you in figuring out current wholesale prices on goods at the current market level... not in 1985. Darren
Peter
Pony,#6Consumer Comment
Sun, October 15, 2006
I am confused why you are so intent on getting a certificate or appraisal or whatever for your ring. It is true that rubies and other semi-precious gems have very little value, especially since most are sold wholesale in large volumes. When you replaced the two diamonds with rubies, you essentially flushed nearly 2/3 of the value of the ring down the toilet. Why are you so concerned about the value now? Or, were you under the impression before that the ring would NOT lose value after your custom modifications were performed?
Peter
Pony,#7Consumer Comment
Sun, October 15, 2006
I am confused why you are so intent on getting a certificate or appraisal or whatever for your ring. It is true that rubies and other semi-precious gems have very little value, especially since most are sold wholesale in large volumes. When you replaced the two diamonds with rubies, you essentially flushed nearly 2/3 of the value of the ring down the toilet. Why are you so concerned about the value now? Or, were you under the impression before that the ring would NOT lose value after your custom modifications were performed?
Peter
Pony,#8Consumer Comment
Sun, October 15, 2006
I am confused why you are so intent on getting a certificate or appraisal or whatever for your ring. It is true that rubies and other semi-precious gems have very little value, especially since most are sold wholesale in large volumes. When you replaced the two diamonds with rubies, you essentially flushed nearly 2/3 of the value of the ring down the toilet. Why are you so concerned about the value now? Or, were you under the impression before that the ring would NOT lose value after your custom modifications were performed?
Peter
Pony,#9Consumer Comment
Sun, October 15, 2006
I am confused why you are so intent on getting a certificate or appraisal or whatever for your ring. It is true that rubies and other semi-precious gems have very little value, especially since most are sold wholesale in large volumes. When you replaced the two diamonds with rubies, you essentially flushed nearly 2/3 of the value of the ring down the toilet. Why are you so concerned about the value now? Or, were you under the impression before that the ring would NOT lose value after your custom modifications were performed?
Lorraine - Geek Consumer Advocate :-)
Phoenix,#10Consumer Comment
Sun, October 15, 2006
Darren, I used to do lapidary and while I normally worked with rock, I did some gemstones set in an opal ring in the 80's. I put in top quality rubies and I paid a whole 5 bucks for both of them. Aafes is probably right on the cost these days or at least close when you add in the cost of inflation. Your appraisal price would of course be a lot higher, but those of us who buy the loose stones and set them ourselves pay next to nothing. I remember a black opal ring I made one day when I was bored. I took it out and it appraised out at $200.00. I thought that was pretty cool, since I only had $35.00 total invested in the ring, rock, ring blank and labor time. This was in 1984. Makes me wish I still had the ring today, but I lost it in a move many years ago. There is a vast difference in what I payed for the stones I worked with and what they would be sold to the public for, as you can see by the above stories.
Darren
Indian Trail,#11Consumer Suggestion
Sun, October 15, 2006
The information given specifically about the "average wholesale cost" of rubies is extremely inaccurate. You cannot say that the "average" cost of a 1.25 carat ruby is 10.00$ wholesale as that would be wrong. The wholesale value is based on quality. At 10.00$ wholesale the ruby would most likely be of the poorest quality or synthetic. Please do not try to help someone without knowing what you are talking about. I am a graduate gemologist, jewelry appraiser, estate jewelry buyer that has no patience for know-it-all's who know nothing. Michelle, if you are concerned with whether or not the rubies are natural or synthetic, find a local gemologist and have them tested. Finding a gemologist appraiser may benefit you as they will be able to properly value your ring and explain how the value was attained. As for the charging of fees without your consent, good luck.
Aafes
Viernheim,#12Consumer Comment
Thu, September 07, 2006
Gemstone value is highly overrated and the markup in a retail setting is enormous. The average price of a 1.25 ct natural ruby is roughly $10.00 wholesale. A "certificate" for the rubies in your ring will do little to increase the value. Most credit contracts offer some type of insurance unless you specifically "opt out" in writing. Read your credit agreement with Daniels throughly to see if this clause is there.