3 years ago
My fiance and I came into the store with a 150 yea...
My fiance and I came into the store with a 150 year old heirloom engagement ring. We wanted to know what we had to work with and how I could make it my own. The sales rep could only show us appox. 9 enhancer options. When we discussed a new setting, basket, etc. I didn't get any warm fuzzy's about that option either. The 1/2 carat diamond was a miner's cut and didn't understand how changing the basket would help the look or not. There was discussion of gaps that would look like a flaw? I asked about the quality of the diamond and she told us the only way to do that was to appraise it. "But, from the naked eye, she thought it was a decent diamond." We asked her guess of the value and she replied, maybe $12-1500.00. To really get the value we would have to appraise it at $150.00. She told me it had worn down prongs that I couldn't see (didn't have my readers and 49 yoa) and wasn't given the option to look at it with a magnifying glass, nor did she for that matter. I asked about sizing it, re-dipping it and repairing it and the cost was $400.00 (not including re-dipping it). Now, why should I spend $400 on a ring only worth $1200.00? She lost me there. Appraisal, re-dipping, etc. I'm guessing was closer to a $1,000.00; again for a $1200.00 ring. Then she said some people fix it and wear it on the right hand and pick something new. Again, lost me more. I wanted to browse and felt like we were a lost sale and shouldn't be browsing. I felt our options were minimal, even though they pride themselves in custom work. The worst comment to my fiance was he was getting off cheap with already having the diamond. But felt backhanded like the diamond was garbage. We are Colorado Springs natives and professionals. We have 4 adult kids that will be getting engaged in the future; I will not refer anyone to this establishment. I wanted to support a local business in our city. I went from feeling very special to have been given such an incredible heirloom to a child who got a ring from a cracker jack box. (You will find my last name under Dwyer.)