Huge let down how poor this ring came back
I was lost for words how bad my ring came back.
I had dropped off a beautful, tension set diamond ring made from 24ct gold and platinum and wanted it sized down from N 1/2 to M.
We went through the options of cutting and sizing which I was against as it would loose hallmarks and jewellers always say there won't be a visible cut line, but there usually is.
So I wanted little cushions or beads on the inner of the band instead.
He explained that it's possible and he would manage to so this and only loose two hallmarks showing the platinum '950'ans the orb, as the cushions would cover them up but assured me it can be sent to get rehallmarked.
This seemed fair and I was happy with that option so gave the green light.
A couple weeks later I got a video saying it was ready to hallmark.
Straight away I noticed some holes what looked like porosity where he'd attatched the cushions.
He used laser to attach the cushions and it blew holes in the ring at those points, exposing a platinum core which surprised both of us.
He tried to explain to me why this happened but I'm still surprised and don't fully understand as to me, you just set the laser hot enough to the point where it melts the gold and shouldn't blow through anything.
I don't know why you wouldn't revert to solder as soon as this happens, turn the machine down or just solder to begin with.
Anyway... it was sent to the assy office for re-hallmarking as we'd discussed and I was told he'd look at it when it's back from hallmarking.
Fast-forward another week, I had a call saying it was ready to collect. I spoke to the jeweller and he said he was unable to do anything else with the holes as he'd now filled them and platinum was showing.
When I arrived to collect the ring and look at it, I was lost for words how bad this ring had now become.
From a Master goldsmith I did expect better.
Noticing not only the two hallmarks he said would be gone, but the majority of them had gone and been covered with the cushions and the re- hallmarking on the new location of the ring had a new mark on it plus a new date code.
I asked what it was and It was his makers mark, to which I replied, 'but you didn't make it' a conversation unfolded about this, which i wasnt happy with, also noticed the date had changed from lowercase 'e' (2004) to 'B' (2026) another conversation unfolded about this with the same displeased result...
Still, I was charged £230 for the privilege for now ruining what was a beautiful ring to effectively a scrap piece where I can't even remove the cushions and go back to the original design despite being told this Initially.
Clearly I was disappointed and to the point of just wanting to pay and get out of there.
It really surprised me how he could talk the talk initially but he couldn't walk the walk... as with many of these 'skillled' workers... it seems that's the one thing they can master.
I'm surprised that after 30 plus years of being a jeweller, he didn't tell me the hallmarking process and he'd have his makers mark on it with a date change.
Still... one of his last comments was on the lines of, 'at least your wife can wear the ring now'... yes, whilst this could be true however, with that attitude, you could just squeeze the ring in the vice to make it smaller and it'll fit. I don't find that comment particularly helpful.
Anyway... the more I think, the more my blood boils.
Another jeweller to mark and avoid.
I will attatch before and after photos to compare.
Also note the weight.
The ring was originally 9.7 grams. There has not been 2 grams of gold added onto the ring as claimed in the response....
It is now 10.11 grams
Thanks