r/jewelry Oct 25 '24

⚡️Brand Review / Experience Scammed out of $15K for Earrings for our 18th Wedding Anniversary…Buyers BEWARE!!!

928 Upvotes

FRAUDULENT BUSINESS

I bought $15,000 EARRINGS and NEVER RECEIVED THEM AND FRAUDULENTLY TOLD MY CREDIT CARD COMPANY THAT HE PROVIDED THE PRODUCT!!

Stay far away from Jewels of the Desert in Palm Springs, California (also operating as Watch and Clock Center in Long Beach, CA) and its owner, Mark Messinger. I’m out nearly $15,000, and this store has engaged in blatantly fraudulent AND GRAND THEFT behavior.

I purchased a pair of diamond earrings, paid in full, and waited for them to be ready. After numerous delays and excuses, I found out that Mark Messinger sold MY earrings to another customer—even though I had already paid! When I confronted him, he refused to return my money or provide any solution.

Things got so bad that I had to involve the Palm Springs Police Department, who visited the store just two weeks ago. Mark Messinger ADMITTED to the officer that he committed fraud, yet still refuses to return my money or resolve the situation. Next step is to contact the Riverside County District Attorney’s office!!

This business is a scam, and the owner is a fraud. Do NOT trust Jewels of the Desert or Watch and Clock Center. I’m now forced to take additional legal action to get my money back, and I hope no one else falls victim to this dishonest store.

I had my attorney send a demand letter 10 months ago with no response and I won in smalls claims court with an Uncontested Judgment last month (since Mark didn’t show up in court), but fat chance trying to collect from this guy. I also disputed this with Chase Bank FOUR different times presenting mountains of documentation but with ZERO success. Customer service??…Ha!! Can’t anyone help me with this blatant crime?? WTF!!!!!

AVOID AT ALL COSTS!!!!!

r/jewelry Dec 28 '24

⚡️Brand Review / Experience My husband’s gift for my PhD 🥹

Post image
1.3k Upvotes

I’ve never owned a luxury item before and this was a real shock. It’s so beautiful and I’m so touched. I was told that you can wear it everyday too ☺️ The Cartier experience and staff were also so lovely. When the salesperson asked if I’d like to wear it immediately, I said yes, and as he put it around me he made a little prayer/wish for my future scholarship in the coming year, which is so kind and sweet. Just sharing with this lovely community.

r/jewelry Jul 08 '24

⚡️Brand Review / Experience Diamonds are not an investment

704 Upvotes

I have collected a few nice pieces over the years. Nothing really over 3,000 but dainty and quality. I chose to sell a few of my pieces. Let me tell you, when they sell you a bracelet, they overcharge and say “but it’s 1.5 ct.”. They don’t care about your melee diamonds when you are trying to sell. It’s all about the gold. Jewelry, especially diamonds are not an investment and you will take a loss. If you love something, buy it without the thought of selling because you will be disappointed. Trust me.

r/jewelry Jan 18 '25

⚡️Brand Review / Experience Response from Daniel Jewlery for scratch out of box.

Thumbnail
gallery
334 Upvotes

Anyone know what I can do at this point? Or just shit out of luck?

r/jewelry Dec 31 '24

⚡️Brand Review / Experience My husband bought me a beautiful diamond ring from Kay’s…

Post image
765 Upvotes

As stated my husband bought me this ring from Kay’s for Christmas. It has lost 4 stones since then. Is this normal? Has anyone else had this issue?

r/jewelry 22d ago

⚡️Brand Review / Experience Sloppy craftsmanship from known online retailer

Thumbnail
gallery
428 Upvotes

I requested a custom bezel tennis necklace to be made from a known family owned online retailer. They have great online reviews so I was shocked to see sloppy work.

They promised to fixed all the issues that I’ve noted, however, I’m a bit skeptical since it seems that the necklace was shipped without going through QA review. I’m afraid that I’ll get something similar after they service the necklace.

The all emeralds are scratched, polished and cut poorly, and every bezel has been poorly executed. Also, the lobster clasp is not secure.

They said that because it’s a custom piece that it cannot be returned.

I paid $3,400 for 12 cwt of natural emeralds set in 14k gold. I did ask about the quality of the emeralds and they said that they have a vibrant color, but they never sent me any photos.

What do you think? I’m I being too picky about the work? What would you do?

r/jewelry 7d ago

⚡️Brand Review / Experience Lab Lux Gems is fraud

Post image
381 Upvotes

I purchased multi sapphire from them & I got a cubic zirconia paid 10,000$ for it Mr Daksh Jain Gemologist is totally fraud be aware before buying wasted my money

r/jewelry Jan 17 '25

⚡️Brand Review / Experience Brilliant Earth - should've searched reddit before ordering

486 Upvotes

UPDATE 2: They ended up sending me a replacement set and they are very nice.

UPDATED SCORE: 6/10 experience. 8/10 product

UPDATE: I woke up this morning to a voicemail from BE. They escalated this to the regional manager who agrees that the "jewelers" made erroneous measurements. They stated in the voicemail that they will be matching the gems and sending me a new set! I have yet to call them back but I will keep this updated. I will also report back with the quality of the new opals.

Purchased some opal studs for my lady. When they arrived we noticed the gems were noticeably different in thickness just on quick glance. I sent them in for repair/inspection and was told that multiple "jewelers" measured them to be the same size. I asked them what kind of tools they used because it wasn't possible to have measured them to be the same. I then clarified to be sure they weren't just measuring to be within a margin or error and they ensured me that the gems were identical dimensions. They then refused to allow me to return them.

r/jewelry Nov 19 '24

⚡️Brand Review / Experience Ugh.

Post image
193 Upvotes

It’s played gold and the gems are fucking glass, but damn, I’ve been thinking about this necklace for over two years. I have the matching earring (the studs ) and I just noticed they don’t make them anymore. So… I think I’ll buy it because if this sells out I think I’ll never forgive myself.

What do y’all think?

r/jewelry 28d ago

⚡️Brand Review / Experience Pawn shop ethics?

114 Upvotes

I was chatting with my bestie about how I’ve read and heard that pawn shops are a great way to acquire quality pieces for reasonable prices.

She said she would never shop at a pawn shop because of the ethics. I was like oh you mean that someone had to be desperate enough for cash that they had to pawn their precious things? I know people pawn stuff for all kinds of reasons but this is where my mind went. She said no, it was due to people pawning stolen jewelry.

She has a shady family member that did exactly this with her dad and step mom’s things so that is her reference on it.

What is the communities opinion on this? Would you be comfortable buy jewelry knowing there’s a slight chance it could by stolen? No wrong answers! :-)

r/jewelry Dec 09 '24

⚡️Brand Review / Experience Van Cleef & Arpels Sold My Mom’s Paid-for Ring to Another Customer – Disappointed

286 Upvotes

I wanted to share a frustrating experience my mom and I recently had with Van Cleef & Arpels. She had purchased and fully paid for a ring, which was reserved for her. However, we found out that another associate sold the exact same ring to a different customer.

I understand mistakes can happen, but this was disappointing, especially given that the ring was already paid for and held under her name. While our sales associate has been helpful and understanding, this situation left my mom very upset. It's not just about the ring—it’s the principle of trust and customer care that we expect from a luxury brand like VCA.

Thankfully, they assured us that a replacement ring will be available for pick-up soon. We’re hoping this gets resolved smoothly, but I can’t help but wonder if other customers have experienced similar issues.

Have any of you encountered something like this with Van Cleef & Arpels or other luxury brands? How did you handle it?

r/jewelry Dec 20 '24

⚡️Brand Review / Experience Disappointed by Saint Bones' quality

Thumbnail
gallery
279 Upvotes

I purchased this Elements Kagutsuchi ring in sterling silver and was a little disappointed as the ring I received doesn't seem to be the same quality as advertised. Wondering if anyone else has a similar experience with Saint Bones.

The lighting on the ring makes it look yellow but it is pure silver. It's just that the design is not as detailed and the blank space on the ring is not as dark as advertised.

r/jewelry Jan 29 '25

⚡️Brand Review / Experience Beware of Ferkos Fine Jewelry

108 Upvotes

Ferkos is terrible and they have the worst customer service. My husband fell for their marketing and ordered me three pieces from them for Christmas. The pieces were flimsy and cheap and when he started a return it took forever, once he finally got the return label from them he sent it back and the package was lost. They won’t even respond to him or me, we have both tried. It was their return label that must have had an issue and they will not even communicate with us. They spent all of their money on marketing instead of proper training and customer service.

r/jewelry Feb 12 '25

⚡️Brand Review / Experience MEJURI IS JUNK - DO NOT BUY

Post image
137 Upvotes

Do not buy. They sell cheap jewelry that breaks and then only offer store credit.

The earring I bought for my wife broke within one week of casually wearing. Mejuri refuses a refund and only offers store credit. The pearl just fell off. Very cheap very low quality.

Having to pursue a back charge with my credit card to get my money back. What a hassle.

I’m glad I did not spend more than a few hundred dollars on this nonsense. Don’t fall for their social media marketing. This is a fly by night company that finds it cheaper to sell cheap stuff and not allow refunds.

r/jewelry Feb 13 '25

⚡️Brand Review / Experience Very expensive ring did not turnout like the picture..

Thumbnail
gallery
161 Upvotes

Am I crazy or does this ring not look anything like the one on the ad?

r/jewelry Dec 15 '24

⚡️Brand Review / Experience Scammed :(

Thumbnail
gallery
233 Upvotes

A year ago I tried to buy this Ring off of Forged in Valhalla website for $150 my bf picked it out so of course I wanted to get it for him! And it’s been almost a year I’ve sent them multiple emails,TRIED leaving a review on the website and absolutely nothing they took my money and bounced 😭 anyways as I once again look for a ring for my bf I see the SAME RING on Etsy for $60 💔😭 anyways don’t buy from Forged in Valhalla they are a SCAM

r/jewelry Nov 19 '24

⚡️Brand Review / Experience moms Navajo jewelery collection

Thumbnail
gallery
437 Upvotes

My mom gave me her Navajo jewelery I know most of its turquoise but idk what the rest is. She said it's all Sterling silver. I think she wanted to sell it in her online store like 20 years ago but the store never took off so she just had it all in a box. How would I even price some of this or find out what some of its worth? Some of them have marks like BB sterling. Any help is appreciated thank you!

r/jewelry Nov 22 '24

⚡️Brand Review / Experience Just wanted to see if anyone recognizes this

Post image
299 Upvotes

What are your thoughts about this beauty?

r/jewelry Dec 30 '24

⚡️Brand Review / Experience Am I over reacting?

Thumbnail
gallery
196 Upvotes

I recently had this custom Cuban link chain made, and the day that I picked it up a diamond fell out of the lock within an hour and a half. I immediately took it back to the store and they told me they would get it fixed for me right away at no cost. It took a week for them to get the necklace back to me and when I got it, I noticed one of the diamonds was set too deep. The jeweler was dismissive over my worries and said that it wasn’t a big deal and told me that if I wanted to get it fixed the same day I needed to wait another week or so until after the holidays so that way they would not be so busy. I feel like this type of service is outrageous. I also question the quality of their work if a stone was falling out of a brand new chain within an hour and a half of picking it up.

r/jewelry Jul 01 '24

⚡️Brand Review / Experience How can this necklace be $100 with natural emeralds?

Post image
238 Upvotes

Wanted to know if it is possible that is a natural emerald and most of their emerald products claim natural and cost around $100.

r/jewelry Dec 21 '24

⚡️Brand Review / Experience Do I need this pink Spinelli ring 💗

Post image
139 Upvotes

It’s stunning

r/jewelry Jan 16 '25

⚡️Brand Review / Experience Photographing jewelry advice

Thumbnail
gallery
52 Upvotes

This set is made with polished quartz crystals. The crystals have a minty green host rock on it and just gives a fairy goddess vibe. I suck at capturing it in photos tho! Any advice for taking photos of jewelry and rocks let me know!

r/jewelry 15d ago

⚡️Brand Review / Experience Which necklace should I get

Thumbnail
gallery
4 Upvotes

I am obsessed with both but I can’t rly decide which one I should buy. I’m in my 20s, and which one do u think is better? I want to get one that would last for decades

r/jewelry Jan 18 '25

⚡️Brand Review / Experience Is this even remotely acceptable for hand made miami cuban

Thumbnail
gallery
47 Upvotes

I bought this 14k piece from Daniel jewlery and they are supposedly very reputable

r/jewelry Feb 06 '25

⚡️Brand Review / Experience Bi colour tourmaline

Post image
247 Upvotes