an open letter

[flamesea]

Dear tiny little nasty diamonds,
Please stop falling out of the pieces I am trying to evaluate. I have on a skirt and I do not need you sticking to it and giving me a heart attack.
Kthx.

Comments

[gem_handler]

Oh yeah, you work for Zales... I remember those days.

If they're falling out when you're just holding them, imagine what happens after you size them. I wish I could meet the QC department of some of those suppliers. Oh, wait, that would mean flying to India and having a conversation with my new, imaginary friend...

[flamesea]

LOL.

Actually work for Friedmans (hence the flurry of posts about OMG getting laid off SOON company bankrupt), and the diamonds are nasty. I mean... seriously nasty, some of 'em.

It's really sad to see what's compromised in lieu of being "affordable".

[gem_handler]

OMG Friedmans?!? No wonder. When I was looking to do contract repairs, I was going to contact them. I had about 3 different jewelers tell me not to, that it was more hassle than the pay was worth.

I'd love to open a retail store with the motto:

"When you care what your jewelry looks like."

[flamesea]

Hell yeah. I have learned more than I wanted to about the lengths people will go to try and sell dross as legit pretty stuff.

I'm seriously job hunting - they're handling the whole thing badly but I shouldn't be surprised. I swear the only vendor we ever got semi-decent product from was Rosy Blue, and they were one of the first to pull out.

It's frightening. I came into this not knowing a thing except about semi-precious stones and metalworking, and I'm looking around at the s**t and shaking my head. At least if anyone ever buys me jewelry, or when I decide to buy it for myself, I'll have a base idea of what quality does NOT look like.

And that's an awesome motto. I vote go for it.