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#323649 - 06/05/07 11:18 AM
My Liz Rings - The Full Story
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ericader
Connoisseur
Registered: 12/04/06
Posts: 2159
Loc: Seattle, WA
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Hi everyone,
As you may know, I recently commissioned a custom project from Liz, for which I sang very high praises. I have also alluded to some issues I had as well as resolution between Liz and I.
Well, I never intended to go any further until I started to learn of so many others with similar, and sometimes far worse experiences via PM. I'm going to bite the bullet and tell the truth, from start to finish, whatever the consequences may be. I only hope that others will post the plain truth too.
First and foremost I LOVED the way the design turned out and told Liz (and all of you) so on many occasions.
Upon receipt of my rings, I immediately noticed that one of the prong tips was shorter than the others. Several of the prongs were very sharp as well. I also noticed that 2 of the prongs were not touching the stone.
I sent pics of this to Liz and she said that the magnification of the zoom on my camera was exaggerating the problem and that setting cz is hard to do and they can only try to get it as close as possible.
Since the stone seemed secure (and I was self conscious about being too picky) I left it at that.
I also immediately noticed that my stone was very very white. Far whiter than the faint yellow O/P color I had requested. This was a disappointment too, because it was very important that this pass for a lower colored antique diamond, which is what I had priced out when determining the size stone that would be believable for us. But again, I thought I was being too picky. To be sure, though, I ordered some stones from Liz and intended to have her swap it out for something warmer (at my expense).
While I was pondering the new stone, I started to look at my ring more carefully and noticed that the basket did not appear centered on one side. See pic:
This pic wasn't taken from a parallel angle (rather slightly tilted) so the problem appears subtle, but in person it was more obvious.
This problem, coupled with the sharp prongs on both rings (prongs on the floral band actually snagged into my skin when I ran my finger over it) and all of the other things I mentioned, just broke my heart. I spent over $2k (and 8 weeks waiting) on these 2 items and expected them to be free of defects.
I sent one final email to Liz giving her the opportunity to either replace the solitaire with one that was free of these defects, or refund my money. She agreed to the refund and I no longer have my rings, although I am out a total of $325 for shipping costs, customs duty, insurance and the 2 loose stones I had to purchase since my stone was the wrong color (which are for sale, forgive the plug!)
As I have mentioned in other threads, Liz did make things right for me but I happen to know that she has not done so for everyone who has had quality problems. I only know this through pm's and will, of course, leave it to the rest of you to decide whether or not to post your experiences.
I apologize to everyone who placed orders from Liz based on my rave reviews only to find that your pieces have problems too. I realize that there are many out there who have received perfect items from her, which I'm very happy about, but anyone contemplating ordering from Liz should insist upon a written guarantee of the work prior to paying a deposit.
Everything I've written above is the truth, so please do not pm me with negative comments - I'm not interested. I just felt it was my responsibility to post these details as I had initiated a very active thread that resulted in a lot of new business for Liz.
I hope others will come out too - I know you're out there.
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#323650 - 06/05/07 12:03 PM
Re: My Liz Rings - The Full Story
[Re: ericader]
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maliasmom
The Black Orlov
Registered: 05/14/06
Posts: 4319
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I want to thank you Erica for coming forward and for telling the absolute truth in a respectful manner. I only wish that this thread had come out in January when I placed my order.
I also placed my order with Liz based on all of the fabulous glowing reviews here on this board. I am like you Erica (and so many others) and am very picky and was made to feel like I was demanding too much when I first complained about my ring, which I spent $1k for and also waited 8 weeks.
When the ring arrived, the stone was lifeless, colorless, no facets at all in the stone, the stone was white, no fire or brilliance at all. Needless to say, I was devastated. I told Liz of my disappointment and that is when I was made to feel like I was being too picky.
Only when I told Liz that I would post pics of the Passion ring on the board for some feedback did she say she would switch out the stone for me. I had never seen the Passion stone, so I did take a chance on ordering it, that is my fault. BUT, her pics of the Passion stone that she had posted in the beginning of the year and of my finished ring looked nothing at all like the stone (ring) in person.
Below are pics of the Passion ring that I received.
So, Liz did switch the stone to the Krupp stone and sent the ring back to me. It was a very good improvement but at such a high cost, both financially and emotionally. Luckily for me the stone swap was enough and the prongs are not perfect, but they are good enough, passable enough without having had to send it back. When I asked to return the Passion ring, I was quoted a 30% restocking fee. I should have just paid it and for the shipping for the ring back to recoup my money spent. But, at that rate it would have cost the same as the ring itself, I was torn. Also, I really wanted this ring for it was to be a replacement of my original e-ring that I no longer have, so I sent it back.
With all of the time waiting, original costs of the ring and the shipping, insurance, customs, etc, it truly is draining and so stressful. I would not want anyone else to go through what Erica, myself and the countless others out there went through.
The reason why I didn't originally post about this was I thought I was the only one out there who had a difficult experience. I posted nice reviews about my ring as a way to thank Liz for her improving my ring and for making it right.
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#323651 - 06/05/07 12:26 PM
Re: My Liz Rings - The Full Story
[Re: ericader]
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SheTiger
Mentor
Registered: 10/04/06
Posts: 1027
Loc: South Carolina
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"If the truth doesn't save us, what does that say about us?" Lois McMaster Bujold
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#323653 - 06/05/07 01:04 PM
Re: My Liz Rings - The Full Story
[Re: 3011sarah]
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CurlySparkle
Afficionado
Registered: 06/04/07
Posts: 455
Loc: California
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I, for one, appreciate the honest reviews as I am considering making a custom piece with Liz and am glad to be aware of the problems that can occur or the possible extra expense (on my part) if I were to have to send the ring back for revisions. I hope that neither one of you feel bad for posting your experiences and for giving other people things to consider. For me, the biggest thing I think this has made me think about is the cost of shipping, customs, and time delay that is involved with dealing with someone in another country.
BTW, ericader, the ring I wanted Liz to make for me was a ring I saw on Simstalk, which looks like it was your ring set. I sent a custom quote request to Bella Jewelry to see how much they would charge to make that ring in all Moissanite! You’ve got good taste! (Bella quote a price not too different from Liz’s, btw).
I am still torn on what type and size of stone I want and what style ring. After reading more about Asha and seeing all the lovely rings here, I am not quite sure what way I want to go and what vendor I want to use, but I love the fact that there is somewhere I can go that offers so many options and so much information!
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#323654 - 06/05/07 01:08 PM
Re: My Liz Rings - The Full Story
[Re: 3011sarah]
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maliasmom
The Black Orlov
Registered: 05/14/06
Posts: 4319
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I think you are missing the point here 3011sarah. There seems to be a lot of pleased customers but that was just because no one felt safe enough to come out and tell the truth. Erica had the guts to start this thread, I chose to follow in her footsteps.
Also for you to say, it was just custom work, I beg to differ. I have had quite a few rings custom made and yes, while custom work is not perfect right off, I know this, it should be handled in a way where as the customer should not have to be made to feel badly about making things right for them, get my drift? I have had issues in the past with a vendor and was able to settle things on a wonderful note with that vendor privately, because that vendor made sure that I was 110% taken care of and happy, did not try to gauge me with a ridiculou 30% restocking fee, did not make me feel guilty for being a perfectionist. So, please look at the big picture before you jump to conclusions.
I also feel horrible for I did recommend a friend to Liz for a custom ring, the ring was not made well and my friend had to send it back, another custom work issue? Maybe yes, maybe no.
Also, for a vendor to talk poorly about clients to other members is a huge no-no, HUGE!
Congrats on your ring, I truly am happy for you, so glad to hear your ring is perfect. So, enjoy it and be grateful that you did not have to endure the stress or heartache of disappointment and wasted time and energy.
_________________________
got bling?
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#323655 - 06/05/07 02:11 PM
Re: My Liz Rings - The Full Story
[Re: maliasmom]
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moissfan
The Black Orlov
Registered: 07/03/06
Posts: 4152
Loc: somewhere else
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#323656 - 06/05/07 02:13 PM
Re: My Liz Rings - The Full Story
[Re: maliasmom]
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ericader
Connoisseur
Registered: 12/04/06
Posts: 2159
Loc: Seattle, WA
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My ring's basket had 12 equal sized bezels in the basket. I think it's reasonable that they be spaced evenly and at the same height. Mind you, I wasn't examining it with a magnifying glass - one side of the basket was completely off center. It was so obvious that I always wore the ring with that side facing me so that no one else would see it. no one should spend this much money on a ring and have to go to these lengths to cover defects.
Sarah, I understand your comment to mean that handmade work will have a few tiny imperfections - and I agree. It's what makes each piece unique. But you will just have to take my word for it when I tell you that my ring's issues were far more serious than that. The pic I posted doesn't do the defect justice, if that makes any sense.
You should also know that I have personal knowledge of several others who have had problems with their Liz rings, even if they choose not to post, they are out there.
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Moderator: BondAngel, izze, maliasmom, tricksi, gemcat, MsT
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Unfortunately, it appears that there are others whose experience was not as positive 
...I for one want to hear both the good and the BAD. The truth should not be squashed, just because we don't agree with it. 
