I don't think it matters? I'm pretty sure you can at least send your setting to wink jones to set a stone in it.

I need to man up - I nervous about doing as you suggest because the jeweler was so lovely and polite to work with.
HOWEVER: you'd think that they'd check the ring when they got it from Ritani before sending it on to me right..

...and then you'd THINK they'd tell me about the quite obvious scratching...

Bronwyn, I'm just double checking, you can actually reuse your setting? Who would you get this done with?

Thank you so much ladies! I just knew something wasn't right as soon as I opened the box, although I ignored that nagging feeling and was too eager to finally post pics here...

halo xoxox

I plan to! I think they smash the stone and have to reset the bezel. I plan on getting a diamond in a few years but who knows, I may just change my mind again! I would definatly ask winkjones I have seen pictures of people that post on here sending their rings and stones to have redone.

Oh I know it's hard telling someone off that is so nice but they're being nice because they're scared you'll notice. Hey I just wrote a tell off letter to a teacher and at first was scared for standing my ground but I got the apology I wanted!! I have actually written many of such letters to professionals! Ha! But I have never felt bad about it, only regretting I never did. At least do it for yourself. The ball is in their court after your complaint, hopefully they will rectify it.

Ok, this is how I see it.

Ritani did the stone setting. Why necessarily blame the jeweler who was the middle man and demand he make it right? Ritani could just as easily be held accountable. Secondly, many times if you don't buy the stone from the person who sold you the mount, they TAKE no financial responsibility for it if it's damaged during setting. Sometimes those conditions are spelled out in paperwork you sign authorizing a jeweler to do some work. Do you have any warranty paperwork on workmanship? Thirdly, it's possible that stone is still an Asha - just abraded, nicked and scratched so badly that it's affected it's coating and the stones performance.

Do you have a warranty through Ritani for the mounting? If someone other than their bench sets a stone (real or simulated) in the mounting, does that void the warranty? If it does void the warranty, then you have to decide whether it's worth the possible damage to any future stones to have them do the setting or to let the warranty laspe and have stones set by a bench familiar with Ashas. I know with AshaDiamonds and Winfields, if you buy the Asha from them and have them set it, if it's damaged during setting, they will replace it for free. Might back up receiving the piece an extra week if they have to order in and reset the center but at least you know you aren't getting a damaged stone.

I would go back to the jeweler and tell him you're unhappy because after looking at the ring very closely, you see the stone is horribly scratched, etc. I wouldn't accuse anyone of switching the Asha. It could be true but you have no actual proof so no point getting everyone all worked up and defensive. You CAN prove the stone is damaged. Sadly, both Ritani and the jeweler was willing to let the piece go out in an unsatisfactory condition. Ask for the jeweler or Ritani to compensate you for the cost of a new Asha. If the jeweler or Ritani says no, you'll have to decide how much it's worth pursuing. They might state they'll only pay for a new Asha if the ring goes back to Ritani and frankly, seeing their performance last time, I don't know if I'd trust them again unless I didn't want to void any warranty.

Diamondhalo, I'm just here to say I'm sorry that this has happened. You are certainly not the first. It does look like something happened during the setting process as the asha is not hazy or milky. I hope you're able to work with your jeweler and come to some reasonable solution for everyone.

I agree with Tricksi in how to proceed. Let us know how it all turns out.

Hi everyone, thanks for being so lovely - I decided not to pursue the issue with the jeweller or Ritani - I'm just going to accept some early scratches..

I cleaned and soaked and scrubbed like never before, then cooked the stone and read more threads about taking better shots of sparklies:

Tell me does it look better?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/49662738@N05/4582888665/in/photostream/

It is so difficult to tell by pics. But if you are happy with it you are the best judge. Just keep in mind that when/if you are ready, you can get another Asha, maybe off the Bistro for a reasonable price and have the stone switched.