Pietra Jewelry

Review: Re: [redacted], Pietra Jewelry. I bought a stone (marked as a yellow sapphire) from him at the San Jose Harvest Festival, Nov. '14. I brought in the setting I wanted to put it in, and the stone was too big. He assured me he would take my ring, and find the appropriate stone for it, and I would be sent the stone for approval. Several months went by, I left messages and no contact. Then he assured me he would find a good stone at the Gem show in AZ in February. After six plus months and emails/calls, I received my ring back (a family heirloom, shame on me), and two totally inappropriate stones. I emailed him I was sending them back, and wanted a refund. I sent them back, insured, and asked for my $ back. I just received the box back, unopened, and marked "REFUSED".Desired Settlement: A refund of $400 plus $12.50 for shipping/insurance of the return is due me. I will willingly re-send back the inappropriate stones, provided Mr. [redacted] does not refuse the shipment a second time.The refund of this shipping cost would likely also be $12.50. So total refund would be $425.00. That is, of course, if the refund is guaranteed and processed. I will not accept/retain sub-standard product in lieu of the refund.

Review: On 9/17/13, my fiance and I purchased a ring from [redacted] at our local art and wine festival in Capitola. We told him that we were searching for a unique engagement ring, and [redacted] showed us a ring that we felt unique and beautiful. He told us that the center stone was a 2.6 ct. white Sapphire from Sri Lanka . He explained how the sapphire was very unique due to its incredible brilliance and luster. We purchased the ring for $1,300 in cash. In December of 2014, the center stone became loose. We went to a Jeweler, who is a family friend, to tighten the setting. First off, he informed us that the 3 prong setting was not a proper setting for a round stone, and that it should have at least 4 prongs. He then discovered that the stone was actually a cubic zirconia (value=$20), and not a natural white Sapphire (retail value=$500-$2,000) as was advertised. On 1/13/15 we contacted [redacted], owner of Pietra Jewelry, hoping that he would be willing to resolve the issue. Mr. [redacted] was cordial and responded on 1/17/15 via email. He claimed that he was willing to "make it right", that he would replace the stone with a white Sapphire and repair the setting, free of cost, and have it done by 2/3/15. We sent Mr. [redacted] an email the following day with specific questions about the stone that would be replaced and the design of the setting. He did not respond to our emails or voicemails until 1/28/15. When he finally did respond, he only stated that I should "send him the ring", and he continued to avoid answering any of our questions. On 1/29/15 I made contact with Mr. [redacted] by phone. When I began to question him if the stone that he would be replacing would be what was advertised to us, a 2.6 ct white Sapphire from Sri Lanka, Mr. [redacted] began to loose his professional demeanor. When I mentioned the issue of "trust", Mr. [redacted] began yelling and stated that he was not legally responsible and proceeded to hang up on me. He refused additional calls and told me to call his lawyer.Desired Settlement: Due to [redacted] lack of professionalism and questionable ethics, I am requesting to be reimbursed for the cost of a natural white Sapphire of Sri Lankan origin. I am also requesting to be reimbursed for the cost of replacing the setting of the white Sapphire. I will provide [redacted] with receipts for the cost of the stone replacement as well as the cost of the new setting. Alternatively, [redacted] may refund the $1,300 in its entirety.

Review: On April 13, 2014 at a craft show in Las Vegas, NV I gave Pietra Jewelers' owner, [redacted], $500.00 in cash as partial payment for a $1400 ring they were selling. I was to pay for the rest of the ring in 2-3 weeks. However, almost immediately my family received a very high tax bill from IRS (not expected) and another negative financial issue we had no control over. So I could not afford to pay the remaining $900.00. I emailed the owner, Mr. [redacted], immediately (May 2, 2014) after I discovered these problems and apologized profusely that I could not pay the remainder of the $1400.00. I then noticed on his receipt at that time it said "No Refunds -- Exchanges Only". I asked for the refund and he declined, so I then said I would like to exchange merchandise for the $500 I had given him. I requested an exchange for a $400.00 item (small piece of emerald rough) he was selling and he declined. He said he would allow me to exchange in November (next Craft Show in Las Vegas) and choose only from "some select items" he would provide me then. Firstly, I do not trust he will provide me any "select items" of appropriate value for the $500.00 nor do I feel I should I have to wait until November 2014 to make an exchange. Mr. [redacted] has stolen my $500.00 from me and I feel I should at least get an exchange of merchandise for it. He has stonewalled most of my very polite emails to him about the exchange resolution. He does not want to reply and only wants to keep my $500.00. His return policy says "Exchanges Only" yet he will not allow me to do that. There are no specifics as to how he handles these exchanges, but a reasonable person looking at the return policy would certainly expect something in exchange for money given, and not with his "special conditions". Also, his no refund/exchange policy was not well-posted nor were they verbalized to me. I feel as though he has stolen $500.00 from mehe did nothing for the $500 and he just doesn't want to return it.Desired Settlement: I only want a merchandise exchange at the $500.00 value. I offered to buy the piece of emerald crystal matrix which he was selling for $400.00; I'll even pay $500 for it so he does not owe me a refund. This is all I ask and that would be an acceptable resolution for me. I do not trust Mr. [redacted] and thus I would not trust the "select items" he chooses to exchange for me in November.