CrimeApr 24, 2024
Jewelry Crime Declines Significantly, But Dollar Losses Remain High A double-digit drop in the number of in-store crimes was offset by a jump in off-premises attacks, JSA’s 2023 crime report shows.
IndependentsJul 07, 2017
Feel-Good Friday: NY Store Replaces Lost Stone, Mounting
When a possible flaw in the soldering lead to both falling out of an engagement ring, Kingston Fine Jewelry was quick to fix its mistake.
The diamond in this engagement ring was a sentimental one to its owner, making it a tough loss when it fell out, but Kingston Fine Jewelry was quick to offer to replace it after realizing it had made a mistake.
Kingston, N.Y.--It might be a sad story at first, but it’s got a pretty nice ending to it.
When the diamond and mounting in Ulster Park, New York resident Kristin Judd’s engagement ring from fiancé Justin Horowitz fell out, she didn’t think there was much she could do.
The 0.64-carat VS1 brilliant-cut diamond in the ring came from Judd’s stepmother’s ring. For her father, it was “his fifth marriage, his one true love and the one that lasted, so I thought it carried good luck for mine and Justin’s second marriages,” Judd told National Jeweler.
Judd and Horowitz had the diamond placed in a white gold setting at Kingston Fine Jewelry in nearby Kingston, New York in late February, just after they had gotten engaged. 
“I noticed it about two hours after I had taken off my gloves and put my tools away,” she said. “I can imagine it falling out of my glove wherever I was when I took them off. We metal-detected the whole front yard, in hopes that the setting would be enough metal to pick up.”
Neither were found.
Judd added that she had even been in touch with her insurance agent about getting the ring, along with another ring she had, insured but just hadn’t gotten back to him about it yet.
“So I truly thought I was out of luck.”
She called Kingston Fine Jewelry to tell them about her loss though, interestingly, said she doesn’t know why because she didn’t expect the store to do anything.
Still, staff member Krista DeAngelis, who had sold them the mounting and appraised the stone for them, answered when she called. DeAngelis immediately apologized for the mounting and diamond falling off the ring, and for what she believed to have caused the loss--a flaw in the solder.
She immediately offered to replace the stone and mounting at no cost.
“I hadn’t cried up to that point, but when she told me that, I did,” Judd said.
Kristin Judd and Justin Horowitz
When Judd’s ring was lost in the garden, they waved a metal detector across the entire yard to try to find it.
For the store, though, it was just the way that good customer service should be, especially for a mistake that was their own.
“It’s a sentimental stone, and we
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
can’t replace that but we can fix our mistakes,” DeAngelis said. “The fact that she wasn’t expecting anything is surprising, and I don’t know what that might say about the customer service of other jewelers.”
Judd said when she called, they had a conversation about what could’ve gone wrong. When DeAngelis heard it was just the mounting and the stone that had come off, with nothing else wrong with the ring, she came to the conclusion that it probably was a flaw in the soldering.
They talked through the likely issues with the ring both because the store always wants to be forthcoming, DeAngelis said, and to help Judd understand that in this case, it was nothing she did.
Judd went in to see the store staff Thursday evening, and the new ring is expected to be on her finger by the end of next week.
Judd said when she called, they had a conversation about what could’ve gone wrong. When DeAngelis heard it was just the mounting and the stone that had come off, with nothing else wrong with the ring, she came to the conclusion that it probably was a flaw in the soldering.
They talked through the likely issues with the ring both because the store always wants to be forthcoming, DeAngelis said, and to help Judd understand that in this case, it was nothing she did.
Judd went in to see the store staff Thursday evening, and the new ring is expected to be on her finger by the end of next week.
More on Independents
The Latest
CollectionsApr 24, 2024
Pippa Small Announces ‘Venus’ CollectionInspired by the Roman goddess of love, the designer looked to the sea for her new collection.
FinancialsApr 24, 2024
Kering’s Jewelry Brands a Bright Spot in Tough Q1The luxury titan posted declining sales, weighed down by Gucci’s poor performance.
Brought to you by
The Blueprint for Success in Scalable, Personalized Jewelry RetailWith Ho Brothers, you can unlock your brand's true potential and offer customers the personalized jewelry experiences they desire.
Events & AwardsApr 24, 2024
JCK Industry Fund Announces 2024 Grant RecipientsThe selected nine organizations have outlined their plans for the funds.
Weekly QuizApr 19, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these seven questions.
SourcingApr 24, 2024
Rio Tinto’s Q1 Production Drops Amid Pause to Honor Lost Colleagues The mining company’s Diavik Diamond Mine lost four employees in a plane crash in January.
WatchesApr 24, 2024
These Are Rolex’s New Watches for 2024 The crown introduced a dozen timepieces in Geneva, including a heavy metal version of its deep-sea divers’ watch.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers of America Represents Your BusinessFor over 30 years, JA has advocated for the industry, fought against harmful legislation and backed measures that help jewelry businesses.
ColumnistsApr 23, 2024
The Smart Lab: Advanced Email Marketing Strategies for Mother’s DayEmmanuel Raheb recommends digging into demographic data, customizing your store’s communications, and retargeting ahead of May 12.
SourcingApr 23, 2024
Lucapa Sells 3 Diamonds for $10.5M in First Lulo Tender of 2024A 203-carat diamond from the alluvial mine in Angola achieved the highest price.
GradingApr 23, 2024
GIA Has a New Book About William RuserRuser was known for his figural jewelry with freshwater pearls and for his celebrity clientele.
CollectionsApr 22, 2024
Jacquie Aiche’s New Campaign Stars Adam Levine, Behati PrinslooThe “Rebel Heart” campaign embodies rebellion, romance, and sensuality, the brand said.
EditorsApr 22, 2024
The 22 Best Quotes from AGS Conclave 2024 Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff shares the standout moments from the education sessions she attended in Austin last week.
SourcingApr 22, 2024
Virtual Diamond Boutique Rebrands as ‘VDB’The overhaul includes a new logo and enhanced digital marketplace.
MajorsApr 22, 2024
Signet Raises Nearly $9M for St. Jude Children’s Research HospitalThe money will go toward supporting ongoing research and aftercare programs for childhood cancer survivors.
CollectionsApr 19, 2024
Piece of the Week: Retrouvaí’s Treasure NecklaceA new addition to the “Heirloom” collection, this one-of-a-kind piece features 32 custom-cut gemstones.
CrimeApr 19, 2024
Grand Jury to Hear Case Against Jeweler Charged in Fatal Shove Following IJO ShowLast month in Dallas, David Walton pushed another jeweler, David Ettinger, who later died.
MajorsApr 19, 2024
Unique Designs Acquires China PearlThe move will allow the manufacturing company to offer a more “diverse and comprehensive” range of products.
GradingApr 19, 2024
AGS Ideal Report Now Available in Printed FormFrom now through mid-May, GIA will be offering the reports at a 50 percent discount.
SourcingApr 18, 2024
Diamond Trade Remains Cautious Amid Economic UncertaintyDe Beers’ rough diamond sales were down 18 percent year-over-year in its latest round of sales.
Supplier BulletinApr 18, 2024
Discover History’s Hidden Gems at the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch ShowSponsored by the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show
WatchesApr 18, 2024
Watch E-tailer Collectability Hires Kelly YochThe Patek Philippe expert will serve as personal curator for the brand-focused company.
WatchesApr 18, 2024
TAG Heuer Opens Its Largest Standalone Boutique at SeaThe 553-square-foot shop is aboard the Carnival Jubilee cruise ship.
Policies & IssuesApr 17, 2024
NDC Prevails in U.K. Case Over Lab-Grown Diamond AdvertisingNDC filed a complaint against Skydiamond for use of phrases like “diamonds made entirely from the sky.”
Events & AwardsApr 17, 2024
And the 2024 Winner of the Shipley Award Is … John Carter received the AGS’s highest honor Tuesday afternoon at Conclave in Austin, Texas.
FinancialsApr 17, 2024
LVMH’s Q1 Jewelry Sales Fall 5%LVMH said the company performed well despite an uncertain geopolitical and economic environment.
MajorsApr 17, 2024
Stuller’s B&D Opens New HeadquartersB&D Sales and Service held a ribbon-cutting event for its new location in Cranston, Rhode Island.
