Concerns about rising prices, politics, and global conflicts continue to dampen consumer outlook.
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.
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.
Though Judd doesn’t know exactly how or when the two were lost, she said she suspects it happened was while she was gardening on Monday.
“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.
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
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.
The Latest
May’s birthstone is beloved for its rich green hue and its versatility.
Jacqui Larsson joins Opsydia with nearly two decades of experience in the industry.
Meet Ben Claus—grand prize winner of For the Love of Jewelers 2023 Fall Design Challenge.
Last month in Dallas, David Walton pushed another jeweler, David Ettinger, who later died.
The “Tiffany Céleste” collection reimagines designer Jean Schlumberger’s interpretations of the universe.
The brand also created a 100-carat lab-grown diamond necklace in honor of its centennial.
With Ho Brothers, you can unlock your brand's true potential and offer customers the personalized jewelry experiences they desire.
Tim Schlick has been promoted from his previous position as COO.
It’s the second year for the event, slated to take place in October in Toronto.
Supplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
Sales will be paused while the relocation takes place over the next few months.
“SIS x MISA Denim and Diamonds” is a collaboration between the designer and celebrity stylist Misa Hylton.
Gifts that are unique and thoughtful are top of mind this year, according to the annual survey.
The necklace is featured in the brand’s “Rebel Heart” campaign starring Adam Levine and Behati Prinsloo.
The two organizations will host a joint event, “Converge,” in September 2025.
Big changes appear to be on the horizon for the diamond miner and its parent company, Anglo American.
Padis succeeds Lisa Bridge, marking the first time the organization has had two women board presidents in a row.
Jesse Cole, founder of Fans First Entertainment, shared the “five Es” of building a fan base during his AGS Conclave keynote.
The Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar "John Mayer" was celebrated at a star-studded party in LA last week.
The announcement came as the company reported a 23 percent drop in production in Q1.
The three-time Pro Bowler continues to partner with the retailer, donating to a Detroit nonprofit and giving watches to fans.
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.
Inspired by the Roman goddess of love, the designer looked to the sea for her new collection.
The luxury titan posted declining sales, weighed down by Gucci’s poor performance.
The selected nine organizations have outlined their plans for the funds.
The mining company’s Diavik Diamond Mine lost four employees in a plane crash in January.