topic Re: Yellowed Opals from Michael V in Jewelry

UPDATE : Yellowed Opals from Michael V GEMS en Vogue

CatsyCline — Fri, 04 Jun 2021 18:55:19 GMT

*** They would NOT replace the center opal on my GEV ring. Although Michael emailed me and said he would personally evaluate it and replace it, the factory said it came into contact with some sort of aqueos liquid!?.

The missing small stone was replaced. ring cleaned and polished and it looks a tiny bit more sparkley. completed customs form, sent by international post and a check to Nathan Hennick (the GEV factory) for repair. cost was around $30 total.

i took a look at Shop HQ's GEV "event" and seems there were issues w at least one of his band rings with small opals completely losing their color and stones falling out.

if you buy, Wear the h3# out of his jewelry for the 30 day return period. Or buy the insurance. in this case it would not nake a difference as they didn't consider this a Manf. defect.

Has anyone ever contacted Michael Valitutti regarding a jewelry issue? I have this GEV Opal ring from Evine i purchased a few yrs ago.

Because opals are soft, barely wore it, and only in the summer on occasion. the stones now are a wierd dull yellow color

a stone had fallen out and the rhodium has worn off the back of the band. not durable at all. it looks so beat up! i buried the ring in white rice, supposed to remove any moisture. so far, no change.

weeks ago, submitted a polite inquiry on his website and have not heard back. just wondering if he responds to customers who bought from Evine/ShopHQ

Re: Yellowed Opals from Michael V

FancyPhillyshopper — Sun, 02 May 2021 17:36:42 GMT

You probably have Ethiopian opals since Australian opals are much more difficult to source now. Your concern about color change is a very common complaint.

Unfortunately those opals absorb all kinds of liquids, even body oils and air humidity, and will frequently turn yellow or brown. Sometimes letting them totally dry out will help but it could take weeks and there is no guarantee.

I love the look of opals but I find it a very difficult gemstone to care for as it is also a bit fragile (lower on Mohs scale). I have some Australian opals in earrings and mosaic opals (triplet) in rings, but I will not purchase any of the Ethiopian opals, although I do admire them.

On his Gems En Vogue website Michael states that they guarantee all jewelry for three years, but stone discoloration is not included. They also have an 800 number.

I guess you know he is selling jewelry on HSN now. I recently bought a small sapphire ring from him there which I like a lot.

So sorry your pretty opal ring is no longer in the best condition--I will keep my fingers crossed that maybe in a few months there will be some improvement.

Re: Yellowed Opals from Michael V

CatsyCline — Sun, 02 May 2021 18:31:46 GMT

@FancyPhillyshopper yes they are Ethiopian opals. i'll have to call them i guess. i did take several pics w my phone to send them but could not attach to their sunmission form. just looked the pics, yes, shows the yellow.

@nother poster here has the same ring i believe..@Kachina - did your ring stay bright?

Re: Yellowed Opals from Michael V

Desertdi — Sun, 02 May 2021 18:38:42 GMT

@CatsyCline wrote:
@FancyPhillyshopper yes they are Ethiopian opals. i'll have to call them i guess. i did take several pics w my phone to send them but could not attach to their sunmission form. just looked the pics, yes, shows the yellow.

@nother poster here has the same ring i believe..@Kachina - did your ring stay bright?

FWD: @Kachina624

Re: Yellowed Opals from Michael V

Kachina624 — Sun, 02 May 2021 19:04:55 GMT

@CatsyCline Here's a picture of my 3 Ethiopian Opals which I've had at least several years. The two on the bottom are Michael's rings; don't remember where I got the third. The one on the left has absolutely magnificent color. None of my rings have changed a bit since I got them, nor have I ever had any plating wear off of my Gems en Vogue rings.

The Ethiopian Opals, unlike Australian Opals, have no water content, making them non susceptible to drying out, becoming brittle and cracking, thus more practical. Chemically, they are a whole different animal. I've never heard of them changing color. In fact, because they are more sturdy, they become extremely popular and I recently read that Cobber Peddy, the area where Australian Opals are mined, has completely shut down. Opal lovers are buying the Ethiopian variety instead.

Re: Yellowed Opals from Michael V

CatsyCline — Mon, 03 May 2021 01:38:13 GMT

@Kachina624 your ring on the bottom left is the one i have. yours and all your rings so pretty!! idk what happened with mine. we have very hot humid weather here, maybe the air affected it. still doesnt excuse the worn down rhodium and even the vermeil is getting sketchy.

Re: Yellowed Opals from Michael V

SilleeMee — Mon, 03 May 2021 01:49:16 GMT

I store my welo opal bracelet inside a ziploc bag and I put one of those little desiccant packets in with it. I found the desiccant packet inside something I bought some time ago. In case you didn't know, those desiccant packets have the "Do Not Eat" printed on them. They absorb moisture and help keep my opals looking their best.

Re: Yellowed Opals from Michael V

Kachina624 — Mon, 03 May 2021 01:53:40 GMT

@CatsyCline Has there ever been an instance where you soaked your ring in water or it had extended exposure to water? Seems like it would take more than high humidity. Just look at all the people who live in humid climates who own opal but have no problem. I see care instructions that suggest washing it with gentle soap and water.

Re: Yellowed Opals from Michael V

CatsyCline — Mon, 03 May 2021 02:06:13 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
@CatsyCline Has there ever been an instance where you soaked your ring in water or it had extended exposure to water? Seems like it would take more than high humidity. Just look at all the people who live in humid climates who own opal but have no problem. I see care instructions that suggest washing it with gentle soap and water.

@Kachina624 i really babied that ring so i always removed it to wash my hands and the minute i got home it went right back in the ring box.

Re: Yellowed Opals from Michael V

depglass — Mon, 03 May 2021 13:32:01 GMT

I once accidentally left one of Michael's rings in a jar of jewelry cleaner for more than a month. It was one of those mild soapy cleaners, so it must have been the water that did the damage. All the inner play of color is gone. It is a larger stone with two Russian Diopsides flanking it. One of these days I may come across a compatible stone I can replace it with. I just pulled a five stone faceted ring out of the box and sitting here in this bright light the stones look slightly yellow, but there is excellent play of color within the stones.

Re: Yellowed Opals from Michael V

gertrudecloset — Mon, 03 May 2021 19:11:40 GMT

@CatsyCline wrote:
Has anyone ever contacted Michael Valitutti regarding a jewelry issue? I have this GEV Opal ring from Evine i purchased a few yrs ago.

Because opals are soft, barely wore it, and only in the summer on occasion. the stones now are a wierd dull yellow color

a stone had fallen out and the rhodium has worn off the back of the band. not durable at all. it looks so beat up! i buried the ring in white rice, supposed to remove any moisture. so far, no change.

weeks ago, submitted a polite inquiry on his website and have not heard back. just wondering if he responds to customers who bought from Evine/ShopHQ

@CatsyClineDid you store it in an anti-tarnish jewelry keeper?

Re: Yellowed Opals from Michael V

CatsyCline — Mon, 03 May 2021 23:47:32 GMT

my ring. missing stone bottom right

Re: Yellowed Opals from Michael V

CatsyCline — Mon, 03 May 2021 23:50:05 GMT

@gertrudecloset i have a silver safe jewelry cabinet.

Re: Yellowed Opals from Michael V

gertrudecloset — Mon, 03 May 2021 23:57:31 GMT

I ws wondering if this might be the cause of your problem. I have one too and it doesn't keep my silver tarnish free, but maybe whatever is used in the tarnish-free could have caused the problem? Not sure @CatsyCline . I'm sorry this happened to you. Trying to look for reasons so that if you do get more opals you can learn how to store them if this was the case.

Michael V has his own website. Check the internet and call his company. Just mention it's a piece from a while ago and just ask if anything can be done. He still sells jewelry there too.

Good luck

Re: Yellowed Opals from Michael V

CatsyCline — Tue, 04 May 2021 00:05:49 GMT

Another view

sorry these are so huge!

Re: Yellowed Opals from Michael V

gertrudecloset — Tue, 04 May 2021 03:39:30 GMT

@CatsyClineI did a google search and you are not the only one with this problem when it comes to these Ethiopian Opals. Some people describe it as a ugly urine yellow???

Did you check Michael Valitutti's website? It might be Gems En Vogue or just google his name and the website will pop up. Call them. Let us know what happens.

Re: Yellowed Opals from Michael V

AnjalenaQVC — Thu, 06 May 2021 22:55:58 GMT

This post has been removed by QVC because it is challenging moderation

Re: Yellowed Opals from Michael V

depglass — Fri, 07 May 2021 13:00:55 GMT

Try to think of that yellow color as golden, not urine.