topic Re: Help With Gemstone Issue in Jewelry

Help With Gemstone Issue

tessam — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 16:52:34 GMT

A couple of years ago I bought Affinity Gems Set of 5 Gemstone earrings Sterling J402665 and tucked them away. Recently my granddaughter had her ears pierced so I gave her a pair to see if she liked them. She did, but told me when they went to clean them with a gem cleaner color rubbed off when they dried them off.

Impossible I told her; they are natural gemstones;must be from something else. . Curious I take a pair and wash in soapy warm water pat to dry and find color on the white cloth!

I'm at a loss as to why this would happening and can't help but wonder if these stones are in fact not genuine at all. I did not contact CS since they were purchased a while ago but am wondering if anyone had this happen or if you have any thoughts.

Thanks!

Re: Help With Gemstone Issue

cheriere — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 16:57:20 GMT

@tessam wrote:
A couple of years ago I bought Affinity Gems Set of 5 Gemstone earrings Sterling J402665 and tucked them away. Recently my granddaughter had her ears pierced so I gave her a pair to see if she liked them. She did, but told me when they went to clean them with a gem cleaner color rubbed off when they dried them off.

Impossible I told her; they are natural gemstones;must be from something else. . Curious I take a pair and wash in soapy warm water pat to dry and find color on the white cloth!

I'm at a loss as to why this would happening and can't help but wonder if these stones are in fact not genuine at all. I did not contact CS since they were purchased a while ago but am wondering if anyone had this happen or if you have any thoughts.
Thanks!

I ordered an African Amethyst ring set in sterling silver about five years ago. Eight months after I'd been wearing it, I received a letter telling me that the gem was in fact lab created and not natural as described. I was offered to send it back for a refund. I just kept it.

However, if the color is rubbing off, something is definitely wrong! Call!

Re: Help With Gemstone Issue

Kachina624 — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 17:04:49 GMT

@tessam. I've never read another complaint here about your issue. However I do think you should bring it to the attention of the social team at....

Qvcsocialteam@qvc.com

Re: Help With Gemstone Issue

SilleeMee — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 17:11:35 GMT

It's important to know exactly what you're dealing with when it comes to cleaning stones. A stone can come with treatments that require special attention when cleaning them. Many opaque stones are dyed and those need special attention.

I had a pair black onyx earrings and cleaned them with soap and water. Next thing I saw was black dye in the soapy water. I ended up with gray-looking earrings and I was not happy about that at all.

Re: Help With Gemstone Issue

cheriere — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 17:35:08 GMT

@tessam What kind of gemstones were they? This should NEVER happen with blue topaz, amethyst, citrine or garnet. Those are what usually come n the gem sets.

Re: Help With Gemstone Issue

SilleeMee — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 18:20:57 GMT

@cheriere wrote:
@tessam What kind of gemstones were they? This should NEVER happen with blue topaz, amethyst, citrine or garnet. Those are what usually come n the gem sets.

@cheriere

The OP set of earrings had an opaque option as a set. Opaques are mostly likely dyed. Look at the item number and see the description.

Description

Mood of the day (it's always different, right)? With this set of five, there's an earring to match it, and these studs dazzle in every gemstone color. From Affinity® Gems.

Includes five pairs of earrings
Platinum-clad sterling silver
Total gemstone weights are approximate: Amethyst 0.66 carat; Citrine 0.66 carat; Garnet 1.00 carat; Peridot 0.830 carat; Topaz 0.89 carat
Round gemstone design; polished
Semi-Precious: amethyst, citrine, garnet, peridot, and sky blue topaz
Opaque: black onyx, red onyx, lapis, malachite, and tiger's eye
Posts and clutches, for pierced ears only
Imported

Re: Help With Gemstone Issue

cheriere — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 18:26:26 GMT

@SilleeMee Yes, I know that about a few opaques. That's why I asked what kinds of gemstones they were.

Re: Help With Gemstone Issue

SilleeMee — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 18:26:24 GMT

QVC has a Gemstone Treatment Guide and it's usually posted on the item page just below 'Description'.

https://www.qvc.com/footers/jw/pdf/jw_gem_chart_total.pdf

Re: Help With Gemstone Issue

rockygems123 — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 18:49:32 GMT

@tessam wrote:
A couple of years ago I bought Affinity Gems Set of 5 Gemstone earrings Sterling J402665 and tucked them away. Recently my granddaughter had her ears pierced so I gave her a pair to see if she liked them. She did, but told me when they went to clean them with a gem cleaner color rubbed off when they dried them off.

Impossible I told her; they are natural gemstones;must be from something else. . Curious I take a pair and wash in soapy warm water pat to dry and find color on the white cloth!

I'm at a loss as to why this would happening and can't help but wonder if these stones are in fact not genuine at all. I did not contact CS since they were purchased a while ago but am wondering if anyone had this happen or if you have any thoughts.
Thanks!

@tessam

That's a shame your stones have changed color. Some of what is promised including shopping channels about gemstone jewelry isn't the truth.

There was a Jay King discussion a couple days ago and there were some complaints about his jewelry. I've had his "turquoise" beads crumble into dust, they weren't turquoise gemstones as sold they were composite mixed with resin.

As a jewelry dealer handling thousands of pieces a year, it's a shame to see how much has been promised to the consumer and what is actually the truth.

No authentic gemstone should lighten in appearance when cleaning and / or change the cleaning solution color either.

Re: Help With Gemstone Issue

tessam — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 19:23:01 GMT

Thanks

These were the basics. Garnet, peridot ,topaz, etc faceted stones set in sterling.

They were cleaned properly I have never purchased a gemstone from QVC and while these are not anywhere near top of the line stones... no way color should transfer

Thanks for your thoughts I appreciate it

Re: Help With Gemstone Issue

tessam — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 19:24:28 GMT

Thanks for your reply. I bought the faceted stones NOT the opague Sorry I wasn't clear on that

Re: Help With Gemstone Issue

cheriere — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 19:30:14 GMT

@tessam wrote:
Thanks for your reply. I bought the faceted stones NOT the opague Sorry I wasn't clear on that

Then something is really wrong. Please keep the earrings until you contact CS explaining this issue. These type of Faceted stones should never have this happen.

Please let us know how it goes.

Re: Help With Gemstone Issue

tessam — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 19:42:11 GMT

Thanks folks

I did contact the team suggested and will keep you posted

I appreciate your responses.

Re: Help With Gemstone Issue

luvmyteddy4 — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 23:32:53 GMT

I bought a lot of jewelry here decades ago and sold a lot of it at a jewelry store.

I was happy that all my pieces were solid gold, s.s. and the gemstones were good. I had always wondered if I got the real thing.

Re: Help With Gemstone Issue

AuntMame — Fri, 08 Mar 2024 06:12:31 GMT

QVC does say that most of their gemstones are "treated" for color. They've said that for years. What that means could be many things. Maybe dyed or irratiated?

I have a blue topaz ring I bought from QVC perhaps about 25 years ago. It was pricey, set in 14K. I did recently notice that it is much lighter in color than it was when I bought it years ago, and I was very sad. The original bright knock-out blue was muted. I usually leave my rings on when I wash my hands.

Re: Help With Gemstone Issue

tessam — Fri, 08 Mar 2024 14:47:54 GMT

I did contact the team suggested and they were very responsive. While they discovered there was no warranty on the item, nor were they able to offered a refund they did acknowledge like we all know that this should never happen.

Live and learn. Won't order similar items again.

Thanks for your feedback!

Re: Help With Gemstone Issue

songbird — Fri, 08 Mar 2024 15:41:46 GMT

@AuntMame wrote:
QVC does say that most of their gemstones are "treated" for color. They've said that for years. What that means could be many things. Maybe dyed or irratiated?

I have a blue topaz ring I bought from QVC perhaps about 25 years ago. It was pricey, set in 14K. I did recently notice that it is much lighter in color than it was when I bought it years ago, and I was very sad. The original bright knock-out blue was muted. I usually leave my rings on when I wash my hands.

If you want gem stones look at Gem Shopping Network. All gelms are"natural" They weren't dyed or enhanced other then normal heating. All gem stones are set in 14K and usually with diamond accents.

Re: Help With Gemstone Issue

alice87 — Fri, 08 Mar 2024 17:10:28 GMT

I agree here, I would never wash malachite or lapis.

Re: Help With Gemstone Issue

alice87 — Fri, 08 Mar 2024 17:24:26 GMT

@AuntMame wrote:
QVC does say that most of their gemstones are "treated" for color. They've said that for years. What that means could be many things. Maybe dyed or irratiated?

I have a blue topaz ring I bought from QVC perhaps about 25 years ago. It was pricey, set in 14K. I did recently notice that it is much lighter in color than it was when I bought it years ago, and I was very sad. The original bright knock-out blue was muted. I usually leave my rings on when I wash my hands.

Topaz loose color over time if exposed to bright light, change of t and chemicals.

I know it is hard, but I try to remove jewelry when cooking. I can't take it off if I am out and wash hands, but I generally prefer not to expose stone to any treatment. Jewelry cleaning solutions are generall safe for most stones, not opaque and pearls.

For kunzite, every seller is saying it will fade if exposed to bright light, not a summer stone type.

Re: Help With Gemstone Issue

AuntMame — Sat, 09 Mar 2024 05:21:23 GMT

@alice87 wrote:
@AuntMame wrote:
QVC does say that most of their gemstones are "treated" for color. They've said that for years. What that means could be many things. Maybe dyed or irratiated?

I have a blue topaz ring I bought from QVC perhaps about 25 years ago. It was pricey, set in 14K. I did recently notice that it is much lighter in color than it was when I bought it years ago, and I was very sad. The original bright knock-out blue was muted. I usually leave my rings on when I wash my hands.
Topaz loose color over time if exposed to bright light, change of t and chemicals.
I know it is hard, but I try to remove jewelry when cooking. I can't take it off if I am out and wash hands, but I generally prefer not to expose stone to any treatment. Jewelry cleaning solutions are generall safe for most stones, not opaque and pearls.
For kunzite, every seller is saying it will fade if exposed to bright light, not a summer stone type.

I had no idea that topaz can lose color over time under certain conditions. Blue topaz is my fav gemstone. Thank you for telling me this!