Matthew Wilson
I have had my eye on these specific earrings for over a year — to the point where I contacted Finerock to see if they could create a matching necklace for me. It is very hard to find anything in a donut-style setting as compared to the more common bezel setting. Originally, I found these exact same earrings (and seller) on another retail website. However, when it came time to order I decided that it would be better to buy on Amazon for the ease of return in the event of a problem.These earrings were sent out on 2-day shipping but showed up late. That wasn't a problem because I was buying for myself, not as a gift. The gift box and packaging from Finerock is of good quality but the box contents was a let-down. The diamonds were darkened by inclusions — so much so that it was impossible to determine (or appreciate) the diamond color (I had posted to the Q&A prior to purchase and was told to expect GH, which is nearly colorless on a diamond scale that starts with letter "D", but they did not face up white and bright due to the many "carbon" spots.)Elsewhere, I have purchased other diamonds that were I1 clarity that looked pretty much eye clean (good). But in this case, the clarity is closer to I3, which really isn't usable for fine jewelry. Alas, there is no way to appreciate a good I1 from a bad I1 when buying online. "No problem," I thought. Simply request my "free return" with Amazon. That was in May (before Memorial Day). It's June and I have had a UPS Proof Of Delivery for nearly a week, but after chatting with three people and calling twice to Amazon customer service, I have no idea how to get it to them (offered but they won't take it). The next best idea I could come up with was to message the Seller but the seller said that Amazon fulfilled my order and that they had nothing to do with the process. (I had asked if they could speed up the return after a "lead" hung up on me even though I didn't do anything during the call to warrant any unprofessional conduct.)If it were just "bad luck" with one fine jewelry purchase, I might understand. But when these earrings didn't work out, I tried to order some lab created diamond earrings thinking that was the way to go if I didn't like the clarity/color of the natural diamonds in my price range. First pair of lab-diamond earrings I ordered ended up being placed in an Amazon mailer without any gift box protection (just a felt pouch) so they ended up crushed, with the posts bent 180 degrees. Second pair of lab diamond earrings I ordered were lost in the mail, so Amazon refunded the purchase. On a third try, I decided to try a traditional pair of stud earrings in a basket setting that were advertised as GH color. I received instead visibly yellow diamonds in KL color range, which did not have any sparkle or life.I'm out of options in terms of exchange or shopping for an alternative pair of diamond earrings because until Amazon refunds my money, I am on the hook to pay my Amazon Visa for the earrings I returned last month. Lest anyone think it is a fluke, be forewarned that this may be par for the course with "high value" merchandise. When I came back to check my Return Status on this purchase, it STILL says they are awaiting for the earrings back (as if I never returned them). For the damaged lab-diamond earrings, also returned to Amazon on the same day as this Finerock pair went back, my Return Status updated to state that Amazon has 30 days to process my refund, after which I must wait up to 7 days for my financial institution to process the refund. (In my account it notes only that the item is in transit, not that it has been received.) Amazon employees have admitted they have my returns but say they are not empowered to put my refund through. Bottom line? I feel like I got burned trying to shop fine jewelry on Amazon. I have been shopping Amazon since 1999. But I won't be shopping "high value" items like jewelry again. Finerock is on another well known retail website that has bricks-and-mortar locations where returns are accepted. If I buy again from this seller, it won't be here.