friend lost bracelet I gave her to repair in India

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I gave an expensive gold bangle to a close friend so she could see if they could repair it. She said the jewelry shop claims it's fake gold and can't/ won't fix it.
A small part of the bracelet close to where the centerpiece attaches to the bracelet was turning black. I was surprised they claimed it was fake, but maybe it wasn't worth their time to fix it. They focus more on selling new bracelets, perhaps? Anyway, she explained this all and kept insisting it was fake. She somehow misplaced it and says they did give it back to her. The bracelet was sentimental as it was a gift from my husband's family. It was a wedding gift, and I have another one. I don't know much about gold from India... but I remember the jewelry store we went to was trusted. DH's mom has been going there for years. My husband doesn't know much either, but he said no gold is 100 percent gold, and it was a wrapped gold bangle. I am surprised she lost it and thinks it's no big deal.

This is called a “dissimilar metals reaction”. A type of galvanic corrosion that occurs in the presence of oxygen and moisture, where the two different types of metal in the bracelet essentially become like a small battery with the addition of an electrolyte (moisture and salt from your skin) and create a tiny electric current that causes the metals to oxidize from exposure to air.

It’s also an unmistakable indicator that the bracelet isn’t real gold. Pure gold doesn’t oxidize. At all. Under any circumstance. Ever.

Wow - so there you have it Op.
I guess take that $20 bangle from the friend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I gave an expensive gold bangle to a close friend so she could see if they could repair it. She said the jewelry shop claims it's fake gold and can't/ won't fix it.
A small part of the bracelet close to where the centerpiece attaches to the bracelet was turning black. I was surprised they claimed it was fake, but maybe it wasn't worth their time to fix it. They focus more on selling new bracelets, perhaps? Anyway, she explained this all and kept insisting it was fake. She somehow misplaced it and says they did give it back to her. The bracelet was sentimental as it was a gift from my husband's family. It was a wedding gift, and I have another one. I don't know much about gold from India... but I remember the jewelry store we went to was trusted. DH's mom has been going there for years. My husband doesn't know much either, but he said no gold is 100 percent gold, and it was a wrapped gold bangle. I am surprised she lost it and thinks it's no big deal.

This is called a “dissimilar metals reaction”. A type of galvanic corrosion that occurs in the presence of oxygen and moisture, where the two different types of metal in the bracelet essentially become like a small battery with the addition of an electrolyte (moisture and salt from your skin) and create a tiny electric current that causes the metals to oxidize from exposure to air.

It’s also an unmistakable indicator that the bracelet isn’t real gold. Pure gold doesn’t oxidize. At all. Under any circumstance. Ever.

Wow - so there you have it Op.
I guess take that $20 bangle from the friend.

OP. I just don't buy it. The craftsmanship is really nice. Is there something in between "real gold" since Indians prefer heavier jewelry? If the bracelet is gold plated, does it mean the value is less than $500 US dollars? I do think I should check with a jewelry shop on this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I gave an expensive gold bangle to a close friend so she could see if they could repair it. She said the jewelry shop claims it's fake gold and can't/ won't fix it.
A small part of the bracelet close to where the centerpiece attaches to the bracelet was turning black. I was surprised they claimed it was fake, but maybe it wasn't worth their time to fix it. They focus more on selling new bracelets, perhaps? Anyway, she explained this all and kept insisting it was fake. She somehow misplaced it and says they did give it back to her. The bracelet was sentimental as it was a gift from my husband's family. It was a wedding gift, and I have another one. I don't know much about gold from India... but I remember the jewelry store we went to was trusted. DH's mom has been going there for years. My husband doesn't know much either, but he said no gold is 100 percent gold, and it was a wrapped gold bangle. I am surprised she lost it and thinks it's no big deal.

This is called a “dissimilar metals reaction”. A type of galvanic corrosion that occurs in the presence of oxygen and moisture, where the two different types of metal in the bracelet essentially become like a small battery with the addition of an electrolyte (moisture and salt from your skin) and create a tiny electric current that causes the metals to oxidize from exposure to air.

It’s also an unmistakable indicator that the bracelet isn’t real gold. Pure gold doesn’t oxidize. At all. Under any circumstance. Ever.

Maybe the shop scammed you into thinking it was real. How much were they in US dollars?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I gave an expensive gold bangle to a close friend so she could see if they could repair it. She said the jewelry shop claims it's fake gold and can't/ won't fix it.
A small part of the bracelet close to where the centerpiece attaches to the bracelet was turning black. I was surprised they claimed it was fake, but maybe it wasn't worth their time to fix it. They focus more on selling new bracelets, perhaps? Anyway, she explained this all and kept insisting it was fake. She somehow misplaced it and says they did give it back to her. The bracelet was sentimental as it was a gift from my husband's family. It was a wedding gift, and I have another one. I don't know much about gold from India... but I remember the jewelry store we went to was trusted. DH's mom has been going there for years. My husband doesn't know much either, but he said no gold is 100 percent gold, and it was a wrapped gold bangle. I am surprised she lost it and thinks it's no big deal.

This is called a “dissimilar metals reaction”. A type of galvanic corrosion that occurs in the presence of oxygen and moisture, where the two different types of metal in the bracelet essentially become like a small battery with the addition of an electrolyte (moisture and salt from your skin) and create a tiny electric current that causes the metals to oxidize from exposure to air.

It’s also an unmistakable indicator that the bracelet isn’t real gold. Pure gold doesn’t oxidize. At all. Under any circumstance. Ever.

Wow - so there you have it Op.
I guess take that $20 bangle from the friend.

OP. I just don't buy it. The craftsmanship is really nice. Is there something in between "real gold" since Indians prefer heavier jewelry? If the bracelet is gold plated, does it mean the value is less than $500 US dollars? I do think I should check with a jewelry shop on this.

The value of gold-plated largely depends on the thickness of the gold layer. Thicker gold plating is generally more valuable because it contains more gold.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I gave an expensive gold bangle to a close friend so she could see if they could repair it. She said the jewelry shop claims it's fake gold and can't/ won't fix it.
A small part of the bracelet close to where the centerpiece attaches to the bracelet was turning black. I was surprised they claimed it was fake, but maybe it wasn't worth their time to fix it. They focus more on selling new bracelets, perhaps? Anyway, she explained this all and kept insisting it was fake. She somehow misplaced it and says they did give it back to her. The bracelet was sentimental as it was a gift from my husband's family. It was a wedding gift, and I have another one. I don't know much about gold from India... but I remember the jewelry store we went to was trusted. DH's mom has been going there for years. My husband doesn't know much either, but he said no gold is 100 percent gold, and it was a wrapped gold bangle. I am surprised she lost it and thinks it's no big deal.

This is called a “dissimilar metals reaction”. A type of galvanic corrosion that occurs in the presence of oxygen and moisture, where the two different types of metal in the bracelet essentially become like a small battery with the addition of an electrolyte (moisture and salt from your skin) and create a tiny electric current that causes the metals to oxidize from exposure to air.

It’s also an unmistakable indicator that the bracelet isn’t real gold. Pure gold doesn’t oxidize. At all. Under any circumstance. Ever.

Wow - so there you have it Op.
I guess take that $20 bangle from the friend.

OP. I just don't buy it. The craftsmanship is really nice. Is there something in between "real gold" since Indians prefer heavier jewelry? If the bracelet is gold plated, does it mean the value is less than $500 US dollars? I do think I should check with a jewelry shop on this.

The value of gold-plated largely depends on the thickness of the gold layer. Thicker gold plating is generally more valuable because it contains more gold.

Op here. It's hard for me to accept it's not real because the other bracelet is perfect and keep in mind it's 5 years old. I wore them for 2 years and never took them off. I would shower with them and swim. I do laps once or twice a week. When I was pregnant I was in the pool almost every day as we lived in Florida.

[Anonymous]

Time to move on, OP. This whole story is strange, but ultimately you entrusted something to a friend and she failed to accomplish what you asked her to do. I don’t think she owes you the money to replace it. Have your husband take care of replacing it, and just tell your MIL the truth (omitting the part about it not being real gold). Next time, take care of repairs yourself.

[Anonymous]

Gold doesn’t turn black.

[Anonymous]

I suspect OP is a troll. The story is bizarre and she writes horribly.

[Anonymous]

This has to be one of the weirdest stories I’ve ever read in DCUM and ranks up there with pine cone lady, the lightly fried tuna lady and the lady who wanted to take her toddler to the 11pm NYE seating at Ruth Chris.

[Anonymous]

Your friend doesn't owe you any money. You asked her to do a favor and you took the risk that the bracelet could get lost or stolen during her travels.

The issue regarding whether or not the bracelet is real gold is a separate matter.

[Anonymous]

You know that gold wrapped means it was just a layer of gold on top of another less valuable metal and isn’t the same thing as a 10-18k gold bracelet. Also gold never tarnishes or changes color. So while this bracelet may have significant sentimental value it is not worth anywhere close to what a gold bangle is worth. Take the remaining one to a pawn shop to see what they’d offer you.

[Anonymous]

There are two jewelers involved here. Jewelers (here and in India) are notoriously dishonest. Either the one here sold your MIL low quality gold or the one in India lied thinking they could pick up a piece for cheap. Also, your MIL may have (unknowingly) paid a premium on the making cost which resulted in a high purchase price even though the value of the gold was low.

Blackened joints doesn't mean the whole bangle is fake. It may just mean poor craftsmanship/metal at the joints. Getting the remaining one evaluated will bring some clarity. But know that without getting it melted, even the finest jewelers may not be able to tell how pure the gold is.

Most solid bangles in India are 22K (91.6%). If stones are involved, 18K (75%) using improves the metal strength.

[Anonymous]

Wait this bangle stuff is some Ms Marvel BS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This has to be one of the weirdest stories I’ve ever read in DCUM and ranks up there with pine cone lady, the lightly fried tuna lady and the lady who wanted to take her toddler to the 11pm NYE seating at Ruth Chris.

Really? This story feels super normal to me. The only part that rings false is OP's refusal to just go to a US jeweler, particularly since she lives somewhere with a large South Asian community. But that can be chalked up to the cross-cultural dynamics as far as I'm concerned. Otherwise it all feels very normal. Friend 1 asks Friend 2 for a favor, Friend 2 messes it up, Friend 1 gets mad. That's a tale as old as time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That's fine Suzy, I'm filing a police report and either you can pay me the full value, file with your home insurance or I can sue you. Or you can magically find it in your suitcase.

What?
File with your own home insurance. OP can't afford a bangle, so she can't afford a frivolous lawsuit either.