friend lost bracelet I gave her to repair in India

[Anonymous]

Perhaps next time you’ll do research and condescend to trust an American jeweler.

[Anonymous]

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

I think it’s real and it makes sense to me because OP is not a jewelry person and not Indian. I can also imagine being sad about a sentimental loss but not angry at the friend, even if the friend is handing it poorly - perhaps out of embarrassment.

Keep us posted OP. I think you can tell your MIL when she visits that you sent one bangle with a friend to India to be repaired. Since friend is still in India, you don’t have it back. Before the next visit you can get a replacement or tell her the bracelet was lost/broken/stolen in India and how heartbroken you are because it was special to you.

[Anonymous]

Real gold will never turn black.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

Op here. Thank you!! I know she paid a premium. I saw the cash exchanged and it was a ton of bills but this was in India with Indian money. When we were there everyone was making a big deal that I didn't have any gold. I am not mad at my friend. I'm just surprised... I have been friends with her for so long. We were roommates for a few years. I just found out about this only a few days ago. Culturally you have to read in between the lines more... My husband isn't always super straightforward with me because he tends to avoid confrontation at all costs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Perhaps next time you’ll do research and condescend to trust an American jeweler.

Op here. Perhaps but it was a gift bought from someone else while we were abroad. It would have been rude to reject the gift and ask for cash to buy one here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

op here. We could afford to buy expensive jewelry but it is not something I value.

[Anonymous]

Way to complicate your life and relationship over a bling that can be had from Claire's.

[Anonymous]

1. Get the other one appraised!

2. Do not expose jewelry to water and knocks if you can help it. If it's 24K gold and won't oxidize, it's going to be very soft and will get dings.

3. The bangles were not expensive unless you guys are all poor: $100 is about 8000 rupees. Of course you saw a ton of banknotes. You could buy another set of higher gold content.


I apologize for being rude, OP, but all this is evident and you're playing dumb here.

[Anonymous]

Also bizarre that OP doesn’t understand the exchange rate and thinks “a ton of banknotes” of “Indian money” means something is expensive in American dollars.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Perhaps next time you’ll do research and condescend to trust an American jeweler.

Or choose an Indian-owned jewelry shop in the DMV.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d take the one that’s left to a jewelry store to see what it’s worth. At least then you’ll know if she’s lying to you. Can’t really be mad that she lost it, but if she’s lying that it’s fake you can be mad.

op here. okay, I didn't think of that. I can go to any jewelry store for this?

Any jewelry store that is large/reputable enough will be able to do the testing to tell you the pure gold value and if it's real gold and the karat weight. You can also go to a gold and silver dealer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

1. Get the other one appraised!

2. Do not expose jewelry to water and knocks if you can help it. If it's 24K gold and won't oxidize, it's going to be very soft and will get dings.

3. The bangles were not expensive unless you guys are all poor: $100 is about 8000 rupees. Of course you saw a ton of banknotes. You could buy another set of higher gold content.


I apologize for being rude, OP, but all this is evident and you're playing dumb here.

Op here. I am not playing dumb. I was told it was real gold and dh still insists it is real. I think because it was custom made it's valued more. This type of bracelet can't be bought at Claire's. They told me they were $600 in US money each.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

1. Get the other one appraised!

2. Do not expose jewelry to water and knocks if you can help it. If it's 24K gold and won't oxidize, it's going to be very soft and will get dings.

3. The bangles were not expensive unless you guys are all poor: $100 is about 8000 rupees. Of course you saw a ton of banknotes. You could buy another set of higher gold content.


I apologize for being rude, OP, but all this is evident and you're playing dumb here.

Op here. I am not playing dumb. I was told it was real gold and dh still insists it is real. I think because it was custom made it's valued more. This type of bracelet can't be bought at Claire's. They told me they were $600 in US money each.

"Custom made" could simply mean a couple minutes of etching work from someone making poverty wages.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d take the one that’s left to a jewelry store to see what it’s worth. At least then you’ll know if she’s lying to you. Can’t really be mad that she lost it, but if she’s lying that it’s fake you can be mad.

op here. okay, I didn't think of that. I can go to any jewelry store for this?

Any jewelry store that is large/reputable enough will be able to do the testing to tell you the pure gold value and if it's real gold and the karat weight. You can also go to a gold and silver dealer.

Right now this is causing a lot of drama.. Frankly, I think my husband will be pissed if I do that. It seems there is some in-between gold jewelry we are not accustomed to in the US. For me I think of it as being real gold or fake but since they value heavier jewelry perhaps gold wrapped is still valued.. I'm just going to leave it... Dh is getting mad about this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

1. Get the other one appraised!

2. Do not expose jewelry to water and knocks if you can help it. If it's 24K gold and won't oxidize, it's going to be very soft and will get dings.

3. The bangles were not expensive unless you guys are all poor: $100 is about 8000 rupees. Of course you saw a ton of banknotes. You could buy another set of higher gold content.


I apologize for being rude, OP, but all this is evident and you're playing dumb here.

Op here. I am not playing dumb. I was told it was real gold and dh still insists it is real. I think because it was custom made it's valued more. This type of bracelet can't be bought at Claire's. They told me they were $600 in US money each.

"Custom made" could simply mean a couple minutes of etching work from someone making poverty wages.

Op here. I don't know. I'm not going to read into it anymore. I remember we ordered it and came back after a week to pick it up.