SourcingAug 12, 2025
Gemfields Sells Fabergé for $50MAcquired by a tech investor, the historic brand will continue to focus on jewelry, accessories, and timepieces.
IndependentsJul 07, 2017
Feel-Good Friday: NY Store Replaces Lost Stone, Mounting
When a possible flaw in the soldering lead to both falling out of an engagement ring, Kingston Fine Jewelry was quick to fix its mistake.
The diamond in this engagement ring was a sentimental one to its owner, making it a tough loss when it fell out, but Kingston Fine Jewelry was quick to offer to replace it after realizing it had made a mistake.
Kingston, N.Y.--It might be a sad story at first, but it’s got a pretty nice ending to it.
When the diamond and mounting in Ulster Park, New York resident Kristin Judd’s engagement ring from fiancé Justin Horowitz fell out, she didn’t think there was much she could do.
The 0.64-carat VS1 brilliant-cut diamond in the ring came from Judd’s stepmother’s ring. For her father, it was “his fifth marriage, his one true love and the one that lasted, so I thought it carried good luck for mine and Justin’s second marriages,” Judd told National Jeweler.
Judd and Horowitz had the diamond placed in a white gold setting at Kingston Fine Jewelry in nearby Kingston, New York in late February, just after they had gotten engaged. 
“I noticed it about two hours after I had taken off my gloves and put my tools away,” she said. “I can imagine it falling out of my glove wherever I was when I took them off. We metal-detected the whole front yard, in hopes that the setting would be enough metal to pick up.”
Neither were found.
Judd added that she had even been in touch with her insurance agent about getting the ring, along with another ring she had, insured but just hadn’t gotten back to him about it yet.
“So I truly thought I was out of luck.”
She called Kingston Fine Jewelry to tell them about her loss though, interestingly, said she doesn’t know why because she didn’t expect the store to do anything.
Still, staff member Krista DeAngelis, who had sold them the mounting and appraised the stone for them, answered when she called. DeAngelis immediately apologized for the mounting and diamond falling off the ring, and for what she believed to have caused the loss--a flaw in the solder.
She immediately offered to replace the stone and mounting at no cost.
“I hadn’t cried up to that point, but when she told me that, I did,” Judd said.
Kristin Judd and Justin Horowitz
When Judd’s ring was lost in the garden, they waved a metal detector across the entire yard to try to find it.
For the store, though, it was just the way that good customer service should be, especially for a mistake that was their own.
“It’s a sentimental stone, and we
can’t replace that but we can fix our mistakes,” DeAngelis said. “The fact that she wasn’t expecting anything is surprising, and I don’t know what that might say about the customer service of other jewelers.”
Judd said when she called, they had a conversation about what could’ve gone wrong. When DeAngelis heard it was just the mounting and the stone that had come off, with nothing else wrong with the ring, she came to the conclusion that it probably was a flaw in the soldering.
They talked through the likely issues with the ring both because the store always wants to be forthcoming, DeAngelis said, and to help Judd understand that in this case, it was nothing she did.
Judd went in to see the store staff Thursday evening, and the new ring is expected to be on her finger by the end of next week.
Judd said when she called, they had a conversation about what could’ve gone wrong. When DeAngelis heard it was just the mounting and the stone that had come off, with nothing else wrong with the ring, she came to the conclusion that it probably was a flaw in the soldering.
They talked through the likely issues with the ring both because the store always wants to be forthcoming, DeAngelis said, and to help Judd understand that in this case, it was nothing she did.
Judd went in to see the store staff Thursday evening, and the new ring is expected to be on her finger by the end of next week.
More on Independents
The Latest
Policies & IssuesAug 12, 2025
Higher Tariff on Chinese Imports Paused for 90 Days, Trump SaysPresident Donald Trump issued an executive order extending the pause on higher tariffs to November as negotiations with China continue.
CollectionsAug 12, 2025
Jacquie Aiche’s New Collection Harnesses the Energy of the ThunderbirdThe “Thunderbird Slab” collection features a thunderbird motif as a symbol of power, protection, and boundless possibility.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
ColumnistsAug 12, 2025
Creative Connecting: How to Take a Better HeadshotColumnists Jen Cullen Williams and Duvall O’Steen share tips on how to elevate your professional image.
Weekly QuizAug 08, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CrimeAug 11, 2025
Man Convicted of First-Degree Murder in Death of Colorado JewelerPeter Damian Arguello, a jeweler in the Denver suburb of Wheat Ridge, was found dead inside his store in November 2023.
Events & AwardsAug 11, 2025
Bethenny Frankel to Give Keynote at CBG’s Experience ShowThe Continental Buying Group’s 2025 Tampa Experience Show is slated for Sept. 8-10.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
EditorsAug 11, 2025
The Colors Expected to Be On-Trend in a Couple YearsAssociate Editor Lauren McLemore recently attended a fabrics trade show where a trend forecaster shared her predictions for summer 2027.
FinancialsAug 08, 2025
Brilliant Earth’s Q2 Sales Up 3% as Engagement Ring Sales RiseThe company raised its full-year sales guidance while noting it has not yet assessed the potential impact of the latest tariff news.
Events & AwardsAug 08, 2025
GJEPC’s Jewellers for Hope Celebrates 10 Years of FundraisingThe organization has raised more than $1.3 million for charity since its inception.
TrendsAug 08, 2025
Piece of the Week: Rahaminov Diamonds’ Bezel BangleThe brand’s latest iteration of a bezel-set diamond bangle features clean lines and a timeless design for a new modern silhouette.
WatchesAug 07, 2025
Bulova’s New Collection Honors Tony BennettThe first watch in the series commemorates his participation in the Civil Rights movement, marching from Selma to Montgomery in 1965.
Lab-GrownAug 07, 2025
Chatham Releases Catalog for Loose Lab-Grown GemstonesThe catalog contains a complete listing of all the loose gemstones in stock, as well as information about the properties of each stone.
TechnologyAug 07, 2025
Rembrandt Charms Debuts New Website, Bird CharmsThe company added a retailer dashboard to its site and three new birds to its charm collection, the cardinal, blue jay, and hummingbird.
Policies & IssuesAug 06, 2025
Tariff on India to Rise to 50%, Trump Says An additional 25 percent tariff has been added to the previously announced 25 percent.
MajorsAug 06, 2025
Claire’s Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy AgainThe jewelry and accessories retailer plans to close 18 stores as part of the proceedings.
CollectionsAug 06, 2025
Zahn-Z Swims With Whales in ‘Beluga’ CollectionDesigner Hiba Husayni looked to the whale’s melon shaped-head, blowhole, and fluke for her new chunky gold offerings.
TrendsAug 06, 2025
Paola De Luca to Release Trendbook 2027+She will present the 23rd edition of the trend forecasting book at Vicenzaoro on Sept. 7.
CrimeAug 05, 2025
Report: Suspect Arrested in 1992 Murder of Miami JewelerOmar Roy, 72, was arrested in connection with the murder of jeweler Dionisio Carlos Valladares.
CollectionsAug 05, 2025
Mignon Faget Commemorates 20th Anniversary of Hurricane KatrinaThe New Orleans-based brand’s “Beyond Katrina” jewels honor the communities affected by the storm.
ColumnistsAug 05, 2025
The PR Adviser: Affiliate Marketing Is the Cost of CoverageLilian Raji explains why joining an affiliate network is essential for brands seeking placements in U.S. consumer publications.
Events & AwardsAug 05, 2025
JA Announces Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship WinnersThe organization has awarded a total of $42,000 through its scholarship programs this year.
Events & AwardsAug 04, 2025
Gem Awards, David Yurman Introduce $50K Grant for Emerging DesignersThe winner of the inaugural David Yurman Gem Awards Grant will be announced live at the 2026 Gem Awards gala.
TrendsAug 04, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: August’s Bright BaublesAs summer winds down, celebrate the sunny disposition of the month’s birthstones: peridot and spinel.
CrimeAug 04, 2025
‘The Watch King’ Assaulted, Robbed in QueensMoshe Haimoff, a social media personality and 47th Street retailer, was robbed of $559,000 worth of jewelry by men in construction outfits.
MajorsAug 04, 2025
Borsheims Welcomes New Assistant Facilities ManagerXavier Dibbrell brings more than a decade of experience to the role.
