Jewelry Rip-Off. Got any advice?

[pnwest]

8. Jewelry's value is whatever someone is willing to pay for it. Six years ago

the gold and the sapphires may have been valued higher than it is now. But, even if not, you can't go back and demand a refund for ANY items for which you overpaid - especially not when so much time has passed. Sure, you can sometimes get a refund on things that go on sale within a certain amount of time, but that's related to store policy - they're just doin you a solid. This is a case of buyer beware - ALL jewelry is ridiculously marked up. When you bought the ring, you not only paid for the gold and the gems, but also the designer's work and the store's name. There's no way to put "worth" on those things, that's why the jeweler said it's only "worth" that 40% he quoted. He's giving the value of the gold and the gems. Now, you could list those earrings on Ebay at the full price that you paid, and if someone's willing to pay that price, then that's it's "worth" at that moment.

I learned this the hard way when I was in a bad money fix and went to pawn my wedding ring. Paid $1500 for it, was offered $130 at the pawn shop. Purely the value of the gold and the diamond.