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    TJ Christopher

    1.0 (1 review)

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    2 years ago

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    Center Gold Jewelers - deep scratch on watch, before taking it to Center Gold.

    Center Gold Jewelers

    4.2(20 reviews)
    2.4 mi
    $$

    Do NOT LET THEM DEFAME YOUR JEWELER WITH THEIR STAGED FAKE ACID TEST SCAM like they did to me…read more Please read the entire review before doing ANY business with them. This is my experience. I have evidence in the form of audio, video, photos, and independent certified appraisals to prove it all October 10, 2025 - Initial Visit & False Claims My fiancée and I visited Center Gold Jewelers to add beads to her engagement ring which was assembled by another jeweler. The purpose of the beads is to keep the ring from turning easily. Maria immediately pointed out numerous "flaws" in the band. When I suggested returning to the original jeweler and demanding a reset to fix the flaws, she asked if the band was 14K. I told her it was 18K. She implied it looked like 14k and asked to see my appraisal which i showed her. She performed staged acid/scratch test that appeared to show the band as 14K, leading me to believe my original jeweler had defrauded me. Based on this false information, I agreed to a reset and left a $500 deposit under the condition they provide me documentation proving I was defrauded so I can get my money back from the original jeweler. October 27, 2025 - Reset Completed & Defamation We picked up the newly reset ring and original band and paid the remaining $1,457.50. Maria provided only a handwritten note stating the band "tested 14K." This was not the evidence I was looking for. She did provide an appraisal for the new band. Clearly she had the tools in place to do an appraisal from my original band but just did the note because she knew it was 18K She then said: "You have to be careful who you deal with. A lot of jewelers do this. Elegant Jewelers in Patchogue are known to do that." After researching Elegant Jewelers and finding excellent reviews, I became suspicious that she was defaming competitors to gain business. November 1, 2025 - Independent Appraisal Confirms 18K I took the original band to an independent certified appraiser who confirmed the band is 18K gold. He stated the "flaws" Maria pointed out were likely exaggerated to obtain business. He also found a crack in the newly reset band which demonstrates poor quality of work by Center Gold. I returned to Center Gold Jewelers that same day to have the crack repaired, without mentioning the appraisal. November 4, 2025 - Retest & Recorded Evidence I picked up the repaired ring and asked for another test. Maria was evasive and first tried to imply she didn't know what has happened to the ring since that first test. I recorded audio and video of the retest. The results did not match the original scratch test photos but I decided not to question it and allow her to incriminate herself. I did this while observing clearly that the results did not look the same as the first test. November 11, 2025 - Second Independent Appraisal I returned to the same independent certified appraiser The band was again confirmed to be 18K gold, contradicting Center Gold Jewelers' repeated claims of 14K. Shortly after I confronted Center Gold Jewelers with the evidence and requested a refund. They refused to refund me in a reasonable manner. The only way they'd refund me would be if I handed them my valuable diamond (knowing they already scammed me) then having them remove the diamond from the new band and put back on the now compromised original band. To remove the diamond from the original band, they ultimately had to damage my original band. No one in my position would agree to that. I sent a demand letter. The manager, Rich Darby, called me back and did not offer a fair resolution. He tried to imply "Maria made a mistake, you mean you never made a mistake in your life?" I replied "I could see it being a mistake the first time. The second test where she still claimed 14k proves it's not ignorance, but rather it's deception" He then tried to bully me saying he's never lost in court the many times someone took him and was on court TV and won. I just laughed at him and said "Why are you in court so much?" Deceptive Behaviors Observed: Center Gold Jewelers engaged in multiple deceptive practices, including: Misrepresenting gold purity despite certified appraisals. Defaming competing jewelers to undermine trust and secure business. Claiming I may have altered the band -- which would require altering it three separate times. This is why i went back to the independent appraiser a second time after the retest. Suggesting the band must be melted down to determine purity, which would destroy evidence. This is factually inaccurate an a manipulative way to get me to destroy evidence Discrediting independent certified appraisers without cause. Maria implied "how do you know the appraiser isn't lying to you?" I went to the appraiser suspecting my original jeweler defrauded me. I never mentioned either party by name. What motive would the independent appraiser have to lie to me? Attached is photos/evidence

    A wonderful jewelry store with helpful staff who are trustworthy and demonstrate their expertise…read moreevery single day I have been a customer for over 20 years!

    Photos
    Center Gold Jewelers - Proof of down payment

    Proof of down payment

    Center Gold Jewelers - After taking it to Center Gold. WELL DONE!

    After taking it to Center Gold. WELL DONE!

    Center Gold Jewelers - Original scratch test yielding false/fake results

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    Original scratch test yielding false/fake results

    Jewelry & Fix

    Jewelry & Fix

    4.4(34 reviews)
    32.9 mi
    $$

    Avoid Ralph at All Costs - Incompetent and Dishonest…read more I'm writing this from the courthouse where I've just filed a lawsuit against Ralph. That alone should tell you everything you need to know. I brought my father's watch to Ralph for a simple gasket replacement. It's a diving watch he wore while serving in the military, and I'm heading to Ukraine to serve myself--I wanted to wear the watch in his honor. I chose Ralph because of the many glowing reviews online. Big mistake. The first red flag was the overwhelming smell of marijuana in his shop. I dismissed it at the time, thinking maybe it helped him focus on delicate work. I couldn't have been more wrong. When I first brought the watch in, it was functioning well--just running about a minute slow each day. All I asked was for Ralph to replace two gaskets. We agreed on $200, which was all I could afford as I won't be working for the next six months during service in Ukraine. For such a basic job, it was a fair price. A day later, I called to ask if he could look into the cost of a new crystal. After not hearing back for a couple of days, I followed up--only to be told he had already replaced the crystal for $150 without my consent. When I told him I wouldn't have agreed to that, he flew into a rage, yelling about how he wasn't making enough on the job. It became clear to me he may have serious issues, possibly substance-related. When I finally went to pick up the watch, the bezel no longer turned. Ralph claimed I had damaged it myself, which I hadn't. Then I noticed the self-winding mechanism wasn't working. He insisted it was fine, despite clear evidence to the contrary. It was rubbing against the back plate. I stormed out taking my watch, but later returned, hoping he would take responsibility. After more yelling and resistance, he begrudgingly agreed to take another look. Weeks passed. My departure date for Ukraine got closer. Today, 2 days day before I leave, Ralph texts to say the watch is ready. I go in--and unbelievably, it's in worse condition than before. The winding mechanism is not working as it should. The bezel now turns, but it could easily be roomed with a thumbnail. I walked out refusing to pay. This time, he followed me outside, becoming aggressive. I told him I would see him in court. Later that day, I went to another, far more competent watch repair professional. He opened the case and immediately found the issue: the movement wasn't seated properly, and the retaining ring was missing. I know that was there when I gave it to him because I open the watch myself to see what gaskets were needed. Without it, the entire mechanism is unstable. If a replacement can be found, the watch might be salvageable. But it's an older model, and chances are slim. This isn't just a watch--it's a deeply sentimental piece of my family's history. And it's also quite valuable. Ralph, if you're reading this: You know exactly what happened. That retaining ring didn't vanish on its own. It's either still in your shop or you carelessly threw it away. I don't forget things like this, and I'm not letting it go. Ever. To anyone considering trusting him with something valuable: Don't. The reviews are misleading. My experience was a disaster, and now I'm left with a broken watch and a legal battle just days before leaving. Also, take a moment to read the negative reviews--those are the accurate ones. Many people have had experiences similar to mine. And look at his responses: full of excuses, never accountability. He clearly lacks the ability to take personal responsibility. Pathetic. Take a look at the photo I've attached. You can see at nine and 10 o'clock the space between the watch face and the case itself.

    I dropped off my Panerai and Omega for polishing on Thursday and received a call on Monday that…read morethey were ready for pickup. Both watches were restored to mint condition-- the Omega had significant scratches and the Panerai had a ding, all of which were flawlessly repaired (check attached pictures). Excellent service at a reasonable price. Highly recommended.

    Photos
    Jewelry & Fix
    Jewelry & Fix
    Jewelry & Fix

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    TJ Christopher - goldbuyers - Updated May 2026

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