Advice for jewelry repairs

I would like to offer some valuable advice to anyone leaving jewelry for repair: take a photo and get a detailed, written description of the piece, including size and color in case of a later dispute.

I recently had a very harrowing experience at a local jeweler.

I took in beautiful opalescent, white pearl earrings to be reset and when they were returned, they were not mine. The color and size was completely different.

Of course, it was my word against the jeweler, and even though I had a witness, needless to say I came out the loser. The jeweler raved at me and harassed me, implying I was a l...