Nightmare Etsy Return: Precious items, seller error, and a lost untracked package. Need advice!

Hi everyone, I’m going crazy over a situation and I need some perspective.

I ordered a precious item from an Etsy seller in India. When the package arrived, the seller had sent the wrong items (a clear seller error). I contacted them and we agreed on a return so they could send me the correct products.

I shipped the return back from Italy on February 21st. Here is where it gets messy: the postal worker at my local office (Poste Italiane) assured me the package would arrive in 2-3 days and, but she didn’t tell me this kind of shipping is untracked! I foolishly trusted her, and the package was sent without tracking.

It has now been 17 days (12 business days) and the seller claims they haven't received anything. I’m furious with the postal service for the misinformation and with the seller because this whole mess started with their initial mistake.

I have already opened a case on Etsy. I’ve uploaded the photo of my postal receipt (proving I paid and shipped on Feb 21st) and photos of the wrong items I received.

Crucial point: I don't want a refund. I really want the precious items I originally ordered.

• Has anyone had experience with untracked mail to France taking longer than 3 weeks?

• Does Etsy usually protect the buyer when the return gets lost, if the return was caused by a seller error?

• Is there any chance the seller is obligated to ship my original items even if the return is stuck in transit?

I feel like I’m being penalized for a chain of errors.

Any advice or similar stories would be appreciated!

Update: Etsy full refunded me, I’m so relieved