Be Wary of Buying Jewelry on Ebay

[bleedingheart]

A friend of ours is going to ask his girlfriend to get married. He bought a ring on Ebay. Lucky for him he got a 10 day guarantee that if he wasn't satisfied he could return it.

He took it to a jeweler and it turns out that the VS1, G color stone he was promised online...was a piece of shit. A diamond but a very poor quality one and it was the wrong color..

Also..he had a hard time finding a jeweler who would appraise it because it was purchased online..(don't know why)...in the end through some friends he got it appraised by a wholesale jeweler who gave him a deal on a similar ring which when compared with the other from Ebay looked like it was a Harry Winston piece.

[johnny walker]

1. my wife bought some earrings on ebay

They were hilariously SMALL! Looked like toys! We returned them. I don't think most people spend the time to return the junk so they make out like bandits.

[Renew Deal]

2. Use Blue Nile

They are very good. You can actually see the certificates online. Also, use the jewlery judge as an appraiser if there is one in your area. PM me for more detailed info if you need it.

[Shakespeare]

3. It's a great place to buy artisanal jewelry, though.

I wouldn't buy fine jewelry on eBay, for exactly the reasons you just detailed.

I have, however, picked up some beautiful and unique handmade pieces (most with semi-precious stones) over the years, including a three-strand moonstone choker and a seed-pearl cluster necklace of pink and ivory pearls (which I wore on my wedding day).

eBay is awesome for some things, not so awesome for others.

[soothsayer]

4. caveat emptor, wherever you go, really n/t

[Shopaholic]

5. I've gotten some great vintage costume pieces from Ebay

but I would be very, very hesitant about buying fine jewelry pieces off Ebay.

[Coventina]

6. Hubby bought my engagement & wedding band from ebay

The results were great!
Maybe we were just lucky, I dunno.

The engagement ring appraised for more than 3 times what we bought it for, and the wedding band was appraised for just under double.

I would think any reputable jeweler would be willing to appraise a piece, regardless of its origins. That part doesn't make any sense to me at all!
We had no problems.
:shrug: