Buying Preloved/Preowned Bulgari

[Loriad]

Received the preloved Bvlgari B.zero1 pendant necklace in rose gold. Came with box, case and certificate. Necklace was bought at Saks in January 2018, so paper certificate. Necklace is in excellent condition and is a beautiful rose gold. My issue is I have 3 similar necklaces in non branded jewelry. The 3 non branded necklaces are just alike in 14kt white, yellow and rose gold. The pendent is somewhat similar to the b.zero1 open legends. When I tried both necklaces....the b.zero1 that I received and the non branded I already own, they were very similar, so I'm torn. I also noticed that, while the rose gold is beautiful, I almost prefer yellow gold in a necklace. I felt that the rose gold didn't pop like the yellow gold did on me. I did get a really good price for the b.zero1 that I received, especially since it came with everything. However, since there's an impending price increase looming on 10/1 for Bvlgari worldwide, I'm seriously considering the b.zero1 mini pendant necklace in the yellow gold. I thought of just ordering it from the Bvlgari website with express order to compare the two necklaces in size and gold on me. Any thoughts about the mini b.zero1 necklace? Anyone own this in the mini and show pics? Thanks for everyone's help with this.

Get what you really want or you will be constantly looking for it. Don't get the consolation prize, even if it's a good deal. I have learned this the hard way, more the once.

 

[Mishella]

Get what you really want or you will be constantly looking for it. Don't get the consolation prize, even if it's a good deal. I have learned this the hard way, more the once.

So true!

 

[lightwithin18]

Get what you really want or you will be constantly looking for it. Don't get the consolation prize, even if it's a good deal. I have learned this the hard way, more the once.

I agree. I just received the mini b.zero1 in yellow gold this morning. It's dainty compared to the regular size b.zero1 pendant. I do like the yellow gold. However, when I tried the rose gold and yellow gold on, there's not an obvious difference in my opinion. Of course, I've been here stressing over which one and constantly trying both on, so my eyes may have gotten used to them both. I took my gram scale out and weighed both pieces. The mini weighs roughly 7.4 grams and the regular b.zero1 weighed 14 grams. I paid around $240 more for the regular b.zero1 preloved. The mini came straight from Bvlgari. I own more yellow gold necklaces, so the mini would better match my current pieces. Also, I feel the mini is better for everyday wear and stacking as it's not so bold/large. I don't tend to stack my necklaces, I usually just wear one at a time. My issue is, honestly it wasn't a "hell yes" when I first saw either one of the necklaces and I feel I don't really want to spend the money on either one of them. The only thing that's stopping me is the cost of gold per ounce continues to go up and it's been said there's going to be a Bvlgari price increase in October. I don't really care to pay more for these pieces in the future. Maybe the indecision is my answer and if it's not a "hell yes" then it's a return for both. Unfortunately, my time for decision is running out and I have to make a decision by tomorrow.

 

[Loriad]

I agree. I just received the mini b.zero1 in yellow gold this morning. It's dainty compared to the regular size b.zero1 pendant. I do like the yellow gold. However, when I tried the rose gold and yellow gold on, there's not an obvious difference in my opinion. Of course, I've been here stressing over which one and constantly trying both on, so my eyes may have gotten used to them both. I took my gram scale out and weighed both pieces. The mini weighs roughly 7.4 grams and the regular b.zero1 weighed 14 grams. I paid around $240 more for the regular b.zero1 preloved. The mini came straight from Bvlgari. I own more yellow gold necklaces, so the mini would better match my current pieces. Also, I feel the mini is better for everyday wear and stacking as it's not so bold/large. I don't tend to stack my necklaces, I usually just wear one at a time. My issue is, honestly it wasn't a "hell yes" when I first saw either one of the necklaces and I feel I don't really want to spend the money on either one of them. The only thing that's stopping me is the cost of gold per ounce continues to go up and it's been said there's going to be a Bvlgari price increase in October. I don't really care to pay more for these pieces in the future. Maybe the indecision is my answer and if it's not a "hell yes" then it's a return for both. Unfortunately, my time for decision is running out and I have to make a decision by tomorrow.

For me, I need the "hell yes". Lol. I need to be wowed when I open the box. If I'm not and I try to make it work and try to fall in love because "it's such a good deal" or "the price will keep going up", I find that I don't wear it. Or, I do wear it but I'm not completely satisfied and then I'm looking again for the next piece!

 

[lightwithin18]

For me, I need the "hell yes". Lol. I need to be wowed when I open the box. If I'm not and I try to make it work and try to fall in love because "it's such a good deal" or "the price will keep going up", I find that I don't wear it. Or, I do wear it but I'm not completely satisfied and then I'm looking again for the next piece!

Completely agree!

 

[880]

I saw a fake bracelet in white gold and personally couldn’t understand it was fake even though I compared it to my real bracelet. Engravings were the same and it felt the same. Only my jeweler could identify it as a fake. the diamonds were not high quality and something inside the bracelet that makes it flexible was also questionable.
My jeweler is not an authenticator but he could compare it to my bracelet.
Beware fakes are very good, I’m scared of buying anything preowned. It’s always better to buy at a boutique.

With CAD computer generated design and production, I would assume that jewelers can replicate a bracelet exactly. Perhaps all they might need is a real one for a template, IDK. For popular branded jewelry, I would stick to the boutique. If buying vintage or discontinued design, I would stick to a retailer that can trace its items and knows its clients. Briony Raymond has some nice estate pieces. While I’ve only bought one small unbranded piece from Eleutarie, they also seem pretty knowledgeable. ETA: bit OT, since this is the Bulgari thread, but if one is worried about fakes, I would be particularly careful buying VCA Alhambra from secondary market, bc the company failed to successfully obtain intellectual property protection for that line.

 

[Mcandy]

I saw a fake bracelet in white gold and personally couldn’t understand it was fake even though I compared it to my real bracelet. Engravings were the same and it felt the same. Only my jeweler could identify it as a fake. the diamonds were not high quality and something inside the bracelet that makes it flexible was also questionable.
My jeweler is not an authenticator but he could compare it to my bracelet.
Beware fakes are very good, I’m scared of buying anything preowned. It’s always better to buy at a boutique.

Even with fakes, they have what they call mirror copy and its more expensive than other fakes.

With CAD computer generated design and production, I would assume that jewelers can replicate a bracelet exactly. Perhaps all they might need is a real one for a template, IDK. For popular branded jewelry, I would stick to the boutique. If buying vintage or discontinued design, I would stick to a retailer that can trace its items and knows its clients. Briony Raymond has some nice estate pieces. While I’ve only bought one small unbranded piece from Eleutarie, they also seem pretty knowledgeable. ETA: bit OT, since this is the Bulgari thread, but if one is worried about fakes, I would be particularly careful buying VCA Alhambra from secondary market, bc the company failed to successfully obtain intellectual property protection for that line.

There are lots of fake vca that is even more substantial than the real thing and youd be surprise of all the styles theyd come out with.

Wow! I had NO idea that the fakes were made with real 18kt gold! That's scary!

Real diamonds too and even vvs. Real gemstones as well

I agree. I just received the mini b.zero1 in yellow gold this morning. It's dainty compared to the regular size b.zero1 pendant. I do like the yellow gold. However, when I tried the rose gold and yellow gold on, there's not an obvious difference in my opinion. Of course, I've been here stressing over which one and constantly trying both on, so my eyes may have gotten used to them both. I took my gram scale out and weighed both pieces. The mini weighs roughly 7.4 grams and the regular b.zero1 weighed 14 grams. I paid around $240 more for the regular b.zero1 preloved. The mini came straight from Bvlgari. I own more yellow gold necklaces, so the mini would better match my current pieces. Also, I feel the mini is better for everyday wear and stacking as it's not so bold/large. I don't tend to stack my necklaces, I usually just wear one at a time. My issue is, honestly it wasn't a "hell yes" when I first saw either one of the necklaces and I feel I don't really want to spend the money on either one of them. The only thing that's stopping me is the cost of gold per ounce continues to go up and it's been said there's going to be a Bvlgari price increase in October. I don't really care to pay more for these pieces in the future. Maybe the indecision is my answer and if it's not a "hell yes" then it's a return for both. Unfortunately, my time for decision is running out and I have to make a decision by tomorrow.

Congrats! Old styles usually are more substantial than the new ones in stores right now. Price of gold years ago are not so expensive so bvlgari didnt slack on the weight of gold. But now gold gets thinner and thinner and prices goes up its crazy!

 

[Berengeria]

..., I would be particularly careful buying VCA Alhambra from secondary market, bc the company failed to successfully obtain intellectual property protection for that line.

Ah! I was wondering why I see so many dupes of this line. Like, not even "inspired by" half the time, just straight rip-offs.

 

[sacha1009]

I brought my WG b zero necklace preloved to the boutique to resized it and no problem. They looked up the serial number to their system ad it showed up. They transfer to me the previous owner of the necklace to me.

 

[bikegirl145]

I brought my WG b zero necklace preloved to the boutique to resized it and no problem. They looked up the serial number to their system ad it showed up. They transfer to me the previous owner of the necklace to me.

@sacha1009 If you don't mind me asking, did you tell them it was purchased on the resale market?
I need a vintage tubogas piece repaired and I wasn't sure if they frown upon preloved items at the boutique? Mine has a serial number so I'm assuming they look it up right away and I'll need to say I'm not the original owner.

Also, does anyone know if they even take discontinued styles in for repair?

Thanks!!

 

[sacha1009]

@sacha1009 If you don't mind me asking, did you tell them it was purchased on the resale market?
I need a vintage tubogas piece repaired and I wasn't sure if they frown upon preloved items at the boutique? Mine has a serial number so I'm assuming they look it up right away and I'll need to say I'm not the original owner.

Also, does anyone know if they even take discontinued styles in for repair?

Thanks!!

Yes. I told her I bought it when we were in Japan. She checked the serial number thru their system. Transfer to my name from previous owner. Don't any problem. I attached the picture after service.

I believe they can still able to repair the discontinued styles as long as authentic.