This is exactly right. I've bought several pieces of authentic designer fine jewelry on ebay for a fraction of retail. There are very reputable sellers there who are unloading excess inventory or returns or store display pieces. There are pre-loved pieces, being sold by people who are cleaning out their jewelry boxes. All the pieces I purchased were absolutely authentic and in perfect or barely worn condition so I happily keep looking.
Would / do you buy jewellery on ebay?
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This is exactly right. I've bought several pieces of authentic designer fine jewelry on ebay for a fraction of retail. There are very reputable sellers there who are unloading excess inventory or returns or store display pieces. There are pre-loved pieces, being sold by people who are cleaning out their jewelry boxes. All the pieces I purchased were absolutely authentic and in perfect or barely worn condition so I happily keep looking.
I am too paranoid to buy jewellery on ebay. When I was young, I bought my first piece of jewellery on ebay since there wasn't a store for it in my country. It ended up being a fake as I found out many years later....
Besides, I love the experience of going to the stores, seeing my SA, having them save items to show me that they think I'll be interested in, etc. Deals are nice, though, and I can't say I haven't been tempted before.
Besides, I love the experience of going to the stores, seeing my SA, having them save items to show me that they think I'll be interested in, etc. Deals are nice, though, and I can't say I haven't been tempted before.
I bought few pieces and sold few pieces. For some reasons, some jewelry look smaller upon arrival. The seller might describe the size and don't mention center stone size. Instead of center stone the seller would measure ornate setting which is great, but when it is not realistic. I learned to ask more questions. Most seller are great at answering. If they are not, better to move on in a different direction. I had problems couple times. Like the opals were listed as real, and arrived synthetic. I had no problems returning after contacting seller. The one time I had problems, when seller was in China. Me completely misrepresented the item, and I could not return it. It was very disappointing. For USA I feel there is more protection from ebay. Additionally if you need to return abroad, it is just so much hassles....
I have bought a couple of jewellery pieces on Ebay including a Cartier Love ring and, more recently, a Tiffany gold head bracelet. As long as you do your homework you can get some great deals.
with opals you have to be very,very careful not just on ebay but, for example, here in oz every tourist shop, from the cheapest to the expensive ones, has opals for sale and many people cannot tell the difference between synthetic and real ones
eBay can be a great source for jewelry, but it depends on what you are looking for. I look for vintage pieces that we're not replicated, so my prob in that respect is minimal. if I were looking for pieces that are imitated and replicated, I would be more cautious, AND If I was spending a chunk-of-change, I would be looking for guarantees and ensuring there is a way to return if the item was misrepresented.
Yep, I can spot it if it is not too real.
It is hard to shop for opals too. They are not that expensive, but in jewelry they are expensive, and usually only very small, unless you want to pay over 1K. I am looking for places what offer affordable options. If you have something in mind (website, please let me know, PM?)
This is my mentality too. Ebay is a great place for rare and unique pieces. I bought a custom script ring and antique solid silver bracelet among other items, which I adore and can't get anywhere else.
I don't possess anywhere near the expertise needed to be able to tell a counterfeit or the quality of a stone, so I avoid buying those. I'd rather spend extra and know what I'm receiving than lose money on something worthless.
its not actually synthetic vs natural..many cheap opals are actually doublets or triplets
Yes, yes, yes! I love buying pre owned jewelry (and other items) on eBay, other online sources and from local jewelers. I see ZERO reason to pay for the markup that come with buying "new" in stores if I don't have to.
DH buys me wonderful pieces new from stores and while I thank him profusely, I always think "I could have the same item for less pre-owned".
Given that there are reputable resale sources that accept returns in case of fakes, credit cards like AmEx which give wonderful buyer protection and pieces are easily verified and appraised at levels good enough for my insurance company, why wouldn't I buy for less?
DH buys me wonderful pieces new from stores and while I thank him profusely, I always think "I could have the same item for less pre-owned".
Given that there are reputable resale sources that accept returns in case of fakes, credit cards like AmEx which give wonderful buyer protection and pieces are easily verified and appraised at levels good enough for my insurance company, why wouldn't I buy for less?
I would have like to try ebay too but its much a hassle with all the fees and shipping etc...i dont even have a paypal account. I do my local kijiji though( craigslist equivalent) where I could see the item myself and i could haggle the price as well. I got my diamond solitaire ring from there and it was quite a steal! I wouldnt find the same ring in the mall stores with the same price. I had ring shopping and the prices were really high for such terrible stones. Mine was perfect and cheap..at least compared to the mall prices. Of all the stones ive seen, mine was the best.totally eye clean and canadian diamond as well...i was really happy with the purchase.
Doublets are not as bad as triplets
When I looked at triplet, the last layer of quartz kept bothering me.