Hello everyone. I’m new to the IGS family and I wonder if anyone has any experience or advice regarding purchasing loose gemstones from an auction house? I’ve been researching jewelry auctions (Christie’s, Doyle, Sotheby’s, etc.) for design ideas and I’ve seen a few lots that have loose stones.
-
Avoid Ebay.
-
Gem Rock Auctions is a decent site to work with, but be mindful of where the different shops are shipping/selling from and be most careful with shops shipping from Asia.
-
If you are able to visit an Auction house in person, bring a small tool kit with you that has a couple of loupes, penlights/torches of varying intensities (with one being a decent UV light), dicroscope, filters, and other items that can be fit into a small pouch.
1 Like
-
Most of ebay is trash, but you will find some decent sellers. If you have a return privilege and use Paypal and a credit card, you have lots of options if things go bad. If you message the seller with questions, you can get some insight into how they operate, how knowledgeable they are, etc.
-
I don’t have any experience buying from GermRockAuctions, but I do look there to research prices.
-
Yes, if you can visit an auction house, take your pocket instruments with you. The Hanneman filters are great, too, if you have them.
-
The big auction houses might have things you can use…just see whether they are standing behind their ID or not. I don’t think you can rescind an auction unless the description is way off.
-
You really do have to have a good idea of valuations, or you will get skinned. Research prices on line and/or have a good appraisal/value tool and know how to use it. The Gemworld Guide is good for grading color if you have the World of Color book, but their prices are usually considered way high…but as a relative value they are useful…just know what the multiplier is…30% or 50% or whatever. I know folks who use the Gem Guide prices without the color reference, but color is so critical with colored stones that I think this is misguided. Shades of color make a big, big difference, which is why white backgrounds in photos are so important. If you see a color cast, beware!
-
Be aware that loose stones may be chipped and need to be recut.
3 Likes
Firstly, and if possible, get a written copy of their conditions of sale. Does the auction house give full details and warrant the identity of the stone as a specific mineral ? Does it have a return policy if the stone has been misidentified by them or is from a location different from the one stated? Please note that a term such as “garnet” is not sufficient eg is it hessonite or pyrope etc ? . Be aware that terms such as “natural” and " not heat treated" cannot be easily verified by simple means. In particular be wary of “natural zircon” both colorless and in all different colours and particularly from Indian sellers. These are usually synthetic cubic zirconia aka zirconium oxide masquerading as zirconium silicate but can be discriminated from sapphire and spinel etc by its higher SG. In short, buyer beware!
Avoid buying from China and India on eBay for the most part. If the deal looks too god to be true, it is! I’ve made some great buys on eBay in the past. It’s been a few years ago. Gemrockauctions has some good dealers as well. You have to pay attention to what you are buying because you may end up with a stone that is cracked, chipped of has a bad cut to begin with. I’ve found some nice stones there as well.
Welcome and all the best.
Otter.
1 Like
Hi Jennifer,
I have an extensive inventory tgat i am trying to sell since i used to go door to door in the NYC diamond district but have since moved from the area. Im not old but have a back problem and trying different avenues to sell them at wholesale prices.
I dont know how you attach lists on this message site but if you do kindly advise me. Otherwise if you have specufic stones you are interested in i can send you a list detailing size, weight, CCC, and even country of orign since over the years all my stick is from a friend that travelled the world and worked with mines.
Let me know. Tgank you.
Ken
1 Like
Interested in your inventory.
Do you have a list of your gemstones?
Hi June. Fantastic. Yes, i have a partial list but much more than actually cataloged. I moved a few years ago from NYC area where i Sold in diamond district but because of back problems is hard for me to cover as much spsce as there.
Ilso I’m trying to liquidate as much as possible at very good prices. If you give me your rmail i can send a pdf list since IGS has told me there is mo way to attach it via their site.
If there’s any stines not on my partial list please ask and ill look thriugh my safe.
I have just about any stone except maybe some sapphires. Lots of my stones are larger and rarer ie 1+ ct Alexandite, Large tanzanite, kunzite, morganite, a big untreated pink tourmaline of the Cruziero mine which has been closed forever, a real big beautiful aqua that matches Diana’s ring that Meghan wore in the MG leaving for there honeymoon. Many emeralds ie. A 7 ct zambian oval that ill let go for a cheap price… i had a simplw WHOLESALE written apprausal on this at i tnk 7k and i would sell for 3000. Most of my aquas were part of lots from Tiffany to pick through.
Plus i have eveyday stones. Something for everyone. Since i got my stones from a guy who i knew traveled the mines and knows the cutters i know the cointry of origin which most jewelers don’t. In fact one of his Brazilian cutters in LA cuts David Yurman.
Too much to have logged by now because i just only get to it once in a while.
But give me your email, ill send what i have, and if youre looking for anything specific then please ask because i know i havent listed then all!
Best Regards,
Ken Davis
Hi June,
Happy New Year!
I’m trying to catch up and follow up on items prior to the holidays. (This one was crazy for me).
I didn’t see if you sent me your email in my messages so i could follow up and sebd my very partial listing to date.
Accord8ng to two people running this IGS site one cant attach an excel spreadsheet hence tge reason for me needing your email.
Can you kindly send it to me and i will forward tge spreadsheet? Apologies if you sent it already and i dont see on my IGS messages.
Regards,
Ken Davis
Hi if you are LOOKING for Better quality and Price forget it. As most of theauction houses have their APPRAISERS and at the same time ppl like u and I are there so one NEED Luck. But if you have possiblities of laoidary you can buy dameged ones and it could be intresting. so wish you Luck.
Hi @Kend
I’d be interested in some stones from you. Could you please send me a list or spreadsheet on hsa634@gmail.com
Thankyou
Hanaa
Hi @Kend
I’d also be interested in the list if you don’t mind. Please would you email to me at cmorgan@synapt.co.za
Thanks,
Sure Jamie. I just saw your post. Give me a couple days.
Ken
Hi hanna
Sure i can send what i have logged so far in a couple days. I have a lot more but havent logged everything.
Ken