Estate & Vintage Diamonds Archives - The Ethical Engagement

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Many people who are in the market for a pre-owned or vintage diamond wonder, should I buy a diamond on eBay?

eBay is a vast and daunting online marketplace. It can feel overwhelming if you’re not familiar with the site. However, it’s also a treasure trove of great deals on wonderful pre-loved diamonds, if you know what to look for.

This post will help you learn to navigate the process of buying a used diamond on eEbay. Keep reading!

Is it Safe To Buy a Diamond on eBay?

The short answer to this question is: it depends. I know — not the most helpful answer. Let’s break it down a bit.

There are unscrupulous sellers that pop up on eBay, but if you’re careful, you can avoid them and still snag great deals on authentic diamonds. Here are a few tips to ensure that the jewelry you buy on eBay is legit.

Consider the price. Of course, you want a good deal — and you can definitely find them on eBay. But, if it’s too good to be true, well…it’s probably not true. If you find a 1.5 carat diamond set in platinum for $300, you might have a scam on your hands. Research market rates beforehand (PriceScope is a great resource) and only shop items that fall into the expected range.
Check out the reviews. A good seller will have a positive reviews; ideally, quite a lot of them. Read a handful to get a feel for their reputation. Don’t be scared if a seller has one or two negative reviews (you can’t please ’em all), but do check them to make sure no one is calling them out for selling fake diamonds.
Take a look at how long they have been selling on the site. The longer, the better. A new seller isn’t necessarily unsafe, but when you see a seller that has been on the site for years, you can be fairly sure they are reputable. On the below example, see that it says “Member since: Apr 28, 1999.” Great sign!
Note the number of followers the seller has. A reputable seller should have a decent amount.

A reputable eBay seller. Note the number of positive reviews, the numbers of followers, and the fact that they have been a member since 1998.

Look at their listing photos. A good listing should show plenty of photos of the ring close up, with good lighting. You should see the top and profile views of the ring. When you are shopping for a pre-owned or vintage piece, you should not see “perfect,” stock-looking photos. Stock photos are a very bad sign. If the photo is “perfect,” it’s a red flag.

Example of the type of photo you don’t want to see. It’s too “perfect.” Photos like this are a red flag.

Read the full item description. A real ring from a reputable seller will have a good amount of information in the description or the item specifics field. The more they tell you, the better. The description should indicate the “4 Cs”: cut, color, carat, and clarity. If the diamond in is in a setting, the listing should note the material — it should be listed as 10k, 14k, or 18k gold or platinum (and stamped! Bonus points if the seller shows the stamp or maker’s mark in their listing pics).

Example of a well written, complete item description. Note the extensive information given about the item. The more detail, the better!

Example of a bad item description. Seller mentions the gold purity and the carat total weight, but no information about the diamond.

So, to recap:

Pick a seller that’s been selling for a while, has plenty of reviews, and a good following.
It’s ok to watch for good deals, but make they aren’t too good. You get what you pay for.
Look for listings that include plenty of photos. They should well-lit, clear, and show the item from all sides.
Look for real photos — no stock photography or CGI-esque pictures. Remember an estate piece is one-of-a-kind, so there won’t be manufacturer photos.
Only buy a diamond with a complete, thorough description (the “4 Cs”). You need to know what it is you’re buying.

After You Buy

Even if you follow the above tips, I still highly suggest visiting a jeweler within a week of receiving the item. A jeweler will have loupes and testers to confirm for you that, yes, the stone you bought is real. Chances are, it will be. But then you forever have the peace of mind.

Bonus — when the jeweler checks the stone, they will also let you know if they see any issues with the setting (like bent prongs) that might compromise the security of the diamond. If they do find anything wrong and it was not disclosed in the item listing, you would be able to return the ring if you wished.

If, for whatever reason, it turns out that the stone you bought is not what the seller said it was, you can file what is known as a Significantly Not As Described (SNAD) dispute with ebay. Whether the seller you purchased from offers a return policy or not, if the item was misrepresented, it will be covered by eBay’s Money Back Guarantee.

Reputable Pre-Owned Jewelers on eBay

Here is a quick list of sellers to consider if you do decide to shop on eBay. This is certainly not an exhaustive list, and no matter where you buy an estate piece, remember to do your due diligence before making the purchase.

Wilson Brothers Jewelry – Wilson Brothers is, in my opinion, the OG of pre-owned jewelry sellers. Selling on eBay since 2003, they offer a wide selection of diamond rings and other jewelry. They also offer a “hassle-free” 30-day return window. I have purchase several items from them and have always been satisfied.

Empire Jewelers – Another big name in the world of eBay preowned diamonds. Empire has been selling on eBay since 1999 and has 100% positive feedback. They offer amazingly detailed descriptions of every piece they sell. Their preowned engagement ring selection is wonderful.

Beckers Fine Diamonds – Becker’s has been open as a storefront in Connecticut for 42 years, and they have been selling on eBay since 2013. They have great reviews and a decent selection of engagement rings.

Oaks Jewelry – Selling on eBay since 2006, Oaks generally lists a good number of preowned diamond engagement rings. Their photography is great and they offer complete item descriptions. They often carry a good selection of larger diamonds (1.00 carat+). I find their prices to be a tad rich for my frugal blood, but it’s worth noting that they accept offers, so if you decide to shop with them, make an offer before paying full price (75 – 80% of the asking price is a good rule of thumb for an offer)!

ePawnAmerica – Ok, ok, say what you want about pawn shops. I know they come with their own concerns about ethical shopping and morality, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention them. Pawn America is as trusted a chain as pawn shops get. I’ve personally shopped their brick and mortar locations and their web storefront. Their diamonds are individually inspected, polished, and cleaned by gemologists. They also offer really great prices, great item descriptions, and over two decades of selling on eBay. Take ’em or leave ’em.

So, Will You Buy Pre-Owned Diamonds on eBay?

Like I’ve suggested before, only you can decide if you are comfortable wearing a ring that someone else has worn, without knowing the history behind it. Only you know if you should buy a diamond from eBay.

Personally, the thought of wearing something being pre-owned doesn’t bother me — I’m more concerned about a getting a bigger diamond, at a lower price, with essentially zero ethical concerns. Plus, no one* needs to know you snagged a steal (although you might as well brag about the money you saved!).

If you have questions about the eBay diamond shopping process, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m happy to provide additional advice as you narrow down the perfect stone for your proposal.

Happy shopping!

*Just to be clear, the recipient of the diamond should know — ideally before you buy it — to ensure they are comfortable wearing an estate piece. Proposers take heed. I mean to say that friends and family don’t have to know. 😉

Keep Reading

When shopping for an engagement ring, some couples wonder if they should buy a pre-owned engagement ring. This article reviews the reasons that estate rings are a wonderful option for the conscious shopper who’s concerned about the ethics of purchasing a new, mined diamond.

What is an Estate Ring?

Let’s start by defining the term “estate ring.” Simply, estate jewelry is pre-owned jewelry (but “estate” sounds fancier, right?). There is no specific age attached to estate jewelry. If it’s pre-owned and being resold, it’s considered an estate piece. You might also see the terms “vintage” and “antique” when looking at pre-owned rings. Technically, a vintage ring is at least 50 years old, and an antique ring is over 100 years old, but both would be estate pieces. There is no singular reason why a piece of jewelry ends up on the resale market. It’s possible the previous owner passed away without an hier. It’s possible the original owner “upgraded” and sold their older set. And, of course, it’s possible the sale is the result of a breakup.

Should I Buy a Pre-Owned Engagement Ring?

Only you know if you are comfortable with the idea of purchasing an estate diamond. Typically, you won’t know the story behind the ring. Some buyers are uncomfortable with the idea of owning a ring that may or may not have been part of a breakup. Personally, I chose an estate diamond ring when my now-husband and I were ring shopping. I was not concerned about owning something that someone else wore, even though I don’t know the story of my ring. My husband and I are writing our own story and putting our own love and energy into the ring we picked. I chose my ring because, to be frank, I could get a larger stone for much, much less money. My estate ring is also without any of the environmental or human rights concerns that surround mined diamonds. It seemed like a win-win for me.

Things to Consider When Buying a Pre-owned Diamond Ring

There are an incredible amount of pre-owned diamond rings on the market. You can find them for sale on eBay, Etsy, at pawn shops, antique stores, jewelers, and specialty sites dedicated to selling pre-loved jewelry. Of course, it’s important to do your due diligence when shopping for a used ring. Ensure you are shopping legit sites with buyer protections in place. If shopping on a marketplace site like eBay, use your discretion when reviewing the sellers. Make sure they are well-reviewed and reliable (I personally suggest The Wilson Brothers, although there are many other phenomenal eBay sellers). Don’t be afraid to contact the seller to ask more questions about the ring — a legitimate, trustworthy seller is always happy to oblige. If you do purchase a pre-owned diamond online (I’ve purchased many this way!), you should take it to a jeweler once you receive it. The jeweler will inspect the ring, check that the prongs are solid, and confirm for you that the stone is real. It’s also worth mentioning that you can purchase an estate ring (or a loose pre-owned diamond) and work with a jeweler to set the stone in the new setting of your dreams.

Making the Decision to Buy an Estate Diamond

If price and ethics are both considerations for you, I highly suggest you rule pre-owned rings into your hunt. Not only can you get more rock for your dollar, you are making the most environmentally sound choice of all. There are no new materials needed — just a trip on the FedEx truck. As the saying goes, diamonds are forever. If you value owning a natural diamond but you have valid concerns about the ethics of buying new, pre-owned could be the perfect compromise for your forever ring.

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