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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.
- 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.
- 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).
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. 😉