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- Jul 23, 2012
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some may have seen me venting about a recent eBay purchase failing authentication. I wanted to share my experience here and the end result.
Earlier this month I purchased a ring from a private individual on eBay. Not a “seller” or “shop”. She provided me an appraisal and additional photos of the true antique diamond ring. As most individual sellers do, she listed the ring in such a way that triggered the automatic authentication process. The ring did not pass. Without asking me - they returned it. Now I understand if something is misrepresenting itself- for example, something claiming to be Tiffany or Cartier that isn’t… but what I deeply wish eBay would understand is that slight variations on antique estate jewelry is normal and expected in the estate buying world. Minute variations from the listing should require the buyer be informed and given the opinion to still buy the piece. That was not offered to me.
The seller was so upset, and justifiably. I would have been irate if , say, it was an auction and I had to go through the whole bidding process again with no guarantee of winning the second time around.
After discussing with the seller- I was able to buy it again. Included in my purchase was the appraisal and a sweet note explaining the ring was in fact a treasured 25th anniversary present from her recently deceased husband of over 50 years. She had to part with the ring due to his mounting medical bills. This broke my heart- last thing she needed was an ordeal with selling, too.
the center is a la round 6.5mm, appraised as an I color. Clarity is lovely.
i am glad to have gotten a chance to purchase something that was well loved and to continue its legacy as an heirloom for another family
Earlier this month I purchased a ring from a private individual on eBay. Not a “seller” or “shop”. She provided me an appraisal and additional photos of the true antique diamond ring. As most individual sellers do, she listed the ring in such a way that triggered the automatic authentication process. The ring did not pass. Without asking me - they returned it. Now I understand if something is misrepresenting itself- for example, something claiming to be Tiffany or Cartier that isn’t… but what I deeply wish eBay would understand is that slight variations on antique estate jewelry is normal and expected in the estate buying world. Minute variations from the listing should require the buyer be informed and given the opinion to still buy the piece. That was not offered to me.
The seller was so upset, and justifiably. I would have been irate if , say, it was an auction and I had to go through the whole bidding process again with no guarantee of winning the second time around.
After discussing with the seller- I was able to buy it again. Included in my purchase was the appraisal and a sweet note explaining the ring was in fact a treasured 25th anniversary present from her recently deceased husband of over 50 years. She had to part with the ring due to his mounting medical bills. This broke my heart- last thing she needed was an ordeal with selling, too.
the center is a la round 6.5mm, appraised as an I color. Clarity is lovely.
i am glad to have gotten a chance to purchase something that was well loved and to continue its legacy as an heirloom for another family
You always find the best pieces, Niel!
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