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Buying an asscher from a private vendor - too scary?

L

LivyLuv

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jun 20, 2018
Messages
3
Hi, newbie here! I saw this asscher/square emerald cut diamond on Instagram. It looks very pretty but the seller is a private party (not an online vendor) so she doesn't offer returns. Would this be too risky of a buy? My main concern is the depth (75.1%). Are photos and videos enough to go on to make sure I get a good stone? Any help would be appreciated.
I can't find any diamonds on James Allen, BlueNile, or other sites to compare to.
Thanks! Price is $12,500. Sorry for all the links but I couldn't copy photos from Instagram.

Video: It's the top ring - https://www.instagram.com/p/Bhcn9yehSCc/?taken-by=msuite8
Link to photos: https://www.instagram.com/p/BhZscOZhBlT/?taken-by=msuite8
https://www.instagram.com/p/BhUrQ1QngoA/?taken-by=msuite8
https://www.instagram.com/p/BfWccFxn6NU/?taken-by=msuite8
https://www.instagram.com/p/BfHyzTPHv8h/?taken-by=msuite8
Another video here but it's like the 4th video: https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/17934860923019775/
 

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I wouldn’t do it.
 
Hi @LivyLuv, double check with the seller. She told me she is allowing a short approval period.
 
I agree with JPie, that honestly sounds like way to big of a risk. And also, if you don’t mind getting a smaller stone (or there are some comparable stones in size depending on your price range) you can checkout Whiteflash as well.

https://www.whiteflash.com/
 
Thanks, @Starfacet, I will ask about that. Wonder if she recently changed that?
If anyone sees a great asscher or square emerald cut in the $12-15K range, I'm open to suggestions. I don't want a high color and probably only VS clarity to maximize my budget. :razz:
 
Way too risky.

When I buy used stones from private parties , I insist the stone be sent to MY Jeweler and the jeweler must inspect and verify it is what it is. No chips ect and the gia report matches.
Payment of ANY kind is done after everything is verified by my jeweler. No exceptions
 
Also, if returning isn't a problem (and I'll have to check), are there any other red flags about this particular stone going off the photos and videos?
@whitewave do you think the price is still a red flag with it being L color?
Thanks so much for your help!
 
I wouldn't write it off immediately. If you could come up with an escrow arrangement using a registered appraiser or similar as your middle ground where the seller sends the asscher to them and they hold onto the money until the stone can be vetted as being genuine etc, I would go for it especially if you could inspect it in detail yourself.
 
Selling in such a private way is a red flag. You could use escrow.com as a protection or ask her to list it on eBay with returns accepted. I take it you’ve seen the certificate? Yes it is deep. I can’t really tell anything about it from the photos or video. You would want to buy it with absolute protection.
 
Looks like the cert is attached as a .PDF.
 
tkyasx78 said:
Way too risky.

When I buy used stones from private parties , I insist the stone be sent to MY Jeweler and the jeweler must inspect and verify it is what it is. No chips ect and the gia report matches.
Payment of ANY kind is done after everything is verified by my jeweler. No exceptions
Click to expand...

Absolutely agree with this. I would never buy a used diamond from a private internet source without having the diamond inspected by an independent jeweler I trust prior to any form of payment. If the seller was not willing to agree to such an arrangement, then I wouldn't even consider it.
 
@oldminer or @denverappraiser might be able to act as appraisers and an escrow service if you do want to proceed with this stone.
 
I’m a bit more of a risk taker than most and on “the face of it” a great buy.
1. Is there a GIA report? Is the diamond inscribed? If yes to both, good.
2. Only pay, on invoice, via PayPal. The invoice to specify as per the GIA report the number inscribed on the diamond and diamond details.
Do not pay via “family and friends” do not ever.
Yes, the seller will have to pay 3.5% fee, but you could offer to pay extra to cover say 1.75%.
3. Pay using your Visa card with PayPal. You might also have a merchant fee to pay as well BUT you now have 2 levels of buyer protection.
4. Buy a Loupe ie a x20 magnifier so you can read the GIA inscription which will be on the girdle (the side edge) on one of the 4 sides.
4. Ring to be sent vis signed for insured mail. Video tape the opening of the parcel.
5. Check number on diamond matches the GIA report, video this, if yes, fabulous.

IF NOT. Message seller through PayPal (keep all correspondence in written form) that diamond received is not as per GIA and you want a full refund. In the rare event the seller wants to suggest “you switched diamond” explain that you have a video recording of the opening of the parcel and the checking of the GIA number and seeing as she is a scammer, you will contact the police (you have proof, she doesn’t).
Get refund or raise dispute with PayPal (or Visa) goods not as described, follow PayPal advice as when to return ring,send back signed for mail.
This might sound long and detailed but this is the only way to buy expensive items online from unknown vendors.
 
@Matthews1127, seller bought stone from LAD and is trying to sell on IG for $2K more.
 
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