Jewellery Buying Tips

A: Check full details of certificate (if available) and compare to the advertised details.

B: For loose diamonds or valuable gemstones deal with sellers that can at least provide you with an independent grading certificate by a registered gemmologist.

For items with larger diamonds or larger valuable gemstones always deal with sellers that can at least provide you with an independent grading certificate and a valuation by a registered gemmologist.

For other fine jewellery items deal with sellers that can at least provide you with an independent valuation certificate (preferrably by an accredited valuer.)

Note: Some sellers don’t have certificates in their advertisement but will usually be glad to arrange when asked by the buyer.

C: If you are concerned about the size, whether item fits or not then please note that rings and most types of jewellery can be resized (if necessary) by a good manufacturing jeweller at a nominal charge, approx: $50 average price for an 18 Karat gold ring resize. For ladies the average ring finger size is K and the generic stock size (as usually displayed in stores) is larger, ranging between M – N.
Also, unlike many other things for sale, rings and jewellery can be restored to brand new condition most of the time by a manufacturing jeweller. Diamonds are the hardest known substance and in most cases are completely unmarked in setting, so buying a pre owned diamond can still mean that the diamond is brand new after a clean with a good jewellery cleaner or being put in an ultrasonic bath.

A: Brand new items for sale by a business usually sell anywhere between 60% to 100% of their retail value. So for example: If an engagement ring was valued at $10,000. The selling price is expected to range between $6,000 to $10,000.

B: Pre-owned (worn condition, not well presented) items for sale by a private seller usually sell anywhere between 25% to 50% of their retail value. So for example: If an engagement ring was valued at $10,000. The selling price is expected to range between $2,500 to $5,000.

C: Pre-owned (new condition, well presented) items for sale by a private seller or business usually sell anywhere between 40% to 80% of their retail value. So for example: If an engagement ring was valued at $10,000. The selling price is expected to range between $4,000 to $8,000.

A: Never meet seller in a park, street, car, etc. Always meet inside a premise such as a home, office, shop, etc.

B: It's important that you know how to verify the goods you are buying. Sometimes you can use your own judgement as how people are and where they live can be reassuring, but genuine people can still be mistaken. So it's recommended that you either have sufficient knowledge yourself to verify what you are buying or involve an experienced friend or professional third party to help you.

C: If you pay a deposit to the seller, make sure you get a signed receipt immediately from them, especially if you pay the deposit in cash.

D: Download > Payment Receipt / Agreement Template.

A: If you do not know or don’t trust the seller (very common when seller is private and not a business) then a solution is to get as many details as possible about the item(s) for sale and possibly inspect first. If you are interested to purchase item(s), but only subject to confirming the authenticity and grade then you should be able to arrange with the seller a meeting at premises of a gemmologist / jewellery valuer. Once details of item(s) is confirmed as OK by the gemmologist / valuer before you and the seller then you may wish to proceed and buy the item(s) from the seller on the spot at the gemmologist’s / valuer’s premises. Make sure you and the seller agree to the price and this procedure in detail and agree about who is paying the gemmologist / valuer. The gemmologist / valuer is usually paid for their service regardless of the outcome, so make sure you and / or the seller has put that into account at the meeting with the gemmologist / valuer.

B: An escrow service is another option if the buyer and seller are too far from each other and cannot meet with an expert third party like a gemmologist and / or a valuer, as explained above. There are a few specialist escrow companies around or you may also wish to discuss with a solicitor which may be able to arrange escrow at a reasonable price.



*Disclaimer: We do not guarantee that if you follow all or part of our buying / selling advice, as above - that the transaction will be successful and / or safe. The information we provide is free and is just our opinion based on many years of experience in the sales and purchasing of jewellery. Our intention is that the information we have provided should be helpful in full or at least in part to the general public, however the information may not be appropriate for some situations / transactions.
This website, it’s owners, operators, employees and agents will not accept any responsibility or be liable for any type of problem or loss resulting from the information as provided in “engagementrings.com.au” (Also Know As: Diamonds Directory.) Transactions are solely between buyer and seller. Both buyer and seller can refer to their legal rights (in their state / country) in the event of a dispute.