How To Buy Colored Stones On The Internet

I have been selling on eBay for over eight years, but for the longest time it never occurred to me to sell things other than household items or things I just didn't want anymore. I have been in the jewelry and gemstone trade for over 15 years but I never saw eBay as a legitimate outlet for this kind of item. And, by and large, it never was and it still isn't! If you have taken any time to peruse the offerings on eBay in the colored stone categories, you will see so many extraordinary offers. You can buy a 100-carat ruby for a song! You can buy colored diamonds for a pittance. You can buy amber with insects for a dollar. These are all frauds, of course. Many of the offerings in these categories are simply not real. They are being promoted by unscrupulous sellers to an unsuspecting public. In colored stones, there is a huge gap of knowledge between those in the professional trade and the average consumer. Unless you have a lot of experience buying and selling colored stones, or are trained as a gemologist, or both- it will be very easy for you to be taken advantage of. Thankfully, there is now a leveling force that is bringing smart consumers to the eBay marketplace and is also bringing the weight of consumer knowledge to bear on these dishonest sellers. This force is the knowledge gained by colored stone consumers on the internet.

In the meantime, another very real force is coming into play. Now there is a place on eBay for honest sellers with quality goods. While in the past the uneducated consumer may not have given a second look at mid-priced stones selling for a good value, the present crop of savvy consumers are attracted to sellers who are offering genuine, quality stones at true market price- the price of the highest bid! But I promised to tell you how to find these sellers and these values, so let's get started!

First and foremost, look at the background of the seller! Does this person have a legitimate business in the colored stone trade, or are they a fly-by-night operation who does this as a sideline? Some companies do cell phones one day, and colored stones the next! When that isn't working, they might switch to construction tools and supplies. You are better off looking at sellers with a strong history of dealing with colored stones. They will have an established network of trustworthy suppliers who consistently provide them quality material. Without this supply, they can't offer stones that represent both quality and value to you.

Second, look at the credentials of the seller. While a gemology diploma is not essential, it can tell you that the person you are dealing with has the dedication to study hard in the always-changing trade. Colored stones are a dynamic marketplace and treatments are of utmost concern. Can your dealer tell you reliably that the ruby he is selling is not glass-filled? If he has never studied gemology, and does not have years in this business dealing with different treatments, it will be hard for him to make such distinctions! There are new treatment methods coming along often that affect the value of the stones being offered in the market. Does your dealer have the knowledge to help you?

Third, does your dealer buy locally or does he go direct to the largest colored-stone markets in the world? If you don't mind paying too much for a stone this is not your concern. But if you want stones that represent good value, you can't pay a markup to your dealer, and his dealer, and his dealer, etc. Buy from a dealer who is buying directly from the market because he can offer the lowest price. He has to have a profit, of course, but he doesn't have to cover the profits of everyone above him in the supply chain- only the owners and cutters! Sometimes a colored stone is passed through four, five, six, or more "dealers" before your dealer sells it to you. Each time, the price goes up. How can a dealer like this give you value for your money?

Fourth, do your homework. Learn all that you can about colored stones, especially the particular species that interest you the most as you will be spending more money on those stones! Don't be afraid to ask questions and never stop learning. The internet is loaded with resources about colored stones and you should spend your time before you spend your money.

Finally, make sure you are dealing with someone who has integrity. Ask around on the internet, at gem shows, and talk to other stone collectors and dealers. Who is known for honest and fair service? Who is known as a "snake"? Take a look at their return policy. Is there a restocking fee? Is there a short return period like 7 days? That's generally not going to be an honest dealer. Honest dealers believe that customer satisfaction is important and will go the extra mile to make a customer happy.

Best of luck to you in your collecting adventures, and please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions at all about this article or about colored stones in general.

David Fortier, GG
Staff Gemologist
tiptopgem.com
800-607-1425

The Gem Vault
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