Anyone bought from the following vendors?

[Pinkmartini87]

Hi all,
Wanted to know if any of you folks have had experience, positive or negative, with the following online antique jewelry vendors:

Romanov Russia, Chicago
Isadora Antique Jewelry, Seattle WA
Eragem, Bellevue, WA
Lang Antiques, San Francisco, CA
Jewels by Grace, CA
Firestone and Parson, Boston, MA
Erstwhile Jewelry, NY

I've been thinking about a new purchase of antique emerald earrings, but feel a little anxious forking over $$$ online without knowing who's at the other end, so to speak.

Of all the above, I've recently been to Lang's and they seem nice, but again, if anyone had had personal experiences with them I'd love to hear. Some of their items do not come with GIA or AGL certification and I'm a little scared to ask for one prior to purchase, although I'd be happy to foot the bill for the report.

Many thanks!

-Sherry

 

[JPie]

I've purchased from Lang, Jewels by Grace, and Erstwhile. I'd gladly buy from any of them again.

My purchase from Lang came with a GIA report for the center stone. Grace provided a qualitative report from an appraiser, and it would've been $65 to get a full appraisal for insurance purposes. Erstwhile provided an EGL report.

 

[Pinkmartini87]

I've purchased from Lang, Jewels by Grace, and Erstwhile. I'd gladly buy from any of them again.

My purchase from Lang came with a GIA report for the center stone. Grace provided a qualitative report from an appraiser, and it would've been $65 to get a full appraisal for insurance purposes. Erstwhile provided an EGL report.

Thanks very much for taking the time to write back! Helpful to hear your experiences!

 

[MollyMalone]

I too am a past customer of Erstwhile & would be happy to purchase from them again; in fact, I'm eyeballing a ring currently listed on their website. AGL & Erstwhile are on the same block of 5th Ave (between 47th and 48th Streets); GIA's counter for walk-in deliveries/pick-ups is around the corner at 50 W. 47th Street, about midway between 5th and 6th Avenues.
https://goo.gl/maps/5WT22AfpiUP2

Given Erstwhile's super convenient proximity to AGL and GIA, i wouldn't hesitate to ask them to walk the earrings over to the lab of your choice. My own preference would be AGL, but here are the current fee schedules for both:
http://aglgemlab.com/pricelist/
https://www.gia.edu/doc/GIA_ColoredStoneServices-20171001-USD.pdf

 

[Pinkmartini87]

I too am a past customer of Erstwhile & would be happy to purchase from them again; in fact, I'm eyeballing a ring currently listed on their website. AGL & Erstwhile are on the same block of 5th Ave (between 47th and 48th Streets); GIA's counter for walk-in deliveries/pick-ups is around the corner at 50 W. 47th Street, about midway between 5th and 6th Avenues.
https://goo.gl/maps/5WT22AfpiUP2

Given Erstwhile's super convenient proximity to AGL and GIA, i wouldn't hesitate to ask them to walk the earrings over to the lab of your choice. My own preference would be AGL, but here are the current fee schedules for both:
http://aglgemlab.com/pricelist/
https://www.gia.edu/doc/GIA_ColoredStoneServices-20171001-USD.pdf

Dear MollyMalone,

Thanks for your kind reply and the links. Good to know Erstwhile checks out! They have such beautiful eye candy! Do keep us posted if you decide to get the ring and all the best to you!

 

[marymm]

Yup, I've bought from Lang, Jewels by Grace, and Erstwhile, and would happily buy from any/all of them again. I particularly find Lang trustworthy in their evaluation/description of jewelry.

 

[Bluegemz]

I’ve bought from Era gems and Lang’s. Was very happy with the purchases.

 

[prs]

Of all the above, I've recently been to Lang's and they seem nice, but again, if anyone had had personal experiences with them I'd love to hear. Some of their items do not come with GIA or AGL certification and I'm a little scared to ask for one prior to purchase, although I'd be happy to foot the bill for the report.

I don't think you should be shy about asking for a cert. The vendor should have no problem getting a cert if you offer to pay for it up front. In fact a refusal to get the cert should raise all kinds of red flags!!!

 

[Pinkmartini87]

Yup, I've bought from Lang, Jewels by Grace, and Erstwhile, and would happily buy from any/all of them again. I particularly find Lang trustworthy in their evaluation/description of jewelry.

Thanks Maryann for sharing!

 

[Pinkmartini87]

I’ve bought from Era gems and Lang’s. Was very happy with the purchases.

Thanks Bluegemz!

 

[Pinkmartini87]

I don't think you should be shy about asking for a cert. The vendor should have no problem getting a cert if you offer to pay for it up front. In fact a refusal to get the cert should raise all kinds of red flags!!!

Dear PRS, thanks for the advice! Yeah, you are right. I've felt pressured sometimes bc a store clerk would show me a third party appraisal and insist it's the real deal, which I've learned from here that it is not.

 

[shinyrocks]

Of that list, I've only bought from Jewels by Grace. It was a great experience, and I would buy again.

 

[Jlw85chs]

I bought a vintage Tiffany’s ring from Erstwhile that was advertised as an OEC in platinum... I took it to another jeweler for appraisal and it turns out it was actually a transitional cut in palladium in very bad condition (cracks/poor saudering fixes in the setting) and the side stones had absolutely no sparkle. Luckily Erstwhile has an easy return process and apologized for the mistake (but I noticed when they reposted the ring they listed it the same, incorrect way!). I ended up making a custom ring inspired by the Ersthwile ring for much less money, bigger/better diamond and better quality. I still love scouring their site for inspiration, but I probably wouldn’t buy from them again. Maybe their other rings are better, but you would still be overpaying NYC prices in my opinion.

 

[Pinkmartini87]

Thanks for your candid opinion! I’m glad to hear it ended up working out for you even better! I do think their prices are on the higher end also.

I bought a vintage Tiffany’s ring from Erstwhile that was advertised as an OEC in platinum... I took it to another jeweler for appraisal and it turns out it was actually a transitional cut in palladium in very bad condition (cracks/poor saudering fixes in the setting) and the side stones had absolutely no sparkle. Luckily Erstwhile has an easy return process and apologized for the mistake (but I noticed when they reposted the ring they listed it the same, incorrect way!). I ended up making a custom ring inspired by the Ersthwile ring for much less money, bigger/better diamond and better quality. I still love scouring their site for inspiration, but I probably wouldn’t buy from them again. Maybe their other rings are better, but you would still be overpaying NYC prices in my opinion.

 

[Django74th]

Isadora is well respected and I’ve purchased from them before. I live nearby so I purchased from their actual store. FWIW, they are located in downtown Seattle and their prices are commensurate with that location. However, they are very friendly and have beautiful things.

 

[Django74th]

Oh and I’ve also purchased from Eragem (they are also local for me). I’d say my same opinions of Isadora stand for Eragem as well. Great customer service, beautiful things, well respected... and a bit expensive.

 

[Pinkmartini87]

@Django0413 Thanks for the extra info—since I initially posted I should mention I’ve also now purchased from Isadora’s and found them to be very reliable. Prices are on the higher end but the quality is guaranteed, and perhaps in this day and age where “imitation antiques” and fakery are sadly numerous, I may be inclined to pay extra to know I’m getting “the real deal”.

 

[demantoidz]

I don't think you should be shy about asking for a cert. The vendor should have no problem getting a cert if you offer to pay for it up front. In fact a refusal to get the cert should raise all kinds of red flags!!!

Yup, I recently passed on something I really liked because in addition to a no-returns policy, the vendor refused to send it out for a report (even though they're based quite close to top labs).

 

[boerumbiddy]

I bought something tiny but lovely from Lang. They curate their collection carefully, and you are paying a premium for their expertise, but they really do disclose everything about their jewelry and answer questions promptly. It was a good experience that I wish I could afford to repeat with other stones.