Bad Instagram/Vietnam spinel purchase

[CaseyLouLou]

Well, I need to vent a little. I had been trying to find an even more vivid red spinel and had spent quite a bit of time conversing with an Instagram seller from Vietnam. I finally found a small one that wasn’t too expensive ($350) but when it arrived today and I louped it, there was a very large internal crack at one end that might even reach the surface.

I’m not sure if I can return it but will find out. It’s hard to get photos but it’s huge and looks almost like a bullet hole fracture like when glass breaks.

The seller is “gemstonevietnam” on Instagram.

She also shipped it without a certificate after she said she would get one for me. I’m so frustrated.

The stone looks fine otherwise but I assume this is a big durability issue, right?

 

[Autumn in New England]

Sounds like a conchoidal fracture to me, which can be a sign of damage, as opposed to a simple inclusion. In the future, always hammer out the return policy before purchasing (even on lower priced gems). How did you pay? If the seller refuses to accept a return, perhaps you can dispute the charge? We've all been there! I'm sorry for the disappointment, my friend!!

 

[CaseyLouLou]

Sounds like a conchoidal fracture to me, which can be a sign of damage, as opposed to a simple inclusion. In the future, always hammer out the return policy before purchasing (even on lower priced gems). How did you pay? If the seller refuses to accept a return, perhaps you can dispute the charge? We've all been there! I'm sorry for the disappointment, my friend!!

That sound exactly like what it is. How does this happen usually? She sent it for repolishing because there were some facet abrasions. Could it happen during that process?

 

[Autumn in New England]

That sound exactly like what it is. How does this happen usually? She sent it for repolishing because there were some facet abrasions. Could it happen during that process?

Truthfully, I doubt it. It's usually a blow that causes something like that. Spinel is a durable gem (8 Mohs), and has no cleavage (natural planes of separation). So when it fractures, the break resembles a shell (hence the "conch" in conchoidal). But if the stone was abraded to the point that it needed to be repolished prior to being saleable, my guess is it was previously set and well-worn, which is when the damage happened. The seller either didn't notice it or failed to disclose it. Have you notified her of the damage yet?

 

[CaseyLouLou]

Sounds like a conchoidal fracture to me, which can be a sign of damage, as opposed to a simple inclusion. In the future, always hammer out the return policy before purchasing (even on lower priced gems). How did you pay? If the seller refuses to accept a return, perhaps you can dispute the charge? We've all been there! I'm sorry for the disappointment, my friend!!

I agreed to pay by Zelle like a dummy.

 

[CaseyLouLou]

Truthfully, I doubt it. It's usually a blow that causes something like that. Spinel is a durable gem (8 Mohs), and has no cleavage (natural planes of separation). So when it fractures, the break resembles a shell (hence the "conch" in conchoidal). But if the stone was abraded to the point that it needed to be repolished prior to being saleable, my guess is it was previously set and well-worn, which is when the damage happened. The seller either didn't notice it or failed to disclose it. Have you notified her of the damage yet?

Yes, I sent her all kinds of messages explaining the issue and my disappointment, asking her what she will do for me. I haven’t gotten a response yet.

She should really accept a return but I have zero leverage.

 

[Autumn in New England]

I agreed to pay by Zelle like a dummy.

No, not like a dummy... we've all done it, love. You live and you learn. Your best recourse now is to calmly explain that the stone is damaged and request to return it for a full refund. If she refuses, then let her know you are going to leave negative feedback for her shop across the interwebs. Sometimes they acquiesce, sometimes not. But it's worth a shot! Let us know how it turns out. Good luck!!

 

[Autumn in New England]

Yes, I sent her all kinds of messages explaining the issue and my disappointment, asking her what she will do for me. I haven’t gotten a response yet.

She should really accept a return but I have zero leverage.

Just saw this! Ok, give her a bit of time to respond and then plan your next move. I'm not all that familiar with Zelle, but a quick look at their policies says that you cannot dispute amounts sent to someone with a legit account, no matter the reason. But even though you do not have recourse in that respect, sometimes a vendor will want to avoid negative PR. I've seen it happen here! So I would play that card, if it comes to it. Again, I'm so sorry for the disappointment, my friend.

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

Oh, that sucks. This is not uncommon- at all. It happens to many of us! Give them a little time to respond and see what they do.
This is the pitfall of Instagram buying overseas and it's not a matter of if, but when it happens. All you can do is request a return. The likely response will be to offer discounting because taking a stone back is a PIA and some try to avoid it at all costs.
Just PSA this vendor if they aren't accommodating, and we'll add it to the list :/

 

[Mreader]

I’m so sorry that happened. If the seller does accept returns, would the overseas location make that difficult?

 

[Autumn in New England]

I’m so sorry that happened. If the seller does accept returns, would the overseas location make that difficult?

I think @ItsMainelyYou is spot on... the vendor will likely offer a partial refund instead. In a perfect world though, since the stone is damaged, and it wasn't disclosed, the vendor should eat the whole cost. I hope she'll do the right thing and accept the return, with each party paying for shipping one way. Casey shouldn't have to be out anything, of course, but...

 

[CBianco]

So sorry this is happening It's always a risk with these smaller IG sellers closer to source. I also purchase some of my stones on IG, but there are only very few I trust.

Hopefully they will issue you a full refund, but most likely they will offer partial

 

[CaseyLouLou]

I think @ItsMainelyYou is spot on... the vendor will likely offer a partial refund instead. In a perfect world though, since the stone is damaged, and it wasn't disclosed, the vendor should eat the whole cost. I hope she'll do the right thing and accept the return, with each party paying for shipping one way. Casey shouldn't have to be out anything, of course, but...

She sent me a video that she says showed the crack so she isn’t denying it was there. I couldn’t make out the crack, only the abrasions. She said she didn’t mean to hide it. Still waiting to see if she will accept a return.

 

[cocotate]

Well, I need to vent a little. I had been trying to find an even more vivid red spinel and had spent quite a bit of time conversing with an Instagram seller from Vietnam. I finally found a small one that wasn’t too expensive ($350) but when it arrived today and I louped it, there was a very large internal crack at one end that might even reach the surface.

I’m not sure if I can return it but will find out. It’s hard to get photos but it’s huge and looks almost like a bullet hole fracture like when glass breaks.

The seller is “gemstonevietnam” on Instagram.

She also shipped it without a certificate after she said she would get one for me. I’m so frustrated.

The stone looks fine otherwise but I assume this is a big durability issue, right?

I hope you paid with Paypal at least, and if so, contact and dispute for an item not as described. Paypal will refund your money after the investigation.

 

[Autumn in New England]

She sent me a video that she says showed the crack so she isn’t denying it was there. I couldn’t make out the crack, only the abrasions. She said she didn’t mean to hide it. Still waiting to see if she will accept a return.

Something that significant should specifically be mentioned though. I had a similar issue with an Etsy seller... what looked like a normal facet joint glare in a photo ended up being a decent sized (eye visible) fissure in person. It never occurred to me to ask about it, as it just blended right into the stone in the photos (purposefully, I'm sure). But it should have been disclosed. I'm hoping she makes this right. Please keep us updated!

 

[Autumn in New England]

I hope you paid with Paypal at least, and if so, contact and dispute for an item not as described. Paypal will refund your money after the investigation.

I feel like less and less vendors are accepting PP for this exact reason. Unfortunately, this particular seller requested payment via Zelle.

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

She sent me a video that she says showed the crack so she isn’t denying it was there. I couldn’t make out the crack, only the abrasions. She said she didn’t mean to hide it. Still waiting to see if she will accept a return.

Mmhmm, she never explicitly stated there was a crack though, did she. I've noticed the trend to write no crack! or similar as a matter of course in the sparse descriptions... did she write that, perchance?

 

[cocotate]

I feel like less and less vendors are accepting PP for this exact reason. Unfortunately, this particular seller requested payment via Zelle.

That sucks! I would never bypass a layer of protection with unproven international sellers for this reason.

 

[CaseyLouLou]

That sucks! I would never bypass a layer of protection with unproven international sellers for this reason.

I know I’m an idiot. I was too trusting thinking I had seen enough videos and picture and asked all the right questions.

Unfortunately, this particular seller requested payment via Zelle.

I was mistaken. It was PayPal F&F.

 

[cocotate]

I know I’m an idiot. I was too trusting thinking I had seen enough videos and picture and asked all the right questions.



I was mistaken. It was PayPal F&F.

You're not an idiot. I did a wire transfer of a huge amount once a long ago to Israel and knew I was taking a big risk but the seller had a long presence in the market and had many legit reviews. Sometimes we get lucky and sometimes we don't, but I'd avoid that with social media sellers nowadays.

Just recently I bought a large opal from a seller for a direct import and the seller actually accepted Paypal through direct invoicing, so I took a risk knowing I had some protection although I knew nothing of the seller. It was still unnerving, but I received the stone safely.

 

[CaseyLouLou]

Mmhmm, she never explicitly stated there was a crack though, did she. I've noticed the trend to write no crack! or similar as a matter of course in the sparse descriptions... did she write that, perchance?

She did not say there was a crack or that there wasn’t a crack. She sent me a video with bright light and claims that was its purpose. She said she didn’t mean to hide it. I responded saying that maybe she didn’t mean to hide it but I wouldn’t have bought it had I known and she should have told me. I said I liked the color and was disappointed and then she sent me a heart emoji and said rest assured the color is nice. So I had to send yet another message explaining again that I want to return for a refund and I expect her to agree.

The address is on the packing slip. I could send it back and hope for a refund. I’m not sure it’s worth much with the crack anyway…right?

 

[cocotate]

She did not say there was a crack or that there wasn’t a crack. She sent me a video with bright light and claims that was its purpose. She said she didn’t mean to hide it. I responded saying that maybe she didn’t mean to hide it but I wouldn’t have bought it had I known and she should have told me. I said I liked the color and was disappointed and then she sent me a heart emoji and said rest assured the color is nice. So I had to send yet another message explaining again that I want to return for a refund and I expect her to agree.

The address is on the packing slip. I could send it back and hope for a refund. I’m not sure it’s worth much with the crack anyway…right?

Please don't send it back without an RMA or agreement first.
You could lose out of the stone and the $.

 

[CaseyLouLou]

Please don't send it back without an RMA or agreement first.
You could lose out of the stone and the $.

I figured although who knows if she would honor her agreement to send the refund at all anyway.

@Autumn in New England Do you think the crack will cause problems with setting if I end up stuck with this stone? It’s a really pretty stone and you can’t see the flaws but I’m worried about durability during or after the setting process.

 

[Autumn in New England]

I figured although who knows if she would honor her agreement to send the refund at all anyway.

@Autumn in New England Do you think the crack will cause problems with setting if I end up stuck with this stone? It’s a really pretty stone and you can’t see the flaws but I’m worried about durability during or after the setting process.

Well it's a plus that the fracture is only visible with a loupe. You mentioned earlier it was surface-reaching. That concerns me a bit. Does it look like the damage encompasses an entire corner? Here are my thoughts... it's entirely possible that this stone could be set and you may never have issues with the durability. For what you paid (and if you're forced to keep it), it may be worth the risk, especially since the fracture is not eye visible and you like the color. But, of course, there is a chance the flaw could compromise the stone's integrity down the line (it's also in a vulnerable spot). It's difficult to know without studying the gem in person. Your jeweler should be able to give you an opinion before setting it. I think of all the heavily included emeralds out there that manage to survive somehow, so you never know. I'm still holding out hope the vendor will accept the return.

 

[CaseyLouLou]

Well it's a plus that the fracture is only visible with a loupe. You mentioned earlier it was surface-reaching. That concerns me a bit. Does it look like the damage encompasses an entire corner? Here are my thoughts... it's entirely possible that this stone could be set and you may never have issues with the durability. For what you paid (and if you're forced to keep it), it may be worth the risk, especially since the fracture is not eye visible and you like the color. But, of course, there is a chance the flaw could compromise the stone's integrity down the line (it's also in a vulnerable spot). It's difficult to know without studying the gem in person. Your jeweler should be able to give you an opinion before setting it. I think of all the heavily included emeralds out there that manage to survive somehow, so you never know. I'm still holding out hope the vendor will accept the return.

Thanks for the info. She said a return is difficult because of import taxes of $150 and shipping fees $50. She offered to send me a new stone and I was considering it but then she offered a partial refund. Not sure how much yet. What do you think is reasonable?

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

Agree!
Don't send it back without an agreement in place. Honestly, best case scenario is she should give you some of your money back. It's unfortunate, but many stones have inclusions in them and are made into jewels. I probably wouldn't bezel it without consulting the jeweler about it first. It can be set, just don't go knocking on the tabletop with it.

 

[Autumn in New England]

Thanks for the info. She said a return is difficult because of import taxes of $150 and shipping fees $50. She offered to send me a new stone and I was considering it but then she offered a partial refund. Not sure how much yet. What do you think is reasonable?

Well, I think she's fudging a little, as importing returned goods should be exempt from taxes and duties. However, it may be wise to take the partial refund and be done with her. I would have no problem asking for a return of half the purchase price. Explain that you believe it would be fair to split the cost. See what she says... good luck!

 

[CaseyLouLou]

She offered $100 back and won’t budge.

I just don’t even know what to do with the stone but maybe I will find a cheap preowned setting and hope it survives.

 

[Autumn in New England]

She offered $100 back and won’t budge.

I just don’t even know what to do with the stone but maybe I will find a cheap preowned setting and hope it survives.

Eh that's not too bad. I'm sure it's worth the $250. You could also resell it and try to recoup a bit more (or the rest) of your $. Just be sure to mention the flaw in the listing... unlike what's her face. But knowing you, you'll find a pretty mounting and make it work!

 

[JackTrick]

If the inclusion doesn’t reach the surface, I bet a careful setter could prong set it as a lovely pendant.