Certificate from Russian Lab

[Musia]

Hello! Would you consider buying expensive Russian demantoids from a vendor located in Russian Federation if the seller provides you with a certificate issued by one of the Russian Labs? One particular seller on Etsy whose stones I like a lot has a very expensive demantoid for sale with a certificate issued by the Lex & Rosalino https://www.gemsociety.org/business/lex-rosalino/ (they don't even have their own website). Would you buy such a stone? Thank you very much in advance!

 

[Lilith112]

Hello! Would you consider buying expensive Russian demantoids from a vendor located in Russian Federation if the seller provides you with a certificate issued by one of the Russian Labs? One particular seller on Etsy whose stones I like a lot has a very expensive demantoid for sale with a certificate issued by the Lex & Rosalino https://www.gemsociety.org/business/lex-rosalino/ (they don't even have their own website). Would you buy such a stone? Thank you very much in advance!

No. I just googled Lex & Rosalino, and they're just an appraiser; would definitely not trust any "reports" from them!

 

[Musia]

@Lilith112 Thank you so much!

 

[Adam95]

Hello! Would you consider buying expensive Russian demantoids from a vendor located in Russian Federation if the seller provides you with a certificate issued by one of the Russian Labs? One particular seller on Etsy whose stones I like a lot has a very expensive demantoid for sale with a certificate issued by the Lex & Rosalino https://www.gemsociety.org/business/lex-rosalino/ (they don't even have their own website). Would you buy such a stone? Thank you very much in advance!

I wouldn't rule out the stones just because the certificate isn't reliable. Overseas, the expectations and requirements are way more relaxed. That being said, if they are nice quality Russian demantoids, the seller should be willing to offer you a grace period to get a report from laboratories that do demantoid origin like Lotus and AGL, and accept the return if they're not Russian.

Can you share the Etsy dealer's page?

 

[Musia]

I wouldn't rule out the stones just because the certificate isn't reliable. Overseas, the expectations and requirements are way more relaxed. That being said, if they are nice quality Russian demantoids, the seller should be willing to offer you a grace period to get a report from laboratories that do demantoid origin like Lotus and AGL, and accept the return if they're not Russian.

Can you share the Etsy dealer's page?

Thank you so much @Adam95

 

[LilAlex]

I would not buy a thing from Russia ever. Or Nigeria. Are there some things for sale that are not scams? Maybe. There's a reason even eBay sellers won't ship there.

 

[Musia]

I would not buy a thing from Russia ever. Or Nigeria. Are there some things for sale that are not scams? Maybe. There's a reason even eBay sellers won't ship there.

Thank you, I appreciate every honest answer!

 

[chrono]

It's a lot of money to risk.

1. Return / refund policy? How difficult will it be to be able to ship it back safely if it's not as expected as we have no experience with photographic colour accuracy? Restocking fee? Am I confident I'll get my refund?

2. I would only accept a reputable GIA, AGL and similar lab. Not even the smaller reputable labs.I would also want an origin report since it is being sold as Russian.

These are the 2 big questions that popped into my head right away.

 

[LilAlex]

...although that appraiser made this amazing pin that must be Jupiter and its largest moons...

 

[Musia]

It's a lot of money to risk.

1. Return / refund policy? How difficult will it be to be able to ship it back safely if it's not as expected as we have no experience with photographic colour accuracy? Restocking fee? Am I confident I'll get my refund?

2. I would only accept a reputable GIA, AGL and similar lab. Not even the smaller reputable labs.I would also want an origin report since it is being sold as Russian.

These are the 2 big questions that popped into my head right away.

Thank you!

 

[Musia]

...although that appraiser made this amazing pin that must be Jupiter and its largest moons...

Amazing indeed.

 

[LilAlex]

I will add the their "policy" only matters if they are legit and honest. If they are not, there is no reason to think that their policy has any meaning at all.

 

[Musia]

I will add the their "policy" only matters if they are legit and honest. If they are not, there is no reason to think that their policy has any meaning at all.

Thank you very much. My daughter wanted a much less expensive aqua from them and even asked to reserve it for her. Will see... I am willing to pay for AGL brief on her stone.

 

[LilAlex]

I am willing to pay for AGL brief on her stone.

Good luck! I'm not saying they are evil. I'm only saying that I don't like the odds. But they are still probably in your favor.

 

[Musia]

Good luck! I'm not saying they are evil. I'm only saying that I don't like the odds. But they are still probably in your favor.

Thank you! I will definitely post updates.

 

[Dizzie]

I have some experience dealing with Russian vendors and I would accept a cert issued by MSU (Moscow State University) gemmological center. They have been referenced as legit at least twice to me by a very established auction houses.

Again, for an expensive purchase you will not do anything wrong with Lotus or SSEF, if one of the parties would rather not ship overseas. But as a worst case, MSU might be additional protection.

Definitely No of those Lex & Rosalino people

 

[Musia]

I have some experience dealing with Russian vendors and I would accept a cert issued by MSU (Moscow State University) gemmological center. They have been referenced as legit at least twice to me by a very established auction houses.

Again, for an expensive purchase you will not do anything wrong with Lotus or SSEF, if one of the parties would rather not ship overseas. But as a worst case, MSU might be additional protection.

Definitely No of those Lex & Rosalino people

Thank you so much! I didn't know they have a gemological lab at that prestigious University in Moskow. Here is a link https://www.gem-center.ru/en/laboratory.htm and I will thoroughly search their site.