Do auctions offer better deal than retail jewellers?

[Icy Melona]

Can someone advise whether you''re likely to get a better price for jewellery than retail jewellery stores? Or are they about the same?

So far, I''ve been to 2 different ''premier'' auction houses and the quality and prices were quite different to one another. I felt that one auction was no different to paying full retail and the stones, particularly, the diamonds were commercial grade rather than gem grade.

Any thoughts on auction vs retail?

 

[jewelerman]

Depending on the auction house you can find every quality and price range.like retailers ,you may have certification on the jewelry and some jewelry you will have to determine quality yourself.Remember that auction house jewelry was purchased retail somewhere sometime.

 

[anne_h]

The auction items I''ve tracked ended up pricing similar to retail once you factor in the auction house''s fee... IMO, the "nicest/best" pieces get plenty of interest to keep the bidding/price high, so no real "steals" to be made. At least, not regularly, maybe as super one-offs.

A.

 

[NewEnglandLady]

I have no experience with auctions, but I know that we were able to get a very good deal on our ring from a high-end B&M because it was about to go to auction. They had lowered the price on pieces that were going to auction (though we didn''t know it at that time) and we were able to negotiate an additional few thousand off because they were better off selling it at a significantly reduced price rather than paying the shipping, listing, and whatever other fees are associated with an auction. I''m assuming that it probably would have gone for less in the auction than they had it listed in the store or they wouldn''t have put it on the chopping (or bidding) block.

 

[tradergirl]

If you know your stuff and have cash, you can get some amazing deals in auctions and other unlikely places. I have no qualms about looking for diamonds on places like Craigslist and have also shopped our local Heritage Auction Galleries'' jewelry auctions.