For Sale, Various Gold, Diamond, etc. Rings & Earrings

[elizat]

So I'm ready to post a few of the items on Loupe Troop. How do I make sure that the person who called 'dibs' gets first chance to buy the item?

Personally what I do is I go and order of first request. The first person to request the item and keep in contact and commit to purchasing and paying is the one I honor. Then I go down the list in order of additional requests. Generally speaking unless you have things listed at a really really low price or unless the item is very rare you will not have multiple buyers.

If I have multiple interested parties I let the people behind them know and I give them a deadline, the first inquiry, to make their decision and pay the invoice. I think 24 hours is reasonable. A lot of times if you tell people that you have other folks interested and you need to know if they would like to move ahead with the purchase, they will let you know pretty quickly.

I usually charge $10 for flat rate shipping in the United States because I like to get a bubble mailer, and I also like to get bubble wrap to individually wrap the items. If you do a priority shipping box with the included $50 insurance and nothing else on top of that that usually runs about $9. That is for a small box. I also offer combined shipping for items and if you have people that buy multiple things that would make sense here.

I also want to make a suggestion to you to make your listings easier. I would do a listing on loupe troop by the type of item and the material.

For example, everything that is a sterling silver ring I would put in one tray and put all of those pieces in one listing with the details for each item with a number just as you have done it. If you have 14 karat gold rings I would do the same thing for those. If you have earrings I would also do those separately and I would separate them out into silver and gold, as well as costume. that way, it is easier for buyers to figure out what exactly you have because you have so much.

 

[Rubymal]

@Emerald City I couldn't find your profile on Loupe troop. Here is mine if you want to message me about 41: https://loupetroop.com/listings/bracelets/swarovski-authentic-panda-charm-bracelet

 

[Emerald City]

I saw several suggestions to post my own contact info on Loupe Troop and I will do just that, so that everyone here can get in touch with me. I apologise for not doing it sooner. My only excuse is that it takes me a while to warm up to something new. Thank you all for allowing me to kind of go at my own pace! I am so grateful!

So yeah, pricing is figured out and my husband is getting some shipping boxes tomorrow. Everything will be in a red "Berricle" ring box as I have quite a lot of those. I hope that's okay

EDIT: Contact info is now on Loupe Troop. I am excited to hear from everyone

 

[Emerald City]

@Emerald City I believe you said you had set up an account with Loupe Troop? I would create a "listing" with a contact email for you so those of us who have spoken up for items can contact you. Don't post any personal info - just an email address - very preferably one without your real name in it so as to keep the interwebs anonymous. For example, here is my simple contact listing:

Contact for Lala646 | Loupe Troop

loupetroop.com

Thanks, @lala646 ! Very helpful and I have done just that. I am so new to all of this and I am so grateful that you all have taken me under your wing, so to speak.

 

[Emerald City]

@emeraldcity, thanks and I apologize for not seeing others had shown interest first. Just let me know about #1 earrings and #28 ring as I will purchase them. We can arrange something outside LoupeTroop if more convenient.

@luckygreen317 No worries! It's not hard to miss something like that. I'll keep you in the 'loupe' about your chosen items, should they become available

 

[Emerald City]

I am interested in 28, size is right, I didn't see a price, what are you asking?

@Sparkle77 I posted my contact info on Loupe Troop (finally, might I say!). Could you message me via the gmail account posted? Thanks!!!

 

[Emerald City]

@Emerald City I couldn't find your profile on Loupe troop. Here is mine if you want to message me about 41: https://loupetroop.com/listings/bracelets/swarovski-authentic-panda-charm-bracelet

@Rubymal I posted my info on Loupe Troop finally! Would you mind sending me a message to the e-mail addy I posted there? I have read that sometimes the messaging system there is wonky and I want to make sure messages go through. I really appreciate the effort this would take! Thank you and everyone else for being so patient To be honest, this process has given me a lot of anxiety. This is all my mother left to me and I don't want to make any egregious errors.

 

[Emerald City]

Personally what I do is I go and order of first request. The first person to request the item and keep in contact and commit to purchasing and paying is the one I honor. Then I go down the list in order of additional requests. Generally speaking unless you have things listed at a really really low price or unless the item is very rare you will not have multiple buyers.

If I have multiple interested parties I let the people behind them know and I give them a deadline, the first inquiry, to make their decision and pay the invoice. I think 24 hours is reasonable. A lot of times if you tell people that you have other folks interested and you need to know if they would like to move ahead with the purchase, they will let you know pretty quickly.

I usually charge $10 for flat rate shipping in the United States because I like to get a bubble mailer, and I also like to get bubble wrap to individually wrap the items. If you do a priority shipping box with the included $50 insurance and nothing else on top of that that usually runs about $9. That is for a small box. I also offer combined shipping for items and if you have people that buy multiple things that would make sense here.

I also want to make a suggestion to you to make your listings easier. I would do a listing on loupe troop by the type of item and the material.

For example, everything that is a sterling silver ring I would put in one tray and put all of those pieces in one listing with the details for each item with a number just as you have done it. If you have 14 karat gold rings I would do the same thing for those. If you have earrings I would also do those separately and I would separate them out into silver and gold, as well as costume. that way, it is easier for buyers to figure out what exactly you have because you have so much.

@elizat That is great advice and I thank you for it. I have a ton of sterling silver rings and I was actually thinking about selling them as a group on Loupe Troop. I'm so glad that this idea wasn't crazy! Some of them are really pretty but they just aren't 'me' anymore. Plus most of them were my mother's, and her style did not mesh well with mine, to put it kindly.

 

[Emerald City]

@Marriedbuteloped I am ready to ship stuff! (Excepting no. 32, which I will take to the jeweler again this week so that he can do a proper stone ID.) I listed my contact info on Loupe Troop. Please message me there and I will let you know pricing, etc. Thanks for waiting I am sorry this has all taken so long!!

 

[Rubymal]

@Rubymal I posted my info on Loupe Troop finally! Would you mind sending me a message to the e-mail addy I posted there? I have read that sometimes the messaging system there is wonky and I want to make sure messages go through. I really appreciate the effort this would take! Thank you and everyone else for being so patient To be honest, this process has given me a lot of anxiety. This is all my mother left to me and I don't want to make any egregious errors.

I found your posting! Sent you an email

 

[Marriedbuteloped]

@Marriedbuteloped I am ready to ship stuff! (Excepting no. 32, which I will take to the jeweler again this week so that he can do a proper stone ID.) I listed my contact info on Loupe Troop. Please message me there and I will let you know pricing, etc. Thanks for waiting I am sorry this has all taken so long!!

I sent you an email through Loupetroop. Hopefully you got it.

 

[Emerald City]

I sent you an email through Loupetroop. Hopefully you got it.

@Marriedbuteloped Hmm, I don't see any messages there! Would you mind re-sending via the gmail addy I posted? I guess I can add my voice to those who say that Loupe Troop's messaging system leaves a little to be desired My bad! I see it now! Sorry about that

 

[Emerald City]

@luckygreen317 Are you still interested in the turquoise ring? Please send me a message at the e-mail addy listed on Loupe Troop if so

 

[Emerald City]

@luckygreen317 Item 1 (fake turquoise earrings) might be available now, if you're still interested.

 

[luckygreen317]

@luckygreen317 Item 1 (fake turquoise earrings) might be available now, if you're still interested.

HI there, I really wanted a set of #28 ring and #1 earrings. I will pass and best of luck to you. Take care.

 

[Dhana]

What sizes are 10 and 22. Thanks

 

[Emerald City]

What sizes are 10 and 22. Thanks

@Dhana Hi! Sorry for the delay in replying. I got seriously distracted!

Item 10 is size 8.25 & item 22 is a size 7. Item 22 is listed on Loupe Troop, asking $209 + $22 shipping. (I found out the hard way that shipping out of Seattle with both insurance & signature required is really expensive!) I am asking $55 for the pearl ring. The pearl has a slight blemish but it doesn't show when worn. Shipping with just the pearl would be $18.

 

[Emerald City]

HI there, I really wanted a set of #28 ring and #1 earrings. I will pass and best of luck to you. Take care.

@luckygreen317 Hmm, a set sounds really nice actually. Would $269 for both items work? (Shipping would be $22. I found out the hard way that shipping out of Seattle with both insurance & signature required is upwards of $17.)

 

[Emerald City]

I want to profusely thank all who have read this thread and I am just blown away by the good wishes expressed by the members here. I also want to thank those who have submitted offers. This is a good community and I am glad that my pieces are going to good homes. I haven't worn any of them as my mother and I had totally different personal tastes so it is good to know these pieces will be worn and finally see daylight.

 

[yssie]

I’m so sorry to hear about your health issues @Emerald City. I hope you feel better quickly after your treatment!

You have a number of pieces here. May I make a couple of suggestions? Perhaps not for now, but if you find yourself listing large quantities at once in future.

Your shipping costs are extremely high for the value of most of these pieces. I know the extra expense is coming from the 6” x 6” boxes that you’re using - that really is unnecessarily large, given the sizes of the pieces you’ve listed. Smaller boxes alone could easily halve shipping costs, and would not introduce any risk of damage during transit. I personally almost always ship Priority and use USPS Small Priority boxes (that I tape the life out of).

One thing to note - if you do incur a loss you will need to prove value of the piece. USPS won’t care that you insured for $X come time to pay out on a claim (though they’re happy to take your money when you buy that insurance!). By requesting PP F&F you remove the option of using your own sale as proof of value, so you’ll want to be sure that you’ve got either original receipts or your jeweller’s written appraisal.

The other thing I noticed is... Some of your listings are very flowery. I’m going to be a bit blunt, please excuse me here - there is a lot of hyperbole. Terms like “rare” and “amazing craftsmanship” that mass-market castings really just don’t merit, from an objective perspective. I do think staying closer to a factual description of the piece, which you include in all your listings, and adding your opinions on wearability, etc., but minimizing the sales-speak portions would appeal to a wider audience. It was thoughtful of you to have all these pieces cleaned and polished prior to sale - I’m sure your buyers will appreciate receiving shiny “new” sparklies!

I’m very glad your mum’s pieces are finding new life with other PSers! It definitely is a family here

 

[Emerald City]

I’m so sorry to hear about your health issues @Emerald City. I hope you feel better quickly after your treatment!

You have a number of pieces here. May I make a couple of suggestions? Perhaps not for now, but if you find yourself listing large quantities at once in future.

Your shipping costs are extremely high for the value of most of these pieces. I know the extra expense is coming from the 6” x 6” boxes that you’re using - that really is unnecessarily large, given the sizes of the pieces you’ve listed. Smaller boxes alone could easily halve shipping costs, and would not introduce any risk of damage during transit. I personally almost always ship Priority and use USPS Small Priority boxes (that I tape the life out of).

One thing to note - if you do incur a loss you will need to prove value of the piece. USPS won’t care that you insured for $X come time to pay out on a claim (though they’re happy to take your money when you buy that insurance!). By requesting PP F&F you remove the option of using your own sale as proof of value, so you’ll want to be sure that you’ve got either original receipts or your jeweller’s written appraisal.

The other thing I noticed is... Some of your listings are very flowery. I’m going to be a bit blunt, please excuse me here - there is a lot of hyperbole. Terms like “rare” and “amazing craftsmanship” that mass-market castings really just don’t merit, from an objective perspective. I do think staying closer to a factual description of the piece, which you include in all your listings, and adding your opinions on wearability, etc., but minimizing the sales-speak portions would appeal to a wider audience. It was thoughtful of you to have all these pieces cleaned and polished prior to sale - I’m sure your buyers will appreciate receiving shiny “new” sparklies!

I’m very glad your mum’s pieces are finding new life with other PSers! It definitely is a family here

@yssie I appreciate the feedback! I am using 6x6 boxes because I feel like they give better padding, but I'll see about using smaller boxes. Shipping from my location, with insurance & signature required, was almost $18. I was shocked. Insurance for more expensive items than what was shipped for that cost of course costs more. The size of the box didn't matter according to my husband as it was a flat rate up to a certain size. I don't really know how I could improve shipping costs by more than $2-3. I hate to charge that much but it costs what it costs. I actually lost $20 on my first 3 online sales because I charged too small of a shipping cost. Does using a small Priority Mail box, without signature required & without insurance, really cost less? Probably a stupid question but I have no idea. I feel uncomfortable shipping without either of these services.

I didn't realise that about F/F & proof of value. I feel like a fool. I was trying to do what people recommended as I truly don't know what I am doing (and it shows!). I'll change that going forward.

I originally had cut-and-dried descriptions but I saw other people were describing the life out of their items, so I changed my descriptions. I guess I should have stuck to my original instincts there! I really do think the craftsmanship of certain items is 'amazing,' though, and there is a piece or two that looks hand-made to me rather than mass-cast. I'll go back and edit them back at some point. Unfortunately I haven't gotten much interest on Loupe Troop despite lowering prices and I'm not comfortable lowering them much from what they are; at that point I would rather just keep them and enjoy the sentimental value they hold than sell them for so little. I hope that makes sense. I don't think I have particularly saleable items and I don't think they're going to sell, to be honest. Loupe Troop has some spectacular stuff for sale and my stuff seems bland in comparison.

I am grateful for your advice! As stated, I am a complete 100% neophyte at online sales!

 

[Emerald City]

What I have truly enjoyed is corresponding with other PS'ers. I love getting to know new people but I have been stuck in my house for almost 3 years. The social interaction is awesome!!

 

[Emerald City]

@yssie I took your advice and removed some extraneous language. I also ordered some small priority mail boxes but until they arrive the 6x6 boxes are unfortunately the only option.

Thank you again for your advice! I want to learn all I can in order to do this intelligently.

 

[elizat]

I use a lot of bubble mailers to ship. If you have the item in a small box with bubble wrap inside the box, plus bubble wrap around the box in a bubble mailer, it's pretty darn secure. You can get bubble mailers even at Walgreens. I have shipped overseas with padded bubble mailers and things arrived fully secure. For reference, I just shipped and item in a wooden CvB box with $450 insurance, with tracking and signature, shipping for $13. It was within my same region, but even assuming it was going to Oregon, the cost likely would not have been more than $18.

The flat rate small priority boxes work too. I would also consider listing on ebay. I think you'd reach a broader audience.

 

[yssie]

It’s tough to get started selling, even to a friendly audience like this. And you’re selling so many things at the same time right now, it’s even more difficult! It definitely took me a little while to figure out what worked for me and what didn’t.

The flat rate boxes (you have to use specific boxes from USPS) are “flat rate” up to a certain weight. They come in three different sizes, Small/Medium/Large, and you pay the same cost to mail within the US regardless of how much whatever’s in there weighs. The Small boxes cost ~$8.50 before insurance and signature confirmation right now. You’re right about insurance, that’s where they get you on extra fees - so really important to be able to prove the value of the contents of your package pretty definitively (photos plus independent description or sales listing) otherwise that’s money wasted.

For packing - bubble wrap like @elizat suggested is great. Cheap and it’ll keep everything nice and immobile. I like to tape all seams of the mailer or box, and I also tape over the label/written address in case it rains. (You can print shipping labels at home, by the way, same price but much easier than paying at the post office! https://cns.usps.com/m/createLabel.shtml)

Regarding the listings - if you know that certain pieces are limited edition, or that they were manufactured in certain ways, that’s great to include! Sometimes selling to a primarily PS audience is more challenging because as a group we have some shared tastes, use jargon in some specific ways, follow some group trends - things that someone who’s newer to the community might not know yet. Nothing wrong with that, of course, it just makes selling to this culture more difficult. eBay is a much wider set of recipients, so whilst the sales motions are more difficult to navigate (more processes to follow, etc.) you’ll reach a more diverse audience without any particular group norms.

I’ll use this listing as an example -
https://loupetroop.com/listings/rin...k-yellow-gold-ring-with-yellow-diamond-size-7
Going from the top - some of this you’ve probably already thought of, some might be fodder for next time!

A) It looks like this is a throwaway email that you use only for LT or jewellery sorts of things? That’s a great idea. Definitely withhold your “real” name and contact info until you’re confident you know someone.

B) Is the date range a known specific or is it an estimate?
As an aside - a lot of tradepeople and hobbyists will use the term “antique” to mean over a hundred years old. This isn’t a requirement and it isn’t defined anywhere, it’s just the way it’s done. I personally have no issue with colloquial usage that doesn’t adhere to that definition and would happily ask anyone who tried to correct me to cite their sources.

C) The centerstone is described as “canary”. This isn’t GIA or AGS terminology, so that indicates there’s no report (which is perfectly fine!) but raises the question: Exactly what colour is “canary”? I can’t tell what the colour of the stone actually is in your photos, and of course I can’t see what you see in-person. So here’s where selling to a PS audience is both harder and easier:
- Your average eBay buyers aren’t going to think to wonder what “canary” means to you, and if they define it the same way. They’ll just... Assume something. For better or worse.
- But PSers know that photographing coloured stones is hard! And we know that the colour shifts with light. And we know that for $300 we can’t expect professional, time-consuming photography. In this case, something like “Looks like X Pantone/hex colour code/some other easily-accessed standard colour in sunlight and Y in the shade/clouds” would be more than enough. Just to create some colour equivalence for potential buyers, and your PS audience knows enough to fill in the blanks.

D) The mm measurements are fantastic. Just be aware that most PSers have calipers and will double check those dimensions for themselves - so if you aren’t totally sure, like they weren’t measured by your jeweller or you aren’t fully confident your calipers are correctly calibrated, maybe keep it a bit more vague (about X.Ymm).

E) What does “eye clean” mean to you? It would be worth adding a short “clean to my eyes from X distance” sort of description, especially as the first photo appears to show a black crystal(?) under the table. If that’s not what that is then I’d say either use an alternate photo or stare explicitly that there was a bit of marker or whatev on the stone so noone is left wondering

F) Are you confident that the mount was engraved by hand? If so that’s a great thing to add to the listing! This would be quite unusual in a piece of this type during this time. This is another example of something that would mean something to PSers but probably not to a different (ex. eBay) audience.

G) Some other things I would be interested in, as a potential buyer:
- What’s the total weight of the piece?
- Has it been sized before, to the best of your knowledge? Or had any other significant work done?
- What’s the thickness (depth off the finger) of the band?
- Would you have an on-hand photo you could share?

 

[AnastasiaBeaverhausen]

I'd also nix the signature confirmation for pieces that are below a certain value (TBD by your own comfort level). I think accepting PP F&F and having tracking is sufficient to protect you in most cases. The buyer can always cover the cost for sig confirmation if they want.

 

[Rubymal]

Just adding my 2c regarding using F&F on paypal. Generally, it is meant for as it says in the name- friends and family.

I see F&F requested quite often in jewelry channels which was actually surprising to me because I've been a part of many other groups (pin trading/selling and other merch) and those group rules firmly state no F&F and if anyone requests payment through F&F they actually get banned (I guess too many buyers have been scammed and tricked and there is no recourse if you pay with F&F). But with that said, the few times that I have done F&F while buying jewelry, I haven't had an issue.

 

[lala646]

I just received my package from @Emerald City, and everything is as lovely as described. Packed with care, and shipped very quickly. I couldn't be happier with my new bling. Thanks again!!

 

[Rubymal]

Got my earrings from @Emerald City. Everything was thoughtfully packaged and arrived super fast. Thank you! :]

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Looks like your on the ball @Emerald City
Well done !