Tips on buying from instagram sellers?

[Bojambles]

Hi everyone,

Would you have any tips on assessing stones from videos / photos online that are low to medium quantum (say up to the 3,000 to 5,000 range per stone). And also on pricing?

I’m based in Asia, so for me there’s little sense to order from a lot of the trusted retailers unless it’s a really expensive stone (don’t think any of them want to deal international returns for $500-$1,000 stones).

The vendors I’m looking at are those that are primarily based in closer-to-source countries ie. Pakistan, Sri Lanka, different African countries and use Instagram to sell. PS members have purchased from some of them. I’ve also seen the latest incident regarding this type of vendors - am aware, thank you.

General questions:

• How to assess colour, cut, extinction, zoning, potential fluorescence / glow on Instagram? Everything looks like a moneyshot lol.
  • Other than outdoor / indoor, top and side views, are there any other things that I should look out for?
  • Are there any top trade colours that are particularly difficult to capture in general? Assume that they’re not going to send it to a well known lab to be graded prior to purchase. Everything looks like moneyshots but pretty sure that’s not the case
• How much bargaining is acceptable and even expected?
  • I noticed that they tend to follow each other on Instagram, which probably helps to set similar opening prices.
  • I don’t want to be ripped off but I don’t want to squeeze someone’s lunch and leave a bad relationship either.
  • I also see that a lot of them do sales of 20, 30% or even much more on certain gems to move stock, so would asking for a 30% discount be an unusual situation, and a 10-15% discount if buying multiple / more expensive stones more acceptable?
  • Or do they already price stones with expectation of significant negotiation?
• Also, is it just me or are tourmalines everywhere and asking for prices that are starting to look retail. I’d initially assumed that they were priced fairly and to sell, but I’m now under the impression that they’ve left a lot of wiggle room.
  • I’m SG based, and I went shopping around local jewelry stores (who would have much higher base costs and also more liability if anything went wrong), and similar stones (at least for tourmalines) seemed to be priced similarly than someone based in a source country, who has much lower base costs and to whom I have much less recourse
  • Of course, it could be the case that I can't do a good comparison and am not picking up a huge value factor like the exact shade of pink / blue / luster

I’m aware that different sellers are going to have different customs and policies but just wanted to get a sense of your buying experience in general

TIA!

 

[peacechick]

Personally I have bought before from these IG sellers and would do so again, but only stones that are well under $1000 and what I consider bargains. The problem is that online, you can’t tell what type of stone you will be getting. They may not be eye clean, no matter what the sales talk is. You also have to accept that you may not be able to return the stone without risk.

Gem cutters used to visit Singapore often before Covid, including the Sri Lankan based sellers and you could meet with them to view the inventory in person which reduces risks a lot more. And get additional certification you can trust before you buy, e.g. Nanyang Gem Lab. If you can afford to wait, I would suggest waiting. If not, I would source locally from a store that knows how to choose high quality stones, like this one for example:

Gemstones

www.allaboutjade.com.sg

About tourmalines being everywhere, they have always been popular and inexpensive stones for their wide variety of colours. That said, certain varieties have become very expensive, namely blue/green varieties like paraiba, indicolite, mint. Pink still seems to be okay.

 

[maru8888777]

I've bought from these instagram sellers before with good experiences, but I agree on caution. A few of them are based in SG, so I wonder if meeting them in person and seeing their stock wouldn't be preferable. Isn't Asiatique (the jewelry store) also SG based?

 

[peacechick]

I've bought from these instagram sellers before with good experiences, but I agree on caution. A few of them are based in SG, so I wonder if meeting them in person and seeing their stock wouldn't be preferable. Isn't Asiatique (the jewelry store) also SG based?

Oh yeah, I forgot, you can look at Icy Jade’s collection, it is so gorgeous and Wriston at Asiatique carries very beautiful gems (I have not personally been there, just going by reviews). I don’t think there are gem cutters based in SG though, anyone here is either a jeweller or a middleman.

 

[YC]

@Bojambles , is there a specific type of gemstone which you are looking for? Perhaps it will be easier and the answers can be more specific to your needs.

 

[Bojambles]

Thank you all for the links! Allaboutjade does have some pretty nice coloured stones - that ruby . May ask if they do viewings as they're an online store?

I actually checked out Wriston's shop recently after hearing about him here! But he was really transparent that Covid made it harder to replenish his coloured stone supply. I shouldn't have checked out his instagram though... made me super regretful that I didn't start this research 1 to 2 years ago (those paraiba earrings and Mellow's gorgeous ring...)

@YC I'm looking at sapphires specifically from the Sri Lankan sellers, as well as tourmalines, rhodolites garnets, aquas and peridots from the Pakistani sellers (they seem to specialize in these?)

with the exception of sapphires and big aquas, I *think* most of them would be in the sub $1,000 range?

 

[maru8888777]

Thank you all for the links! Allaboutjade does have some pretty nice coloured stones - that ruby . May ask if they do viewings as they're an online store?

I actually checked out Wriston's shop recently after hearing about him here! But he was really transparent that Covid made it harder to replenish his coloured stone supply. I shouldn't have checked out his instagram though... made me super regretful that I didn't start this research 1 to 2 years ago (those paraiba earrings and Mellow's gorgeous ring...)

@YC I'm looking at sapphires specifically from the Sri Lankan sellers, as well as tourmalines, rhodolites garnets, aquas and peridots from the Pakistani sellers (they seem to specialize in these?)

with the exception of sapphires and big aquas, I *think* most of them would be in the sub $1,000 range?

I'll make a pitch for Adamant International. Not on instagram, but based in Sri Lanka and really wonderful customer service and stones.

 

[icy_jade]

Thank you all for the links! Allaboutjade does have some pretty nice coloured stones - that ruby . May ask if they do viewings as they're an online store?

I actually checked out Wriston's shop recently after hearing about him here! But he was really transparent that Covid made it harder to replenish his coloured stone supply. I shouldn't have checked out his instagram though... made me super regretful that I didn't start this research 1 to 2 years ago (those paraiba earrings and Mellow's gorgeous ring...)

Oh you should see Wriston’s OLD Facebook (there are two, the older one he no longer has access to due to someone hijacking it or whatever). He does bring in some great stuff now and then, but they go so fast cos his regulars will rush down and snap them up lol.

AAJ is ShuangHua in Chinatown. So you can definitely pop by to have a look but their cs can be pricey.

Tourmalines and garnets are shifty stones that I find really hard to buy online. They can look so fab on screen and flat in real life. You can pop by Desiree at Far East Plaza (the one next to Goodwood hotel) to have a look. Bernard had a lot of tourmalines the last time I went.

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Jewellery Point at Far East has a supply of stones too. Near Desiree is YS Jewellery (only opens in afternoon) that also has a small supply of CS. Pricing varies but no harm to have a look.

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When I buy from IG, I am always prepared to lose the money or get shitty stones so to speak. So tread with caution. I don’t have better advice as I find it really hard to buy online too. In the past i used to meet the Sri Lanka sellers irl when they visit Singapore.

 

[YC]

Agree with @icy_jade 's recommendations. If feasible, I strongly advise buying in person rather than via IG, unless you are familiar with the seller and know what to expect. Many IG sellers know how to present their stones in the most flattering manner, with some sellers even using filters. So there is a possibility that the stone can only look like the sellers' photos in certain lighting/angles or in worse case scenario, nothing like the photos.

AAJ has a shop in Chinatown. I would not consider their CS pricing to be competitive but there is no harm taking a look.

The more stones you see, the more you will discover about what you prefer.

 

[icy_jade]

Oh yeah, I forgot, you can look at Icy Jade’s collection, it is so gorgeous

Awww… thank you

The more stones you see, the more you will discover about what you prefer.

Agree! Go around Far East and Lucky Plaza (when covid case numbers are lower?). Don’t be shy and look around. Don’t buy on impulse. Setting costs are expensive so make every stone count/worth it

 

[Bojambles]

@icy_jade I did go and inflict pain on myself by looking up his old facebook account. The pad and blue and pink sapphires and the rubies. Arghhhh how could I have been more interested in bags at that point in time

I actually popped by Desiree over the weekend. They have an unheated pinkish ruby (which really looks more like a gorgeous pink sapphire to me) of 2cts, for a price that seems reasonable. Considered but not super in love with stone so just KIV'd.

Will definitely check out the other places you mentioned in Far East Plaza.

 

[Bojambles]

Agree with @icy_jade 's recommendations. If feasible, I strongly advise buying in person rather than via IG, unless you are familiar with the seller and know what to expect. Many IG sellers know how to present their stones in the most flattering manner, with some sellers even using filters. So there is a possibility that the stone can only look like the sellers' photos in certain lighting/angles or in worse case scenario, nothing like the photos.

AAJ has a shop in Chinatown. I would not consider their CS pricing to be competitive but there is no harm taking a look.

The more stones you see, the more you will discover about what you prefer.

Hi YC, thanks for the advice, I think the skewed risk to the negative is something I'll have to keep in mind. Quite easy to get caught up in the excitement of seeing a beautiful gem

I'm going to be really cautious and get as many photographs and forms of protection if possible if I do purchase.

 

[Bojambles]

I'll make a pitch for Adamant International. Not on instagram, but based in Sri Lanka and really wonderful customer service and stones.

Thanks Maru! I just checked them out, seem like they have an Insta page now, if you're into the platform: https://www.instagram.com/adamant.gems/?hl=en

Very promising as their gems all seem to be cut really well - they noted that they recut gems with cuts that aren't ideal even if they're losing rough

 

[maru8888777]

Thanks Maru! I just checked them out, seem like they have an Insta page now, if you're into the platform: https://www.instagram.com/adamant.gems/?hl=en

Very promising as their gems all seem to be cut really well - they noted that they recut gems with cuts that aren't ideal even if they're losing rough

They are great because they will send you videos of each stone and tell you very honestly what works and doesn't. It's the closest to seeing things in person that I can think of!

 

[Bojambles]

They are great because they will send you videos of each stone and tell you very honestly what works and doesn't. It's the closest to seeing things in person that I can think of!

I just messaged him and he replied super fast! He said they're expecting to restock ~Nov so will take another look then, the things I like from this round have all been sold

 

[Bojambles]

btw, I just created a separate post about a sapphire that I was interested in. I'm not deadset on buying it given all that we talked about but want to learn more about how to assess online, in addition to viewing the gems offline.

the link is here, do stop by if you have any advice to give! https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/help-me-evaluate-this-blue-sapphire.268927/

 

[peacechick]

Adding one more vendor here who is based in Singapore. Her name is Sandar and she stocks a collection of smaller Burmese spinels and rubies. I almost bought a spinel pendant from her before but as it was during Covid last year, I decided against meeting up. She was very nice about it.

https://etsy.me/2YF4PXD