posted on May 16, 2002 06:19:35 PM new
I have a friend who is overseas at the moment and he sent me a few strands of pearls that are common overthere. He paid a measly $60 at the market and they were appraised at $1000 here by two jewellers.
My question is, would pearls sell on eBay. I have looked at past auctions and although a few have sold for decent prices, most don't even sell nevermind get any bids. I see though that most of the auctions only have one quick picture and almost no detail. I owuld have many, many pictures close-up and different views of the pearls, along with a very descriptive text, along with a copy of the appraisals.
Do you think this owuld work good?? I have lots of feedback so that is not the problem.
posted on May 16, 2002 06:23:46 PM new
The problem people have on e-bay with high end jewlery is the Fruad chance taken on buying something without being "hands on". The more pics and the more you can authinticate an item the more likely you are to have good bidders.
posted on May 16, 2002 07:37:49 PM new
But wouldn't my feedback rating, calm the fears of individuals concerns, plus the appraisals assure the individuals of the quality of the item?
posted on May 16, 2002 07:44:15 PM new
yes that will probably help. Like I said the more you can authenticate the better you will do. Photos of the appraisals and Auth. Cert. will also help as much if not more than photos of the pearls. also the dimensions are a very important matter as well as color and texture so yes the more photos and info the better. the best way is to research the completed autcion and see what seemed to work the best and pool all those ideas into to your listing and you should have good luck wit the items.
posted on May 16, 2002 08:18:35 PM new
Possibly not relevant, but here's my pearl-selling experience on eBay.
I used to sell at flea markets with a good friend. Those were great times; we'd sit around yakking, comparing notes (quietly) on the browsers, and so on. Over the course of several years I ended up buying some things from her. One was a string of pearls. The woman who sold them to her swore they weren't fake, plus we both did the rub-it-over-your-teeth test and they tested genuine.
So I listed them on eBay. They sold for, what, $150. I receive payment promptly and ship.
Next thing I know the buyer is sending me many angry emails about how I have cheated her by sending her fake pearls. She goes on and on about her expertise in such matters, she regularly gets pearls x-rayed, etc. I agree to refund her in full. She sends the pearls back, and get this: she had taken a sharp object and scraped the last two pearls on each end of the strand. I'm sure her intent was to make sure I could never "cheat" anyone again, but the effect is that the pearls don't even have value now as costume jewelry because the damage shows.
I'm still p!ssed about it.
I refunded her anyway, of course, but I expect Ms. Pearl Lady is still out there bidding.
posted on May 16, 2002 08:33:24 PM new
Hmm...interesting, well I guess I can be sure these arn't fake since they are appraised by 2 well known jewellers.
Anybody have any clue whatsoever what you think I could get for a necklace of 7-8mm white freshwater pearls that were appraised at $1000 by two jewellers. I would be happy with $500, but I am not sure.
I am going to be selling locally also, sbut since I am going to have so many I might kinda oversaturate the market in my town (I wish).
posted on May 16, 2002 09:13:12 PM new
They will sell for $100-$150 if they are appraised at $1000.Most jewerly sells for 10-15 percent of the appraised value.
posted on May 16, 2002 09:32:37 PM new
That LOW!!!!! Are you saying this first hand at selling jewelry. Can I get anybody elses opinion?? Heck, I will still make some good money, but nothing like I thought.
posted on May 16, 2002 09:44:09 PM new
Yes I buy jewerly at 10-15 percent of the appraised value at estate jewerly auctions very seldom do items bring 50 percent or over.I live in Minnesota maybe prices are higher in other parts of the country.
posted on May 17, 2002 06:57:59 AM new
7-8mm fresh water pearls,unless they are from japan ,you will not get 500 on ebay.
brick and mortar jeweller marks up their jewelry at least 300 percent ,consider their location and security and insurance and commish they paid to their sales clerk.
there are tons of fresh water pearls on the market as the chinese are cultivating them like crazy.
anything from china will not appreciate in value as they just keep on coming,and coming and coming!
(I wish).