$399 earrings listed as geniune 9ct gold/diamond are fake - what to do?
Last year I purchased a pair of earrings for $399. They were (and still are) listed as genuine 9ct gold and real diamonds. Since purchase I have had them in a box as I actually forgot that I had purchased them until a few days ago when I found them again. I took them out to wear and noticed that they had tarnished - which is very unusual for 9ct gold. Then I put them under a torch and saw that there was an area on the back of one earring that had no gold at all - which indicates to me that they are plated. Under the torch light they are also very brownish in colour and the diamond looks fake. I contacted the seller and there has been no response but the seller is still selling the same item as genuine gold/diamond. They are unwearable because they look like a really cheap pair of earrings that you buy at one of those shopping centre stores. Can I do anything given the time that has passed since purchase especially since the seller is falsely advertising these as genuine gold/diamond - which they are not. And I paid $399 for them!
countessalmirena
·3 years agoGood quality diamonds ...? I can't see them being available in 9 carat gold settings for $399. domino, you're right in pointing out that the price would get a red flag alert going - if the diamonds were at least VS2 clarity of, say, 0.35 ctw, you'd be looking at around the $1000-mark anyway.
If the diamonds' clarity and colour were poor, yes, that would make sense. The price of the raw material of the gold, 9 carat...? If we say the earrings weigh a gram, the gold (37.5% pure) wouldn't be a huge cost component - say, $32... at today's gold prices.
You'd need to be paying for more than the cost of the raw material, though. I imagine that the earrings were not listed as a simple design (and probably not amazing quality) such as you'd pick up in Prouds or Goldmark. Did the listing state clarity and colour at least? (It would be wonderful to have F, but in lieu of that I would be looking for VS1 in earrings.)
$399 just doesn't cut the mustard in the sheer economics of the thing.
My personal preference is for coloured stones rather than diamonds, anyway... If I were prepared at this very moment to pay $400 for a pair of earrings, I would rather go for a beautiful gem alternative. If I were determined upon diamond earrings, I would budget accordingly (between $1000-$2000 or so? More if it's VS1 for each main stone. NOT under $500). There are jewellers who sell at inflated prices, definitely... and some whose prices will be lower, but beyond a certain price point, it's just not realistic to think that the quality and genuineness will be there.
OP, hopefully you will find the earrings of your dreams at some point, and that you'll go through a jeweller of good reputation. I just can't stress this too much. There's no such thing as good quality diamonds at a low quality diamond price. $399 is a lot to pay for fakes; but ... and here's the galling point, I'm afraid - it's not a lot (or even enough) to pay for genuine good quality diamond earrings of sufficient clarity and colour.
underbat
·3 years agoHi Everyone,
Things are getting a bit heated here so please remember to keep the comments civil, and abide by the community guidelines when posting.
countessalmirena
·3 years agoOw… I’m sorry that you’ve made the discovery so late in the day.
I don’t believe more than part of what is claimed by eBay sellers listing jewellery unless they’re a reputable jeweller, either Australian (and thus subject to Australian Consumer Law) or an internal jeweller’s with a significant global presence.
I would always get any jewellery other than costume jewellery looked at by a local jeweller. (Local jeweller for example practically slavered over a pearl I was wearing last time…)
I am afraid you’re probably out of any recourse now… but I hope you can approach future purchases with a hypercritical eye and act instantly if the quality is not what was stated.
domino-710
·3 years agoReally - when all is said & done - one would be lucky to get a pair of solid 9ct gold earrings for this price - let alone with - diamonds.
licorice.allsorts
OP3 years agoNot helpful so why comment?
sandypebbles
·3 years agoYou asked the question of other members
Your not liking the answers is your not liking the answers
Why comment?
You asked other members to comment
No, you can't do anything through eBay
or PayPal if it was longer than 6 months ago
one month is the limit for eBay, 6 months with PayPal
Buy something that is never going to be 'real gold and diamonds' for under $400 and throwing them aside for months/ forgetting you bought them is the issue
You could have done something, had you bothered to do it within the time limit
Have you reported the current listing to eBay with your proof they are fake?
Thought not
springyzone
·3 years agoI do think people are trying, in their own way, to be helpful or at least give some guidance.
The situation seems to be that you are unlikely to be able to make any claim on ebay, or paypal either, if the purchase was more than 6 months ago.
You could report the ads to ebay but I think you would need some evidence (certificate from a jeweller or whatever) that what you bought was not genuine 9ct gold.
I suspect you have lost your $399, unless you can polish up the earrings so that they are presentable enough to wear.
It is a lot of money to lose like that and I can understand how disappointed/angry you must feel. I'd be the same. The lesson really though is that when you are spending a fair chunk of money (and $399 is a decent amount), then you need to be able to trust the vendor. Not all of us are experts in jewellery or other collectables. I know I'm not. Ebay, sad to say, is just not the place for more expensive purchases. Not unless it is from a recognised, reputable business. You'd probably be better off heading to a proper jeweller's. You're not going to pick up genuine items well below retail price, just because it is ebay. Probably the opposite. Unfortunately, there are a lot of fake products sold on ebay and not all of them are cheap either.
davewil1964
·3 years agoGold is currently $2700 per ounce. 9 carat would be 3/8ths of that. Which would be $1000 per ounce. A pair of earrings that weighed 2/5 ounce (12g) would definitely be worth $399. Depending on what gold was worth when the earrings were bought/made. No diamonds, but.
I have, however, recently bought a necklace of 9ct gold for less than $200. And it is backed by a reputable dealer. And was half price.
Pick your sellers, preferably those with a B&M.
domino-710
·3 years agoAt no point in the OP is mention of weight nor carat.
Your point ??
arctoph_49
·3 years agoFrom the OP:
They were (and still are) listed as genuine 9ct gold.
domino-710
·3 years agoWeight as in the amount of gold - this is pertinent to price.
Carat as in the quality of the stones - this is pertinent to price.
davewil1964
·3 years agoCarat is the purity of gold and/or the weight of a jewel.
daydreams_12
·3 years agoGoing by feedback given and received you have not made a purchase for over 6 months. Not sure what you want anyone to do now. If you paid by credit card you may be able to do a chargeback but doubt it after this time.
I find it hard to believe that someone doesn't notice a problem before this. If I spent that much money I would be right onto it.
Good luck
licorice.allsorts
OP3 years agoclearly you didn't read my post properly
papermoon.lady
·3 years agoDid you purchase them less than 6 months ago in 2022 and did you use PayPal to pay? If this is the case, you could still open a case for INAD in PayPal.