[Jewelry making - Article 00488] - [Orchid] Inflated appraisals

[Donna S]

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    Hello. First off, I will admit that I realize that most of you are
    major league players, and I am Little League. (Stop it! Who said
    T-ball?) I make jewelry with glass beads, gemstone beads, and I do
    wire-work as well, but I do not have any formal lapidary or bench
    training. 

    I occasionally participate as a bidder in an Ebay Live Auction. Last
    year, I purchased an item from one of those auctions, and I am
    pleased with that piece. (It was a lemon topaz faceted cab.) I
    recently checked out one of their more current auctions, and was
    high bidder on a few items. One of the auction lots I "won" was for
    four beautiful, hand-carved, white coral rosebuds. I also bid and
    won a cultured pearl, and a citrine cab. 

    I am pleased with all of my items--I feel I got them for a good
    price, and I received my items quickly. Basically I have no real
    complaint, and I really don't want to make any waves. 

    However, something bothers me. These gemstones are "appraised" by an
    appraiser who does not mention any type of certification; just that
    he has been in the jewelry business for several years. You get this
    appraisal sheet with each of the items that you buy. The problem is
    that I think the appraisal price is so inflated, it is laughable.
    I'm talking absurd! The 31 ct pear shaped lemon citrine is valued at
    $1,300. The lot of four carved Italian coral flowers (each measuring
    about 12x12) are appraised at: $1300 for the lot. (Over $400 per
    little rose???) The 10mm South Sea Pearl is appraised at $800. And,
    yes, this is in U.S. dollars. 

    I don't know for certain, but I'm guessing that the stated values of
    these gems are purposely inaccurate. (Perhaps to make the bidder
    feel like he/she is getting a fabulous deal??) And I know Ebay isn't
    God, and cannot watch over every appraisal value from every vendor,
    but this somewhat smacks as fraud. I don't know whether or not to
    inform Ebay; I'm not trying to force this particular live auctioneer
    to close down. I do like their selection, but the fact that their
    appraisals seem inflated leaves a bad taste in my mouth. 

    If anyone would like to see the photos of the items I bought, feel
    free to email and I'll send the link to the photos. 

    Your thoughts? 

Thanks,
Donna S.
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