How to Buy Second-Hand Jewellery Online & What to Know

The options are endless for where you can buy used jewellery online. There are online jewellery stores that you can browse, or you can try marketplaces, eBay, gumtree, or individual sellers. It's important you have trust in where you are buying from and that you can be sure they are selling a genuine piece.

There are loads of benefits of buying second-hand jewellery, whether online or instore, which is probably why it is popular. It's also probably why so many people sell used jewellery online nowadays.

Wherever you find your second-hand jewellery online, make sure you look for the following:

Check the Sellers Reputation

If you're buying from an online retailer, check the reviews. Look at reviews on the site and third-party platforms. Don't just look at the total number of stars; have a read of some good and bad reviews to see what people say. You should also look for if the brand responds to reviews and how, especially bad reviews.

On marketplaces and sites like eBay, you can also look for the reputation of the seller. Look for how they have reacted to other people and reviews from people who have bought from them on the site.

For both, you want to look for reviews that talk about how well the item matched the description, the quality of the item bought, and how they have fixed any issues.

If you are buying from an individual, this can be harder. Try to find others who have bought from them or at least interacted with them about a possible transaction. Reach out to a few people and get their views on the seller.

Look for Expertise

This is mainly for online retailers – check if they have experts on their staff. This could be experts on the blog or those who check the jewellery. If they don't have experts on hand, they have no way of checking the authenticity of the jewellery before putting it up for sale.

Check for Detailed Descriptions and Photos

If you are not able to see the piece of jewellery in person before buying, the listing should contain a detailed description and plenty of photos.

The piece should be fully described, including any wear and tear or damage. It should tell you what carat the metal is and mention any stones. The description should also be able to tell you roughly what year the piece is from or the era, plus the brand, if applicable.

The pictures should be high quality and show the jewellery from a variety of angles. The pictures should clearly show any gemstones, hallmarks, and intricate details. If the piece has any wear and tear or damage, these should be included in the pictures too.

Compare the Price

Search around for similar jewellery and look at the price. This will give you a benchmark of what you should expect to pay for the piece. Stick away from anything that seems to be much higher than the market value, but also any that is significantly lower. A low price usually indicates issues with quality or authenticity.

Look for Certifications

Not all jewellery will come with certification, but it's definitely worth checking if it does. Find out where the certification is from and what for (gemstones, for example). There should be a mention of the certifications in the description and a photo of it. If there is a photo of the certification, check it to ensure it is genuine, look at the text and check for any mistakes.

Communicate with the Seller

Make sure you ask plenty of questions about the piece. The seller should be happy to answer any queries you have. Ask about the piece's condition, history, any maintenance and repair history, and if it has certification. This is important for building trust, and the seller should be able to help put any uncertainties you have to rest. If the seller won't answer your questions, you should not buy from them.

Check the Payment Method

If you're buying online, you want to make sure there is a secure payment method. The seller should allow you to use PayPal or credit cards that give you extra protection if the transaction is fraudulent or if there are any disputes after you receive the item.

Look at the Returns Policy

When buying used jewellery online if you can't see it in person first, you should have the option to return it if the piece does not meet expectations. The returns policy should be fair and clearly laid out. If you are buying from an individual, be sure to ask if you can return the piece if it doesn't meet expectations.

Check How the Piece is Shipped

If you're buying second-hand jewellery online, check the shipping. Jewellery isn't the cheapest of items to buy, so you want to make sure you receive the item. The item should be tracked, and you should be able to follow its journey. Some sellers may even insure the piece during its journey to you.

At Ramsdens, we have a range of second-hand jewellery available. You can buy online or see the piece at your nearest Ramsdens jewellers. All our used jewellery is checked by our jewellery experts for authenticity. If you have any questions about any of the jewellery in our range, you can contact us, and our team will be happy to help.

If you want more information on buying used jewellery, check out our second-hand jewellery buying guide.