Another newbie, another question

[waimeamomi]

Hi, I have learned so much in the past month that Iʻm pretty sure I know the answer, but can someone tell me what these are? Between 9 - 10 mm. Canʻt get the color right, but lotʻs of pink, purple and greens in them. The blurry pic probably shows it best. Definite flat sides to them, and copper overall color, so as I said, Iʻm pretty sure about the answer.
Thanks for helping.

[Nerida]

My guess is colour treated freshwaters..

[waimeamomi]

Thanks, Nerida. Anyone else? Please?

[xeresana]

I'm not an expert...by any means...but I'd agree with Nerida.

[Kevin Canning]

definitely dyed freshwater pearls

[jshepherd]

Without a doubt. Were they offered to you as Tahitian?

[waimeamomi]

OK, hereʻs the story. I confess, I bought it from eBay, and it was listed as Tahitian. I saw it listed with starting bid 499. and when no one bid it was quickly relisted at 99. with a fast end time. I researched the seller, and he had never listed pearls before, and had no negatives as a seller, mostly of stamps (and a buyer as well). I read his description about 50 times -

Origin French Polynesia
Shape Round
Quality AAA
Size 8-10mm
Nacre Very Thick
Color Black Tahitian
Lustre Superior
This is certified Black tahitian pearls 48 count each hand strung and double knotted on a silk strand.

The magnifecent colors array in green/grey purple irradecent hues.

Each black pearl measuring 9mm hand picked from the tahitian waters with its own character and beauty. The clasp is 14k white gold locking piece. necklace length is 19".

This is easily market value $4,000 to $8,000. Starting bid is low for such breathtaking beauty.

The grade is AA with a letter of authenticity by an American gem society appraiser.

FREE SHIPPING WITH INSURANCE AND TRACKING CONFIRMATION.

BIDS WILL ONLY ACCEPTED FROM MEMBERS WITH A 10+ FEEDBACK AND PAYPAL ONLY PLEASE. THANK YOU!

I would like to add that it was very difficult to capture the actual color, sometimes thier a greenish black, or dark purple, or a hint of goldish black? i really dont know what the proper color name would be but they are very striking! So in regards to the pics shown, their not very good! not even close to the visual!!!!also on my camera i zoomed in and there is a very clear difference between each pearl, in the pictures of my ad i noted that they almost appear as duplicates which i would imagine might represent a fake.

I looked at his return policy that said if it werenʻt as listed, guarantee return. So I took a chance that this might be the real deal with a seller that doesnʻt know his stuff. I was right on one count. I was 95% sure they were FW when I saw the shape and color (I leaned that here!) Happy ending, I think. I wrote him, he immediately wrote back saying he would refund and pay half the shipping to him. He said they were his girlfriendʻs and they had taken them to a couple of jewelers in their town that were not pearl experts, and were told they were Tahitian (I donʻt know about the got them there part, unless she was ripped off in a tourist shop). He asked how to tell the difference and I suggested Internet research. Anyway, I payed with Paypal and credit card, so I feel covered. I know how mad everyone gets about fraudulent listings, but I want to give him the benefit of the doubt that he didnʻt know what he was doing, however, I am going to keep an eye on his listings and if he tries to do it again I will bust him BIG TIME. I love this site and want to post some of my other eBay purchases (Carolyn at Druzy) so I donʻt look like an idiot. I also hope my day ends better with the delivery of my Kamoka keishis!!!!! Thanks everyone.

[Nerida]

Hate to sound negative, but you could probably buy this strand in China for around 8-10 dollars, and probably not too much more (12 - 15 dollars tops?? - what do others think) at a trade show in the West. I hope your ebay trader was just ignorant - but what was the "letter of authenticity"?

[Kevin Canning]

Well waimeamomi I guess you learned a lesson about the bad side of Ebay, don't feel bad many many people have had similar experiences.

as for return shipping, don't pay a cent - he should be covering the entire shipping cost as well as providing a full refund.

ignorance is not a valid excuse for fraud.

[Heidi]

It sounds like you lucked out on this one. I wish you the very best in getting it all resolved easily. It seems that, often, the sellers know very little about the facts around what they are selling in pearls.

*edit* I meant to ask about this "authentication" and the guarantee? It's correct that he should pay all of the shipping back to you since it wasn't as represented.

[waimeamomi]

The certificate was not enclosed, which I guess would also make it not as listed. Iʻm also wondering about the "got it in Tahiti" part. I guess Iʻd like to believe in the better side of humans, but Iʻm going to stay away from eBay pearls. Except Carolynʻs. Sheʻs killing me!

[Nerida]

I would definitely be aiming to recover ALL costs - the item is completely different to what was listed. Good luck, and enjoy Carolyn's pearls - you can't go wrong there!

[Pearl Dreams]

I agree that you should ask the seller to refund your return shipping since the mistake was his, but just so you know, it is PayPal's policy that the buyer pays for the return shipping if a dispute is filed.

So if the seller is only willing to refund part of it, you might want to accept anyway.

[Heidi]

The certificate was not enclosed, which I guess would also make it not as listed. Iʻm also wondering about the "got it in Tahiti" part. I guess Iʻd like to believe in the better side of humans, but Iʻm going to stay away from eBay pearls. Except Carolynʻs. Sheʻs killing me!

Carolyn has definitely gotten a lot of business from me and will continue to do so. Her quality is excellent! Don't forget about Kojima, either; not to mention there are some other ethical sellers who are on this forum.

[waimeamomi]

I love Kojima too, but I drool more over the website. I also drool over the wonderful websites of the ones that are on this site (Pearl Paradise, Pearl Outlet, Pearls of Joy, etc.) Iʻm open for other eBay sites if they come recommended. It will keep me from pearl surfing.