Help Center

Our bidding process is designed to be transparent and fair:

1. Browse our auction catalog and select items you're interested in
2. Place your initial bid (must meet the minimum bid increment)
3. Receive notifications if you're outbid
4. Continue bidding until the auction closes
5. If you win, complete payment within 48 hours

We also offer a "Buy Now" option on many items if you prefer to purchase immediately at a set price.

At Sparkle Gems, we guarantee the authenticity of all our auction items. Each piece comes with:

• Certification from recognized gemological laboratories (GIA, AGS, IGI, etc.) where applicable
• Detailed condition reports with high-resolution photographs
• Complete provenance information
• Our lifetime authenticity guarantee

We encourage in-person inspections for high-value items at our showroom prior to bidding.

We offer several secure shipping options for your jewelry purchases:

• Standard Shipping: 5-7 business days - $15 (Free for orders over $500)
• Express Shipping: 2-3 business days - $30
• Overnight Shipping: Next business day - $50
• International Shipping: Rates vary by destination (calculated at checkout)

All shipments are fully insured and require signature confirmation. High-value items may require special arrangements.

Yes, we ship worldwide to most countries. International shipping costs are calculated at checkout based on the destination and item value. Please note:

• International shipments may be subject to customs duties and taxes (buyer's responsibility)
• Delivery times vary by destination (typically 7-14 business days)
• All international shipments require signature confirmation
• Certain high-value items may have shipping restrictions to some countries

For specific questions about shipping to your country, please contact us before placing your bid.

We accept the following payment methods for auction wins and direct purchases:

• Credit/Debit Cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express)
• Bank Wire Transfers
• PayPal
• Cryptocurrency (Bitcoin, Ethereum) for select items
• Sparkle Gems Gift Cards

Payment is due within 48 hours of auction close. For high-value items (>$10,000), we may require bank wire transfer.

Yes, we charge a buyer's premium on all auction wins. Our current premium structure is:

• 15% for items under $5,000
• 12.5% for items $5,000-$25,000
• 10% for items over $25,000

The buyer's premium is added to your final hammer price and is subject to applicable sales tax. This helps cover our auction platform costs, authentication services, and customer support.

Due to the unique nature of auction items, our return policy is more restrictive than standard purchases:

• Returns are accepted within 7 days of receipt for a full refund (minus shipping)
• Item must be in original condition with all certificates and packaging
• Buyer is responsible for return shipping and insurance
• No returns accepted on "as-is" or estate jewelry items
• Custom or made-to-order pieces cannot be returned

Please inspect your item immediately upon receipt. For any issues, contact us within 24 hours of delivery.

We take great care in accurately describing and packaging all our items, but if there's an issue:

1. Contact us immediately (within 24 hours of delivery) with photos of the issue
2. We'll arrange for return shipping at our expense if the item is significantly not as described
3. Upon verification, we'll offer a full refund (including original shipping) or replacement if available
4. For damaged items, we may offer repair by our master jewelers

All claims must be made promptly and supported by photographic evidence.

Yes, we offer professional jewelry appraisal services for insurance and estate purposes. Our certified gemologists can provide:

• Insurance replacement appraisals
• Estate valuations
• Gemstone identification and grading
• Jewelry condition reports

Appraisal fees start at $150 per item, with discounts available for multiple pieces. Contact us to schedule an appointment at our showroom or for information about remote appraisal options.