Website: catawiki.com
Seller: Barrim (Spain)
Item: 18 kt. Yellow gold ring with FAKE emerald (https://www.catawiki.com/l/33709951-18-kt-yellow-gold-ring-11-20-ct-emerald)
Dear potential bidders, be aware of this ring with a huge, fake emerald of 11.2 carats. The seller, Barrim from Spain, claims this is a natural emerald. In reality, this is fracture-filled and dyed quartz. Its visual characteristics leave no room for doubt. Its market value is $15 – $20 + 1.32 grams of gold (total weight 3.56 g – 11.2 ct (2.24 g) = 1.32g). No doubt, the expert is well-aware this “emerald” is fake. If this was a real emerald, its price estimate would be more than $10 000. Thus, this miserably low estimate of 450 – 500 EUR is an unarguable proof that the expert is knowingly committing fraud.
Some time ago, it was a common practice to sell jewelry with these fake emeralds on Catawiki. I thought things have changed. Apparently, they have not. Greed is stronger than common sense and business ethics…
Please, don’t fall for this scam! You can read more about these fake emeralds here:
Unbelievable! The poor fellow paid 850 euro + shipping + Catawiki commission (9%). These “experts” should be sued for fraud! And the seller as well. Crazy!