When two buyers make offers for the same diamond, choosing the higher number may seem obvious. In practice, the largest headline figure does not always produce the highest payment—or the safest transaction.

One figure may be a final offer after inspection. Another may be an automated estimate described as “up to” a certain amount. One buyer may pay for insured shipping and bank charges, while another deducts appraisal, return or currency-conversion costs.

To compare diamond offers correctly, place every proposal on the same basis. Confirm that each buyer is evaluating the same diamond information, separate provisional estimates from final offers, subtract every seller-paid cost and examine the conditions attached to payment and return.

The number that matters is your net diamond payout: the amount that reaches you after the transaction has been completed.

Quick Answer: How Should You Compare Diamond Offers?

First, determine what kind of figure each buyer has provided. A preliminary estimate based on photographs cannot be compared directly with a final offer confirmed after physical inspection.

Next, calculate the amount you will receive after fees, shipping, insurance, laboratory costs, currency conversion and bank charges. Then compare the practical terms: how the diamond will be inspected, when you will be paid, who carries the risk during shipping and what happens if you reject the final offer.

Use this formula:

Net diamond payout = final accepted offer − seller-paid fees − shipping and insurance costs − bank or currency charges − other agreed deductions

A fair diamond offer is not necessarily the highest preliminary number. It is a clearly explained, executable offer with reasonable conditions and no hidden deductions.

Why Headline Offers Can Be Misleading

Diamond buyers do not always use the word “offer” in the same way.

One website may provide an automated valuation immediately after you enter the carat weight, colour and clarity. Another buyer may review the grading report and send a personalised range. A third may physically inspect the diamond and issue a final purchase offer.

All three figures can look similar on the screen, but they represent different levels of certainty.

A headline such as “receive up to €10,000” is not an offer of €10,000. It describes a possible maximum that may apply only if the diamond meets all assumptions and buying criteria.

Similarly, an insurance valuation of €10,000 is not a €10,000 purchase offer. It may represent an estimated retail replacement cost rather than the amount available in the resale market.

Before comparing numbers, label each one accurately.

Type of figure	What it means	Can it be accepted immediately?
Automated estimate	A calculation based on entered information	Usually no
Preliminary range	An indicative range based on documents and photographs	Usually no
Provisional offer	A proposed price subject to stated conditions	Only if the conditions are understood
Final inspected offer	An offer made after the diamond has been physically verified	Generally yes, within its stated validity period
Insurance appraisal	An estimate often prepared for replacement or insurance purposes	No
Consignment asking price	A price at which someone proposes to market the item	No

Do not allow the repeated use of the word “offer” to make fundamentally different figures appear comparable.

Step 1: Make Sure Every Buyer Is Evaluating the Same Diamond

An offer comparison is meaningful only when every buyer has received the same essential information.

Send each buyer the complete grading report when available, together with accurate photographs and a description of the item’s present condition. If the diamond is mounted, say so. If it is laboratory-grown, treated, chipped, branded or part of an antique jewel, disclose that information.

Small differences in the submitted details can create large differences between offers.

For example, one buyer may assume that a diamond is natural while another has correctly identified it as laboratory-grown. One may base its figure on an unmounted grading report, while another is evaluating an entire signed ring. Those figures cannot be compared without resolving the underlying difference.

Create a short reference description and use it for every enquiry:

Example diamond description

“Natural round brilliant diamond, 1.20 carats, with a complete grading report. Diamond remains mounted in a platinum solitaire ring. No known chips or repairs. Original invoice and photographs available.”

Include the laboratory, report number, colour, clarity, cut grade, fluorescence and other relevant report information where available.

You do not need to calculate the diamond’s value yourself. The purpose is simply to ensure that every buyer starts with the same facts.

Step 2: Separate Preliminary Estimates From Final Offers

A preliminary figure can be useful for screening buyers, but it should not be treated as guaranteed proceeds.

Physical verification may be required to confirm:

• The diamond matches the submitted grading report
• A report or inscription is authentic and relevant
• The stone is natural or laboratory-grown
• The diamond has no undisclosed treatments
• Its current condition matches the photographs
• The setting, brand and supporting documents are as described

A buyer should state which conditions remain outstanding. “Subject to inspection” is too broad if the buyer will not explain what the inspection covers.

Ask each buyer:

“What specific findings could cause this figure to change?”

A transparent answer might explain that the offer assumes the diamond matches its report and has no significant chip. A concerning answer would give the buyer unlimited discretion to reduce the figure without identifying any objective reason.

Conditional Offer Example

Buyer A sends the following message:

“Your diamond may be worth up to €8,500. Send it today to receive your final valuation.”

Buyer B writes:

“Based on the complete report and photographs, our preliminary purchase range is €7,700 to €8,000, subject to confirming the report match and condition during physical inspection.”

Buyer A appears to offer more, but €8,500 is only a maximum marketing figure. Buyer B has provided a narrower range and identified the remaining conditions.

You cannot conclude that Buyer A has made the better offer until both buyers confirm final figures on comparable terms.

Step 3: Request Every Offer in Writing

A written diamond offer should identify the diamond and state the amount, currency, conditions, validity period and payment method.

Verbal discussions can help clarify the transaction, but the final terms should not depend on memory. If the buyer changes the offer or introduces a new deduction, a written record makes it easier to identify what changed.

The offer should preferably include:

• Buyer’s legal company name
• Seller’s name or reference number
• Diamond description and grading-report details
• Gross purchase price
• Currency
• Whether the figure is provisional or final
• Remaining inspection conditions
• Seller-paid fees and expenses
• Payment method and timing
• Offer-expiry date or validity period
• Ownership-transfer point
• Return terms if the offer is rejected

If the written offer omits something discussed by telephone, ask the buyer to add or confirm it by email.

A reputable buyer should not object to a seller wanting a clear record of a high-value transaction.

Step 4: Calculate the Net Diamond Payout

The gross offer is the amount before deductions. The net diamond payout is what you receive after all seller-paid costs.

Consider this illustrative comparison:

Offer detail	Buyer A	Buyer B
Final purchase offer	€8,050	€7,900
Seller-paid insured shipping	−€120	Included
Inspection or laboratory charge	−€100	Included
Bank-transfer fee	−€25	Included
Net diamond payout	€7,805	€7,900

Buyer A has the higher headline offer, but Buyer B produces the higher net payout.

These numbers are only an arithmetic example, not a valuation of any particular diamond. The lesson is that even modest deductions can reverse the apparent ranking of two offers.

Before accepting, ask the buyer to confirm this sentence in writing:

“The amount that will reach my account after all buyer-controlled deductions is [amount and currency].”

Taxes and legal obligations can depend on the seller’s location and circumstances. If there is uncertainty, obtain appropriate local tax or legal advice rather than relying on a buyer’s general statement.

Step 5: Identify Every Possible Fee

Some direct diamond buyers make an all-inclusive purchase offer. Others may assign certain costs to the seller.

Possible charges include shipping, transit insurance, grading, specialist testing, diamond removal, repair, photography, storage, payment processing, bank transfer or return delivery.

The name of the charge is less important than its effect on your proceeds.

Ask four separate questions:

1. What will be deducted if I accept the offer?
2. What must I pay if I reject the offer?
3. What costs apply if the buyer declines to purchase the diamond?
4. Can the buyer incur any additional expense without my written approval?

The fourth question is particularly important. A buyer should not order costly laboratory work or remove the diamond from its setting and then present the seller with an unexpected bill.

“Free valuation” should also be defined. It may mean that the buyer charges no assessment fee, while the seller remains responsible for shipping or return expenses.

A fair comparison records every cost instead of assuming that “free” means the entire transaction carries no expense.

Step 6: Compare Shipping and Insurance Terms

Shipping is not merely a logistical detail. It determines who bears financial risk while the diamond is outside your possession.

An offer that includes fully documented insured collection may be more valuable than a slightly higher offer requiring you to arrange uncertain coverage yourself.

Before dispatch, confirm:

• Which carrier and service must be used
• Who provides and pays for the shipping label
• The declared value
• Whether diamonds and jewellery are covered
• When insurance begins
• When the buyer accepts custody
• Who handles a claim if the parcel is lost
• Whether the return journey is also insured

Standard parcel coverage may not be suitable for valuable jewellery. Do not assume that a tracking number or signature requirement is equivalent to full insurance.

The offer comparison should record outbound and return arrangements separately. A buyer may cover delivery to its office but require the seller to pay for insured return if the offer is declined.

Shipping-Term Example

Buyer A offers €100 more but asks the seller to ship independently, with no guidance on appropriate insurance.

Buyer B offers €100 less and provides an agreed insured collection with documented tracking and responsibility from collection.

The difference between the offers is not simply €100. It also includes the cost and risk of arranging safe transportation. The seller must decide whether Buyer A’s additional amount adequately compensates for that responsibility.

Step 7: Examine What Happens If You Reject the Offer

Many sellers focus on the successful-sale scenario and ignore what happens when they say no.

Before sending the diamond, ask how quickly it will be returned, who pays for delivery and how the return will be insured. The terms should also identify any inspection, handling, storage or cancellation charge.

The right to decline a final offer has little practical value if the buyer can impose an unexpected fee or keep the item for an undefined period.

Ask the buyer to confirm:

“If I reject the final offer, what is the maximum amount I could owe, and when will my diamond be returned?”

The response should be specific. “Return fees may apply” does not allow a meaningful comparison.

Also clarify what happens if the buyer declines the item. The seller should not automatically be responsible for undisclosed testing or handling costs merely because the diamond falls outside the buyer’s purchasing criteria.

Step 8: Put Offers in the Same Currency

Offers made in different currencies should be converted using the same reference point.

Do not compare €8,000 directly with $8,500 or £7,000 based on a remembered exchange rate. Currency values change, and the rate shown in a search result may not be the rate used by your bank or payment provider.

Record:

• The offer currency
• Your receiving-account currency
• Who performs the conversion
• The exchange rate or rate-setting method
• Currency-conversion charges
• Sending and receiving bank fees
• Any intermediary bank deductions

If a buyer offers to pay in either euros or another currency, request the exact net amount under both options before choosing.

Cross-Currency Example

A European seller receives one offer in euros and another in U.S. dollars. After converting the dollar offer at a neutral reference rate, it appears slightly higher.

However, the receiving bank applies a conversion margin and an incoming-payment charge. Once those costs are included, the euro offer produces the larger deposit.

The relevant figure is not the converted amount displayed by a search engine. It is the amount expected to reach the seller’s account under the actual payment terms.

Step 9: Compare Payment Method and Timing

A fair offer must explain how and when the seller will be paid.

Payment terminology differs between markets. A European transaction may use a euro-area bank transfer or another cross-border transfer. A UK seller may receive payment through a domestic bank-payment system. A U.S. seller may be offered an ACH payment, domestic wire or another agreed method.

The name of the payment system matters less than the written process.

Confirm:

• Which legal entity will send the payment
• The account or currency in which it will be sent
• When payment is initiated
• Whether the seller must wait for cleared funds
• Whether bank or intermediary charges can be deducted
• What happens if payment is delayed or rejected
• When the buyer is permitted to resell or alter the diamond

Never rely on a screenshot, email notification or message claiming that payment has been sent. Verify the receipt through your own bank or payment provider.

Be especially cautious if a supposed buyer sends more than the agreed amount and asks you to return the difference. The apparent payment may be fraudulent or later reversed.

Step 10: Confirm When Ownership Transfers

The offer should explain when the diamond legally becomes the buyer’s property under the agreement.

Possible transfer points include when you accept the final offer, when the buyer initiates payment or when cleared funds reach your account. The applicable terms may vary, but the point should not be ambiguous.

This matters if the buyer has the diamond and a payment problem occurs. Without clear terms, the seller may not know whether the diamond can be demanded back or whether the dispute concerns an unpaid purchase price.

Do not confuse physical possession with ownership. A buyer may possess the diamond temporarily for inspection without owning it.

Before accepting, ask:

“At what exact point do I stop owning the diamond, and what happens if the payment does not arrive as agreed?”

Step 11: Check the Offer’s Validity Period

Diamond offers may have expiration dates because markets, exchange rates and buyer demand can change. A reasonable validity period is not automatically a pressure tactic.

The important questions are whether the deadline is stated in advance and whether it gives you enough time to understand the terms.

Be cautious when a buyer creates false urgency after taking possession of the diamond. Statements such as “accept within the next hour or lose the price” may be designed to prevent comparison or independent advice.

Ask whether the offer will simply expire or whether the buyer will issue a new figure later. Confirm whether rejecting or allowing the offer to expire creates any fee.

When comparing several buyers, record the date and time each offer expires. A higher offer that cannot remain available long enough to complete reasonable due diligence may be less practical than it appears.

Step 12: Distinguish a Low Offer From a Lowball Diamond Offer

A lower offer is not automatically a lowball diamond offer.

Different buyers may have different inventory needs, customers, resale networks and risk tolerances. One may be actively seeking your diamond’s shape and quality, while another has limited demand for it. Genuine offers can therefore differ even when both buyers act honestly.

A price should not be called a lowball merely because it is below:

• The original retail price
• An insurance appraisal
• A seller’s emotional expectation
• An unverified online calculator
• Another buyer’s maximum preliminary estimate
• A consignment asking price that has not produced a sale

A possible lowball offer is one that appears materially below credible market evidence for the same diamond and transaction terms without a reasonable explanation.

Warning signs include a buyer ignoring a verifiable report, inventing unsupported condition problems, refusing to explain the offer or using possession of the diamond to pressure the seller.

The best response is not an immediate accusation. Ask for the valuation basis in writing and compare another credible final offer.

What Is a Bait-and-Switch Diamond Offer?

A bait-and-switch approach uses an unusually attractive initial figure to obtain the diamond, followed by a much lower offer after the seller has invested time, paid shipping or become concerned about recovering the item.

Not every reduced offer is bait-and-switch. A legitimate reduction may follow the discovery of a chip, incorrect report, undisclosed treatment or mismatch between the submitted description and physical diamond.

The pattern becomes concerning when:

• The initial quote lacked reasonable conditions
• The diamond matches the information supplied
• No new material issue is identified
• The reduction is substantial
• The buyer refuses to provide a clear reason
• Unexpected return costs are introduced
• The seller is pressured to decide immediately

Document the condition of the diamond, retain the original quotation and request the inspection findings in writing. These records help distinguish a reasonable adjustment from a misleading sales tactic.

How Much Difference Between Offers Is Normal?

There is no universal percentage that proves an offer is fair or unfair. The difference depends on whether buyers are evaluating the same information and whether their costs and purchasing needs differ.

A small difference may disappear after shipping or bank charges. A large difference may reflect a genuine market advantage, an incorrect assumption or an unrealistic preliminary figure.

When one offer is substantially higher, verify it rather than rejecting the others immediately. Ask:

• Is the higher figure final?
• Has the buyer physically inspected the diamond?
• Are there undisclosed deductions?
• Does the buyer agree that the diamond matches the report?
• Is payment guaranteed only after another condition?
• Can the buyer complete the transaction in the stated currency?
• What happens if the buyer changes its decision?

A high written figure is valuable only if the buyer can and will complete it under clear conditions.

Build an Apples-to-Apples Diamond Offer Worksheet

Use one row for each term and one column for each buyer.

Comparison item	Buyer A	Buyer B	Buyer C
Diamond/report evaluated
Automated, preliminary or final
Gross offer
Currency
Seller-paid fees
Outbound shipping
Outbound insurance
Laboratory or inspection cost
Bank or conversion charges
Expected net payout
Payment method
Payment timing
Offer-expiry date
Ownership-transfer point
Rejection or return fee
Return shipping and insurance
Maximum possible seller cost
Unresolved conditions

Do not choose a buyer until every important blank has been filled or consciously accepted as a risk.

A Complete Comparison Example

Suppose the owner of a documented natural diamond receives three responses.

Buyer A advertises the highest potential amount, but the figure is described as “up to” and remains subject to unspecified inspection criteria. The seller must also arrange shipping.

Buyer B provides a narrower preliminary range after reviewing the complete report. It includes insured collection and explains that the final price will be confirmed if the diamond matches the report and has no significant damage.

Buyer C physically inspects the diamond and provides a final written offer. Its figure is lower than Buyer A’s advertised maximum but higher than Buyer B’s net minimum. Payment and ownership-transfer terms are clearly documented.

Buyer A cannot yet be ranked first because it has not made a comparable final offer. Buyer C currently provides the most certain figure. Buyer B may still become competitive after inspection.

The seller can now decide whether to accept Buyer C’s certainty or continue with Buyer B’s verification process. This is a meaningful comparison because each number has been classified correctly.

Should You Negotiate a Diamond Offer?

You can ask whether the offer is negotiable, particularly when you have another credible written offer for the same diamond.

Provide relevant evidence instead of quoting an unrelated retail listing. A competitor’s final inspected offer is more persuasive than an automated estimate or asking price.

A useful question is:

“I have another written net offer of [amount] for the same diamond. Can you explain the difference or improve your final offer?”

The buyer may increase the price, explain why it cannot or identify a difference in the assumptions. Any revised figure should be confirmed in writing with the same payment and return terms.

Do not allow negotiation to replace due diligence. A buyer that raises the price but weakens the insurance or payment conditions has not necessarily improved the offer.

Should You Reveal Competing Offers?

You are not required to disclose every proposal. If you choose to share one, remove unnecessary personal or confidential information belonging to another business.

State whether the competing figure is preliminary or final. Presenting an uninspected estimate as a guaranteed competing offer can undermine a productive conversation.

The objective is to understand the market and obtain a fair diamond offer, not to manufacture an auction between figures that cannot actually be accepted.

Common Diamond-Offer Comparison Mistakes

The most common mistake is comparing gross prices while ignoring deductions. Sellers also compare estimates with final offers, use different currencies without accounting for conversion and overlook what happens if no sale occurs.

Another mistake is sending the diamond to several buyers simultaneously or promising it to more than one business. Keep clear records of who has possession and whether any agreement has been accepted.

Sellers should also avoid removing a diamond from its setting merely to improve an online estimate. Removal may create cost or damage and can reduce the value of a signed, antique or well-crafted jewel.

Finally, do not use the original retail price as the only test of fairness. Retail and resale transactions operate under different conditions. The comparison should be between credible current offers for the same item.

Questions to Ask Every Diamond Buyer

Before accepting, ask the buyer to answer these questions in writing:

1. Is this an estimate, provisional offer or final offer?
2. Which diamond and report details were used?
3. What conditions remain before the price is final?
4. What could cause the amount to change?
5. What is the gross offer and currency?
6. What will be deducted from it?
7. What amount should reach my account?
8. Who pays for shipping and insurance?
9. What happens if I reject the final offer?
10. How and when will payment be made?
11. When does ownership transfer?
12. When does the offer expire?

A buyer that answers these questions clearly makes it easier for you to compare both price and transaction quality.

How to Obtain a Written Sothis Diamonds Offer

Begin by submitting clear photographs, the complete grading report when available and an accurate description of the diamond or jewellery.

The initial review can help determine whether the item meets the current buying criteria and whether an Antwerp appointment or agreed insured shipping process is appropriate.

After physical verification, you can receive a written market-based offer that you remain free to accept or decline.

Request a free, no-obligation written diamond offer and place it in the comparison worksheet above. Evaluate the net payout, conditions, shipping, insurance, payment and return terms before making your decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to compare diamond offers?

Confirm that every buyer has evaluated the same diamond information, identify whether each figure is preliminary or final, subtract all seller-paid costs and compare payment, insurance and return terms.

What is a fair diamond offer?

A fair diamond offer is based on accurate information, explained in understandable terms and presented without hidden deductions or misleading guarantees. It should also be executable by a verifiable buyer.

What is a net diamond payout?

The net diamond payout is the amount the seller receives after every applicable seller-paid fee, shipping cost, insurance charge, bank fee and currency-conversion cost has been deducted.

How do I calculate my net diamond payout?

Start with the final purchase offer and subtract all seller-paid expenses:

Net payout = final offer − fees − shipping − insurance − bank and currency charges − other agreed deductions

Is the highest diamond offer always the best?

No. A higher gross offer can result in a lower net payment after deductions. It may also be less certain if it remains conditional or has unclear return and insurance terms.

Is an online diamond estimate a real offer?

It may only be an initial indication. Check whether the figure can be accepted or whether physical inspection and other conditions must be completed first.

What does “up to” mean in a diamond offer?

“Up to” normally describes a maximum possible amount rather than a guaranteed payment. Ask for the likely range and the exact conditions required to receive the maximum.

What is a provisional diamond offer?

A provisional offer is a proposed amount that can change if specified conditions are not met. Those conditions may include matching the grading report and confirming the diamond’s identity and condition.

What is a final diamond offer?

A final offer is a purchase price the buyer is prepared to complete, subject only to the written acceptance, validity and payment terms. Confirm that no undisclosed inspection or deduction remains.

Why does a buyer need to inspect my diamond?

Inspection allows the buyer to confirm that the diamond matches the submitted information and evaluate its current condition. Photographs cannot always show report mismatches, chips, treatments or other relevant factors.

Can a final offer change after I accept it?

The written agreement should state when acceptance becomes binding and whether any remaining condition allows a change. Do not accept an offer while important conditions remain unclear.

Why are two diamond offers so different?

Buyers may have different demand, customers, resale channels and risk tolerances. Differences can also arise because the buyers received different information or because one figure is preliminary while the other is final.

How much difference between diamond offers is normal?

There is no fixed normal percentage. Investigate whether the figures use the same assumptions and whether fees or conditions explain the difference.

What is a lowball diamond offer?

A possible lowball offer is materially below credible, comparable market evidence without a reasonable explanation. A price is not necessarily a lowball simply because it is below the original retail price or insurance valuation.

How can I tell if a buyer is lowballing me?

Ask for the offer basis and compare another credible final offer. Unsupported condition claims, unexplained reductions and pressure after the buyer receives the diamond are warning signs.

Should I reject the lowest diamond offer?

Not automatically. First compare its net amount and terms. A lower gross offer may include costs or protections that produce a stronger overall result.

What is a bait-and-switch diamond offer?

It is a misleading approach in which an attractive initial figure is used to obtain the diamond, followed by a much lower price without a valid new finding. Pressure or unexpected return costs may then be used to encourage acceptance.

Is every reduced diamond offer a bait-and-switch?

No. A revision may be justified if the diamond does not match the submitted report, has undisclosed damage or differs materially from its description. The buyer should explain and document the reason.

What should I do if the final offer is much lower?

Request the inspection findings in writing. If the explanation is unsatisfactory, reject the offer and follow the agreed insured-return process.

Should diamond offers be provided in writing?

Yes. A written offer helps confirm the amount, currency, diamond description, deductions, validity, payment method and conditions.

What information should a written diamond offer contain?

It should identify the buyer, seller, diamond, report, gross amount, currency, offer status, deductions, payment terms, expiration and return conditions.

Should I compare offers before or after inspection?

Preliminary offers can be compared for screening purposes, but the most reliable comparison is between final offers issued after equivalent verification.

Do diamond buyers charge valuation fees?

Some buyers provide free initial reviews, while other services may charge for grading, appraisal or shipping. Confirm every possible cost before submitting the diamond.

What does “free diamond valuation” include?

It should mean that no valuation fee is charged. It may not automatically include shipping, insurance, laboratory testing or return delivery, so ask for details.

Can a buyer deduct laboratory fees?

Only according to the agreed terms. Optional third-party testing should not be ordered and deducted without the seller’s approval.

Who should pay for insured diamond shipping?

This depends on the offer. The buyer may provide insured collection, reimburse the seller or require the seller to arrange it. Include the cost and risk in your comparison.

Is tracked shipping the same as insured shipping?

No. Tracking records the parcel’s progress. Insurance concerns financial coverage if the item is lost or damaged. A shipment can have tracking without sufficient value coverage.

Who insures the diamond during inspection?

The written terms should identify when the buyer assumes custody and responsibility. Do not rely on a verbal statement that the item is “fully covered.”

Who pays return shipping if I reject the offer?

The buyer’s policy should state this before submission. Record the return charge and insurance arrangement in your comparison worksheet.

Can a buyer charge me for rejecting an offer?

A buyer may apply only the charges permitted by the terms you accepted. Ask for the maximum possible cost before releasing the diamond.

How quickly should my diamond be returned?

The agreement should provide a reasonable return period or process. Avoid open-ended terms that allow the buyer to retain the item indefinitely.

How do I compare offers in euros and dollars?

Convert both using the same reference rate, then include the actual bank rate, currency margin and transfer charges expected for each payment.

Which exchange rate should I use?

Use a neutral reference for the initial comparison, but ask your bank or payment provider about the actual rate and fees that will determine the amount you receive.

Who pays currency-conversion fees?

That depends on the payment arrangement. Confirm whether the buyer sends your preferred currency or whether your bank converts the incoming amount.

What is the safest payment method for a diamond sale?

Use a traceable method agreed in writing with a verified buyer. Confirm the payment through your own bank and make sure the sending entity matches the transaction documents.

Can I trust a bank-transfer screenshot?

No. A screenshot or email notification does not prove that cleared funds have reached your account. Verify the deposit independently.

What is an overpayment scam?

A supposed buyer appears to pay more than agreed and asks the seller to refund the difference. The original payment may be fraudulent or later fail.

Should I accept payment from a personal account?

Ask why the payment is not coming from the purchasing company. Do not proceed until the account holder’s relationship to the transaction is documented and acceptable.

When should ownership of my diamond transfer?

The written agreement should specify whether ownership transfers on offer acceptance, payment initiation, receipt of cleared funds or another defined event.

Does giving a buyer possession transfer ownership?

Not automatically. A buyer may possess the diamond for inspection while you remain the owner. The contract should distinguish custody from ownership.

How long should a diamond offer remain valid?

There is no universal period. The validity should be stated clearly and allow enough time to review the terms without unreasonable pressure.

Is an offer that expires quickly a scam?

Not necessarily. Market conditions can justify limited validity. It becomes concerning when the buyer creates artificial urgency or prevents reasonable review.

Can I negotiate a diamond offer?

Yes. Ask whether the final offer can be improved and provide relevant evidence, such as another credible written offer for the same diamond.

Should I show buyers their competitors’ offers?

You may disclose a competing figure, but identify whether it is preliminary or final. Remove confidential or unnecessary personal information before sharing documents.

How many diamond offers should I compare?

Two or three credible offers may provide useful context. Too many preliminary estimates can create confusion without improving the final decision.

Is an insurance appraisal useful when comparing offers?

It can describe the item or provide replacement information, but it is not a purchase offer. Do not use it as the only benchmark for resale.

Is the original receipt proof of what my diamond should sell for?

No. The original price may include taxes, retail overheads, design, warranties and brand premiums that are not fully recovered in resale.

Can a grading report tell me what offer is fair?

A grading report documents diamond characteristics but does not state the amount a buyer must pay. It helps ensure buyers evaluate the same stone and information.

Can I compare offers for a diamond without a certificate?

Yes, but preliminary figures may be broader because more verification is required. Make sure each buyer is evaluating the same physical item and assumptions.

Should I remove the diamond from its setting before requesting offers?

Not unless a specialist advises it. Unnecessary removal creates cost and risk and may affect the value of the complete jewel.

What if one buyer values the complete ring and another values only the diamond?

Ask each buyer to separate or explain the components. You cannot compare the totals until you know whether the setting, smaller stones, brand and design are included.

Should I compare the speed of payment?

Yes. A slightly higher price may be less attractive if payment is delayed or subject to unclear conditions. Record the expected date funds become available.

What is the most important question to ask a diamond buyer?

Ask: “What exact amount will reach my account, under what conditions, and what happens if I decline?”

That question brings price, deductions and return risk into a single comparison.

How can I obtain a written diamond offer from Sothis?

Submit photographs, a complete grading report when available and an accurate description of the item. If it meets the current buying criteria, physical verification can be arranged before a final offer is confirmed.

Request a free, no-obligation written offer and compare it using the worksheet in this guide.