When it comes to power selling, there is nothing like behemoth market site eBay, which is why the site was a natural choice for many online diamond retailers our there. Responding to their needs, IDEX Online now provides a service to the retailers in the form of a dynamic diamond sourcing tool for eBay traders.

 

The direct sales outlet - which can be seen at diamonds.ebay.com -  brings stock listed on IDEX Online direct allows eBay retailers to leverage IDEX vast inventory of diamonds, and to market it it, after adding a retail markup, to consumers worldwide on the eBay platform.  This e-commerce eBay-direct platform allows retailers to automatically screen IDEX Online’s entire inventory of more than 400,000 certified diamonds to identify and offer stones meeting buyers’ specific demands, to automatically add their retail markup and to customize the inventory in many other ways.

 

The channel is secure for suppliers who may not wish for their details or their wholesale prices to be made public.

 

The eBay sales channel is open to all IDEX Online diamond suppliers, making IDEX Online a total solution platform for diamond manufacturers and traders.

 

Owing to the fact that eBay is a retail website, the diamonds on offer are displayed at retail prices. eBay retailers, using this service add a markup to the wholesale price, taking into account its own retailing costs. The markups vary depending on the price of diamonds, but prices are comparable to and competitive with other retailers in the market.

 

Since the initial service launched, eBay has added a diamond ring designer tool, allowing buyers to design and build their own unique ring, using stock from IDEX Online. The ring designer tool is available at www.diamonds.ebay.com

 

“This new channel – an extension of our Guaranteed Diamond Transactions™ platform – will turbo-charge our suppliers into the forefront of e-commerce," said Abraham Stern, CEO of IDEX Online, at the time of the eBay launch. "Think of this as a ‘30-seconds from polishing your diamond to showcasing it mounted on pieces of fine jewelry on the world’s largest e-commerce platform at no effort to you’ service.  There is no doubt that our suppliers will make the most of this opportunity by supplying the highest-quality listings possible.”

 

Dinesh Lathi, VP of the Seller Experience at eBay said, “We are pleased to work with IDEX Online and GemStoneKing to bring even greater efficiency and transparency to the diamond marketplace while significantly increasing the selection of diamonds available on eBay.com.”

 

Charlie Hollander, owner of GemStoneKing, one of the largest jewelers on the site and the first eBay retailer to take advantage of the new eBay-direct service, said “We have been selling diamonds on eBay since 1999. Managing the reliable supply of certified diamond was always a big challenge and a big drain on our resources. IDEX Online’s solution is the first ever diamond solution that was built for 21st century e-commerce. It is so well thought-of and so retailer-friendly, that it freed much of our resources and it allows us to focus on what is really important to us – our own customers.”

 

Since the launch of the service on eBay, consumer reaction has been enthusiastic. “Excellent transaction. Appraiser confirmed 100% accuracy of description,” “Fantastic! That says it all! Would buy from again and again and again!!!!!!!!!!!,” and “Fantastic Service!! Awesome diamond!! AAA++++,” is just some of the feedback received.

 

“Build Your Own Bling” Valentine’s Day Ring Builder Contest

To celebrate the yearly holiday of love, eBay and Brides magazine recently held a “Build Your Own Bling” contest, inviting consumers from across America to design the diamond ring of their dreams.

 

Using the site’s user-friendly Diamond Ring Designer, contest participants could customize a unique ring design, with a value of up to $25,000, which was voted on through social media channels.

 

The grand prizewinner was Josh Pippin, whose 2.2 carat princess cut diamond and white gold ring blew voters away. Pippin received 12,036 votes, putting his creation at the head of the 25,802 entries received in the competition. Pippin received his winning ring and according to a blog post, a new fiancée. 

 

“The Diamond Ring Designer underscores our commitment to innovate across the Marketplace, using technology to develop and deliver an exceptional shopping experience,” said Lorrie Norrington, president of eBay Marketplaces. “Through diamonds.ebay.com, we’re bringing quality, selection and value to the online diamond buying experience, enabling savvy shoppers to design and purchase exquisite diamond rings with confidence and convenience.”

 

According to eBay, an engagement ring sells every 80 seconds on eBay. Fifty-five percent of which are set with round cut diamonds and 25 percent are set with princess cut diamonds, according to eBay. The new Diamond Ring Designer tool allows buyers to customize their design by selecting specific attributes including cut, carat, color and clarity.

 

How Can You Maximize Your Diamond Sales on eBay?

• Upload marketable and competitive listings
• Make sure your listings are updated
• Include all the information available on the diamond – buyers want to know as much as they can before handing over their cash
• Use a high-quality scan of the certificate