What is the Buyer's Premium?
It is a percentage added to the auction price. This amount goes to the Auction House. For example an item sold for $100.00 with a 15% Buyer's Premium will cost the purchaser $115.00.

How do I pay for my purchases?
We accept Cash, Visa, Mastercard, Bankcard, Amex, Diners Club and Eftpos. Once payment has been made in full, jewellery can be collected immediately. Alternatively, a 20% deposit needs to be lodged immediately after the auction with full payment required within 5 working days.

Is GST included in the purchase price?
Yes it is. People travelling overseas, subject to Australian Customs guidelines, can reclaim Australian GST.

What are the estimates?
The estimates are intended to give buyers a rough guide of what we expect an item to sell for including buyers premium. It is based on over 14 years experience in jewellery auctions as well as current market conditions. Items can sell above or below estimates.

Are there any reserves?
There are no fixed reserves. However, the auctioneer has wide discretion and can refuse a bid or pass in an item if he deems the bid unreasonable.

Who issues the gemmological certificates?
First State Auctions uses two types of independent certifications:

Diamond Laboratory Reports: these are conducted by internationally and nationally renowned diamond laboratories with the diamond out of the setting, allowing for a more accurate assessment of the stone. These include a map of the diamond detailing the diamond's inclusions, dimensions and proportions.
Laboratories include: Gemological Institute of America , HRD , Gem Studies Laboratories  and Australian Diamond Grading Laboratory

Quality Assessments/Certificate of Authenticity: these are conducted on the finished piece of jewellery, with the stones in the setting. As such the grades are approximate. The certificates are from independent, specialist jewellery valuers who are registered gemmologists and members of the National Council of Jewellery Valuers. Diamond grading is not an exact science. The reports represent the best professional opinion of the relevant company. As such First State Auctions does not guarantee the independent gradings. These reports are available for viewing throughout the auction. Please read them carefully prior to bidding. The purchaser retains the certificates.

Why do some pieces not have certificates?
We pay the independent valuers a fee for preparing the certificates. Consequently, it is only viable for us to prepare certificates on items we estimate to sell for over $3000.00. However, First State Auctions guarantee the catalogue descriptions of all items sold.

How do I bid?
Simply raise your hand, bidding card or call out your bid. The auctioneer will also accept commonly used hand signals...he will explain these in the introduction.

What happens if I can't stay for the auction but would like to bid on an item?
You can organise to bid over the telephone or you can leave a bid for the auctioneer to execute on your behalf. Please speak to the front desk staff to arrange either of these options.

Where is the jewellery from?
We specialise in new jewellery from vendors that are willing to meet the market. Sources include wholesale, retail and manufacturing jewellery business closures. We act on behalf of credit card companies where goods are recovered from fraudulent credit card transactions.