eBay Authenticity Guaranteed For Fine Jewelry
UPDATE 3-29-23
eBay has expanded Authenticity Guaranteed for Jewelry to more categories, beyond just fine jewelry.
Here's the current criteria for eligibility:
ebay
Which jewelry items are eligible for Authenticity Guarantee?
Authenticity Guarantee is available for select unbranded and branded jewelry, in new or preowned condition, and sold for $500 USD or more. Auction items are also included in the service if the eligible item sells above $500.All jewelry categories have eligible items except for Loose Beads, Loose Diamonds & Gemstones, Jewelry Care, Design & Repair, Jewelry Mixed Lots, Watches, Parts & Accessories.
Eligible brands are Cartier, Chanel, Chopard, David Yurman, Hearts On Fire, John Hardy, Judith Ripka, Le Vian, Pomellato, Roberto Coin, Tacori, Tiffany & Co., and Van Cleef & Arpels.
To be eligible for Authenticity Guarantee, unbranded and branded jewelry must also meet the following criteria:
Metal purity: Items must be one of the following metal types and purity: Sterling silver (925+), gold (9K+), palladium (500+), platinum (850+). For plated metal, the base metal composition must be as listed above.
Gemstone type: Gemstones are not required. However, for items with a main gemstone(s), the gemstone must be one of the following: alexandrite, aquamarine, cat’s-eye chrysoberyl, cryptocrystalline quartz, diamond, emerald, garnet, moissanite, morganite, peridot, ruby, sapphire, shell, spinel, tanzanite, topaz, and tourmaline. Secondary gemstone(s) can be any gemstone species except for amber, jade, opal, quartz, and turquoise.
Previously, authentication only applied to jewelry listed under Fine Jewelry, Engagement & Wedding Jewelry, Vintage & Antique Jewelry, and Men’s Jewelry categories.
Sellers received notice of the change via email today and some are not happy, citing concerns about problems they've seen reported with this and other eBay authentication programs.
Received eBay email just now. Mandatory…
Not sending my fine jewelry over $500. Out for authentication.Been selling here since May 1998.
No problems ever back 25 years with my sold fine jewelry items.
People read my 25 years past feedback…
Thats what it was for in the history of eBay.
Too many flaky things occurring with this eBay authentication.
ok Ebay you just shot your self in the foot.
I’ll no longer sell fine jewelry here over $500.
Too bad for all those people not buying my gorgeous wholesale diamond engagement and wedding band rings, cocktail rings, etc., etc., etc.
I can see the reason for concern, especially reading about the other authenticating services that Ebay offers and the nightmare problems many people were experiencing. Just from what I've read here over the years would make me cautious about putting any item of great value in the hands of someone who may or may not know what they're doing. Also the possibilities of fraud and chargebacks? No thank you.
I have 1 watch that I was going to list in the range of $600 - $800 here. I am going to have to list it on ebay, under $500 or will list on another place for $600 - $800. I have been reading about the sneakers authenticating issues... I don't need the drama.
I don't blame them at all - there have been reports of some very troubling issues with jewelry authentication and sellers have been unable to get their concerns with GIA addressed.
Liz Morton ~ Founder
UPDATE: Apparently eBay didn't think this bit of news was worth the same fanfare as the announcement of the authentication program, but sellers are reporting receiving emails notices that Final Value fees will increase for the entire jewelry category to pay for the new program, effective September 12.
Liz Morton ~ Founder
And a seller in the community makes a very interesting point that the additional time delay could be disastrous for last minute gift buying.
eBay has launched an authentication program for fine jewelry in collaboration with GIA, the Gemological Institute of America.
As the marketplace’s luxury categories continue to gain momentum with double digit growth, eBay announces the expansion of its Authenticity Guarantee to fine jewelry. Beginning today, in collaboration with GIA, the Gemological Institute of America, eligible new and pre-owned fine jewelry sold for $500+ will be available for the service.
The offering will soon expand to include top designer brands like Bvlgari, Van Cleef & Arpels, David Yurman, Cartier and Tiffany & Co. This marks the expansion of eBay’s authentication service to its fifth category, which currently includes sneakers, watches, handbags, and trading cards.
How eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee for Jewelry Works
GIA experts use best in class techniques to verify the condition and quality of the jewelry, ensuring the authenticity and accuracy as compared to the listing.Every piece of jewelry that goes through eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee service is examined by GIA experts who inspect the item to verify it is as described in the listing. They also confirm that its condition and quality are as described in the listing.
Our Authenticity Guarantee service collaborates with GIA, the preeminent experts in gems and jewelry, so you can shop with confidence. Details on the jewelry authentication process are as follows:
Multi-point inspection by experts: Jewelry is examined for authenticity by GIA experts with years of industry experience and knowledge. GIA then performs a multi-point inspection, so you know your jewelry is authentic. Once verified, GIA will ship your item to you safely and discreetly, with signature confirmation required.
Unique Authentication Card: Verified jewelry will receive a unique authentication card with a QR code. Scan the code to access your item's documentation, and learn more about your jewelry and its authentication journey.
Verified Returns: In the event of a return, every item is inspected by GIA experts before it's sent back to the seller. Returns are shipped back directly to the authentication collaborators, verifying its authenticity.
Shoppers can visit eBay.com/authenticjewelry to browse and buy from a selection of new and pre-owned fine jewelry marked with an Authenticity Guarantee badge.
Though the announcement mentioned big name brands like Bvlgari, Van Cleef & Arpels, David Yurman, Cartier and Tiffany & Co., currently the authentication guarantee only applies to qualifying unbranded jewelry with those big names to be added at a later time.
Which jewelry categories are eligible for Authenticity Guarantee?
Authenticity Guarantee is available for select items, in new or preowned condition, listed under Fine Jewelry and Engagement & Wedding Jewelry categories, and sold for USD $500 or more. Auction items are also included in the service if the eligible item sells above $500.
Which jewelry items are eligible for Authenticity Guarantee?
Items that are eligible for Authenticity Guarantee include unbranded jewelry, which is defined as jewelry with no attributable designer, brand, or logo.Unbranded jewelry must contain at least one component from each of the following criteria:
Price: $500 and above
Fine metal: Sterling silver (925+), gold (10K+), palladium (500+), platinum (850+) For plated metal, base metal composition must be as listed above
Main and side gemstone(s): Diamond, emerald, ruby, sapphire, no stone
If there is a stone, it must have a carat weight of 0.20 or more per stone
Secondary (melee) stone(s): Includes any stone except for ineligible stones (ineligible stones include any species or variants of the following: amber, jade, opal, pearl, quartz, turquoise)
If there is secondary stone(s), it must have a carat weight of less than 0.20 per stone
As always, I highly recommend checking the terms and conditions very carefully.
In particular it looks like eBay has decided to turn off buyer and seller messaging capabilities for jewelry authentication just like with sneaker authentication and it's very important to understand there is no "final sale" policy here, returns can and will be allowed within the eBay Moneyback Guarantee.
Why can't I message the seller after I purchase my jewelry?
Messaging capability is turned off at the point of purchase to protect the integrity of the Authentication Guarantee process. At this time, your jewelry will be en route to the authentication facility, and all tracking information and notifications are available on the eBay platform.Can I return items purchased with Authenticity Guarantee?
You can return an item for any reason if the seller accepts returns and the return is requested within the seller's return window. In the unlikely event that you receive an item that does not match the listing you can return the item, even if the seller doesn’t accept returns, as long as the return is requested within the eBay Money Back Guarantee time frames.
Also of note - what exactly is the authentication process looking at and how is authenticity determined?
What aspects will be authenticated and how are aspect values determined?
Authenticity Guarantee for jewelry is limited to a review of claims regarding item quality and characteristics listed by the seller. These claims are assessed within defined ranges and tolerances. Learn more.
Many savvy sellers saw this writing on the wall back when eBay updated the Jewelry policies in May.
Liz Morton ~ Founder
What do you think of eBay's newest addition to the authenticity guarantee program? Will authentication make you more likely to buy expensive jewelry on eBay? Let us know in the comments below!
I will not be listing any more jewelry over $500 that meets the criteria for the Jewelry Authenticity Guarantee. Also, I have never read anything stating eBay charged a fee for this service.
This is very confusing.
Eligible….does that mean mandatory?
I am looking at two blue star sapphire rings each $3,600.00. There is no green check-mark next to them in the listing.
Will they automatically be examined by GIA?
Here's what the criteria is today, but eBay can and often does change the rules at any time so always check the FAQ.
Authenticity Guarantee is available for select branded and unbranded jewelry, in new or preowned condition, listed under Fine Jewelry, Engagement & Wedding Jewelry, Vintage & Antique Jewelry, and Men’s Jewelry categories, and sold for USD $500 or more. Auction items are also included in the service if the eligible item sells above $500.
Brands eligible for Authenticity Guarantee are Tiffany & Co., Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, David Yurman, and Roberto Coin. Unbranded jewelry is defined as jewelry with no attributable designer, brand, or logo.
To be eligible for Authenticity Guarantee, unbranded and branded items must meet the following criteria:
Metal purity: Items must be one of the following metal types and purity: Sterling silver (925+), gold (9K+), palladium (500+), platinum (850+). For plated metal, the base metal composition must be as listed above.
Gemstone type: Gemstones are not required. For items with a main gemstone(s) the main gemstone must be a diamond, emerald, ruby, sapphire, tourmaline, topaz, tanzanite, peridot, garnet, aquamarine, morganite, or cat’s-eye chrysoberyl. Secondary gemstone(s) can be any gemstone species except for amber, jade, opal, quartz, and turquoise.
