TechnologyMay 26, 2022
State of Retail: The Pros and Cons of 4 Jewelry-Selling PlatformsMajorsJul 20, 2022
EBay Expands Authentication to Jewelry with GIA Partnership
New and pre-owned jewelry sold for $500 and above will be eligible for the authentication service.
eBay is expanding its authenticity service to fine jewelry, with the help of GIA experts.
San Jose, Calif.—EBay is expanding its authenticity service to its fine jewelry offerings, teaming up with the Gemological Institute of America to do so.
The authentication service was introduced in 2020, rolling out to watches, sneakers, handbags, and trading cards.
Now, eBay will authenticate new and pre-owned fine jewelry sold for $500 and above, including designer jewelry from Bulgari, Van Cleef & Arpels, David Yurman, Cartier, and Tiffany & Co.
GIA experts and gemologists will verify the fine jewelry, authenticating the metal type, purity, and gemstone quality.
“Jewelry has always been a popular category on the marketplace, and its growth shows how consumer demand is only increasing,” said Tirath Kamdar, general manager of luxury at eBay.
EBay’s jewelry category has grown significantly over the past year, said the company.
Sales of Bulgari, David Yurman, and Van Cleef & Arpels were all up double digits month-over-month in May, while purchases of fine jewelry from brands like Chopard, Harry Winston, and Hermès rose 38 percent year-over-year in the past six months.
In 2021, eight pieces of jewelry were bought on eBay every minute, said the company, for a total of 4.2 million fine jewelry items sold. There are 7.8 million fine jewelry listings, on average, on eBay every day.
The herringbone style is doing especially well, said eBay, with bracelet sales up 48 percent year-over-year and necklace sales up 26 percent.
“As we continue to listen to our community of luxury enthusiasts in order to foster an even more trusted shopping and selling environment, expanding ‘Authenticity Guarantee’ to jewelry was a crucial next step for our luxury business,” said Kamdar.
Related stories will be right here …
The authentication service was introduced in 2020, rolling out to watches, sneakers, handbags, and trading cards.
Now, eBay will authenticate new and pre-owned fine jewelry sold for $500 and above, including designer jewelry from Bulgari, Van Cleef & Arpels, David Yurman, Cartier, and Tiffany & Co.
GIA experts and gemologists will verify the fine jewelry, authenticating the metal type, purity, and gemstone quality.
“Jewelry has always been a popular category on the marketplace, and its growth shows how consumer demand is only increasing,” said Tirath Kamdar, general manager of luxury at eBay.
EBay’s jewelry category has grown significantly over the past year, said the company.
Sales of Bulgari, David Yurman, and Van Cleef & Arpels were all up double digits month-over-month in May, while purchases of fine jewelry from brands like Chopard, Harry Winston, and Hermès rose 38 percent year-over-year in the past six months.
In 2021, eight pieces of jewelry were bought on eBay every minute, said the company, for a total of 4.2 million fine jewelry items sold. There are 7.8 million fine jewelry listings, on average, on eBay every day.
The herringbone style is doing especially well, said eBay, with bracelet sales up 48 percent year-over-year and necklace sales up 26 percent.
“As we continue to listen to our community of luxury enthusiasts in order to foster an even more trusted shopping and selling environment, expanding ‘Authenticity Guarantee’ to jewelry was a crucial next step for our luxury business,” said Kamdar.
When a shopper purchases jewelry with an “Authenticity Guaranteed” badge, that item is sent to GIA for a multi-point inspection.
When verified, it’s shipped to the customer with a unique authentication card with a QR code.
Buyers can scan the code to access the jewelry’s documentation and learn more about the piece and the authentication process.
If an item can’t be verified or is not consistent with the listing description, it’s returned to the seller and the buyer is issued a full refund.
If the buyer returns the item, it will first be inspected by GIA experts before being sent back to the seller.
“GIA is the trusted independent source of knowledge, standards, and education in gems and jewelry; our mission is to protect consumers,” said Pritesh Patel, chief operating officer of GIA.
“Collaborating with eBay on its Authentication Guarantee extends our mission, helping to protect the millions of eBay fine jewelry buyers and sellers.”
Prior to its current Authenticity Guarantee service, eBay offered a similar vetting service called “eBay Authenticate,” which rolled out for jewelry in 2018.
“Once fully rolled out, Authenticity Guarantee for jewelry will encompass more inventory than the initial service (eBay Authenticate) and is free for both sellers and buyers, as opposed to the seller taking only a percentage of their item’s final selling price,” explained a spokesperson.
“Authentication has always been crucial to jewelry, but it was equally important to us to figure out how to offer it in a way that encompasses a plethora of styles, items and brands at accessible price points so that it benefits as many sellers and buyers as possible.”
EBay said it has authenticated more than two million items since launching the Authenticity Guarantee service and expects to exceed five million in the next two years.
More on Majors
The Latest
IndependentsDec 07, 2022
How Daniel’s Jewelers Has Lasted 70+ Holiday SeasonsIn a Q&A, CEO David Sherwood shares some company history, the secret to success during the busiest time of year, and more.
TrendsDec 07, 2022
Amanda’s Style File: December BluesJewelers of America’s Amanda Gizzi spotlights her favorite turquoise, tanzanite, and zircon December birthstone jewelry.
IndependentsDec 07, 2022
The Radiance Lands at Marissa CollectionsThe retailer is now selling the 13 diamond jewelry capsule collections created by BIPOC designers on its website.
Brought to you by
How To Buy Colored GemstonesGive your customers the full gemstone buying experience by using the 6C's.
AuctionsDec 07, 2022
Christie’s Magnificent Jewels Auction Totals Nearly $59M in New YorkAfter a 13-carat pink diamond was pulled ahead of the sale, blue and colorless diamonds reigned supreme.
Weekly QuizDec 01, 2022
This Week’s QuizTest your knowledge of the latest jewelry news with this quick test.
FinancialsDec 06, 2022
Signet Anticipates Solid Holiday Season, Raises GuidanceThe jewelry giant posted a decline in same-store sales in the third quarter but is gearing up for a season of growth.
TrendsDec 06, 2022
Pantone’s 2023 Color of the Year Is A Lot Like Rubellite, Spinel, Ruby“Viva Magenta” easily finds its colored gemstone counterparts.
Brought to you by
Knowledge and Skills for Today’s Hot TopicsFrom laboratory-grown diamonds to design to country-of-origin, GIA's Alumni Collective™ has a seminar to suite your needs.
AuctionsDec 06, 2022
Jewels from the Sunken ‘Ship of Gold’ Smash Auction EstimatesHolabird Western Americana Collections offered hundreds of treasures recovered from the S.S. Central America in its Dec. 3 sale.
ColumnistsDec 06, 2022
The Smart Lab: 6 Holiday Email Marketing Strategies To Boost SalesFrom creating catchy subject lines to retargeting abandoned carts, Emmanuel Raheb has a half-dozen pieces of email marketing advice.
IndependentsDec 06, 2022
CD Peacock Names VP of Client Engagement, ExperienceQi Holtzman is a member of the second generation to run the family-owned Chicago area jeweler.
IndependentsDec 05, 2022
Holocaust Survivor and Jeffrey Mann Jewelers Matriarch Rena Mann Dies Mann, who opened the Ohio jewelry store with her husband and son in 1984, was 95.
TechnologyDec 05, 2022
Timex Ticks into the Metaverse with Bored Ape Yacht ClubThe watch brand will create 500 custom timepieces for holders of Bored Ape Yacht Club NFTs.
EditorsDec 05, 2022
Meet Jewelry’s First TikTok StarWhen it comes to translating luxury into the social media platform’s approachable style, JewelsWithJules has cracked the code.
Events & AwardsDec 05, 2022
WJA Foundation Awards Nearly $60K in Scholarships for 2022-2023Scholarship winners received awards in six different categories.
SourcingDec 02, 2022
Alrosa CEO Sergey Ivanov to Step Down, Report SaysAccording to Russian news sources, the sanctioned head of the diamond company is leaving to take a job with an investment group.
SourcingDec 02, 2022
Lucapa Sells 170-Carat Pink Diamond Unearthed This SummerSaid to be the largest pink diamond found in hundreds of years, “The Lulo Rose” was sold for an undisclosed sum.
AuctionsDec 02, 2022
Here’s How 2 Royal Jewels Performed at Auction in DenmarkA princess’s tiara fell within its pre-sale estimate while an Art Deco bracelet from a queen doubled it.
CollectionsDec 02, 2022
Piece of the Week: Foundrae’s Chain A closer look at the bold links reveals a subtle, surprising detail.
Supplier BulletinDec 01, 2022
Take Your Jewelry Design Process Digital with the GIA Alumni Collective™Sponsored by GIA Alumni Collective™
WatchesDec 01, 2022
Rolex to Certify Pre-Owned WatchesRetailers within its official distribution network will be able to sell the authenticated timepieces.
CollectionsDec 01, 2022
Kendra Scott’s New Collection is for Barbie GirlsThe capsule collection combines the brand’s classic styles with Barbie’s signature pink color.
AuctionsDec 01, 2022
13-Carat Pink Diamond Withdrawn From Christie’s Auction The auction house is not offering any details on why the fancy vivid pink stone was pulled from its upcoming “Magnificent Jewels” sale.
SourcingDec 01, 2022
Nomad’s Is Selling Its Stones to Raise Money for Ukraine AgainIn the spirit of an advent calendar, “Gems to Help Ukraine” will sell a stone a day through Dec. 24 on the Nomad’s Instagram account.
GradingDec 01, 2022
PhotoScribe Granted Patent for Method that Verifies a Stone’s IdentificationThe secure mark combines an overt mark with a covert data set to provide assurance on a gem.
SurveysNov 30, 2022
5 Things Retailers Should Know About the Start to the Holiday SeasonPlus, what a potential rail strike would mean for retailers.
WatchesNov 30, 2022
Watchfinder & Co. Will Launch a Marketplace Next Year It will provide a place for select luxury watch retailers to sell their stock.
