CrimeAug 22, 2023
JSA Shares Safety Tips After Safe BurglariesGradingAug 23, 2023
Gem-A Issues Warning About Bizarre Jewelry Mail Scam
People in the U.K. and Europe have been unexpectedly receiving rings in the mail accompanied by fake Gem-A certificates.
Gem-A has issued a scam warning following reports of people receiving a package in the mail that they didn’t order containing a solitaire ring and a fake certificate, pictured above, bearing a variety of laboratory logos.
London—The Gemmological Association of Great Britain (Gem-A) has issued a warning following reports of people mysteriously receiving rings in the mail that are accompanied by certificates claiming to be from Gem-A.
The organization, which does not offer grading services or issue reports of any kind, said it is in no way involved with the packages.
People reported receiving a “diamond solitaire ring in platinum”—a claim that Gem-A said has not been verified via any laboratory testing, as far as it knows—in a gray or pink ring box, which arrived inside a pink gift bag with “Princess” in gold lettering.
Along with the ring is a laminated “Identification Certificate” allegedly from the “Fellowship of Gemological Association of Great Britain.” (The fake certificate contains a misspelling, as Gem-A uses the traditional British spelling of “gemmological” in its name.)
The fake certificate also includes the logos of the International Gemological Institute, the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation, Platinum Guild International, and the Gemological Institute of America.
Gem-A said according to reports, there are no identifying postage labels, receipts, confirmation letters or information documents inside the shipment.
Recent comments on a post about the mysterious packages on Gem-A’s Facebook page indicate that people randomly received the ring after trying to order books from an e-commerce site called Ahodenare.com.
The organization, which does not offer grading services or issue reports of any kind, said it is in no way involved with the packages.
People reported receiving a “diamond solitaire ring in platinum”—a claim that Gem-A said has not been verified via any laboratory testing, as far as it knows—in a gray or pink ring box, which arrived inside a pink gift bag with “Princess” in gold lettering.
Along with the ring is a laminated “Identification Certificate” allegedly from the “Fellowship of Gemological Association of Great Britain.” (The fake certificate contains a misspelling, as Gem-A uses the traditional British spelling of “gemmological” in its name.)
The fake certificate also includes the logos of the International Gemological Institute, the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation, Platinum Guild International, and the Gemological Institute of America.
Gem-A said according to reports, there are no identifying postage labels, receipts, confirmation letters or information documents inside the shipment.
Recent comments on a post about the mysterious packages on Gem-A’s Facebook page indicate that people randomly received the ring after trying to order books from an e-commerce site called Ahodenare.com.
“Organizations in the jewelry and gemstone sectors are no strangers to fraudulent practices, but this strange pattern of behavior whereby unsuspecting members of the public receive items of jewelry with fake ‘identification certificates’ is baffling and worrying,” Gem-A CEO Alan Hart said.
“As an educator and membership organization, we don’t produce jewelry, nor do we provide any kind of grading or stone identification services. Although our members and those in the trade are undoubtedly aware of this, the public is less informed. We are monitoring the situation closely.”
Gem-A said it was alerted to a similar situation in March of this year after isolated incidents were reported on social media and email, but said the practice has “reared back into action,” affecting multiple parties.
It said recipients are from geographically diverse areas, including the United Kingdom and northern Europe.
Related stories will be right here …
“As an educator and membership organization, we don’t produce jewelry, nor do we provide any kind of grading or stone identification services. Although our members and those in the trade are undoubtedly aware of this, the public is less informed. We are monitoring the situation closely.”
Gem-A said it was alerted to a similar situation in March of this year after isolated incidents were reported on social media and email, but said the practice has “reared back into action,” affecting multiple parties.
It said recipients are from geographically diverse areas, including the United Kingdom and northern Europe.
Also in March, the American Gem Society published a warning to consumers notifying them of a scam involving people receiving unexpected packages with “low-quality jewelry” accompanied by a counterfeit laboratory report.
Some of the fake lab reports claimed the jewelry was graded by Gales Gemological Research Association (GRA) and was set with moissanite. Others were branded GIA and stated the stone contained in the jewelry was a diamond.
GIA said it received more than 50 calls regarding the packages from California, Texas, and other states over the course of three months.
The March incidents as well as the current one involving Gem-A could be examples of a brushing scam, which the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) defines as a “person receiv[ing] a package from a business containing various items that they never ordered.”
The aim is for the scammer to pose as a verified buyer of the product so they can post fake positive reviews of it online to boost their product’s rating and popularity.
The DOJ warns that packages are often addressed to the person’s residence but lack a return address, and it may mean that the recipient’s personal information has been leaked.
Gem-A said on Aug. 22 a police report has been filed and the investigation is ongoing.
“We have received no reports of follow-up requests from the sender(s) attempting to extort money or data from any of the recipients of these fraudulent parcels,” Hart said.
“However, we are asking everyone to be on high alert. We urge you not to share your personal or business details in this scenario and encourage you to seek advice before taking any next steps.”
Gem-A can be contacted at +44 0207 404 3334.
More on Grading
The Latest
Events & AwardsMay 22, 2026
Instore Buys JA New York ShowThe deal closed this week, which means Instore will produce the JA NY show slated to take place this fall.
FinancialsMay 22, 2026
Richemont’s Jewelry Brands Lead the Charge in Q4The company’s jewelry sales were up in Q4 and the fiscal year, with Richemont raising prices in part because of the cost of gold.
CollectionsMay 22, 2026
Leigh Maxwell Celebrates 5 Years at Couture With ‘Bauble’ CollectionThe “Bauble” capsule collection of colorful one-of-a-kinds includes our Piece of the Week, the “Bauble” earrings, featuring rose zircon.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
MajorsMay 22, 2026
Stuller’s New Packaging, Display Catalog Is Out The updated catalog has a newly dedicated section for gift wrapping.
Weekly QuizMay 21, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
PodcastsMay 21, 2026
Episode 5: Sotheby’s Frank Everett Puts the Auction Market in PerspectiveEverett covers colored stones’ surging popularity, the mellow return of the “Mellon Blue,” and his “The Devil Wears Prada” doppelgänger.
IndependentsMay 21, 2026
Springer’s Jewelers’ New Flagship Will Serve Next-Gen Luxury ShoppersFourth-generation CEO Lilly Mullen wants to emphasize experience, connection, and personalized service.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
Events & AwardsMay 21, 2026
JA Announces Nina Pugliese Memorial ScholarshipThe new award, created in partnership with Henne Jewelers, honors the late designer’s legacy through supporting jewelry education.
SourcingMay 21, 2026
Botswana, Angola Join WFDBThe addition of the diamond-producing countries as nation affiliated members broadens the federation’s global representation, WFDB said.
CrimeMay 20, 2026
NYPD Warns of Jewelry Swap Scams Targeting SeniorsThe NYPD is warning elderly New Yorkers to keep their jewelry hidden when walking outside to avoid being a target.
IndependentsMay 20, 2026
Adornment & Theory’s New Store Feels Like Home Designer Viviana Langhoff has realized her dream of owning a space for her Chicago jewelry store that looks and feels like her brand.
Events & AwardsMay 20, 2026
Here Is Couture’s 2026 Education Lineup The sessions will run from Friday, May 29, to Sunday, May 31, with one being a live taping of an episode of Couture’s podcast.
Lab-GrownMay 20, 2026
Savannah Friedkin Jewelry Names New CEOFormer Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry executive Morgan P. Richardson is joining the lab-grown diamond jewelry brand.
WatchesMay 19, 2026
Here’s the AP x Swatch Pocket Watch That Caused PandemoniumThe $400 pocket watch is a blend of Audemars Piguet’s iconic eight-sided Royal Oak and Swatch’s unserious Pop watches from the ‘80s.
CollectionsMay 19, 2026
Chris Ploof’s New Collection Makes an Ancient Metal ModernWith gold prices on the rise, the “Modern Electrum” collection uses an alternative, non-tarnishing metal alloy composed of gold and silver.
IndependentsMay 19, 2026
Ellen and Michael Fruchtman Retire, Sell Marketing Agency Fruchtman Marketing has new owners, Erin Moyer-Carballea and Manuel Carballea, and will relocate to Miami.
ColumnistsMay 19, 2026
Peter Smith: The (Mostly) Immutable Sales TruthsIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Smith lists 10 time-tested principles about sales that still ring true.
ColumnistsMay 18, 2026
Edahn Golan: What a K-Shaped Economy Means for Fine JewelryIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Golan spells out how the growing economic divide in the U.S. is reshaping the market.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Foundrae’s New Collection Taps Into JoyThe “Limitless Expansion of Joy and Hope” collection evokes summer through colored gemstones and motifs of butterflies and florals.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Hancocks London Acquires Historic ‘Inchiquin’ EmeraldThe jewel, circa 1890, is from the late Victorian era and was owned by descendants of the last high king of Ireland.
Events & AwardsMay 18, 2026
Here Are the 2026 JCK Industry Fund Grant Recipients This is what the nine recipients plan to do with the funds.
AuctionsMay 15, 2026
American Collector Ponies Up Almost $17K for John Wayne’s RingThe Western star’s 14-karat gold signet ring sold for six times its low estimate following a bidding war at U.K. auction house Elmwood’s.
Events & AwardsMay 15, 2026
JA, MJSA To Sponsor Roundtable at TJSThe discussion, "Rebuilding the Jewelry Workforce," will take place on Saturday, May 16, in Troy, Michigan.
SourcingMay 15, 2026
State of Diamonds: The Way Forward for Natural DiamondsThe jewelry industry is reassessing its positioning as Gen Z reshapes the retail landscape and lab grown continues to gain market share.
AuctionsMay 14, 2026
White Diamonds Lead Sotheby’s Auction, Blue Diamond Does Not SellA matching pair of 18.38-carat, D-color diamonds from Botswana’s Jwaneng mine sold for $3.3 million, the top lot of the jewelry auction.
Supplier BulletinMay 14, 2026
A Diamond Is Forever Continues Desert Diamonds – Bridal ReinvigoratedSponsored by A Diamond Is Forever
