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Authenticity Guarantee Fails ANOTHER sold piece...for the SECOND time!
We are a very reputable vintage jewelry shop with Ebay since 2006.
We have had several items fail the Authenticity Guarantee because of metal karat weight...and it is LUDICROUS. That they have the ability to "put fear into our buyers" over non industry standard reasons is maddening! We have lost over $5,000 for this reason and that is so damaging to small, family businesses in these economic times!
Today, the "authenticators" are calling a stamped and signed Barry B. 950 Silver ring as "closer to 925" and therefore failing the ring!! The backstory on this ring is that it has failed authentication TWICE NOW!!! Both times to the same buyer. The first time it was for the "Black Stones" that we had listed as "Black Onyx" as B.B. uses this stone most often. Because of the way they were set, this was as close of an ID as we could get. They came back stating they were "Black Spinel" a MORE valuable stone by about $5. They told us to just list them in the future as "Black Stones" to avoid any further Authenticity failings.
Same buyer bought the ring again and THIS TIME it failed for its Silver content! When in FACT it is 950 silver because THAT IS WHAT B.B. USES!!!
FURTHERMORE...the buyer happens to work at a jewelry store and LITERALLY SPOKE TO B.B. on the phone and he himself verified that is the silver weight he typically uses! Because of this phone conversation...when Ebay called our buyer to ask if he still wanted the ring, he accepted the ring.
Just to put some perspective on the difference between 925 and 950. The actual difference in silver content between 925 and 950 in this ring is less than a gram (about $2.30 with today’s crazy high silver prices, and around 32 cents worth when the ring was originally made), and the discrepancy is likely because of B.B.'s scale being slightly off when he was measuring out the metal mixture before casting.
While GIA is a rockstar in the world of gemstone identification, their idealized standards for jewelry are out of touch with the imperfect nature of jewelry making, and don’t reflect the industry accepted variations that are expected in every piece (from antiques to modern name brands).
Today our buyer let me know that he received the ring and is BLOWN AWAY by how amazing it was and can't believe he almost missed out on this ring AFTER TWO FAILED AUTHENTICATIONS by GIA! He also stated that he has had SEVERAL items (from other sellers) fail that he wasn't able to receive because of these NEGLIGENT actions taken by Ebays Authenticity group there at GIA.
IN FACT...once he received the ring, he ran it thru his jewelry stores XRF machine and it stated that it was a SOLID 950!
This is so infuriating on so many levels:
1. It makes us look like NON-reputable sellers when that is the furthest thing from the truth
2. We have no way of responding other than emailing our buyer and pleading our case. But we look terrible in their eyes already because of how the Authenticators handle these cases. CALL US FIRST before contacting buyers to let us hash it thru and plead our perspective on their findings. Do this BEFORE sending info to the buyer, who most likely does not understand jewelry industry standards. Except in this case where he actually works at a jewelry store.
3. In this horrific economy when SO MANY SELLERS are hurting...to lose sales for our small family business that prides itself on customer service, is just unacceptable.
4. In this case they are not only making US look bad but ALSO the DESIGNER look like he is falsely stamping his pieces at 950!
We have 2 GIA graduates (which is where jewelry is sent to be authenticated) on staff who both confirmed this listing when it was originally listed.
This was the review the buyer just left us, you can see his equal frustration with this program!
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One of the most spectacular pieces I have purchased on eBay! Shame there was difficulty with the authenticity program! I’m believe there is a major issue with this program! This seller was outright, honest! Clear! Brilliant communication! Fair! And shocking outrageously patient! Bless this seller for finally getting me the item I desired! This item was expertly packaged. Exactly as described. Fair shipping. A++++++++. Super seller! Highly recommend! Thank you!
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We were initially excited about eBay's authentication guarantee and the protection it provides against fakes. But in practice, it's hurting honest businesses that deal in higher quality estate jewelry, while the people selling knockoffs simply avoid the issue by listing their pieces under the $500 limit that triggers eBay’s authentication guarantee.
I'm just livid! Something needs to change! Ebay needs to reevaluate karat standards when it comes to vintage jewelry and pieces made by REPUTABLE designers like B.B.!
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