GIA authenticators with jewelry

I cannot believe the chaos surrounding the sale I made involving an expensive pair if antique earrings. These earrings were as my listing stated and had the appraisal in the box. They were rejected by the GIA people for two reasons according to eBay. I had to get hold of eBay to find out why. This is not an easy task.

They said the gemstones were not what I stated. Wrong on that. They said one was broken. It was clearly noted on my listed one earring was not attached to the screwback. It showed in the pictures and was also in the appraisal data which was pictured on my listing. I am still awaiting the return of the earrings, I can only hope they didn't do something to them. I have been on this site over 10 years and I think I am done. On top of this ridicules problem with GIA the buyer was as bad. She didn't want me to send to the Authentication Center after she paid, I did anyway, then when they were rejected she said she'd buy them anyway. My messaging with her was so bizarre I can't believe she was for real. All in all, I am saying goodbye to eBay for good!!!!

vintage*edge

101 View listings

Posted 3 years ago·Last reply 3 years ago

8 comments

idealgems1

·3 years ago

423 View listings

Oh, I remember what it is about white topaz now. It is not supposed to be listed in fine jewelry, but rather fashion jewelry. A terrible and arbitrary rule (that I myself have openly disobeyed) when set in solid gold. But if it was listed in fashion...would that have prevented it from being authenticated?

From the policy section (emphasis is mine):

Fashion gemstones

Simulated gemstones are considered fashion jewelry
The following are considered fashion jewelry: Agate, amazonite, amblygonite, apatite, aventurine, azurite, bloodstone, blue amber, blue chalcedony, brazanite, butterscotch amber, calcite, caribbean amber, carnelian, celestite, chalcedony, charoite, cherry amber, cinnabar, cubic zirconia, danburite, diaspore, diopside, drusy quartz, dumortierite, dyed howlite, fluorite, fuschite, gaspeite, goldstone, goshenite, green amber, green chalcedony, green gold, hauyne, hematite, hermatine, hickoryite, howlite, iron pyrite, jasper, larimar, lavender chalcedony, magnesite, marcasite, medusa quartz, multi-color amber, mystic topaz, obsidian, onyx, orange chalcedony, ouro verde quartz, petalite, pezzottaite, pink chalcedony, prehnite, quartzite, quartzose, rhodochrosite, rhodonite, rutilated quartz, sardonyx, scapolite, sea blue chalcedony, serpentine, shanseres, simulated alexandrite, simulated amethyst, simulated aquamarine, simulated blue sapphire, simulated emerald, simulated garnet, simulated opal, simulated padparadscha, simulated peridot, simulated pink sapphire, simulated quartz, simulated ruby, simulated sapphire, simulated topaz, simulated white sapphire, simulated yellow sapphire, sodalite, sphalerite, stabilized turquoise, strontium titanate, sunstone feldspar, swedish slag, synthetic turquoise, tashmarine diopside, white topaz, yellow scapolite, yttrium aluminium garnet, zandrite.

idealgems1

·3 years ago

423 View listings

FYI; colorless topaz is not as common in vintage jewelry at colorless sapphire is. If it is a natural stone that was mistaken for topaz, sapphire and quartz are the two most likely mistakes. Colorless zircon was also commonly used, but has a different appearance: usually abraded, very strongly doubly refractive, and a high degree of dispersion.

Your appraiser should have correctly identified the gems, or else declared that they couldn't be tested because of the mounting, etc. But evidently GIA could test them. A refractive index test will easily determine if they are topaz or not.

idealgems1

·3 years ago

423 View listings

Funny, I thought colorless (white) topaz was a gem they did not authenticate...

jklfindings

·3 years ago

7118 View listings

Topaz is on the list that will be authenticated.

jklfindings

·3 years ago

7118 View listings

When they say "gemstone not as stated" you have to call and figure out what exactly they mean. We just went through this where the secondary tiny sapphires on a brooch were discovered to be lab created. Matches the period, but theres no way anyone without a lab could have checked them. They main stones (diamond) were natural, but sapphires were not. So it gets sent back, listing adjusted, and sold again to the exact same buyer...because they don't care lol. The authentication program has a steep learning curve. Figuring out EXACTLY what they are asking/looking for in some cases can be insanely frustrating. In your case I would get ahold of ebay business on Facebook, and they can tell you the details of exactly what the authenticator said about your specific item. Once it gets backs, relist it how they want to see it, and try again.

vintage*edge

OP3 years ago

101 View listings

Thank you. I have just heard beck from eBay and they said the GIA people claim the stones are not Topaz. I am going to take to a local jeweler here to see what another opinion is. My first appraiser said they were Topaz, and as you hinted to I believe, the stones aren't where the value lies in this piece. Someone will buy just the coach covers and probably for the same amount or more.

silverstatetreasureboxes

·3 years ago

888 View listings

@vintage*edge

Very lovely indeed. You clearly state in the description as white topaz and it appears to be, title only reads topaz. ( I know, I'm on your side but things like this can cause a failed authentication).

Q: does one of the gemstones have a chip? I know the appraisal states this but I cannot find where you disclosed it anywhere.

Screenshot_20230705_182553_eBay~2.jpg

â€ƒyou did state that it has come off the screwback and show photos proving this. I don't think this was the problem with the authenticator.

From what we are understanding with ebays authentication process concerning fine jewelry is everything must be disclosed. Every flaw, dent, chip, boo-boo, everything. If they find something and it's not anywhere on your listing then it fails. Your appraisal is not your own words, they can be forged as well.

Please don't leave ebay over this, the way I look at it they may have saved you from being scammed from that weird buyer as you stated.

If you decide to sell these earrings again you may want to get the one repaired as it will only increase the value.

Best to you, Silver

vintage*edge

OP3 years ago

101 View listings

Thank you Silver, I have heard back from eBay on this rejection. They said the gemstones were not Topaz. I had them appraised and told they were Topaz. The value isn't in these stones and I may relist just the coach covers but will probably list on a different site. I did not like how eBay handled this and on top of everything, the waiting was far too long. I don't see any reason to make a person wait so long to first hear its been rejected, secondly, to get it back, and lastly to get an honest complete answer from someone at eBay.