Authentication process time

[bonsu-77]

How does the authentication process for gemstone jewelry work?  Does the customer have to wait long to get their item? What if they lose my item? If it passes inspection am I informed? Do they mail it to the customer? If it doesn't pass do they return it to the seller?

[4pawsup*]

Yes it will be returned to the seller. The buyer knows that the item will be authenticated before they receive it.

It does not seem to take that long.

[idealgems1]

In our experience, the authenticator usually takes 3 - 5 business days to authenticate.  With two shipments (one to the authenticator and another from the authenticator to the buyer) that ends up ultimately delaying the buyer receiving the item by a week to 10 days.  We did have one item that took the authenticator nearly 2 weeks to clear.

Ebay does notify you when the item has been cleared and is ready to ship to the buyer.  Both you and the buyer can track the item's progress.

We have experienced one bad hitch.  Evidently when the authenticator receives an item on a Saturday, it is not scanned like it is Monday through Friday, so it takes a long while for it to show that GIA has taken possession of the item.  Instead of it showing that they have the item and it is in the authentication process, it just shows that it has reached the postal facility in Carlsbad, California.

We have not had an item rejected, so have no experience in what happens then.

[us2015-tetia]

My item was received by authenticator over a week ago and no progress had been made in authentication process. Was trying to contact the eBay and it looks like mission impossible. They protect themselves from **bleep** customers who wait for their “services” forever. Is there a way to inquire about the ring I purchased on 02/20 anyway? 

[idealgems1]

Go to customer service chat and ask to speak with a representative from the jewelry authentication department.  Arrange to have them call you; it usually doesn't take long for them to get back with you.  If whoever called is not from the jewelry authentication department, tell the representative you really need to speak with someone in that area.  Once you get someone from that department, they can answer your questions.