Authenticatation Problem with Native American Jewelry

[share1050]

I recently sold a vintage Zuni Squashblossom necklace. It was sent to a GIA authenticator in CA. They said that it wasn't listed properly. I listed it under all the proper categories. They said that they won't authenticate the piece.  Obviously the GIA authenticator wasn't knowledgeable about Native American jewelry. I have been in the business for 45 years and know what's real and what it isn't. The piece was signed by a well known Native artist. I called eBay and was told that I don't have an account and that my name doesn't exist. Really?? I have been selling on eBay for 20 years. They don't know anything about the sale!! This has been going on for 2 weeks now and I have no money, no information about what has happened to my necklace and no help whatsoever from eBay. This policy is so wrong to hijack a piece of jewelry and not get paid for weeks. They have taken this mandatory policy of theirs to the extreme. I understand that their are many fake items out there being sold and that the policy may be appropriate in some circumstances, but this just goes beyond the realm of reason. Maybe train their authenticators in Native American jewelry and how to authenticate it. In the meantime I'm without any information or assistance form eBay. I'm pulling all my pieces that are valuable and selling on a more appropriate site who values sellers and their real pieces. 

[silverstatetreasureboxes]

@share1050 

Do you think authenticator got confused over Vintage 80s and this vvvvv

 Your Zuni is lovely, I hope it gets returned fast.

[share1050]

Thanks for your feedback. Here in Santa Fe a piece of Native American jewelry made in the 1980's is considered antique or vintage. Maybe the authenticator doesn't know anything about Native American Jewelry.

[reallynicestamps]

With "vintage" take a lesson from the original meaning of the word.

It referred to the year a wine was bottled.

If you call something "vintage" add the year of production or at least the decade.

So ->  Necklace Squash Blossom ZUNI sterling VINTAGE 1980s signed Tantoo Cardinal 18".

(Cardinal is a Canadian Cree actor- not an artist.)

[bonjourami]

" Here in Santa Fe a piece of Native American jewelry made in the 1980's is considered antique or vintage"

Sorry, but you are wrong an item has to be at least a hundred years old to be categorized as 'antique'.

[silverstatetreasureboxes]

@share1050 

You have the description field as unbranded shouldn't it be Ashberry Gasper?

     Take a peek at this listing that is similar in nature with a Gasper artisan as well.

https://ebay.us/m/HmzE0N

The authentication program handles a great deal of NA pieces, something about your listing is setting them off and therefore they are unable to authenticate. 

[share1050]

I really appreciate your input with this matter. Thank you. however if eBay is going to nit pick my item this way it's wrong. I love this piece. It is very special and I blessed it when I sent it. Now I feel like I never should have sold it. I hope the buyer rejects it so that I can have it back and get all the negativity off of it. I have sold many Native American pieces and NEVER had this problem. I'm just angry that eBay has done this. I will not be selling anything that is precious on eBay again !!!

[adamcartwright]

@share1050 

What a beautiful necklace!

I think @silverstatetreasureboxes  might be right about the antique designation when the listing also states 1980s. 

Have you tried reaching out to eBay through social media?

[stuff4divas]

@share1050   they probably would not authenticate it bc u listed it as an antique, which would require the item to be at least 100 yrs old, regardless of it being in Santa Fe or not.

here is policy for authentication>

Once the authenticator confirms the item is consistent with the listing title, description, and images, they perform a physical authentication inspection. If the inspector cannot determine that the product is authentic, or if the product is not as described in the listing, the item won't be sent on to the buyer and they will receive their money back.

[idealgems1]

I agree with prior comments.  It is nit-picky, but just use/say "vintage" and not "antique" in the future.  They are two separate and distinct categories, albeit with a large degree of overlap.  Anyone searching "vintage" will find your listing, and anyone searching for a true antique piece of jewelry won't be bothered or confused by your listing.

[share1050]

Got it !!! Thank you. It's over now anyway. I'm done with this subject.

[share1050]

Got it !!! thank you. It's done now anyway.

[share1050]

Thank you for your input. It's over now anyway. I did reach out and really wasn't helped. 

[share1050]

Don't know what the Robin Williams quote has to do with this subject unless you are referring to me. Anyway whatever you meant the necklace has been sent to the buyer. The situation is over. Thanks for your input

[simply-the-best-for-you]

Many of us have quotes under our siggie line.   They don't have anything to do with YOU, they are part of our signature & have to do with US.  It's a very common thing to do online.  

I'm sorry you feel your tx did not go well, but 1980's is absolutely NOT an antique.  The general rule is 20 years for vintage & 100 years for antique, though some create their own rules.  

As for the "nitpicking", that's literally why there is an authentification service.  You would sure want them to 'nitpick' if you are the buyer!