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. 

[proudmamma]

I have bought a squash blossom that they would not authenticate. It was a waste of time for the seller to have to send it to Ca. 1st. Added an addition week before I got it.

 I did get it & I LOVE IT. I know is the real thing.

The ppl authenticating are very young not experienced. Anyone can get a GIA card by taking a few online classes. It takes a couple months.

  A couple months compared to year and years of experience handling Native silver must be in the minds of those who want the service.  Those who want the service do not know how to tell the difference.

[simply-the-best-for-you]

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@proudmamma wrote:

I have bought a squash blossom that they would not authenticate. It was a waste of time for the seller to have to send it to Ca. 1st. Added an addition week before I got it.

 I did get it & I LOVE IT. I know is the real thing.

The ppl authenticating are very young not experienced. Anyone can get a GIA card by taking a few online classes. It takes a couple months.

  A couple months compared to year and years of experience handling Native silver must be in the minds of those who want the service.  Those who want the service do not know how to tell the difference.

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I'm sure that's true, but it's still required over a certain $$ amount, so it's not really optional.  They may choose to sell it elsewhere.  While I'm sure this happens on occasion, I gotta think the authentification services save a lot of people from getting scammed.