another authentication problem

[junkmom2]

I recently had listed a gorgeous 1820s Georgian memorial ring. I had taken the ring to my jewelers to discuss the main stone. Because the stone is mounted in a closed back ring, he couldnt do the normal testing.  He felt strongly that is was an aquamarine. I listed the item and put in the description that I couldnt guarantee the stone.  It went to the authenticators who had it over a week. I got a message that it was being returned, not as described. When actually it did pass (and the authenticators said it did.) Apparently The GIA lab was able to test the stone and it came back as BERYL.  They needed to contact the buyer to let him know and the buyer never responded. After 4 days Ebay put a hold on my funds has sent me back the ring. All of the messages that I had gotten from ebay made me feel as if I had cheated someone. There was no explanation in my emails. I had to call ebay to find out what happened. I have relisted the ring, with the proper description. I was told by the ebay rep that I had over described the ring and I shouldnt do that when selling vintage jewelery. WTH....any other time ebay gets you for not giving out enough info. EBAY needs to do better at communicating with sellers as to issues at hand. If they would have told me I would have contacted the buyer directly instead of relying on there messaging service.  EBAY HAS TAKEN ALL OF THE FUN OUT OF SELLING. IVE BEEN DOING THIS FOR 25 YEARS AND ITS GETTING WORSE BY THE DAY.L

[rokkworks]

Sorry this happened to you.

But…it’s a gorgeous ring, and honestly, you got it tested by the exact place that’s going to test it again when it sells. I’d be really happy about that. 
You got emails from eBay that hurt your feelings, I understand that, I’ve been there too, but keep in mind, only YOU saw those, no one else. 
Now you’ve relisted the ring, it looks great in your photos, and I predict will sell.
It’s not the type of stone that will sell that ring, so much as the incredibly beautiful setting and the rarity.  I’d also add any minimal monetary shortfall from the previous sale, into the price while you can, if it makes you feel better. Also, I’d take out EXC and add “estate” if you can fit it. It makes searching easier for buyers.

good luck! 

[caldreamer]

I have made jewelry for years and never heard of beryl so I did a search of Wikipedia and other sites.   Turns out there are different kinds of beryl (including Aquamarine and Emerald).    Sounds like your local jewelry was correct when he said your ring is Aquamarine.    https://rockchasing.com/types-of-beryl/

[simba6]

He felt strongly that is was an aquamarine.    That was a risk you took.

[jewelbiz]

To me the center stone looks cracked as if in 1 split second it can disintegrate.

 I also think your price is too high.

(Been a NYC jewelry dealer on 47th street for 40 years) 

[pastimpressions]

All Aquamarine is Beryl, not all Beryl is Aquamarine.

Unless I missed something here (and I am more than open for correction) the findings of the eBay crack authentication team that sent this ring back to the seller did not necessarily do the correct thing. 

They correctly identified the stone as a Beryl. Did they preclude the possibility that it was an Aquamarine?

Does every seller of Aquamarine jewelry (or Emerald for that matter, or any type of Beryl, etc., etc.) on this platform now have to hedge their bets and list all their Beryl family of jewelry as simply "Beryl" or face the wrath & whim of the authentication team?

Aristophanes 

[tobaccocardyahoo]

So Ebay's authenticator could not tell if the stone was aquamarine and identified it as beryl.

So your description was not 100% correct.

The sale is gone with minimum hassle. You can list the item again, though another authenticator at GIA might choose another set of words to deal with the ambiguity which is going to exist.

Many businesses come with ambiguities and authenticators are rotten at dealing with ambiguity. The uncommon and rare are often sufficiently so that authenticators have not seen them before and therefore are not going to provide a definitive statement which will reassure a timid and untrusting buyer. Happens with other third party graders/authenticators in other categories as well.

Accept the fact that buyers are both less trusting and more ignorant in 2025 than the were in the past. This is true not only on Ebay, as we see third party authentication become more and more a requirement of selling valuable items.

[junkmom2]

No cracks in the stone. It was judged authentic , and they told me so but my stone description was not accurate. But I had also said that in the ebay listing.  I was told to basically not say anything about and just sell it as a gold ring. So sorry you dont like my pricing. But I start high so I can come down. But I have found many more rings listed as 9k that are asking more. It will sell again. I have no worries about that..

[junkmom2]

I agree but the authenticators though otherwise.

[junkmom2]

No they did not. I try to be as honest as I can. Im not here to deceive.

[junkmom2]

I felt I had to describe it the best I could. It was not glass. I also fully disclosed that I couldnt verify the type of stone. My bad for trying to do my best.

[fashunu4eeuh · Accepted solution]

@junkmom2  wrote:
“was told by the ebay rep that I had over described the ring and I shouldnt do that when selling vintage jewelery.”

That person is misguided and likely has never sold items on the internet, where the buyer must rely on a secondary description since they cannot observe it first-hand. 

[junkmom2]

I agree, I have always tried to add as much info as possible. Ive never tried to hide or  misguide anyone. I was floored by the remark.

[luckythewinner]

Your title says it is aquamarine, your item specifics say it is aquamarine, and your description says you are not sure if it is aquamarine.

Your listing violates eBay policy and should never have been allowed on the site to start with. I am surprised the authentication service did not reject it within 30 seconds of reviewing it.

[junkmom2]

You are correct, I did that. My bad. It surely wont happen again. I wont speculate on items either, I will only sell things that I know 100 percent about. I have no issues with someone returning an item that is not as described. BTW..and aquarmine is a beryl. But not all Beryl are aquamarines.