Terms & Conditions

The Authenticity Guarantee service for Jewellery (“Authenticity Guarantee” or “Authenticity Guarantee for Jewellery”) makes inspection and authentication services (“Services”) mandatory for certain items sold on eBay.co.uk. These Authenticity Guarantee Terms and Conditions (“Terms”) apply to the Authenticity Guarantee service for Jewellery and Authenticity Guarantee Eligible Items detailed below sold and purchased on eBay.co.uk and sets out the terms on which eBay offers you access to and use of the Authenticity Guarantee service for Jewellery.

1. Applicability of eBay User Agreement. 

The eBay.co.uk User Agreement, eBay’s User Privacy Notice, and all policies posted on our sites (collectively, and as the same may be amended from time to time, “eBay’s Policies”) apply in addition to these Terms. In the event of a conflict or inconsistency between these Terms and eBay’s Policies, these Terms will control as to all matters that they explicitly address. For all matters not explicitly addressed by these Terms, eBay’s Policies will control.

2. Applicability of eBay's Money Back Guarantee.

  eBay’s Money Back Guarantee covers items returned within the seller’s return window and items that satisfy the eligibility requirements and are not received, are not as described or that arrive damaged. Learn more about eBay Money Back Guarantee. Learn more about eBay Money Back Guarantee.

3. Description of the Authenticity Guarantee Service. 

After the purchase of an Eligible Item (description in Section 8(a) below) on eBay.co.uk the buyer automatically instructs eBay to initiate the Services. The item is then posted to an authentication facility to carefully inspect the item’s authenticity and conformity to the item’s listing details. Upon confirmation of the item by the authentication facility, it is properly packaged and securely posted to the buyer. If the item’s authenticity cannot be verified or the item is significantly not as described, the item is returned to the seller and a refund is issued.

4. Description of the Services.

The Services are limited to a review of claims regarding jewellery quality and characteristics by the seller. These claims are assessed within defined ranges and tolerances. For example: diamonds clearly stated as treated will not be verified for colour or clarity grades; coloured diamond treatments will not be verified; clarity is evaluated based on the area of the stone that is visible; areas of the stone that are covered by the setting will not be part of the evaluation; and diamonds will only be verified for clarity when they are 0.15ct or more. To learn more click here.

The Services are provided at an authentication facility for Authenticity Guarantee Eligible Items (as detailed below) purchased and delivered within the United Kingdom (“Authentication Facility”). Authenticators will inspect the item within two (2) business days of receipt at the facility and the authenticated item will then be sent to the buyer as soon as possible. This check will include inspection of the item for authenticity, and for accuracy against the item listing. By purchasing an Eligible Item, you agree and acknowledge that you instruct eBay to direct the seller to send the Eligible Item to the Authentication Facility to perform the Services. By listing an Eligible Item for sale, you agree and acknowledge that eBay will require you to send the Eligible Item to the Authentication Facility to perform the Services in accordance with the buyer’s instructions. More information about the authentication experts and Services may be found here.

5. Materials in jewellery.

Sellers agree to comply with all applicable legal requirements related to levels of metals such as nickel, cadmium and lead in jewellery, as well as other poisons, carcinogens and materials prohibited under eBay’s Hazardous Materials and Prohibited Items policies. All jewellery listed on eBay must also comply with our Jewellery policy.

Items may, in connection with the receipt of items and the performance of the Services for jewellery, be tested for radiation in compliance with certain governmental regulatory standards. If an item has a level of radioactivity in excess of the applicable standards, eBay will comply with the requirements of the applicable regulatory bodies. Irradiated items may not be returned to a seller if the item has a level of radioactivity in excess of the applicable standards and may be transferred to an entity authorized to receive irradiated articles.

6. Results of the Services for jewellery.

The results of the Services for jewellery do not include valuation, grading, or appraisal of any item. eBay does not provide valuations, gradings or appraisals of any items in connection with the performance of the Services.

The results of the Services for jewellery are provided using the techniques, equipment and knowledge used or applied at the time the Services were performed, which techniques, equipment and knowledge may be different from the techniques, equipment and knowledge used at another time. The results of the Services for jewellery may differ from the results of similar services performed on the same item by others depending upon when, how, and by whom the services were performed, the then-current state of the technology and knowledge used for the Services, and may differ in the future as a result of changes and improvements in techniques and equipment.

eBay is under no obligation to modify or update the results of the Services for jewellery once the buyer has received the item, notwithstanding any varying report from another service provider, change in technology or methods used to perform the Services, new services offered, or how results are provided for the same or a similar item provided in the past or in the future.

The testing techniques and the technology used for testing items to determine if they are laboratory-grown, have been treated, and the like are subject to change, evolving and include certain subjective elements, and the ways in which an item might be laboratory-grown or treated are changing and dynamic and are becoming more sophisticated. As a result, it might not be possible in all cases to determine whether an item is unstable, laboratory-grown or has been treated using then-current techniques and technology and eBay makes no representations or warranties in this regard.

7. Authenticity Guarantee Program Fees.

The Services are provided at no cost to sellers and buyers for Authenticity Guarantee Eligible Items that are bought or sold on eBay.co.uk; however, eBay reserves the right to institute, alter or amend fees or costs associated with the Services, at any time, at eBay’s sole discretion.

8. Eligibility

     a. Item Eligibility.

Authenticity Guarantee is available for unbranded and selected branded (currently Tiffany & Co., Chanel, Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Bvlgari, and Chopard) and Jewellery, in new or preowned condition, listed under Fine Jewellery, Engagement & Wedding Jewellery,  Costume Jewellery  and Men's Jewellery categories, and sold for GBP £500 or more. Auction items are also included in the service if the eligible item sells above £500. 

Only selected listings on eBay.co.uk are eligible for the Service. eBay may amend the eligibility requirements for Eligible Items, including, but not limited to category, and/or value of items and/or transactions. Although only selected items are eligible at the current time, the Authenticity Guarantee will be rapidly expanding. Check listings for the “Authenticity Guarantee” blue tick badge to see if items are included at this time.

 Branded jewellery is defined as jewellery with an attributable designer, brand or logo. Unbranded jewellery is defined as jewellery with no attributable designer, brand, or logo.

All listed items must meet the requirements of the Hallmarking Act 1973.

To be eligible for Authenticity Guarantee, unbranded and branded items must meet the following criteria: 

Eligible Items must satisfy the following conditions:

1. Price: £500 and over, exclusive of postage (Auction items are also included in the service if the eligible item sells above £500.)
2. Condition: New and Used UK items
   
3. Category: Fine Jewellery, Engagement & Wedding, Men’s Jewellery, Costume Jewellery
4. Branded jewellery: Tiffany & Co., Chanel, Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Bvlgari, and Chopard
   
5. Unbranded jewellery: Unbranded jewellery is defined as jewellery with no attributable designer, brand, or logo. 
6. Engraved branded jewellery: Eligible if the item was engraved by the brand (evidence may be requested e.g., receipt).
   
7. Metal purity: Items must be one of the following metal types and purity: Sterling silver (925+), gold (9ct+), palladium (500+), platinum (850+). For plated metal, the base metal composition must be as listed above. For further details click here.
   
8. Gemstone type: Gemstones are not required. For items with a main gemstone(s) the main gemstone must be a diamond, sapphire, ruby, emerald, agate, aquamarine, aventurine, bloodstone, blue chalcedony, brecciated mookaite, carnelian, cat's eye chrysoberyl, chrysoprase, garnet, jasper, malachite, morganite, mother of pearl, moss agate, onyx, peridot, tanzanite, tiger's eye, topaz or tourmaline. Secondary gemstone(s) can be any gemstone species except for ineligible stones (see below).
9.  Gemstone treatments: Eligible gemstones are commonly treated. In most cases, GIA will verify these treatments. However, some gemstone treatments can only be verified through complex advanced testing. In these instances, GIA will not verify the treatment. For a full list of treatments that GIA does not verify, please see here.
   

The following items are not eligible for Authenticity Guarantee:

1. Items not bearing the Authenticity Guarantee badge
2. Jewellery listed in categories not named above
   
3. Miscategorised items, e.g. other types of jewellery such as Jewellery Mixed Lots or other items listed in the categories named above.
   
4. Items with ineligible stones: jade, opal, turquoise, quartz, amber and pearl 
5. Customised branded jewellery
   
6. Engraved branded jewellery not outlined above
   
7. Items purchased using an offline payment method
   
8. Listings that offer local pickup
   
9. Items posted to P.O. Boxes
   
10. Items in breach of the Hazardous Materials, Prohibited Items and/or Jewellery policies
    

Ineligible items will not be authenticated. 

b. Country Eligibility.

The Authenticity Guarantee service on ebay.co.uk is available for buyers with a delivery address in the United Kingdom. eBay reserves the right to expand or limit the countries eligible for Authenticity Guarantee or the Services at any time, in its sole discretion, with or without notice.

9. Party Roles.

a. Your Role as Seller.

By listing an Eligible Item for sale on the eBay platform, you agree and acknowledge that eBay will require you to send the Eligible Item to the Authentication Facility to perform the Services in accordance with the buyer’s instructions and you authorise its inspection by authenticators subsequent to its purchase. 

Upon purchase, you are required to post the Eligible Item, using a postage service with signature confirmation, to a facility located within the United Kingdom, as directed by eBay.  You cannot drop off or deliver the Eligible Item in-person at the Authentication Facility. Items must be sent to the facility individually unless part of a multi-item order. The cost of postage to the Authentication Facility is not covered by eBay.

You acknowledge and agree that if the authenticators cannot verify an item’s authenticity, a refund will be issued to the buyer and you shall cooperate with removing the item from marketplace circulation.

b. Your Role as Buyer.

By purchasing an Eligible Item on the eBay platform you instruct eBay to direct the seller to send the Eligible Item to the Authentication Facility to perform the Services. You acknowledge and agree to inspection of the Eligible Item by the authenticator prior to your receipt of the Eligible Item. In addition, if a return is requested, you acknowledge and agree to post the Eligible Item using a postage service with signature confirmation to the Authentication Facility and to the inspection of the Eligible Item before the return is processed or a refund is issued. More information on returns under the Authenticity Guarantee can be found here.

c. Circumvention of Buyer and Seller Requirements.

If buyer or seller circumvent or do not comply with Sections 8.a or 8.b of these Terms, or if buyer or seller violate or are found to be non-compliant with the Terms, eBay reserves the right to take immediate action such as, but not limited to, account restriction or suspension.

10. Data Privacy.

eBay’s collection of personal information in connection with the Authenticity Guarantee program is governed by the User Privacy Policy that applies to your use of the eBay.co.uk website or, as applicable, another eBay international site. In order for the Authentication Facility to provide the Services under the Program, the order information, including, but not limited to your name, address, email address, telephone number, is provided to the Authentication Facility. By selling or purchasing an Eligible Item, you direct eBay to provide this order information to the Authentication Facility, who may disclose this information, however collected, to its affiliates, service providers, and other third parties (such as postage carriers and revenue authorities) as necessary to perform the Services.

11. Lost, Damaged, or Items Not Delivered.

Items that are lost or damaged during the Authenticity Guarantee process are eligible for eBay's Money Back Guarantee, subject to the eBay Money Back Guarantee guidelines. eBay assumes the delivery risk from the Authentication Facility to the buyer and any items lost or damaged at the Authentication Facility. Items that are undeliverable or otherwise unclaimed after thirty (30) days will be considered abandoned and eBay reserves the right to donate or otherwise dispose of the item in our sole and absolute discretion.

12. Service Updates and Discontinuation.

eBay has the right to amend, suspend temporarily, and/or discontinue permanently, the Authenticity Guarantee.