As customer demand for luxury items continues to gain momentum with double-digit growth, today, eBay UK announces the expansion of its Authenticity Guarantee programme to fine jewellery.
New and pre-loved fine jewellery sold for £500 and over will soon be eligible to be independently verified in collaboration with GIA, the world’s gem authority since 1931.
The offering will expand to include top designer brands including Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Tiffany & Co and Chopard, as well as the authentication of unbranded antique and unique pieces featuring gold, certain gems and jewels.
Tirath Kamdar, Global GM of Luxury at eBay said: “Jewellery has always been popular on eBay, and there has been a noticeable increase in demand for both new and pre-owned pieces over the past year.
“Rightfully customers want confidence when buying a special item, which is why we are expanding our luxury offering within the Authenticity Guarantee program to now include fine jewellery in the UK. Customers want to trust what they are getting is the real deal and we’re proud to work with credentialed GIA gemologists and jewellery experts to provide our Authenticity Guarantee service, to ensure they get what they expect.”
With decades of jewellery industry experience and knowledge, GIA experts and gemologists use standard-establishing expertise to perform a multi-point inspection, verifying the metal type, purity and gemstone quality to confirm the authenticity of each piece. GIA experts will also verify each jewellery item against the sellers listing description, to ensure the buyer gets exactly what they ordered.
Pritesh Patel, GIA Chief Operating Officer said: “GIA is the trusted independent source of knowledge, standards, and education in gems and jewellery; our mission is to protect consumers. We’re pleased to continue collaborating with eBay on its Authentication Guarantee, extending the service to the UK, helping to protect the millions of fine jewellery buyers and sellers on eBay.”
Launched in 2021, eBay UK’s Authentication programme has expanded to encompass an assortment of luxury goods, including watches, handbags and sneakers. The addition of fine jewellery to eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee programme underpins the marketplace's growth as a top luxury shopping destination.
The marketplace has seen an increase in searches for pieces from popular jewellery houses and unbranded items, with the run-up to the festive season being particularly popular. Searches for Tiffany rings, Cartier Love bangles and Van Cleef necklaces all increased by over 25%, 20% and 10% over this period*. Alongside this, unbranded searches for tennis bracelets and diamond rings also increased by over 60% and 10%, respectively over a similar timeframe**.
How eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee for Jewellery Works
Since 1931, GIA has been the world's gem authority and as eBay’s jewellery authentication collaborator will examine the pieces eligible for the Authenticity Guarantee programme. GIA gemologists and experts verify the condition and quality of the piece, checking dozens of inspection points to verify it’s authentic at no extra cost to the buyer or seller. GIA also ensure its condition and quality are as described in the listing. Details on the jewellery authentication process are as follows:
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Multi-point inspection by experts: Jewellery is examined for authenticity by GIA experts with years of industry experience and knowledge. They perform a multi-point inspection, to ensure the jewellery is authentic. Once verified, the item is carefully packed and posted to your address at checkout through fast, tracked, signature-required delivery.
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Unique Authentication Card: Verified jewellery will receive a unique authentication card with a QR code. Scan the code to access your item's documentation, and learn more about your jewellery and its authentication journey.
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Verified Returns: In the event of a return, every item is inspected by GIA experts before it's sent back to the seller. Returns are posted back directly to the authentication collaborators, verifying its authenticity.
From late October shoppers will be able to browse and buy from a selection of unbranded new and pre-owned fine jewellery marked with an Authenticity Guarantee blue tick, with more items including the top jewellery brands set to be eligible for the Authenticity Guarantee programme.
Notes to Editors
eBay Jewellery By the Numbers
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eBay has long been a destination for unique jewellery pieces, from vintage Cartier Maillon Panthère necklaces and Chanel earrings to antique Art Deco diamond rings, these special pieces are some of the most expensive items sold on eBay UK.
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On average, over 600,000 listings of fine jewellery are live on eBay daily.
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Tennis bracelets and diamond rings are amongst the most searched jewellery trends on the marketplace in 2023
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Some of the top-selling jewellery brands in 2023 on eBay UK include Tiffany and Co., Cartier, Chanel and Van Cleef & Arpels.
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Timeless collections such as Cartier Love and Van Cleef Alhambra are amongst the top-selling lines, proving the classics are here to stay.
* Internal eBay search data June 2022 vs November 2022
** Internal eBay search data June 2022 vs December 2022